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terry_g

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I am planning on purchasing a rifle in the near future probably in 30-06. I would like something that is accurate without breaking the bank.
I was considering a Weatherby Vanguard sub MOA. I am curious about the Thompson Icon rifles. Does anyone here have any experience with them? I like the fact that they are made in North America.
Thanks
Terry
 
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I don't own one, but I did handle one last weekend. The finish was very nice. The bolt was smooth. The rifle came to my shoulder and "fit" my eye pretty much perfectly. I would consider getting one in the future, but I think they are a bit over priced. Not by much though and that may have been the vendor.
 
I have not handled the ICON but if its consistant with other TC rifles it should be quite good. The vanguard isnt a bad choice either, my buddy had one in 300WSM the non sub moa model and it shot 1'' groups at 100 yards with fusion ammo.
 
The TC Icon Precision Hunter in 308 you are getting the accuracy almost of a benchrest rifle and you get to use it for hunting... JP.
 
I have a TC icon in 30-06, the weathershield model

The trigger is a bit heavy, but it breaks clean. Bolt should be smoother than the vanguard.

I like the heft and balance of it. It can indeed be very accurate. Best load I have for it so far is 180 gn Sierra Pro-Hunter over 55.5 grains of RL-17. Leaves the barrel at about 2830 fps. That load starts to crowd the 0.5 MOA mark.

Second place was 150 gn Nosler Accubonds (at just shy of 1 moa over 59.5 grains RL-17), third was 150 gn Hornady Interbonds, and bringing up the rear was Hornady SST.

It's a good gun so long as you don't mind the heft

Fat
 
I have a Weather Shield ICON in .308. Shoots sub MOA out to 300 yards with corelokts, power points, and blue box federal. It is amazing! Never tried match/quality ammo out of it yet. Can't wait too though/.
 
Have Weathershield Icon in .308, cloverleafs at 100 yards with Corelokts, and Fed Fusion, sub .75 at 200 yards. Integrated bases, flat bottom receiver with three lugs that fit into the bedding block, 3 position safety, centre feed detachable mag, a lot there to like. Bit heavier than some rifles though.

Fat but Funkly, did you adjust the trigger? The groups below were with Speers SPTZ BT, and SST. Speers disappointed, worked well in 5R, SST worked well enough - 200m 45.6gr .85MOA, 45.9gr .56MOA 46.2gr .65MOA - .6gr spread in powder only .2 spread in MOA and all <1 MOA.

Fed Power Shok at 200m (9 & 10 part of experimenting with drop)
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Some load development at 200 meters
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Bedding block & barrelled action
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My .300 win shoots great with factory hornady ammo, so good I never hand loaded for it. I love the integral weaver bases and the timney designed trigger. They are a bit heavy but with the .300 mag thats not a bad thing either.
 
I have a weatherby vanguard in 30-06, it's not a sub moa but does have the same stock(tan with black spider web), and it does shoot excellent.

But I would not buy another. Trigger is so so, the bolt through is long and the gun is heavy. I much prefer my Tikka or Sako. I haven't had the pleasure of the icon but have only heard great things about it.

100 meters load development

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The Rifle arrived yesterday. After cleaning and examining it I am very impressed. A very nicely built and finished rifle.
I do not find it heavy at all. I really like the feel of the stock, it fits my large handss well.
I pirated the 3x10 40-44 Weaver scope off my old Parker Hale for now till I decide what to put on it.

I loaded 40 break in rounds for it last night 165 grain Hornadys with 47 grains of Varget.
I will post a range report soon.

Terry

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It is as close you will get to a custom built rifle without paying for it, my Icon Warlord 308 put to rest my 2 TRG-22, my Savage BA 308 and all of my Remmy 700 (5 ), now my Icon P.H. is not on par with my Warlord but ever so close in performance for 2000.00 less... TC Icon P.H. rifles are the best kept secret....period. JP.
 
After sighting in the scope and several cleaning's of the barrel.
Most of my groups were 1-1/2" to 2" the best of the day was 1-3/8".
I really like the stock it fits me very well, I find most a bit small for my hands.
The trigger came set at the lowest setting. A bit heavy
but not so much that I will probably leave it as it is.

I brought my .223 with me as well and consistently shot under 1/2" groups
with it so I was having a decent day,
I can some times do better.

From what I read Varget is not the best choice for 165 grain bullets in a 30-06.

I stopped at the local store and bought some IMR 4350 and loaded up another 20 rounds.
I will see how I do tomorrow.

Terry
 
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With load devellopement you should be able tho shrink those groups to sub-moa, if you try Amax 178 gr you will really know what the full capability of your rifle, then you switch to SST 180 gr keeping the same numbers and you gone have a heck of a hunting load.... they shoot so good in all of my rifle and for a 30-06 always start with H-4350 it is often the one of choice for that caliber... JP.
 
We got a break from the rain the other day so I took advantage of it a headed to the range. After shooting a couple groups I was checking how hot the barrel was getting and I noticed it was loose in the stock. The 3 screws that hold the receiver in were starting to loosen. I did not have the correct tool to tighten them so home I went.

I went to the range today with a couple more new loads to try.
The first group I shot was a little low and almost 2" to the left. I'm assuming as a result of the loose screws. The first group was the best 4 shots 1/2" at 100 yards. The rest were all over an inch. The rifle definitely shoots better than I do.

I am curious if there is a procedure to tighten the screws that hold the receiver in or a sequence that the screws are tightened in. I emailed Thompson Customer support and asked them. Hopefully they get back to me soon.

Terry


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