Well, I did get to compare them side by side. The actions were equally smooth, the trigger was slightlybetter on the NEF, the over all finish was better on the TC. The TC was 530 bucks, the NEF was 199. Additional barrels for the NEF are 82 dollars, the TC barrels are 200 to 300 dollars. I wont argue the over all fit and finish of the TC, it is clearly superior. But not 230 dollars superior.
I just bought myself the .243tonight and plan to get the 270 and 45-70 barrels for it in the future.
Thanks for the input guys, Wish I could take everyones advice but poverty runs amok! EJ