UPDATE * * * * *

I told you all I would post back with my final choice and results. Well here it is. After winning my bid and paying for the gun It took a week for it to get in from ordering (gunbroker.com) and then one more day for my background check to get done and get it picked up (the extra day was my fault for not getting to the store untill right at closing time - work and such).

I ordered the Thompson Center 25-06. I added a slipon limbsaver recoil pad and a Nikon ProStaff 3-9x40 scope with the BDC reticle. I had intended to get the redfield scope but when I got up to Bass pro to buy it they didnt have the one I wanted in stock (Accu-Range reticle 4-12x40) and I didn't much care for the plain jane reticle one so I went with the Nikon Prostaff BDC instead. Glad I did.

I had Bass pro mount the scope and boresight it... they did this for free since I bought the scope there. Took the rifle out to some fields near my grandparents house and the first shot was 5in high and 5 in to the right. Made the adjustments to the scope and it was dead center every shot thereafter.

Gave the rifle over to my son and he shot 15 rounds in about the span of an hour or so and when he was done there was no bullseye left on the target. The target was the 1inch grid type paper target with a 1inch red square in the center and after his 15 rounds there was no 1in red square left, except around the edges.

He loves the gun and I must say I am impressed with his shooting. He was shooting at 100 yards. After he was done and felt confident with it, I gave it a whirl and moved the target stand back to 150 yards and put on a new target. I shot it 5 times and the holes it left in the paper, it was hard to tell were one hole ended and another hole started in one tight little circle about the size of a nickel.

I have to say that this thompson rifle is bad to the bone. I will say that it is loud as hell though. We both had to put in ear plugs after the first shot. The recoil is about the same as a m16a2 or so it seems. I couldn't even feel it recoil and my son never complained.

The rounds we were using were the Hornady Superformace 117gr, the Federal Nosler Ballistic Silvertip 115gr, and the Winchester Supreme Ballistic silvertip 115gr. My son did 5 rounds from each of those 3 and I did 5 rounds from the Hornady ones. We couldn't tell the difference in any of the three different types. None of them shot outside the 1 inch bullseye's square. I guess the rifle like's all three brands?

I am happy with this purchase as is he. Thanks allot for everyones input and advice.

WHEN (not if) he get's his first deer in one month I will be sure to come back and post up a picture of it for all to see. Take care untill then.