Browning vs. Thompson Center
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 5
Browning vs. Thompson Center
browning or tc?
its hard to decide because i looked at a TC Icon the other day in long action synthetic stainless and its hard to decide whether a browning x-bolt stainless or thompson center icon ws would be best btw i am looking for both in a .300 win mag
also does anyone have groups printed from any of these rifles?
its hard to decide because i looked at a TC Icon the other day in long action synthetic stainless and its hard to decide whether a browning x-bolt stainless or thompson center icon ws would be best btw i am looking for both in a .300 win mag
also does anyone have groups printed from any of these rifles?
#5
Spike
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 26
RE: Browning vs. Thompson Center
I have a TC Icon in 300 WM and it is a great rifle. The fit and finish is great and it shoots MOA with whatever I feed it. However, They are a little on the heavy side. If you are looking for a rifle to carry all day long in the woods, I would go with X-Bolt. I use mine to hunt clear-cuts, fields and powerlines.
#6
RE: Browning vs. Thompson Center
I handled a Browning X-Bolt this afternoon at Gander Mtn. I am pretty impressed with how the rifle feels. I like it a whole lot better than the A-Bolt. I'm not really fond of the synthetic stock but the wood version felt pretty good. I don't have any experience with the Icon but I would not mind giving a X-Bolt a work out.
#7
RE: Browning vs. Thompson Center
I'm not too familiar with the newer xbolt, but my BAR and Abolt IMO are no comparison to any TC.
Both shoot great.
the abolt is a .300 win mag. 1-1.5" groups, which I'm pretty sure I can improve on.
my .270 win BAR shoots far sub MOA...
Both shoot great.
the abolt is a .300 win mag. 1-1.5" groups, which I'm pretty sure I can improve on.
my .270 win BAR shoots far sub MOA...
#8
RE: Browning vs. Thompson Center
While I don't have as much experience with the TC Icon, I DO have a lot of experience with Browning A-bolts, and some with X-bolts lately. I would grab the X-bolt and RUN while gripping it tightly. The TC would be my choice if there was no such thing as A-bolt/X-bolt.
#9
Fork Horn
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location:
Posts: 267
RE: Browning vs. Thompson Center
Handled both. The Icon has alot of hype as a greatly designed bolt action rifleby TC.
Browning has alot of heritage with the A-Bolt. Lots of satisfied customers and lots of experience with gunsmiths.
Ive handled both. I wasnt that impressed with the TC by feel in my hands. The wood was nice, but the bolt handle is TOO small. I do like the looks of the synthetic stainless model though with the larger bolt handle. Made in the USA too supposidly.
Browning. A standard in alot of hunters minds. The A-Bolt is a good gun...A-Bolt Medallion is a beauty...almost too pretty to hunt with...Made in Japan. I dont own one, butI have looked alot.
Me personally. I view a rifle as a Tool. Its nice to have a show piece, but 90% of the guys i hunt with have the nice rifle in the safe, and their go to gun is the old blued gun with the beat up stock.
Im more of the synthetic & stainless lover on my rifles....They look nice and are easy to use in the nasty weather hunts.
I dont think you can go wrong with either. Icon boasts sub moa groups. Clean and maintain em they will last forever.
Browning has alot of heritage with the A-Bolt. Lots of satisfied customers and lots of experience with gunsmiths.
Ive handled both. I wasnt that impressed with the TC by feel in my hands. The wood was nice, but the bolt handle is TOO small. I do like the looks of the synthetic stainless model though with the larger bolt handle. Made in the USA too supposidly.
Browning. A standard in alot of hunters minds. The A-Bolt is a good gun...A-Bolt Medallion is a beauty...almost too pretty to hunt with...Made in Japan. I dont own one, butI have looked alot.
Me personally. I view a rifle as a Tool. Its nice to have a show piece, but 90% of the guys i hunt with have the nice rifle in the safe, and their go to gun is the old blued gun with the beat up stock.
Im more of the synthetic & stainless lover on my rifles....They look nice and are easy to use in the nasty weather hunts.
I dont think you can go wrong with either. Icon boasts sub moa groups. Clean and maintain em they will last forever.
#10
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Adirondacks
Posts: 1,305
RE: Browning vs. Thompson Center
A nice feature of the Icon is you have 3 choices as regards the bolt handle so that shouldn't be an issue.I like the fact that it comes with a test target and is guaranteed to shoot sub moa.I still haven't actually seen one in person but the review I read was very positive.