ICON Update

Ian M

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They are building rifles and not far from shipping their first batch. Initial rifles have to go into sales and marketing demands - salesmen need samples to show their clients, right. So do writers need rifles to shoot and photograph for articles. Plus no doubt some shooting show&tells, hunts etc.

They are getting VERY close, learned some stuff that will blow you guys away, will share it as soon as I can. Things are getting more better all the time...

Will keep you all informed.
 
Did you happen to find out what calibers they will produce? I recall reading that they won't be making the 22-250 or 243 version, and will instead focus on the 308 and 30TC.
 
MSU Marksman,
I believe you are correct, right now the production is .308 Win. and then .30 TC. No info yet on when the smaller calibers will be rolling. They are ramping-up production, have some excellent improvements to the original design. I have not seen the production piece yet but they have come-up with a new detachable magazine and trigger guard assembly. Plus they took some weight off the action so the rifles are a bit lighter. Big news is accuracy, they are shooting very well. There are some interesting new developments, will share info when the time is appropriate.

I had the good fortune to have the opportunity to write a barrel break-in and maintenance instruction sheet that will go with each rifle.
 
The suggest list is about 900 dollars, just what they will sell for I am not sure. As for long actions, lefties and other innovations I am confident they will give us hunters what we want!!! I believe they have done wonders with getting the rifle into production as quickly as they have. No doubt there are R&D folks with lots of great ideas to make the ICON even more popular. Be patient, you will be happy.
 
For those interested in the ICON, the first shipment left the factory on Friday. Shipment was 20 rifles, no idea where they went but they are moving. Accuracy average is better than I have ever heard of for out of the box rifles.
No doubt a lot more rifles will be moving out now.
 
For those interested in the ICON, the first shipment left the factory on Friday. Shipment was 20 rifles, no idea where they went but they are moving. Accuracy average is better than I have ever heard of for out of the box rifles.
No doubt a lot more rifles will be moving out now.

If I was a rifle guy, I would surely be happy.
Can you talk them into a rear grip or center-grip Specialty handgun?:D
 
I've had mine on order since Feb. I wanted one of the first so I ordered one in 308 Win. I'm at work for about another week. Hopefully I get one of the one's that shipped. You wouldn't know if any went to Sport South do you? That is who my dealer gets his guns from.
 
I have just recieved the new issue of American Rifleman and they have an updated article in it that says this. The chambered offering's in 30T/C (Tested), Rem.22-250, .243Win. and .308Win. the rifleing will be six groove 1:12 RH twist, Detachable Mag w/3rnd capacity, adj. trigger down to 2 1/2lbs and 14" LOP, OAL of gun will be 44" the weight will be right at 7lbs. 7ozs. and the Suggested Retail Price of $1025.00

In the article it talks about taking the rifle to Africa and 10 hunters are using the rifle chambered in 30T/C. It says that 10 hunters shot 63 animals and 6 of them where never recovered stating that shot placement was questionable.
 
Not sure where they shipped rifles to date but unstand there are a bunch going at a fairly steady basis. I believe that number is a bit low as per how many critters died during the ICON test. This is easily the most accurate out of the box rifle I have ever shot, my rifle is shooting BHA match ammo into one hole at 100 yards. Hate to state any numbers yet, will when I have more groups shot but they are little teenie groups!!!

Here is something I just put on Kifaru.net.

I have been shooting the new ICON for a total of two days and am very impressed with this rifle (I know, I am biased but...). TC has made a significant change, and improvement, from the prototypes - they have come up with a better detachable magazine and trigger-guard, bottom metal assembly. Probably should not have used the term metal, this unit is space-age polymer and it is excellent. I was concerned about "plastic" parts going on the ICON, these are not Mickey Mouse parts, they are very solid, fit beautifully and function better than any detachable magazine I have worked with to date. The mag holds three rounds and when loaded with three the bolt still moves the cartridge ahead almost effortlessly. Another great feature is that the mag spring is slightly compressed when in place, so when you push the release button it jumps into your palm. Very slick, very reliable and I expect it will stand-up. Magazine is polycabonate also, very well made and handy. Never thought I would agree with plastic parts on a high quality rifle, but this works.

Trigger is superb, I have not weighed pressure yet but it is light and crisp. Stock is walnut, very nicely figured walnut, about perfect fit, including the curve of the pistol grip for my large hand. Action is slick and smooth, extraction has been reliable through two boxes of BHA match 175's during barrel break-in and some shooting to get drops out to 500 yards today. Accuracy is sub-moa by a significant standard. Three shot group at 500 was less than 3" in ugly wind conditions (4 moa windage or 20" of drift but very gusty).

Only negs are a little bit of bluing salts coming out of the barrel/receiver joint and the barrel is not exactly centered in the barrel channel. You have to look close to see the barrel bedding and the salts are easily cleaned up with a Q-Tip and some oil, plus my handy Midway picks. Also the rifle kicks... I am used to 15+ pound long range rifles complete with barrels that look like jack-all handles and stocks that are very close to being clubs. The big rifles soak up the recoil from the mighty .308 Win. but the ICON lets you know when it lets go. I put on my Filson sissy-pad and all was well. Same goes for the .30 TC, although the recoil seems easier to handle in my opinion.

I am shooting a Leupold Mark 4 3-9 MRT and also a Nightforce 2.5-10 NXS on the ICON, both work nicely. Both are one pound scopes and they feature superb turrets that enable very precise long range shooting.

Today my friend made several hits on a steel drum set up at 940 yards with his heavy .308 Win. and 168 AMAX bullets. The angle of the bullets coming down was so steep some of them went into the open top of the drum instead of bouncing off. Nine minutes of wind so drift was about 80 inches, elevation was 28 minutes so the bullets were dropping over 250 inches. Would not want to have been out there, his rifle was shooting very consistently at over one-half mile. Who says the .308 will not reach way out there. I did not shoot the ICON that far but I intend to next session (was letting the barrel cool when he started on the 940 yard target).
 
If anyone is interested in placing an image or two of this new rifle onto the forum I can forward some pictures. I just do not do that stuff, wish I could sometimes...
 
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