Just got a T/CR22

[Orion8472]

Two days ago, I picked up a gunbroker auction win, one of the new Thomspson Center T/CR22 10/22 clones. This is my initial review. More to possibly follow:

1. It is a very nicely put together rifle. Fit and finish is quite good for its price range. In fact, several characteristics are better than the current Ruger products. The finishing in the receiver is better, for one. Having a scope rail as part of the receiver is another [if you're going to put an optic on it].

2. The trigger is pretty much like a factory Ruger trigger, but it's good all the same.

3. The factory magazine, however, is a PITA to get the first round in.

I'm quite happy with the purchase. Zero'd the scope [Burris LRS 1-4] at 25 yards and it appears to have very good accuracy. The bench I was using wasn't the best and wasn't exactly stable for really getting it zero'd, but that will come perhaps tomorrow.

Does anyone else have this rifle? What do you think?

I'll have pics later if someone really needs to see them. ;-)

 

[greyling22]

I appreciate the review. I thought I recalled hearing they supposedly had better than ruger triggers in them, and it's good to know that isn't the case so my expectations aren't spoiled.

I really feel like ruger lost interest in the 10/22 years ago, let the design stagnate, and left the door open for folks like thompson and bergara to steal market share.

 

[Odd Job]

Pictures are always welcome.

 

[kozak6]

I honestly haven't heard anything about them, and that's a little disappointing.

The integral rail, sight upgrade, Magpul style stock, threaded barrel, and cleaning port are intriguing. And there's a proper BHO, although it doesn't work with 10/22 mags.

Without having shot or even handling one, it seems to me like it could be a good choice for someone interested in an upgraded 10/22 who doesn't want to buy used or isn't a tinkerer.

 

[Picher]

I love my modified 10-22, but find the heavy barrel a bit too heavy for walking around a couple of miles. I'm thinking about a fluted barrel, but don't use the rifle all that much, preferring the fluted, CZ455, .17 HMR bolt-action to handle varmints in the family acreage behind the houses.

 

[Orion8472]

kozak6, not wanting to go through the trouble of doing the few upgrades to another Ruger was one of the main reasons I got the Thompson. It already has an "auto bolt release". Not a hard switchout to do on an Ruger, but now I don't have to do it. But the integral rail was the most important part for me. I don't like using the tiny screw holes on an aluminum upper for a scope mount.....and a couple of my Ruger 10/22 holes were stripped out in the past. No way to fix that. The threaded barrel probably won't be used, but is there IF I do get something to screw onto it.

Today, I'll be taking it to the range to try out a BX-25 magazine. I'll take some pics at that time.

 

[Skylerbone]

Still mulling it over as a purchase and really wanting to be a fan, so the review is greatly appreciated. Having logged 141 hours in overtime this month makes it a painless purchase if it lives up to the featured specs. Mark me down for picture viewing, particularly the interior if you can snap pictures of the bolt face and receiver.

 

[dak0ta]

This guy does a great Ruger vs TC review all the way down to the small components. TC is way better finished. I have my 10/22, so I guess I'm sticking with it for all its deficiencies for now.

 

[Picher]

This guy does a great Ruger vs TC review all the way down to the small components. TC is way better finished. I have my 10/22, so I guess I'm sticking with it for all its deficiencies for now.

The nice thing about any 10-22 is that you don't have to remain stuck with what you have, it can be made into a "silk purse" quite easily, (but perhaps not cheaply, depending on your desires and wallet).

Like somebody before me stated, "Accuracy costs $$$...Just how accurate do you want to be?"

 

[Orion8472]

Okay, I just returned from the range. I'll give the report, with images, tomorrow after work. I'd do it now, but have to prepare the images and am about to go to my sister's for Mother's Day.

What I'll say is,........I'm quite impressed! Even with the only so-so trigger. May have to see about a Volquartsen hammer.

 

[dak0ta]

The nice thing about any 10-22 is that you don't have to remain stuck with what you have, it can be made into a "silk purse" quite easily, (but perhaps not cheaply, depending on your desires and wallet).

Like somebody before me stated, "Accuracy costs $$$...Just how accurate do you want to be?"

I have the factory 10/22 carbine model in the wood stock. I wanted to make it into a Liberty Training Rifle, so Tech Sights and USGI sling. It's perfect in this configuration. The only thing that I did was sand out the paint overspray inside the receiver which smoothened up the action. The trigger pull is 5-6 lbs, and if I were to make one modification to improve accuracy, it would be get a new hammer to lighten up the pull. That and experimenting with different barrel band pressures.

 

[MihiT]

. That and experimenting with different barrel band pressures.

Remove it and float the barrel.

 

[MihiT]

Quite interested in the T/Cs, they're now at a price in this country that's comparable to the Rugers, which wouldn't be hard to beat quality wise.

 

[dak0ta]

Remove it and float the barrel.

Doesn't the 10/22 need the pressure pad at the fore-end to counter-act the barrel slop due to the way it's fixed into the receiver by the V-block? Right now I have the barrel band screw tightened just enough that the band doesn't slide off on it's on. It's basically there for cosmetic reasons.

 

[MihiT]

Doesn't the 10/22 need the pressure pad at the fore-end to counter-act the barrel slop due to the way it's fixed into the receiver by the V-block? Right now I have the barrel band screw tightened just enough that the band doesn't slide off on it's on. It's basically there for cosmetic reasons.

Each /22 is it's own headache, but all the one's I've seen have gone better after taking the barrel band off.
From a purely theoretical standpoint, you don't want anything that will affect the tube. (Constriction, odd pressure angles etc). Of course, theoretically the tube is good, which is not always the case on a Ruger.

 

[Skylerbone]

theoretically the tube is good, which is not always the case on a Ruger.

I think that is the perception; that Ruger doesn’t make a very accurate barrel so it must be replaced. There was a member at RFC who worked on OEM barrels concentrating on the chamber end specifically, with great results. Ruger’s generous dimensions are meant to keep customers happy who expect the rifle to go bang, even with years of neglect, not so much those who chase tiny groups.

The 10/22 was never designed as a competition grade rifle. That its design is modular and simple allows other manufacturers to address many shortcomings. That is the draw for rifles like the TCR,

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

My 10/22s are all Frankenrifle assemblies, and while I haven't used a TC receiver yet, I think their MagPul stock is an awesome design. I mated one (purchased off eBay) on my lightweight rifle with a Brownell receiver and Ruger BX trigger and absolutely love it.

 

[Picher]

The standard Ruger 10-22 Deluxe has only one screw holding the action to the stock. The carbine version has a second screw at the barrel band. I prefer to bed the action and install a pressure-point near the end of a bull barrel with about 8 lbs. uplift and another pad just ahead of the receiver. That doesn't work if there's a barrel band.

The 10-22 Target model, IMHO, is perhaps the best model to buy and the Deluxe model is second-best, because the barrel channel must be widened to accept a bull barrel, which I prefer for forward-weighting. A fluted bull-barrel is really great on the Ruger and what I would use if I did another 10-22 custom job for myself.

Incidentally, several standard-weight barrels I've tried were poor shooters, but some bull barrels have shot very well.

 

[Hookeye]

The 1022 sporters (and target) have a single screw holding the bbl/receiver assembly to the stock. From 66 to 71 there was the sporter....SP ( aka " fingergroove" ). Then came the DSP.....the " deluxe sporter" which is still available today.

 

[Hookeye]

FWIW stripped 1022 scope base holes can be fixed. Brownells sells a .146-48 tap and weaver type screws. This allows use of the 6-48 screw scope base without modification.

 

[Orion8472]

Okay, I'm ready to give my report.

I DO like the ghost ring and fiber optic setup, but I wanted to use my Burris 1-4 scope. I wanted to have better accuracy than my eyes can do with open sights. If you know what the reticle on the Burris LRS looks like, you'll understand the shooting report.

As I stated already, the trigger has SOME creep to it, but as you'll see, it's not enough to really worry about...and I trust that it will smooth out in time. I took it to my local Conservation range and sighted it in at 25 yards. I decided that this rifle would be strictly CCI Velocitors, so that's what I used. When I was satisfied with the group, I decided to see where the bullet would impact at the bank [105 yard]. To my surprise, when on 4 power, the bullet impact was at the first dot below center. I placed 3 shots into basically the same spot [more or less], creating a small whole in the earth about an inch or two wide. Hard to tell any grouping, but the hole was obvious.

Before I continue, my first 25 rounds were with the BX-25 magazine. No issues! In fact, no issues at all. Of course, I didn't put a lot of rounds through it...my goal was just to sight it in...as well as a 17 HMR rifle.

Then I took the target out to 50 yards to see where it would hit with the 25 yard zero. Not much change at all. I took a pic of the last 5 shots, 50 yards [pic below].

All in all, I am very happy with the purchase of this rifle and the use of the Burris. I plan on having a lot of fun with this rifle!

Pics:

 

[Orion8472]

So,....should I look for a black laminate stock for the Thompson Center so it matches the other two? hehe

 

[Orion8472]

I need to get more Velocitors........ :-/

 

[Skylerbone]

You ought to get some Mini Mags while you’re at it, maybe some CCI SV too, just for giggles.

 

[Hookeye]

I did a GM heavy taper 19" in a Victor Titan stock. It'll do 5 into .4 at 50 yards.
But its too heavy to hunt, plus the vertical grip annoys the heck out of me in carry, on the bench it's fine.
The TCR22 Magpul stock w a 20" GM sporter might make for a wicked tree rat popper.

Like a slight muzzle heavy feel, for better hang (shoot mostly offhand on tree rats). Full bull or even fluted .920 are too heavy.
So I figured go w heavy taper............still too heavy.
And too wide to put into my old fingergroove's stock.

Rimfire Sports doesn't have any blued sporter non fluted.

This making a 10/22 what I want is a pain in the butt.

Think the TCR22 has enough goodies on it quite a few folks will just buy and run them as is.