T/C has really taken the the "Interchangeability Market" by storm. This being the first bolt action multiple shot, that I know of, in the market is quit the technological advance in the shooting world. I, unfortunately, believe that this first edition of the Dimension rifle may take a nose dive with in a few years and either T/C or another company will come out with a better, more refined model. Ever since the release of the Encore and other similar models that were one shot interchangeable rifles (muzzleloaders and shotguns) , owners said, "Wow this is great, one gun and I can shoot almost anything out of it, too bad I only have one shot though."
In respects to interchangeability, I think the main goal and focus for the Encore was this: here in New England (Where T/C originated in Rochester NH, but has recently been shutdown and shipped else where to manufacture >:/) Or largest game animal is moose followed by bear, dear, predator, turkey, goose, duck (other fowl) and varmint. With these types of game we have an archery, muzzleloader, rifle/shotgun/crossbow season. (A rifle tag is used for a rifle, shotgun, or crossbow on game).
T/C focused on the thought, "How can we appeal to or hunters at home while maintaining accuracy, costs, and durability." That thought was followed by the Encore. The Encore allows hunters a renowned technologically advanced muzzleloader (Which is "one shot" anyways) for muzzleloading deer season, a few hundred dollar barrel change to your favorite deer caliber (In some cases this can also be used on bear, moose and other game), and a turkey gun. The Encore provided the Tri-fecta of rifles with quality and affordability.
Owners purchased the Encore either as their sole muzzleloader (which, IMO, it does best at) or to change calibers for the season and game. In New England you usually do not get more than on shot chances at game, and if you do you usually have time to brake the barrel open and reload (or reset your muzzleloader charge). The NEED for bolt action capabilities just wasn't there, and I believe that it still wont be there.
We first have to look at the market of bolt action shooters. Most bolt action shooters are hunters (large, medium, and small game), benchrest shooters, target/plinkers. For hunters, a bolt action rifle allows both accuracy and relatively quick follow up shots. Benchrest and plinkers do it for accuracy and consistency. So, I would think that plinkers and bench rest shooters are off the map when it comes to the Dimension. One reason is that it offers mainly hunting calibers, with some bench rest calibers added in. Plinkers may be turned on to the rifle with the idea that they don't have to spend thousands of dollars to shoot different calibers at the range. From this, I believe that once they have to change their barrel a few times and possibly re-zero the firearm then they will be turned off by it.
So who does this rifle appeal to? This rifle appeals to the hunter who has multiple sized game in their area and does not want to have to buy an entire (sometimes expensive to receive quality) rifle for each purpose. Doesn't this sound a lot like the Encore? Well it is, except it is a bolt action rifle and I don't think they fully thought out the scope mount.
On the Encore the barrel is tapped and drilled for the scope and is secured to the barrel as if it were the receiver of the Encore. These scoped barrels hold their zero extremely well. The Dimension has the ability to both mount on the receiver (Which I think renders it useless if you change your barrel from your .204 Ruger for varmint, and then switch to your deer/bear/moose caliber). Or you have the option to have the ugly shotgun style bridge mounted on the barrel. This, although adding to the already unattractiveness of the rifle, is the lesser of the two evils. Where T/C did do it right is that I'm pretty sure that the back of the bridge is secured to the receiver even when changing barrels.
In total, I think T/C jumped the gun on this project. IMO there is no need for and interchangeable bolt action rifle for most of north America, let alone New England. In New England if you want a long and short range bolt action moose, bear, deer, etc you have something to the degree of a .30-06 Springfield.
Though a cool concept, technologically advanced, and the first of it's kind (to my knowledge) I really don't see the need to have an interchangeable bolt action rifle when you can just have two or three guns at your ready in the safe. It will definitely appeal to economy hunters who really desire different calibers and I think that that was T/C's main target. I wish the best to the T/C corporation (and S&W the new owners of T/C as of a couple of years ago) and I hope that the rifle lives up to it's claimed ease of interchangeability and MOA accuracy with each change out.
Good luck T/C and to whomever purchases the rifle! I can't wait to see some more pictures, videos, reviews, and range reports of the rifle(s).
asimpleman
