Thompson Center TC/R22 performance center

.38SuperMan

Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2018
Messages
1,860
Reaction score
4,582
Location
East Tennessee
In the last two years I've gotten into 22 rifles. In the mid 70's I bought a new Ruger 10/22. This was back when you could buy one new at Kmart for $69. Over the years I put a lot of rounds through it and then stuck it in the back of the safe and forgot it until a few months ago.

Two years ago I got into lever action rifles and vintage Winchester pumps and Remington bolt actions. I recently dug my old 10/22 out of the safe, took my $6 scope off of and added a red dot. That all it took to revive my love for this rifle.

I didn't realize Rugers pattens had run out and several companies were making improved versions. In late November I was in a small local gun shop and they had several new Thompson Center TC/R22's. One caught my eye, a performance center version with the carbon fiber barrel and Altamont laminate barracuda stock. The price was good and I walked out with it.

I finally got a scope, an inexpensive Athlon 3-12x40 and took it to the range. I shot 5 or 6 brands of ammo to see how they grouped. The only match ammo I had was some Federal March and the rest was Aguila, Federal and Winchester bulk from Walmart and a couple others.

I shot from a rest at 50 yards with calm winds initially but winds picked up after a couple of groups. The groups were 5 shots and to my surprise the Federal bulk outperformed the others by a good margin. I shot 4 groups of each and my best 2 with the Federal bulk we're 3/8" Center to Center and the second a hair over 3/8".

I'm quite pleased and actually surprised it shot that well and especially surprised I shot that well.

Several months ago I purchased a Ruger Precious 22 WMR. At 100 yds I'm shooting slightly better groups, very slightly, less than 1moa just as a comparison.

The Ruger has a really good trigger and the TC is better than my old 10/22 but could be improved. Although not a bad trigger I'm going to shoot it some more to see if it improves and if not get a trigger job. Even considering the trigger it's one excellent rifle.

Targets are 5 shot groups at 3/8" or a hair over at 50 yards.
 

Attachments

  • 1F09629E-1510-4D05-B1E7-5E561CC1A9AE.jpg
    1F09629E-1510-4D05-B1E7-5E561CC1A9AE.jpg
    54.6 KB · Views: 14
  • 1A66059D-8299-4ACC-86C7-CAF1EE3F896E.jpg
    1A66059D-8299-4ACC-86C7-CAF1EE3F896E.jpg
    56.7 KB · Views: 13
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
Back
Top