I'm new to this forum, and tried to post last week. Now I'll try again. I recently acquired a Thompson Icon in 300 Win Mag. I know little about The Icon, and have never owned a Magnum. I have reloaded alot and would like to work up a load for this rifle. I've had good success with 4831 and 4350 powders for my 30-06, 25-06, and 270 and according to my reloading manuels (Nosler, Hornady, and Barnes) It should work well in the 300. I'm looking for thoughts about the rifle, good or bad. Also any pointers on reloading for this gun. I would like to work up an Elk load with either Barnes or Nosler Bullets. Thanks, BucDoc
Thompson Icon
- Thread starter BucDoc
- Start date
Doesn't anyone have experience or an opinion about the Icon? I've never owned or load for a magnum, and was looking for some pointers on any possible differences or problems I may encounter. I'm still undecided on what scope to put on it, but was thinking on a higher magnification that the 3-9's I've always used. I've always been partial to Leupolds. Any help or thoughts would be welcome. Thanks, BucDoc
I have never owned a 300 mag but my cousin has one, he uses 180 grain noslers and I think he uses reloader 22, maybe 4831. I know he said it shot well. Just have to watch for pressure with the magnums. I have a .264 win mag and I have a 4.5-14X40mm VX3 on it and really like that scope. It has the boone and crockett reticle. With some practice I was shooting well using the lines out to 500 yds.
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
The icon is a fine, fine rifle. I especially like the integrated bases. Load the 300 Winny is just like the other cartridges you listed. Use good data from the newest books you can find. I like your choice of powders and bullets, and I am sure you will find a good shooting load with some combination of those componants. One thing: headspace your cases by the shoulder, just like your other cartridges, and forget about that silly "belt."
And enjoy that fine rifle.
And enjoy that fine rifle.
*******
Active Member
I don't have an Icon but I have reloaded for a number of Thompson Center arms and I have found the same trend with all of them. The hotter the load, the better the groups. I've crammed all the powder I could into cases from a .223 to a .416 and the groups were awesome. With my Encore in .270 I get .25 inch groups at 300 yards with a load that deforms my cases so badly I can't resize them. Thompson Center makes tough actions that take big loads great.
shootbrownelk
Veteran member
I never tried stuffing all the powder I could into cases. That sounds like rolling the dice to me. My .375 shoots just great with moderate loads of 4064 behind Barnes X bullets....the Elk just hate it! Sometimes less is more.
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
Thanks everyone for the replies. I think I'll probably start with less than max loads, and hope for good accuracy. Thompson promises MOA, and I'll be happy with that. The gun has a really nice trigger for a factory gun (better than my Rugers, Browning and Remingtons) so I'll probably leave it alone for now. Recoil is a concern, but not major. It has a nice pad, and I don't think I'll shoot this gun alot. Now I need to decide on a scope. I thinking more magnification than the standard 3-9 that I've used in the past on most of my guns. I've never had a bad Leupold, so thats probably where I'll end up. I am open to suggestion though. Since my boys are raised I really haven't outfitted a new gun for a few years. From the replies, it looks like not alot of experiences or opinions on the Icon. Thanks again, BucDoc
shootbrownelk
Veteran member
BucDoc...Speer has a 200 gr. "DeepCurl" bullet out, that works great in the .300 magnums. Try them on top of some IMR #4350. Good Luck!
Icon win mag
I've never shot Speer bullets, is it a "Premium" bullet? Whatever that means. I've been mostly a Nosler Man, but was thinking about trying a Barnes bullet. I've shot 165s in my 30-06, but was thinking about trying 180's if I stick to Nosler. The 165s have killed alot of deer and elk for my family over the years. I'm thinking the Win Mag is going to be more of an Elk gun. Tell me about this Speer bullet.
I've never shot Speer bullets, is it a "Premium" bullet? Whatever that means. I've been mostly a Nosler Man, but was thinking about trying a Barnes bullet. I've shot 165s in my 30-06, but was thinking about trying 180's if I stick to Nosler. The 165s have killed alot of deer and elk for my family over the years. I'm thinking the Win Mag is going to be more of an Elk gun. Tell me about this Speer bullet.
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
BucDoc, I have had very good luck with Barnes Tripleshock bullets, and they hold up to some high velocities in cartridges like the 300. With Barnes you can load 150s or 165's fast, and benefit from flat trajectory.
Barnes bullets
I'm going to try the Barnes 165 grain bullet. I bought 50 RP once fired cases this week. I still need to get the Reloading dies. I haven't got a scope yet, so I'm not in a big hurry. Summer goes fast, so I better get working on it. Thanks, BucDoc
I'm going to try the Barnes 165 grain bullet. I bought 50 RP once fired cases this week. I still need to get the Reloading dies. I haven't got a scope yet, so I'm not in a big hurry. Summer goes fast, so I better get working on it. Thanks, BucDoc
Well, I finally got a scope put on the rifle,and loaded a few rounds to test. I put a Leupold Vx3 4.5-14 on it, and loaded some Hornady Interlock 165's with Hogdon 4831 powder. I'm not an accuracy nut, but do like a gun that shoots well. I've only shot about 20 rounds, but have shot 2 different half inch groups. I love the trigger pull, and felt recoil was no worse than my 30-06. I'm going to load some 165 Accubonds next, and may try them with 4350 powder. I'm also going to get some 180 grain accubonds. So far I have to say I'm really happy with the gun. Thanks to those who replied to my original post. BucDoc
I'd try 180gr and 200gr accubonds with H4831. I've had good results with the 300 win with the 180gr accubond and RL22 also. Since you already have several smaller deer rifles, I'd set this one up for elk and larger game using the 200gr accubond. The 180gr accubond would work great also, I just like exit wounds on big critters so I like the heavier bullet. I shot a 300 win for years with the 180gr ballistic tips or accubonds and the same scope. The accubond is my favorite bullet I've ever tried.
result report
Well, I got a load worked up using the 180 grain Accubonds. On the range I shot several groups under an inch. One five shot group had all five shots touching. I was ready for the Elk hunt. I never really tested the gun or load. I chased a really nice bull for several days, but never got closer than 540 yards. On the last day I had to hunt, I killed a smaller 6 point at 140 yards after the bigger bull got into the timber. I'm sure if I had been prepared I could have made the 540 yard shot, but didn't want to take it with out first doing some long range practice. On a later hunt I let my nephew use the gun, and he made a one shot kill on a nice 6 point at about a hundred yards. I'm totally satisfied with both the gun and load. I'll see how it works on deer this weekend I hope. BucDoc
Well, I got a load worked up using the 180 grain Accubonds. On the range I shot several groups under an inch. One five shot group had all five shots touching. I was ready for the Elk hunt. I never really tested the gun or load. I chased a really nice bull for several days, but never got closer than 540 yards. On the last day I had to hunt, I killed a smaller 6 point at 140 yards after the bigger bull got into the timber. I'm sure if I had been prepared I could have made the 540 yard shot, but didn't want to take it with out first doing some long range practice. On a later hunt I let my nephew use the gun, and he made a one shot kill on a nice 6 point at about a hundred yards. I'm totally satisfied with both the gun and load. I'll see how it works on deer this weekend I hope. BucDoc