That group and those velocity figures pretty much set the tone for the day. The smallest of my 10 groups measured a scant 0.265 inch, and the biggest was a pretty, little 0.734-inch group that would have been a great best group from just about any rifle. The average of 10 groups was 0.506 inch, despite a 20 mile-per-hour tail wind that had little effect on the bullets but moved me around on the bench quite a bit. The average velocity was equally impressive at 2988 fps for30 shots fired.

The Weaver-style scope base and solid receiver top are clearly visible here.

I came away from my test impressed. But nothing's perfect, and there were a few things about the Icon I would change if I could.

First, I would prefer a hinged floorplate instead of the detachable magazine. Detachable magazines are easily lost in real-world hunting conditions, and there is little need for fast magazine changes in the game fields. A hinged floorplate would also make single loading possible. I mentioned this to T/C, and I have a feeling we'll see a hinged floorplate, at least as an option, in the near future.

I also think the rifle was a little too heavy. The stock was unnecessarily thick in a few places, and I think some judicious whittling would improve the look of the Icon while making it livelier in the hand and reducing its weight. Once again, it seems T/C is committed to perfection, as the company representative told me they have already done that; production models will be much lighter and trimmer.

.30 T/C Icon 100-Yard Accuracy
Factory Load	Velocity (fps)	Best Group (inches)	Worst Group (inches)	Average Accuracy (inches)
Hornady 150-gr. InterLock	2988	0.265	0.734	0.506

Overall, I really liked T/C's latest rifle and cartridge. As tempting as it is to say the Icon is a good gun for the money, I can't, because the fact is, it's a good gun at any price! And while the .30 T/C cartridge may not measure up in the eyes of the mega-magnum maniacs, it's a model of efficiency and innovation. However, as much as I liked it, my time with the new Icon was too short.

Fortunately, I had the opportunity to shoot the Icon again a few weeks later at our semiannual writer's roundtable, where I was pleased to see the test rifle's accuracy hold up at long range, too. Some kind soul had placed a motley assortment of fruit and plastic water bottles on the 400-yard range.

The Icon is a striking rifle. If the production stocks are as pretty as the test rifle's, the author predicts T/C will have a hard time keeping up with orders.

Using the Nikon's BDC, I carefully picked off several watermelons and one-gallon water bottles before lining up on a much smaller 20-ounce bottle. I recovered from recoil in time to see the bottle explode. I could have kept shooting, but I elected to quit while I was ahead. Six for six at 400 yards was good enough to tell me all I need to know--the Icon and the .30 T/C make a damn-fine pair.