TCR 83 Aristocrat Question

[dfletcher]

Just doing a bit of gambling that those who like Ruger No1 and No3 single shots might also have an interest in single shots from other manufacturers.

I have a Thompson Center "TCR 83 Aristocrat" and thus far two barrels - 223 and 30.06. I've just picked up another barrel in 257 WBY & the question of whether the rifle has been "magnum treated" by the factory comes up. I'm a bit unclear as to what this would have entailed - some sort of receiver heat treating or a stronger lock up using different bolts or springs?

The 30.06 operates up to 60K and I see the 257 WBY shows about 55K - case head sizes are similar.

Does anyone have specific info on this rifle and magnum calibers?

 

[gewehrfreund]

I've owned TCR's since the mid-1980's. They're great break-open single shots with a lot more class than the Encore. More like a European rifle than a pistol made into a rifle.
Anyway, the magnum "conversion" just replaces the the 1-piece locking bolt with a 2-piece bolt (like the fix for the Contender). This resulted in better, more consistent lock-up. It wasn't that the "non-magnum" actions were unsafe, just that lock-up, and resultant accuracy, was inconsistent.
The only real downside to the TCR was the crazy safety that almost requires two hands to put into the "fire" position. Also, I found the DST does not suit me ergonomically, which is why I have the single trigger (even adjustable for sear engagenment!) "Hunter" models. I have 22 Hornet, 223 and 32-40 barrels for mine and have had 243, 22-250 and a custom shop 30-30 in the past.
It's too bad that the TC fire destroyed all the production line for the this neat rifle.

 

[dfletcher]

Thank you for the information. As they did with the Contender and Encore I suppose TC went with the split locking bolts.

I don't care for the DST either, tough as hell to set. I suspect mine hasn't been modifoed because although accuracy is great the hotter stuff in 30.06 leads to stiff opening of the action. The 223s are fine regardless of load level. I'll probably have to go easy on the 257 WBY.

I already have an Encore in 25.35 WCF and would have preferred a 257 Roberts or 250 Savage chambering in the TCR, but with barrels in such short supply I'll take what I can get. I'm not sure who makes the 257 WBY I just bought, the store said they found no manufacturer's name on the barrel.

Kittery Trading Post in Kittery, ME is where I found the 257 WBY. They have a fair supply of other (used) TCR chamberings online. Kittery is about 30 minutes from home in NH, nice to know I'll have something to buy on visits.

http://www.ktpguns.com/results.php?model=TCR

I'm guessing a TCR in 416 Remington is an attention getter, even with a ported barrel.

 

[Ladobe]

It's too bad that the TC fire destroyed all the production line for the this neat rifle.

Agree, a fine line of adaptable rifles. Loved the ones I once had.

However, your above comment is wrong. Just another of the misconceptions about TC's plant fire and their products that continues to be perpetuated on-line that is not true.

The TCR line was made/offered by TC from 1983 to 1992/1993. The TC plant fire was March 27, 1997. IOW, TC had already dropped the TCR's from production long before the plant fire. Tooling for the TCR's may have been lost that would have hindered them bringing the TCR back later if they chose to. But the fire was not their demise, most likely low sales were. Probably wouldn't have come back anyway because TC's newest/greatest (in their opinion) was in full swing by 1996, the Encore.

Lots of TC misconceptions abound on the Internet. Most are being passed on folks who don't know the difference and are just trusting hearsay. Easy enough to understand the why's. But some of us lived the TC experience from the start and know the differences. All the elite at TC are long gone or dead now, but there are still a few of us around that ran with them from the start of TC's Contender line in 1967 up until they left TC/passed away, and were very heavy users of most if not all of their products. :wink:

 

[gewehrfreund]

Interesting. KTP must have bought from an estate or closing gunshop. These barrels don't show up that often. I did see a 12ga slug barrel and a 26" varmint barrel in 22-250 ($300) at the Syracuse show this week-end.

The upgraded TCR actions will have -MAG- stamped on the bottom of the recevier and you'll see that the locking bolt is split and has a small "u" in the center of it. A little gun grease on the lug(s) should help with the hard opening.

The 257 Weatherby barrel may have been a private gunsmithing job. If it was one of the several aftermarket barrel makers of TCR barrels (or a TC custom shop), it should be marked. Might have been a rechamber of a 25-06?

A 250 Sav. would be nice in this rifle, but I'm not a 25 caliber guy, so for me it would have to be something like a 7x57 or 7-30 Waters.

 

[blkhwk8]

I attached a link below to a page that I have used to locate a few barrels and accesories.Scroll down and you will see listings for the TCR.

http://www.encoreclassifieds.com/forum/

 

[dfletcher]

Thanks, I am afflicted by all things T/C and always on the lookout. I see that Mike Bellm and Hendershots is mentioned. I spend my off time in Grants Pass and Merlin where each of them has set up shop.