Taurus Thunderbolt

[slide-flipper]

Any input on the Thunderbolt?  Looking at picking up a .45 Colt version and wondered if anyone had any pros/cons...

thanks,
slide-flipper

[SHOOTALL]

picked up one last week , shot it sat. and sun. , i like the gun , sat. all shooting was close , a break in thing !
sun. was range time , 25 yds off a sand bag 2 inches to 21/2 inches with hand loads ( wind was stiff and temp was mid. 30's )50 yds about the same , did not shoot factory loads at 50 yds.
reloads were used ! but i tried 4 win 225 silvertip fact. 25 yds. and they almost all touched each other !
at 100 yds we have a steel plate maybe 18" x 18" the first shot hit the dirt in front the next 5 hit the gong !
i had to raise the rear sight after the first shot then everything was ok !
it loads easy , action is ok gets better with use , the fine groove on the rear sight is real thin and i have 50 year old eyes so i may open it up , other than that i liked the rifle !
for what its worth that steel plate is about 11/2 " thick , when we shoot it with a 150 gr 30/30 it might move a couple inches , with a 458 win mag it almost flips all the way around , the .45 colt in the thunderbolt knockes it back 4 to 5 inches
i think i will try it on deer next season as it is a handy gun ! also it might be a comfort to have 15 .45 colt buddies on hand when things go bump in the night ! or day for that matter !
if ya get one let me know what ya think !

[targshooter]

SHOOTALL,
Please post some pictures. My son and I own two Taurus slide action 22 rifles, a Model 62C and a Model 72C-SS. They are very well made and provide decent accuracy even with their crude sights. The 62C required warranty service and the factory was prompt and efficient in correcting the problem. The very rifle you have has been of interest to me. The little 22 pump rifles include such detail as the lock rings under the fore arm retaining screws. We have carried these for many seasons and many miles on overnight sojourns in the woods, and these rifles have proved to be quite field worthy. If the Thunderbolt is built as well, it would make a pretty good camp gun.

[SHOOTALL]

I had a chance to get in some range time wed. afternoon , shot it only at the gong at 100 yds. the temp was in the upper 30's .
shooting reloads the gong got hammered ! i want to get a nice day ( little wind ) and try it on paper !
i guess i have put about 200 plus  rounds through it now with out a problem !
as a note a friend was with me and had his marlin cowboy rifle also in .45 colt and he said the thunderbolt shot better !
i like both rifles , but seem to hit the gong better with the thunderbolt , maybe its the 26 in. bbl.
i was considering a .22 pump at some point ! thanks for the imfo.
don't have any pics. yet