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Author Topic: How Do The Ibolt and The Icon Differ?  (Read 1169 times)

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Offline Bart Solo

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How Do The Ibolt and The Icon Differ?
« on: November 28, 2008, 05:26:38 AM »
Smith and Wesson bought Thompson/Center a few years back.  At the time neither was building a bolt action rifle. The reason Smith and Wesson gave for acquiring Thompson was that it wanted to launch a new bolt action rifle and was impressed with Thompson's outstanding barrels.  Within a short time both Smith and Thompson have fielded new bolt actions.  Smith's Ibolt is synthetic, looks a lot like the Remington 700 and is priced at about $550--650.  Thompson's Icon sports a wood stock and is priced a little up market.  I find it odd that the main brand would pick the low price point and its subsidiary's offering would have a higher price point.  It is a given that they are using the same outstanding Thompson/Center barrels. Besides the stocks, what are the differences between the two?  Are they totally different rifles or are the differences mostly cosmetic like Chevy and Pontiac?                                                     
 
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Offline One Eye

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Re: How Do The Ibolt and The Icon Differ?
« Reply #1 on: November 28, 2008, 06:59:05 AM »
I can't speak to the iBolt or Icon, but I did own a S&W bolt action many years ago.  I think it was a Model 1500 Hunter (or something like that).  I sure hope they do better with their current offering, as that gun couldn't hit water if it fell out of a boat.

I suspect S&W chose the lower price point because TC already had the higher price market covered with their offerings and the parent company would not be able to compete with TC's reputation in the marketplace.

I sure hope they don't mess with TC.
Dan
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Offline davem270win

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Re: How Do The Ibolt and The Icon Differ?
« Reply #2 on: November 28, 2008, 07:14:33 AM »
The ibolt uses a 'fat bolt' design with a 60 degree bolt lift. Nothing really new or unique, but it is the cheapest 60 degree bolt rifle now available.

My understanding is that the ibolt and icon were developed independently.

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Offline mjbgalt

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Re: How Do The Ibolt and The Icon Differ?
« Reply #3 on: November 28, 2008, 11:56:57 AM »
i have held both at gunshops and they have nothing in common, other than that TC makes the barrel on both.

the i-bolt actually seems really cheap and the finish is gritty, like the sps remingtons. the icon is very nicely finished and costs half of what my first car did.

-Matt
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Offline trotterlg

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Re: How Do The Ibolt and The Icon Differ?
« Reply #4 on: November 28, 2008, 01:59:00 PM »
The Ibolt uses a round receiver while the Icon uses a square block that is machined to shape.  I think the triggers are the same and the bolt may well be the same or basically the same.  I think they are closely related with a lot of the basic internals developed in the same place.  I have a 25-06 Ibolt and at the time I bought it, it cost me $249.00 after the $50.00 rebate.  The Icon is $500.00 more than that.  Larry
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Offline charles p

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Re: How Do The Ibolt and The Icon Differ?
« Reply #5 on: November 28, 2008, 02:23:28 PM »
The old S&W 1500 rifles were Howa, the same as Vanguard.
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Offline Bart Solo

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Re: How Do The Ibolt and The Icon Differ?
« Reply #6 on: November 29, 2008, 02:50:47 AM »
Charles P is right. The old S&W 1500 was a Howa.  I think both Howa and its Vanguard derivative have improved over the years.
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Offline jcn59

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Re: How Do The Ibolt and The Icon Differ?
« Reply #7 on: November 29, 2008, 06:49:11 AM »
The Icon uses the 5r rifling in it's barrel.

Does the i-bolt use conventional rifling?

I don't believe the barrels in these 2 different rifles are the "same", but maybe I'm wrong.
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Offline j104wd

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Re: How Do The Ibolt and The Icon Differ?
« Reply #8 on: November 29, 2008, 10:18:38 AM »
dont know on the rifling but the triggers are differnt at least how they adjust the icon adjust up by the bolt the ibolt through the trigger gaurd. no comparison on quality the icon is much nicer. they are completly differnt rifles other than my Ibolt having tc stamep in the barrel you wouldnt know they came from the same parent company.
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Offline trotterlg

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Re: How Do The Ibolt and The Icon Differ?
« Reply #9 on: November 29, 2008, 12:28:46 PM »
For three times the money I would hope the Icon would be nicer.  The bolts both use the same type of loaded round indicator, so I think that at least some of the same thinking went into both of them.  Larry
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Offline One Eye

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Re: How Do The Ibolt and The Icon Differ?
« Reply #10 on: December 20, 2008, 10:58:25 AM »
Quote from: Ron Byers on November 29, 2008, 02:50:47 AM
Charles P is right. The old S&W 1500 was a Howa.  I think both Howa and its Vanguard derivative have improved over the years.
I sure hope so, because that S&W 1500 I had in .270 couldn't shoot any ammo consistently.  It was the worst shooting bolt action rifle I have ever owned.  I was thinking about a Weatherby Vanguard lately, but this has me rethinking that.  Thanks for the info.  I truly appreciate it.
Dan
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Offline Hank08

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Re: How Do The Ibolt and The Icon Differ?
« Reply #11 on: December 21, 2008, 10:36:02 AM »
Back in the 1970s I had a HOWA 30-06 (not a S&W) but just like it and the Vangaurd.
It was the most accurate 30-06 I've ever had.  I have a Vanguard in .257 Wea. 1"-1 1/4" gun.  Re the ICON & IBOLT I just can't warm up to them, they may be great but their both ugly to my eye.  It will be interesting to see how they do in the long run.
H08
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Offline mrbigtexan

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Re: How Do The Ibolt and The Icon Differ?
« Reply #12 on: December 22, 2008, 02:53:22 PM »
my buddy has a s&w 1500 in 270 and it is a real tackdriver. it has great wood on it also.
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