It is easy to get sidetracked by the Thompson/Center Dimension’s gadgetry and lose sight of the fact it is shooter’s rifle. Its form and stability haven’t been compromised to make it ultralight, ultra compact or even ultra nifty. Subsequently, the Dimension is one of the best fitting bolt action rifles I’ve shot in years. The forearm is the right width, the pistol grip just the right radius, the raised comb puts line of sight right down the center of the scope and the recoil pad holds comfortably against the shoulder. The Dimension is an extension of the shooter.
The basic Dimension rifle, a Series A .223 Remington # 8411, was received with Weaver type scope mount bases installed as pictured. A Bushnell Elite 6500 2-16x50mm scope was installed, utilizing a set of medium height Warne steel rings.
As an extra cost option, Thompson/Center offers a LOC Bridge Scope Mount, Item #9979 and 1” Low Sporter Rings, Item # 500270000, for use with the Mount.
The concept is that the bridge mount, with scope attached, remains affixed to the removed barrel so that the barrel will not have to be sighted in again when the barrel is reinstalled. It is an interesting approach, however, when scopes cost as much as a rifle, I tend to use them as a pool of scopes to be shared within a group of rifles.
Out to the shooting bench and 30ºF weather…
The rifle was set up in a steady rest sitting on a shooting bench. Cold day, but still and relative humidity was 36%. All shooting was done at 100 yards.
In addition to the basic rifle, I brought along a “D” series 300 Winchester magnum LOC barrel, magazine and magazine housing, Item #8110. The barrel is 24″ long with a 10″ twist. Like the 223 Remington magazine, the 300 Winchester Magnum magazine also holds 3 rounds. Because the conversion was from an “A” series to a “D” series, a “D” series right hand bolt was also required, Item #8606.
Throughout the range session, the Dimension was changed back and forth between 223 Remington and 300 Winchester Magnum configurations with the scope remaining in place. The amount of scope adjustment required after conversion was minimal. Eventually I index marked the scope settings so I could make the change without firing a shot to sight in. I would have no expectation that the barrels could be swapped without scope adjustment as either bullet weight or changes in barrel harmonic would of course shift point of impact, even if all else remained in identical alignment.
The Thompson/Center Dimension’s Sub MOA Guarantee
The Dimension’s accuracy guarantee is “Three Shots into One Inch at 100 Yards.
Guaranteed – With premium ammunition”. As the Dimension’s manual indicated, handloads were avoided and only industry standard, SAAMI spec ammunition was selected.
Remington Express Rifle ammunition was used for both the 223 Remington and 300 Magnum. The really cheapo ammo was avoided, but so was the $80/box specialty ammunition. The 223 Remington bullet weight selected was 55 grain, appropriate for the 12″ twist rate and a 150 grain bullet weight for the 300 Winchester Magnum, a little light, but more than enough to check the Dimension’s accuracy.
Holding one MOA at 100 yards was actually pretty easy. I wasn’t shooting bullseye, just group size, so if I didn’t have the scope dialed in exactly, I just kept shooting to the same point of aim to collect group size data. The rifle was shot as received meaning no trigger adjustment was made and pull length was left at maximum.
A couple of notes… Recoil with the 300 Winchester Magnum wasn’t bad at all. Good stock geometry and recoil pad worked well. The bolt locks up like a bank vault. Very solid and feed and eject was very positive. The rifle just has an all around good feel.
Overall…
The Thompson/Center Dimension is an excellent hunting rifle. The ability to switch calibers is a significant convenience and cost savings feature. The engineering is sound, the assembly is high quality and the performance is right out there for anyone to verify. The fact it is a good looking rifle doesn’t hurt one bit. Impressive.
Thompson/Center’s Dimension Part 1
Thompson/Center’s Dimension Part 2
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