dope bag data & comment Taurus 970 Tracker Rimfire Revolver Despite the Model 970’s diminutive .22 LR chambering, it retains the same thick barrel diameter and full-length ejector shroud of its magnum center-fire counterparts. 970 TRACKER MANUFACTURER: Forjas Taurus S.A., Av. do Forte 511, Porto Allegre, Brazil BR-91360 IMPORTER: Taurus Int’l (Dept AR), 16175 N.W. 49th Ave., Miami, FL 33014; s its name implies, .17 HMR. Taurus sent us a firer’s thumb. Pushing for- (305) 624-1115; www.taurususa.com Taurus’ Tracker is 970 in .22 LR for test and ward on the latch will allow CALIBER: .17 HMR, .22 WMR, A meant to be a pack evaluation. the cylinder to swing out to .22 LR (tested) gun for woodsmen and The rimfire Trackers the left into the firer’s weak ACTION TYPE: double-action, hunters. Although the share the same frame and hand for reloading. rimfire revolver FRAME: forged stainless steel 1 magnum chamberings double-action trigger sys- Although the ejector BARREL: 6 ⁄2" stainless steel meant for repelling preda- tem as their center-fire extends only a little more RIFLING: six-groove, 1:16" tors or delivering a coup counterparts. Although than an inch past the crane, RH twist CYLINDER CAPACITY: seven de grâce to large game some of the center-fire the shroud for the ejector SIGHTS: white outline rear have been available for Tracker models feature rod runs the full length of U-notch screw adjustable 1 for windage and eleva- some time now,Taurus has titanium frames and cylin- the 6 ⁄2" vent-rib barrel, tion; fixed front post with expanded this popular ders, all of the frames for resulting in the same thick orange insert line of double-action the rimfire Trackers are profile as the center-fire TRIGGER: double-action pull, revolvers by adding a matte-finished stainless models. However, consider- 12 lbs., 4 ozs.; single-action pull, 5 lbs., 3 ozs. number of rimfire models steel. The fluted cylinders ing the recoil of most rim- 7 OVERALL LENGTH: 11 ⁄8" 1 for small game hunting, of the rimfire Trackers all fire chamberings,Taurus WIDTH: 1 ⁄2" 5 short-range varminting or have a seven-shot capacity has sensibly dispensed HEIGHT: 5 ⁄8" WEIGHT: 47 ozs. informal target shooting. and, like the frames, are with the ports present on its ACCESSORIES: two keys for Taurus currently offers forged from stainless steel. center-fire magnum action lock; optional three rimfire caliber On the left-hand side of Trackers.The weight of the scope mount, $44 models including the 970 the frame is a cylinder latch Tracker’s thick barrel is SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $391 in .22 Long Rifle, the 971 that is dished and knurled more than enough to miti- in .22 WMR and the 17 in for better purchase by the gate muzzle flip of .22 LR The American Rifleman has used the phrase “Dope Bag” at least since WARNING: Technical data and information contained herein are intended to provide information 1921, when Col. Townsend Whelen first titled his column with it. Even then, based on the limited experience of individuals under specific conditions and circumstances. They it had been in use for years, referring to a sack used by target shooters do not detail the comprehensive training procedures, techniques and safety precautions absolute- to hold ammunition and accessories on the firing line. “Sight dope” also ly necessary to properly carry on similar activity. Read the notice and disclaimer on the contents was a traditional marksman’s term for sight adjustment information, while page. Always consult comprehensive reference manuals and bulletins for details of proper training judging wind speed and direction was called “doping the wind.” requirements, procedures, techniques and safety precautions before attempting any similar activity. 70 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN May 2003 SHOOTING RESULTS .22 LR Vel. @ 15' Energy Group Size In Inches Cartridge (f.p.s.) (ft.-lbs.) Smallest Largest Average Federal Classic No. 712 1112 Avg. 105 2.56 3.89 3.02 38-gr. plated HP 17 Sd Win. Super X No. X22LR 1006 Avg. 91 2.78 3.82 3.15 40-gr. plated RN 40 Sd Remington No. 1600 938 Avg. 79 2.93 4.08 3.54 40-gr plated RN 37 Sd Average Extreme Spread: 3.23 1 Measured average velocity for 10 rounds from a 6 ⁄2" barrel. Range tem- perature: 82° F. Humidity: 8%. Accuracy for five consecutive, 10-shot groups at 25 yds. from a Ransom Rest. Abbreviations: RN (round nose) HP (hollow point) Sd (standard deviation). mer, trigger and cylinder with a hex key supplied with the gun. The 970 Tracker in .22 LR shares the We tested the same frame and double-action trigger Tracker for accu- system as its center-fire counterparts. racy and function- The seven-shot cylinder is stainless steel. ing with a variety of high-velocity and keep the gun on target. rear sight assem- field loads from Sights include a broad bly is pinned to a Federal, rear blade with a fixed recess in the top Winchester and front post. The rear sight is strap. In addition Remington appro- screw-adjustable for to the supplied priate for hunting windage and elevation. metallic sights, frontstrap and backstrap. and plinking. Results The front and rear sights Taurus offers a base for Narrowly spaced soft hori- shown in the accompany- are finished in black to optics as a separate zontal ribs on the grip’s ing table compare well minimize glare. accessory.The unit exterior yield to the pres- with other double-action Additionally, the deep U- clamps to the vent rib of sure of the firer’s grip and rimfire revolvers we have notch of the rear blade is the Tracker’s barrel and thus conform to the con- tested. The sights of our outlined in white and the accepts most Weaver-style tour of the firer’s hand. test gun were well-regu- stepped front blade has bases and rings. The 970’s double- lated. At 25 yds., our test an orange insert for rapid The black rubber grip action trigger has a groups were only about 2" sight alignment. To reduce is a one-piece unit that curved blade with a high—well within the its height and bulk, the completely surrounds the broad, smooth face. In sights’ range of adjust- keeping with its intended ment. There were no fail- outdoor use, there is ures to fire when using enough room between the the trigger in either the blade and the trigger double- or single-action guard for shooting with mode. The cylinder a gloved finger. turned smoothly and Additionally, the wide indexed positively with- paddle of the hammer is out binding or overtavel. knurled for better pur- The Taurus 970 Tracker chase by the firer’s thumb .22 LR tips the scales at just for those who choose to over 47 ozs., which is a lit- shoot the revolver in the tle heavy for a back-up single-action mode. gun. One would definitely Given the Tracker’s feel the weight on one’s double-action system of hip or in the backpack. operation and the transfer However, the weight and bar safety mechanism bulk would not be a hin- under the hammer, it is drance if the Tracker was Sights for the 970 Tracker safe to carry the gun used in the role of a prima- include a stepped front afield fully loaded to the ry gun for small game post with an orange insert (r.) and a white cylinder’s seven-shot hunting, varminting or tar- outline rear U-notch capacity. get shooting. For hunters screw-adjustable for Additional safety fea- and shooters looking for a windage and elevation tures include the Taurus double-action revolver to (above). Security System that fill those roles, the 970 allows the user to block Tracker would certainly be the movement of the ham- worth consideration. AMERICAN RIFLEMAN 71 May 2003 dope bag data & comment Thompson/Center Omega Rifle T/C OMEGA MANUFACTURER: Thompson/Center Arms Realtree Hardwoods the rear of the barrel and Co., Inc. (Dept. AR), P.O. camouflage stock is the stainless steel breech Box 5002, Rochester, NH 03866; (603) 332-2394; another option.We plug, which has a recess www.tcarms.com hompson/Center received a blued model for a 209-size shotshell CALIBER: .50 Arms (T/C) com- with black synthetic stock primer. After a propellant ACTION TYPE: closed, swing- bined decades of for test and evaluation. powder charge and bullet ing breech, in-line muzzle- T loading rifle firearm manufacturing The Omega has a are seated in the barrel, a RECEIVER: blued carbon expertise with a clean unique, patented “lever” primer is placed in the steel or satin stainless sheet of paper to create a action with four moving recess on the breech plug BARREL: 28" RIFLING: eight grooves, 1:28" completely new in-line parts operated by pulling and the breech pivoted RH twist muzzleloading rifle for the a small knob on the trig- into the locked position SIGHTS: click-adjustable modern blackpowder ger guard downward. That by pushing the trigger fiber-optic rear, steel ramp front with Tru-Glo shooter seeking perfor- motion causes the swing- guard upward. That holds fiber-optic insert; receiver mance instead of tradi- ing breech to pivot the primer securely in drilled and tapped for tion. Called the Omega, downward, place and aligns it with scope mounts TRIGGER: single-stage; this .50-cal. muzzleloader exposing the firing pin. For safety, pull, 4 lbs. is designed with all the the hammer then remains STOCK: black synthetic, latest modern features, in the “at rest” position synthetic Realtree Hardwoods or gray lami- such as 209 shotshell out of contact with the fir- nated wood: length of 3 primer ignition, saboted ing pin and held firmly in pull, 14 ⁄16"; drop at heel, 3 3 bullets and up to 150-gr.