TC Compass 243 brief range report.

[mshootnit]

I wanted to give a brief accuracy review if you are considering a TC Compass. The rifle is TC brand made by Smith and Wesson. This is my first "budget" centerfire. Mine is a 243 Win. I scoped it with a VX3i 3.5-10X40. Rifle alone was $365 cash before tax. The rifle comes free floated, and with a barely user adjustable trigger. All I have done is torque the bedding screws, and initial barrel cleaning. I am at about 25 rounds down range with my handloads. I had some 90 gr. Nosler BT hunting loads in a closet and initial groups were uniform just over one inch at 100 yds. with those.
View attachment 760887
Today the load tested was 243 Win. Nosler 90 gr. Accubond. H414 powder. WLR primers Win brass. 2.727" OAL. 0.021" off the lands.
From a bench, fired three shots @100 yds from a cold, dirty barrel and this is the target.

It was 95 degrees with a sustained tailwind of 15-25 mph.
I then smacked some steel at 200 yds and called it good. I remain pretty impressed with this rifle, especially at the price. The trigger has the slightest amount of creep and is a tad stiff, but very manageable. Not the best trigger I have, but among the best factory triggers I would say. Also truly floated, I have not had to touch anything with regard to bedding, can't beat that!

 

[Corn-Picker]

Thanks for the write up. I would say that the rifle is made by TC, which is owned by S&W, as I don't think S&W has changed TC's employees/procedures. I own a TC Dimension in 223, which is the most accurate rifle I own. The Dimension sounds similar to your rifle; very accurate with a slightly creepy trigger. My Weatherby Vanguard S2 has the best stock trigger of any rifle I own, the honor of best single-stage trigger goes to my CZ with single set trigger.

It's amazing what we have access to in this day and age. The fact that you can regularly achieve that type of accuracy with a $365 rifle is astounding.

 

[horsey300]

I wanted to give a brief accuracy review if you are considering a TC Compass. The rifle is TC brand made by Smith and Wesson. This is my first "budget" centerfire. Mine is a 243 Win. I scoped it with a VX3i 3.5-10X40. Rifle alone was $365 cash before tax. The rifle comes free floated, and with a barely user adjustable trigger. All I have done is torque the bedding screws, and initial barrel cleaning. I am at about 25 rounds down range with my handloads. I had some 90 gr. Nosler BT hunting loads in a closet and initial groups were uniform just over one inch at 100 yds. with those.

Today the load tested was 243 Win. Nosler 90 gr. Accubond. H414 powder. WLR primers Win brass. 2.727" OAL. 0.021" off the lands.
From a bench, fired three shots @100 yds from a cold, dirty barrel and this is the target.

It was 95 degrees with a sustained tailwind of 15-25 mph.
I then smacked some steel at 200 yds and called it good. I remain pretty impressed with this rifle, especially at the price. The trigger has the slightest amount of creep and is a tad stiff, but very manageable. Not the best trigger I have, but among the best factory triggers I would say. Also truly floated, I have not had to touch anything with regard to bedding, can't beat that!

Thank you much for that review, I'd been eyeing one but most reviews I find are too generic, yours was actually useful! I am curious, since you fired the accubonds with no visible troubles, do you know what twist you have? Also, if I lined the axis 2, American, and compass all up and put all of them under a sign for $365, would you still take the compass now that you've played with it a little bit?

 

[22250Rem]

In that price range the T/C Compass is looking better all the time. Thanks for the "real world" range review. I'm one of those countless people who won't buy anything until some of the feedback from owners / shooters starts to filter out to the general potential customer base. The Compass has passed the "good looks" test as seen through my eyes; and now the "shoots good" part of the equation is starting to become clear. Seems like a lot of gun for the money.

 

[mshootnit]

Thank you much for that review, I'd been eyeing one but most reviews I find are too generic, yours was actually useful! I am curious, since you fired the accubonds with no visible troubles, do you know what twist you have? Also, if I lined the axis 2, American, and compass all up and put all of them under a sign for $365, would you still take the compass now that you've played with it a little bit?

1:10 twist. It will handle accubonds very well. It would also do fine with 100 gr. Sierras or Interlocks. 5R rifling as well.
About the TC / Smith and Wesson thing, all I can say is the rifle is stamped Smith and Wesson. It has TC Compass laser etched on the receiver.
One other note: Due to a somewhat large diameter receiver, and bolt this is not the lightest little rifle you are going to run into. However with the given length of pull and where I have the scope mounted, it fits me very well.
If you were to hold it along with the others you may notice the extra heft. It is not varmint gun heavy, but is a good solid rifle.
It also has a threaded muzzle, but I have not ventured into those yet.

Personally I would take either the Compass or a select Ruger American, but I wanted to try something new. It has grown on me, no regrets. I would like to try one in 7mm-08.

 

[22250Rem]

Just looked at the compass on the T/C web site...... I was thinking 7mm-08 also and there it was with a 9" twist barrel and 399. MSRP....... It's very tempting but I'm already saving up for something different and I don't want to get distracted from my original plans; but it sure is interesting, along with the Ruger American too.

 

[bannockburn]

mshootnit

Good review and photos. At that price I would be interested in one in 6.5 Creedmoor.

 

[mshootnit]

mshootnit

Good review and photos. At that price I would be interested in one in 6.5 Creedmoor.

No doubt!

 

[Geno]

Nice review details! Thanks for sharing it.

Geno

 

[Peden197]

Hey the prices on these is beyond temptation now!! I just got mine for $205 yesterday in .243. Our local shop has all calibers on sale for $280 in this and the factory is offering a $75 mail in rebate now too so for your price you paid you can get 2 for the money! Crazy

 

[giggitygiggity]

I ordered one in .243 and another in 7mm-08 a couple weeks ago. Both come with Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 BDC scopes. The total for both rifles and scopes was under $730. Plus, with the $75 rebate per rifle, it will be under $600 for two scoped rifles. Great deal from Kentucky Gun Company.

 

[befus]

Today the load tested was 243 Win. Nosler 90 gr. Accubond. H414 powder. WLR primers Win brass. 2.727" OAL. 0.021" off the lands.
From a bench, fired three shots @100 yds from a cold, dirty barrel and this is the target.

What powder load did you use?

 

[mshootnit]

What powder load did you use?

I hate to quote from memory in case I might be mistaken. Please refer to your reloading manuals, and be sure to use your own throat readings, or OAL listed in your manual. Thanks!

 

[Jackal]

I've got one in .308. Its easily the best rifle in its price range.

 

[befus]

Just today loaded some 7828, and H414 under 100 gr. Partitions and 95 grain BT's with magnum primers, and 85 gr. TSX's using 4166 to test out with the new 243.

 

[Elkins45]

I bought one of the low priced ones from KyGunCo in 243 and have been very impressed.

 

[mshootnit]

I have a load which is sub moa in my 243 Win. rifle. It cosists of a near max charge of H414 (W760) , WLR primer, Hornady brass, Sierra 100 gr. GK seated 0.065" off the lands.

 

[befus]

I have a load which is sub moa in my 243 Win. rifle. It cosists of a near max charge of H414 (W760) , WLR primer, Hornady brass, Sierra 100 gr. GK seated 0.065" off the lands.

Glad that was good. I loaded 42.5 H414 and magnum primers with the 100 grain Partitions and 39 and 40g W760 with the 95 BT's and standard primers.

 

[befus]

I bought one of the low priced ones from KyGunCo in 243 and have been very impressed.

Me too, got this one from Sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore for $300 delivered and a $75 rebate and dipped the stock myself.