Thompson/Center Venture

[Shoot&Ski]

I have been checking out the new(er) Thompson Center Venture rifle. I was at the local store and actually handled a few yesterday. They look really nice, action feels great and looks and feels very substantial. The important bits of the gun, trigger barrel and action are all from the more expensive T/C rifle. I am wondering if anyone has had a chance to shoot one extensively and what do you all think? I really did not like the trigger guard that is molded into the stock (yuck) and the rubberish inserts in the stock made it feel like a toy. I would rather have a plain synthetic stock if it is going to be synthetic. Also the Drop Box Mag seemed OK, but is only a single stack, I like built in better. How do you think this thing would compare to the usual suspects: Weatherby Vanguard, Tikka T3, one of the similar Savage rifles. They say the Venture has an MOA guarantee, but some of the reviews I have seen have produced bigger groups in testing.
What do yall think?

 

[wingman]

I can only speak to the Icon precision hunter that I own in .204 ruger shot .375 out of the box with commerical ammo,trigger is excellent(factory had set at lowest) built in scope rail, over all fit and finish much better them my savage or Remington rifles. The barrel has 5r rifling and is very easy to clean.

 

[srkavanagh6621]

My father in law bought a venture about 3 months ago in 22-250 and its a tack driver. Very very accurate gun right out of the box. He scoped it with a nikon monarch 2.5-10 and has killed over 30 yotes with it this winter. He loves it and quite frankly i do too. Good gun, I also like the tikka they are a very accurate gun also. i have one in 7mm rem mag and that thing shoots.

 

[BIGR]

I don't own one but everywhere I turn I read real good reviews on them. Looks like for the money it is alot of gun.

 

[viking499]

I don't own one either, but would love to try one out. If given the opportunity, I will try one soon. Local FFL said he has 20 ordered. If I can swing it, he will only have 19 when they come in.

 

[Shoot&Ski]

I don't own one either, but would love to try one out. If given the opportunity, I will try one soon. Local FFL said he has 20 ordered. If I can swing it, he will only have 19 when they come in.

Well if you do, make sure you let us know what you think. What caliber are you going with?

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

I've been looking hard at either an ICON or a Venture in that new 30TC cartridge. Just not to sure if that 30TC is going to last really. Seems to me to just be a different shoulder on a .308 case and a different powder blend. Basically a hot rod .308 so I have been holding off on it to see if it survives. If I don't go for the 30TC I may in fact get one in either 30.06 or .300wm.

 

[viking499]

Well if you do, make sure you let us know what you think. What caliber are you going with?

Don't know yet. Miss my 204 after I sold it. Thinking about a 223 bolt gun to go with my AR. Son wants something bigger than his 243 and has mentioned a 308.

 

[snakeman]

Go for it!

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

viking499, My suggestion for your son would be a 7mm.08. Pretty much the same recoil as the .243 with twice the punch. If you reload, it is quite literally, the perfect white tail-hog round out there. I personally think it is what the .308 tried to do but just didn't quite get there. Great ballistics, great bullet weight and configuration choices, very tailorable, and really puts the smack down on deer and hogs. With the recoil being almost the same, your son would fall right into that cartridge selection with very little, if any, adjustment to his form.

 

[28lx]

+ 1 on the 7mm-08

 

[redactor]

I have one in .30-06 that I used for an elk hunt in western WA in November 2010. I was initially skeptical about these rifles, but I gave it a try anyway. For my handloads, this rifle is astoundingly accurate on paper (I didn't get a shot at an elk unfortunately). The rifle held up well against the weather. The only gripes I have were 1) it weighs about 2 pounds too much and 2) because of the two-position safety, the bolt kept opening when I carried it slung. If you are hunting from a stand, neither of those two things will matter to you. If you plan to walk around with it a lot, they might.

CDNN has the "Icon" in 30TC on sale for the price of the Venture right now FWIW.