Thompson Center Venture Predator

[LRPV]

Does anyone on here have first hand experience with one of these or even one of the plain venture rifles? Can't seem to find that much information on them as far as reviews and such. Need a light carry gun for calling. They point good and seem to alright but I wonder if I should just stick with my regular rem, savage stuff. Going with 22-250 and TC does offer theirs with a 1 in 12 which is attractive to me. Thanks Jason

 

[FryeGuy]

I have looked at several as well. I have several of the Icons, I think they all have the same barrels, main difference is the cheaper synthetic stock (not walnut), and the action doesn't have some of the extra things on it, finish, milled bases, etc. I would think it would be a good gun. I can't praise the Icons enough, and if they have the same barrel, I don't think you will be disappointed by accuracy.

 

[LRPV]

I have some Cabela's money to spend so that is probably where it will come from. They just took $50 off the Tikka T3's so now they are about the same money as the Venture. I would just go with one of them but with the 14 twist I won't be able to try the 64 Berger's like I was planning on. Had my eye on the 16fcss Savage for about a year but I can't stand the foam rubber butt pad they are putting on them. All the "predator" rifles charge you for the camo which is cool I guess but Mcnett tape and a rattle can works for me. Maybe I'll just pack the heavy M70 again.

 

[FryeGuy]

well, t/c has the rebate program going on right now. $150 back on icons, and i think $50 or $75 back on the ventures. it is on their website tcarms.com

 

[LRPV]

I am going to give the venture a try. Brought it home and cleaned it up. Need to do some measuring and find some time to load and shoot. I will let you know how it does.

 

[FryeGuy]

I looked at a couple this weekend. I think they were nice. If it shoots anything like my icons do, then you will be very happy. I just purchased another icon a few weeks ago. I have only shot it 6 times, but both groups were under an inch, one almost 1/2". they had the weaver style bases already installed. let me know how it does, I may have to try one out myself next. I think t/c is really going to give remington and ruger a run for their money. I looked at some remingtons this weekend, they were retailing for $600 & up, and you never know if they will shoot or not.

 

[Kenny474]

The Venture is one of the nicest entry level bolt guns I have ever fired. The bolt runs like it's on ball bearings and the bolt doesn't seem to have any slop at all. Just feels so nice. The 30-06 I have fired will group under an inch with factory Remington 180gr Core-Lokt's.

 

[LRPV]

Re: Thompson Center Venture Predator (Dead)

Sorry to say but this project ended almost before it got started. I checked to see if the brass I had full length resized from an old rifle would chamber in this new one and it wouldn't which was fine, just needed to squeeze it down a little more and all was good there. The problem with this rifle, mine anyway, is that it would absolutely not feed any 22-250 whether it be new or reloads from it's magazine. Sometimes the first one out would go but the 2nd and 3rd would not, ever. They would push out of the mag fine but before they could hit the chamber, went nose down and smack into the flat of the barrel in the bottom of the receiver. I messed around with it quite awhile to no avail. I called T/C and they were sorry but I could send them the mag and when they got it they would send me another. I said no thanks, I will return it for something different, which I did. New project is the Tikka T3. Won't be able to shoot the 64 berger like I had planned but at least it works. Was looking hard at Savage 16 FCSS but the crown looked like some one finished it with gravel and I still don't like the foam rubber butt pad. Sorry I couldn't give a more positive end to this story. Jason