Any Comments on Thompson Center Venture?

B

bailey bud

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I'm looking for an elk gun for my 14 yr old son. I'm thinking he's big enough that we don't need to go with a youth model.

LGS has a Venture for $399. They have it in .280 and .30-06. I was originally looking for something in .270 or 7mm-08.

I was impressed by the tight tolerances and solid feel of the Venture.

Also looked at a Weatherby Vanguard (on sale at Cabela's), and a Remington ADL package (again - Cabelas) all of which would land me about the same cost.

Anyone else here have any experience with these models?

I was trying to stick to lighter load elk guns, although he can fire my Model 70 .30-06 fairly well. Call me selfish --- but darnit --- that's MY gun. I wouldn't mind sharing bullets, though.

The alternative - we could put a scope on the Remington 788 (30-30) that he shoots reasonably well ---- which would hold him to 200 yards (not such a bad thing for a new elk hunter). I wouldn't mind buying a new elk gun, though.
 
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You obviously know guns, and the only thought I would add for consideration is whether your son will want this gun to "grow" with him, far as customization goes.

Personally, I would go with the Remington 700 action- avoid the 770 at all costs- (well, actually I'd go a bit more $$ and opt for a Savage, but I like them both) because the 700 will offer him unlimited opportunities if he wants to customize. Aftermarket stocks, triggers, accessories, as well as accurizing by gunsmiths are all more easily and cheaply accomplished with the 700 action. IMO, it's a rifle you can never "outgrow", because of that ability to customize.

I know how my kids are....
 
My oldest son got a 700 ADL package last year in 7mm Rem Mag and it is proving to be a good shooter so far. He has shot a number of sub 1" groups with it at 100 yards. I have shot it a few times too and overall I'm pretty impressed what he got for the money.

I picked up a Weatherby Vanguard S2 last year in 243 Win and again I think I got a lot of gun for the money. I shot my first ever sub 1/4" 100 group with it and so far all reloads I'm feeding are staying at or under an inch. It is a heavier gun though, something you may want to consider.

I have never had the pleasure to shooting a Ventura so I don't have any information to share on that.
 
I would have to second the opinion on the 700. It literally is just TOO versatile to overlook. The action is fantastic to boot. My recommendation is getting a BDL or some sort with irons and then throwing some glass on it. For the truly motivated, there are a couple of companies out there (Accuracy International being one of the forerunners) that make incredible, albeit expensive, chassis systems with detachable magazine capabilities. Either way you slice the cake, this is the go-to action for aftermarket customization companies and you really just can't go wrong. If you go that route, I myself would stay in .308 as that is the action most customizations are manufactured for.
 
I suppose everyone has their pets, myself included. In answer to your question I would take the Venture over the Rem, because its has some features that you won't find on the MDl 700.

My first centerfire magnum rifle was a MDL700ADL, 7mag that I bought in 1976, and I'm not bashing, just want to say that Rem cut every corner it could to make the 700 cheaper. I didn't know it at the time,b ut have since come to appreciate solidity in a highpower rifle. The Venture has three lug bolt machined from a solid billet, the 700 has an alloyed or fused bolt and washered recoil lug. The Venture has two integral lugs.

If your notion was to modify later the 700 has custom replacement parts readily available. The Venture already has the quality parts you would be upgrading to, out of the box. Both have reputations for out of the box accuracy, but the Venture has a MOA guarantee, I believe.

Out of the rifles you mentioned I would choose Venture, 280REM first, then the Vanguard, I have owned both Vanguard, and 700 and prefer the Vanguard for the same reasons I prefer the Venture.
 
Great entry level rifle. I doubt there will be any upgrades for it in the near future. If you want a rifle that you'll want to eventually swap stocks, or barrels, and other stuff then the Venture isn't for you.
 
In my opinion, Remington has let their quality slip recently. Last year I bought a Model Seven (same action as the 700) and had to send it back due to head space issues. I also bought a new Rem 597 last year which had multiple problems and had to go back to the factory. Others on the forum have recently purchased 700s and had great experiences, but I have soured on Big Green.

I sold my Remington and got a Weatherby Vanguard S2. If you like two stage triggers, you may want to look at the S2. It also comes with an one MOA guarantee.
 
The Vanguard and Howa are built using the same action, and yes all parts will interchange, but they are quite a bit different. While they start with the same action, they use diffferent barrels, stocks, safety's, triggers, and bolts.

It is a small sample, but the Howa's I've shot have out performed the Vanguards I've shot.

As a rule I think the Vanguard/Howa rifles are one of the best values in a gun today. I used to be a Remington fan. They were my prefered gun for decades, but I've come to appreciate other designs and just don't like them as much anymore. Not because of any QC issues. I just prefer other designs today.

I have no personal experience with the TC rifles, yet. But I've heard nothing but great things about them. There is a used TC in 243 in my LGS calling my name.
 
The T/C Venture is one of the best rifle values on the market to day. Don't get me wrong I like the 700 I have two, but the Venture I believe has more to offer out the box, fully free floated barrel, adjustable trigger, 5R rifling, detachable magazine, 3 shot MOA guarantee, made in the USA, great price. My friend has one in 30-06 and it is a tack driver.
 
I bought a Venture in .270 a year ago and have been very pleased. True, I had to send it back for the recall last fall (although I never had any problem with mine). That being said, I understand the problem was corrected and subsequent rifles have had no further issues.

My TC shoots very well with most ammo: My handloads (130 gr Nosler BT and H4831sc) typically group within 0.5" - 0.75", and other factory loadings have done almost as well, with a glaring exception of Federal Premium loaded with 150 gr Nosler Partitions, which shot over 1.5". the Federal choice was the only type I've tried in something other than 130 grain offerings.

I also appreciate the relatively light weight of the Venture, and evidently the stock is well proportioned for me, as I can shoot it off the bench for extended periods without feeling beat up.

Some shooters strongly dislike the detachable box magazine: I happen to like it, but those with an aversion to DBM won't like the platform regardless of other positive features mentioned in earlier posts.

As far as upgrades, I would have to agree with earlier posters that aftermarket products are most likely not forthcoming. I would consider the Venture as a "starting" gun, or at least an "as-is" rifle which does not lend itself to becoming a project.

Oh, one last comment: I own several bolt action rifles, and the Venture hands down has the best trigger of anything I own, and being user-adjustable is a plus.

I'm sure it won't be the last bolt gun I ever buy, but yes, I'm quite happy with mine.
 
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