Deer Rifle Review: Thompson/Center Venture
Recently I shot and field-tested the Venture, which T/C introduced in 2009. T/C had shipped in 2 rifles in 7mm-08 for my 2 new hunting buddies, Daniel and Brandon. The rifles were topped with Nikon scopes, and Nosler sent the 140-grain Accubond ammunition. Many thanks to those companies for stepping up and providing the gear. Those kids had been through a lot. Daniel had battled cancer as a baby, and Brandon suffered severe head/brain injuries in an accident when he was 15. I worked with the Outdoor Dream Foundation to help out these kids with a once-in-a-lifetime TV hunt. You should have seen the look in their eyes when we gave them those new rifles!
But first things first. While Shane took the boys scouting for deer on the Texas ranch, Chuck and I hit the range to sight-in the rifles. We started at 50 yards, got them on paper and moved out to 100. Right off, we liked the fit and feel of the sporter-stocked rifles--clean lines, lightweight but sturdy. The detachable magazine loaded rounds easily, and bolting was smooth enough.
T/C guarantees the Venture will group 3 shots in 1 inch or less at 100 yards. I like the Venture’s look—black composite stock with gray “traction panels” on the fore-end and grip. But when you pull this modern-looking rifle out the box you might be skeptical, seeing as how you paid $500 or less for it.
But you will be pleased—make that amazed--when you shoot it. Both our test Ventures grouped MOA out of the box immediately. The more we shot and tweaked the scopes the better they performed, with some holes touching, even with warm barrels. They liked that Nosler ammo. 
T/C attributes the Venture’s great inherent accuracy to its match-grade precision barrel. The good fit of the rifles and especially their clean, crisp triggers were a big reason we shot so well. I didn’t have a gauge to check, but I’d say 3 ½-4 pound pull (definitely not as tight a trigger as you find on most factory rifles these days). The Venture’s trigger is externally adjustable (it comes with a tool so you can do it) but if the rifle you buy is like either of those we shot, you won’t want to touch it.
I go so far as to say those were the best pre-set triggers on any factory hunting rifle I’ve shot in 20 years.
Daniel and Brandon showed up at the range, and each kid shot a 1-inch group and squealed. They shot some more and were ready to hunt. We talked Brandon’s mom, Kim, a new shooter/hunter, into popping off one shot—smack in the middle of the orange bulls-eye.
The rifles (and 140-grain Accubond bullets) performed impressively in the field. Six shots and 6 dead animals; each kid smoked a buck, a doe and a hog and had a blast. I had more fun than they did just being there and watching. You will like this show on Versus this fall.
Some Venture specs:
• weight – 7 lbs
• detachable single-stack magazine (3 rounds)
• 22-24” barrel, tapered, match grade with 5R button rifling
• sporter-style stock with grip panels
• chambered for 16 popular hunting calibers
• made in USA, lifetime warranty
Thompson/Center claims and I quote, “there is nothing that can come close to what the T/C Venture offers for under $500." After that awesome field-test and hunt, I agree. comment
guns. T/C and Nikon stepped up and sent these kids Ventures and scopes, pretty awesome
I've been using my .300 Win Mag the last few years but always liked the .270 better. Groups way better and just feels good when
i pull it up.
Just love it...
those are awesome shows. it's the right thing to do and we should all learn from it!