Anyone here shoot a Thompson Center Venture? I handled one in person... reminded me a lot of the Sauer 100 rifle. It's not a pretty rifle but it looked like it might be a good value if it shoots/functions well.

My son has one in 338 Win Mag. It hasn’t been shot a lot but enough to know it’s a good rifle and great value. I thought about getting one in 223 and shooting the hell out of it with cast bullets. One of these days I will…

Had one in .270 Win and sold it to a buddy. I didn't like the stubby little bolt handle or the three round single stack magazine. That said the rifle was hella accurate!

Bought my younger son a Venture Compact in .243 when he was 10. He's 19, now, has another rifle, and still chooses the Venture when he wants to go to the range and shoot tiny groups. Spent plenty of time around two others owned by friends; .25'06 and .270. They're also very accurate. The .270 owner uses factory ammunition, but the .243 and .25'06 get fed handholds, neither is very choosy about bullet or load and some of the combinations have yielded downright excellent results with several weights of charge through an obvious sweet spot.

The trigger group isn't a thing of simplistic beauty. If you're into stripping rifles down to the small bones, you won't like it. But it's not prone to failure and it has a good break, not too heavy. After watching my son grow up hunting and shooting with his, hundreds of rounds and plenty of wear and tear, I'm comfortable saying the rifle is durable and consistent, finish is excellent.

The bolt handle is a little small and the lift is tight compared to many other manufacturers, but we never minded that. He never had any trouble engaging it (nor have I) and frankly, walking through the woods, the chances of a snag or accidental opening catching on vines or brush were nil given those characteristics.

I'd buy it for him again, no regrets.

My buddy has one in 270 and that thing shoots just as good as my Tikka's. Seems like a great rifle.

You’ll have no regrets
Wish I had came across them earlier in life
Would have saved me a bunch of money I spent on other rifles
But the other side of that coin is , at least I got my curiosity scratched by experiencing other rifles .
Never understood there not being an aftermarket trigger for them , but they are usable and accuracy in 243 , 308 , and 30-06 has been excellent.
Dam shame they went out of business
.
Got the 30-06 for 200 out the door when gander mountain was having a going out of business sale .
That makes it even better
Kenneth

I’m a big T/C fan, especially the Icon

One of the guy who farms our ground bought a couple of them in 223 and 6.5 CM. I've shot the 6.5 CM and thought that while it was accurate, MOA with Hornady American Whitetail 129 grain factory loads, it was a little on the heavy side, the bolt handle has an odd shape/feel, the trigger guard seems a little too small if you were wearing gloves, and the stock geometry didn't work great for me. If you like how it feels and fits you, they are probably a good choice.

There were enough things about the Venture2 that I didn't like so if given a choice, I'd opt for the Ruger American Predator over the Venture2.

Now that S&W has discontinued the T-C line, parts, if ever needed, are likely to be close to unobtainable.

I have a couple of those myself......predecessor and tank version of the venture.

They're very good. Someone else pointed out the stubby bolt handle which I agree isn't great.

Bought a 270 when Cabela's was clearing them out. Best $250 I ever spent. Accuracy is plain crazy.

I have a 7mm-08 I bought used for a real good price and can’t keep it out of my sons hands. Great little rifle.

I bought a Special Run 6.5x284 Weathershield with the fluted barrel. Shoots 140 Bergers and 140 Nosler BT's in one hole. Best $500 rifle I ever bought.

I had one in 308. Might have been the most accurate rifle I've owned. Not very fancy, or much to look at, but they work. Kinda like a cheaper, heavier tikka.

How is the recoil pad on these rifles? Seems like with the weight and if the pad is good, these could be a soft shooter.

The stock is Tupperware, but is it decent or is it totally floppy?

Pad is a good one, not sticky or mushy, reasonably grippy on the shoulder and soaks up recoil well. Stock is not rigid, but stiffer than most, definitely not flimsy.