I found a pretty good deal today on a T/C Venture matte/synthetic bolt .308, its the first T/C bolt gun I've ever owned. In fact, the only T/C's I've ever owned were old style Contenders, Encores, and Hawken BP's. How do these rifles compare with other "inexpensive" bolt guns (Savage 200s, etc)?

The Venture is a pretty darned nice gun in my opinion. I think it's a cut above Compass, Axis, American, XPR, 783, etc. I'd put it in the Remington 700, Savage 110 range for quality.

I have had a Venture in 243 win and now have a Venture in 7mm-08. Accuracy was close to an inch with almost and load. Well under an inch at 100yards with the loads it really likes. In big game targets the 243 preferred the hornady 95gr sst loads. In varmint ammunition it was especially favorable to 60 gr Sierra varmint bullets. Groups were around 1/2 inch.
The 7mm-08 shoots all loads under 1 1/2inch with the 120 Sierra about 3/4 inch at 100.
The one thing it took some time to get accustomed to was the short bolt lift. Action functions perfectly. Adjustable trigger pull is set at 3.5lb on mine.

This one has certainly cleaned up nicely, and trigger isn't bad...just need to decide on a scope.

Son has one in -06 very good accuracy - only problem was the recalls, but never had any of those problems.

The Venture is a very nice rifle for its price point. As for comparing it to a Steven's 200, the venture has a nicer trigger out of the box. The accuracy is not quite as good as the 200, from what I have seen. Almost, but not quite. The stocks are more rigid than the 200, so that is a plus. Generally the Venture doesn't need anything right out of the box, except for bases, rings and a scope. The venture is definitely a step above the Savage Axis. I'd rate it between the Axis and a Tikka... IMHO..

Just checked, looks like mine falls under the recall...:(

I've got a venture. It shoots OK. There are things I don't like about it.

1. The integral trigger guard is a cramped fit for my finger.
2. The trigger is OK but not great and there are no aftermarket triggers available.
3. The safety detent "ball" {actually more of a cone} is nylon/plastic. Again cheesy. It may never be a problem though a steel ball would inspire more confidence for long term durability.
4. The stock is nothing great and there are no aftermarket stocks available.
All in all I'd rather have a Savage 110/ Stevens 200 as there are aftermarket stocks and triggers available and the rigger guard doesn't cramp my finger.

You should like your Venture it’s a light enough accurate gun That shoots well. My extra Good to loan gun is a 30-06 Venture with a Meopta 2-10 until my 1st great grandson is ready to hunt deer. He turned 6 last month so have it a while longer. Cousin’s backup elk gun is a 300 WM Venture with a Zeiss on it very accurate out to over 600 yards.

Makes perfect sense...but I will say this, I've owned a Stevens 200, and the Venture "feels" better to me. There isn't really anything I would change, although it would be nice if you could easily swap the barrels over like a Savage.

Pretty good chance it will be an accurate rifle. The guys I know shoot cheap factory ammo into an 1 and 1/2 easy.

I have the predecessor, the icon. Shame they quite making that rifle.

I've got a Stevens 200 in a Boyds prarie hunter laminated stock with a Rifle Basix trigger. It feels better, looks better and is more accurate than my Venture. I got the Stevens on sale NIB for 250.00 nine years ago, added the boyds stock for 99.00 and the Basix trigger for 89.00. for a grand total of 438.00. That's just about what the Venture cost 3 years ago when my wife bought it for me for Christmas. The Venture actually feels like crap to me. Trigger guard too small, forend too narrow, so-so trigger and has been relegated to bang around truck/ATV duty. I'd get rid of it if I had bought it myself but will keep it because it was a thoughtful gift from my wife and I need a beater truck gun anyway.

I own 2 TC icons, and the venture should have the same rifling, bolt, and trigger as the Icon.

I've gifted a factory new Steven's 200 ,308 with a prostaff scope to a youngster. Before I did, I zeroed the scope .

I'd be very surprised and disappointed if a factory venture didnt out perform a factory Steven's 200.

And I am not anti stevens/savage. But then again, my experience with TC predates S&Ws takeover.

I own 2 TC icons, and the venture should have the same rifling, bolt, and trigger as the Icon.

I've gifted a factory new Steven's 200 ,308 with a prostaff scope to a youngster. Before I did, I zeroed the scope .

I'd be very surprised and disappointed if a factory venture didnt out perform a factory Steven's 200.

And I am not anti stevens/savage. But then again, my experience with TC predates S&Ws takeover.

I hope the icon hasn't got the same cheap ass, Mickey mouse trigger as the Venture. My Stevens 200 is more accurate than my Venture by a good bit. At this point I've probably had a dozen Savage 110's and derivatives and all but one have been very accurate.

They shoot good!

I contacted T/C yesterday, or whoever currently owns the brand, and the rifle is part of the recall...they are mailing me out a return label.