The two different T/C's are interesting.
Keeping my eye out for "Cyber Monday" sales and used Savage short actions. Maybe even some others.
Too bad the old sporting Remingtons are slow twist.
I was talking to a guy at the range the other day and he bought a new TC compass II and he says it is damn accurate, but he hates the mags. "They are cheap and the rifle doesn't feed very well", according to him... He said he paid $179.00 for the rifle after some rebate, so he's not going to complain too much. As for the TC venture, my buddy has had them for years and he loves them, but he goes back to the Savage and more recently the Ruger RAR. I handload for his 270w Venture and it shoots very well. Sub 3/4moa for 5 shots. He told me he is going to sell it because he likes his RAR better. I thought that was strange since he's always been a 270 guy.. I don't think I'd pick the RAR over the venture though, as it has a pretty rough chamber and is hard on brass. From a reloaders standpoint, the venture makes more sense in his rifles case. Its also weird because his first RAR also had bore issues and poor accuracy. He sent it back to Ruger and had to fight tooth and nail with them before they would fix it..
As for what to buy. Its a buyers market right now. If you can find a good lightly used Savage predator, that would be a good one to look for too. Stevens 200's are very accurate, but their triggers suck. I know in your op you said you don't want to work on the trigger, so that may not be an option.