Hi all,

Wanted to make a thread to discuss this rifle, I got one recently and came to the forum thinking might be a good place since Thompson Center are a Smith company. Those who own one or know about it what do you think about them? I think they are a very excellent rifle for the money and even have some features of some higher dollar rifles. For the price range(450-600) they definitely to me seem like the nicest and most solid "budget rifle" but seem more like a mid level rifle to me. The Thompson really has solid features like a good sturdy stock, pillar bedding, nice 60 degree action and a nice trigger.

I recently picked one up in .204 ruger as I wanted a good first solid .204 rifle after researching many I went with a Thompson. I am a big 700 guy but I think Thompson makes a little nicer rifle than the 700 SPS bottom end 700 and for a .204 I didn't need the big bull barrel in the SPS V model, and wanted more of a lightweight walking rifle. Around here a big stationary varmint rifle with a big scope is kind of ineffective since you have to be on the move and seek them out. Also Researched that a 22 inch barrel doesn't hurt .204 much from a 24-26 inch barrel. Thompson also makes the .204 in 1 in 10 twist rate which no other manufacture I find did.

I ended up getting the camo predator model and its been a wonderful rifle so far. Will post a picture in the thread. I liked the Predator Model to be a good all around varmint rifle with the light flutted barrel for being a light barrel does take quite a few rounds before getting hot impressively. Will be a nice rifle for rodent varminting and for Predator. Added a Burris 4.5x14 Predator quest which makes a good amount of magnification for the rifle for glassing smaller targets far away but not going to the "Bench Varminter" setup. Took it out sighted it in with 40 gr vmaxes and went out on a Varmint hunt and shot a big ground squirrel with it. Sure showed me the potency of the .204!

Only drawbacks I can find with the rifle is the mag is only 3 rounds but ordered an extra to compensate some and with a caliber like .204 not one you want to load up and mag drain. Could be a little more inconvenient with other calibers in the lineup however.

Anyhow if any of you have any comments about the Venture or my Venture be glad to see them. Thanks

I have a Venture in 308 with the standard stock. I did a lot of research and handled a lot of the usuall suspects and went with the Venture. I recently bought a Burris scope for it that needs to be sighted in. Very nice rifle at a great price and I'm looking forward to shooting at longer range with the new scope.