How come apparent low interest in T/C Icon and Venture?

1899

1899

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
34   0   0
Location
West
It seems to me that the Thompson Center Icon and Venture are a really good deal. They also offer some nice features: action machined from bar stock, 5R barrel, 60 degree target crown, easily adjustable trigger, a 1MOA accuracy guarantee and so on. The Icon also has the bottom of the action machined flat with 3 recoil lugs that mine up with an aluminum bed in the stock. The prices are low $500 for a basic Venture, mid-high $500s for a Venture with the weather shield finish and about $900 for a SS Icon.

The review I have seen rave about excellent accuracy. They look great, so how come there is very little discussion about them on the forums? To the owners - do you have any complaints?
 
Just the other day I was thinking the same thing! I was also curious as to how the 30TC cartridge has panned out.
 
No complaints from me. My Icon is more accurate than the Sako was right out of the box, looks pretty good and is great value. I think that they're not as common as the Remingtons, Brownings etc. on your local gun shop rack and that may why you don't hear as much about them as you expect...
 
I know two people at work who bought a Venture and both are in the repair depot being fixed for different reasons - one for a broken trigger and the with buggered extractor. The one fellow actually is on his second as the first had a mis-cut chamber that had such bad ridges it looked like it was threaded.
 
I have only handled one Icon. It was .308, 24" BBL, synthetic, and would easily shoot the eyes out of a snake. Overall it was a nice rig, but I'd have to say it felt bulky and heavy. Aside from that, there was nothing not to like IMO.
 
Last edited:
'Boo - that's the first bad stuff I heard about them, save for the recall on the early ones.
 
I have a venture( 7mm RM). It had to go in for the recall but they were fast and efficient. The gun has been trouble free and shoots very well with 140 gr bullets. ( solidly under 1" at 100M) With 175 gr not so good. I have trouble getting it under 2". Either way I am happy with the gun and what I paid for it. Another one in that price range is the Vanguard S2 and I have one as well ( shoots well also) IMHO They are both very good value but I'd give the edge to the Vanguard. Both guns outshoot my MKV and are a fraction of the cost.

I would have no hesitation buying another.
 
This Blacktail fell to one:
MrBig004_zps7799ea6d.jpg
 
That is a nice Blacktail!

Yes, the Vanguards are great and get lots of mention on the forums. But a Venture with weather shield is ~ $150 less than a SS Vanguard. If you look at a RC Vanguard, and Icon with integral bases etc can be had for +$100 less. You seem to get lots for the $.
 
We have an ultrawood Icon in .243 win, gun definitely is more accurate than I can shoot it, works flawlessly, sevral hundred rounds though it, it was a bit choosy on what would feed in terms of ammo, seems to like my hornady v-max 65gr reloads. it's definitely every bit as accurate as they advertise. ours was mislabeled at wholesale sports to we got it for $840+tax Fantastic rifle.
 
I had a Venture in 7mm Rem Mag for a while. The rifle was VERY accurate, but felt 'clunky' to me so it went to a new CGN home.

Somehow walnut still does things for me.....:)

Ted
 
What do you mean "clunky" Ted? And you saying it was very accurate sure says something - 'cause you've got some real good shooters in your stable!
 
I looked into an Icon a while back but decided to pass due to the weight - 7 3/4 lbs. Btw, the Icon has been discontinued this year.



VDD GROUP CANADA
 
I can answer your question but only from my own perspective.

Yes, there are several new rifles available that are well made, accurate, and quite inexpensive - TC's, Savages, Ruger Americans, Remys, etc. ... But for some reason, those are the guns I sell, so that I can afford yet another old Sako. In fact, I just bought another old Sako today: a finely-crafted Sako AV in .30-06, with a walnut hunter stock and deeply blued steel, probably made around 1980. Now, did I NEED one in .30-06? No, because I already had a Sako in .270 .. but I saw it here on EE, and I just WANTED it. And I probably paid as much or more for it than I would have if I had bought a new TC Icon or Venture. But there is a difference:

The best rifles made in the 1960s-80s exhibit an exquisite level of craftsmanship that is largely unobtainable today (even in comparison to current Sakos, like my m85); moreover, they have a certain charm that cannot be duplicated on 21st century production lines. Like Why Not? mentioned above: "somehow they do things for me". They look right, they feel right, and they perform. Indeed, for the most part, the old Sakos were (and still are) as accurate as anything sold today (my Sako Aii, from the late 1970s, in .243 still happily puts bullets through the same hole at 100 yards, if I do my part). Finally, there is the investment angle to consider; 25 years from now, which rifle will be worth more and/or will be considered as family heirlooms?

Anyway, that is my perspective. Cheers ..

- Savage
 
In my area it's also a supply and demand issue, most of the time all you can find are remingtons in any quantity of stock, then savage usually, but not as many other brands, and usually not in the calibers you're looking for.
 
Very accurate rifles indeed, but I think they are a bit heavier than rifles of similar configuration than need be. Also don't like the way they stick a great bit ICON on the side of the thing! tacky
 
deerfarmer said:
Very accurate rifles indeed, but I think they are a bit heavier than rifles of similar configuration than need be. Also don't like the way they stick a great bit ICON on the side of the thing! tacky
Click to expand...


Yea the badge is the one thing that I find tacky about them. If you find yourself gravitating towards 'mountain rifle' styling then they're not for you. They are a little weighty and have a 24" barrel - but so does Cooper....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom