T/C Venture Predator rifle?
- Thread starter GaryO
- Start date
eclipse71
New member
Hi Gary,
My vote goes on this one: http://www.predatormastersforums.com/for...723#Post2133723
My vote goes on this one: http://www.predatormastersforums.com/for...723#Post2133723
mikebosmans
New member
I own the Venture, not the camo'd predator series or the new fake stainless one. I love my gun. For $440 where else can you get a gun that really does shoot sub moa on factory ammo. Not just one factory ammo, but most of them.
I tried about 15 different loads in my gun and it shoots everything well. Wolf ammo was the only ammo that would not achieve sub 1 inch groups at 100 yards.
Surprisingly, Remington UMC shot second best out of my gun.
Hands down best load for it is Black Hills Remanufactured 52gr. Boat tail hollow point. I do not claim to be any kind of a good rifle shot. Shooting at 100 yards it averages about a .6" group. That doesn't spread out at distance either as I have shot 400yards several times with a 3" spread on a 5 shot group.
Bolt is silky smooth on the gun, easy to clean, not a huge dollar investment so I can stand to let it get scratched up and thrown around.
It is a 1:12 twist barrel so I can't really get really nice groups with the 60 grain and heavier bullets, but it seems to really like anything from 45grains to 55 grains.
The trigger is quite nice, very crisp, I believe it adjusts from 2.5 to 4.5 and is owner adjustable.
One downfall it has is it only holds 3 in the clip.
Ventures may be had to find at a dealer right now as there is a recall on the trigger sear and my local dealer has not been able to find any from the factory for the last month.(I like the gun so much I want another in .243)I don't know if they are redesigning the whole trigger assembly and that is why there are no new ones to be had or not.
As for the Predator model, the camo is neat, but it also comes with a cheapy 3x9x40mm on it. MY understanding is the predator model is only available as a package deal with the scope and I have my own preferences when it come to optics.
If you have any other questions, shoot me a pm.
I tried about 15 different loads in my gun and it shoots everything well. Wolf ammo was the only ammo that would not achieve sub 1 inch groups at 100 yards.
Surprisingly, Remington UMC shot second best out of my gun.
Hands down best load for it is Black Hills Remanufactured 52gr. Boat tail hollow point. I do not claim to be any kind of a good rifle shot. Shooting at 100 yards it averages about a .6" group. That doesn't spread out at distance either as I have shot 400yards several times with a 3" spread on a 5 shot group.
Bolt is silky smooth on the gun, easy to clean, not a huge dollar investment so I can stand to let it get scratched up and thrown around.
It is a 1:12 twist barrel so I can't really get really nice groups with the 60 grain and heavier bullets, but it seems to really like anything from 45grains to 55 grains.
The trigger is quite nice, very crisp, I believe it adjusts from 2.5 to 4.5 and is owner adjustable.
One downfall it has is it only holds 3 in the clip.
Ventures may be had to find at a dealer right now as there is a recall on the trigger sear and my local dealer has not been able to find any from the factory for the last month.(I like the gun so much I want another in .243)I don't know if they are redesigning the whole trigger assembly and that is why there are no new ones to be had or not.
As for the Predator model, the camo is neat, but it also comes with a cheapy 3x9x40mm on it. MY understanding is the predator model is only available as a package deal with the scope and I have my own preferences when it come to optics.
If you have any other questions, shoot me a pm.
BuckeyeSpecial
New member
mikebosmans:
Holding 3 in the clip is not really a drawback; you only need 1 - the first 1 - in the chamber.
And, I often do that with magazine rifles as I am less likely to lose my fire formed, first shot case ejected in the grass due to making a hurried second shot - there is no second shot!
After the gun fires, I just keep the bolt closed until I am standing in a clear spot, hopefully next to a dead animal.
Holding 3 in the clip is not really a drawback; you only need 1 - the first 1 - in the chamber.
And, I often do that with magazine rifles as I am less likely to lose my fire formed, first shot case ejected in the grass due to making a hurried second shot - there is no second shot!
After the gun fires, I just keep the bolt closed until I am standing in a clear spot, hopefully next to a dead animal.
fatrooster
New member
mikebosmans, I see where you want to get another one in 243 but what caliber are you shooting now? fatrooster.
ironworker
New member
I just bought a T/C ventura predator on guns america. 22-250 with 12" twist rifling.Gun shop in PA has them so awaiting shipment as I type. Yeah it comes with a cheap scope but I have a highly advanced Allan wrench set and screw driver imported from a Foreign country that will aid me in scope removal.
mikebosmans
New member
I own the .223.
I agree about the clip. It really is only a disadvantage at the range. I love shooting the gun, not spending time putting shells in the clip.
From what I have heard from guys that have sent theirs in for the recalled trigger sear, they have it back in less than a week. I'm not sending mine in until late spring/summer. Couldn't imagine being without it this time of year even though I can't buy an animal to shoot at.
Mike
I agree about the clip. It really is only a disadvantage at the range. I love shooting the gun, not spending time putting shells in the clip.
From what I have heard from guys that have sent theirs in for the recalled trigger sear, they have it back in less than a week. I'm not sending mine in until late spring/summer. Couldn't imagine being without it this time of year even though I can't buy an animal to shoot at.
Mike
FWIW,
My .22-250 TC Venture Predator is really, really accurate. You can purchase one with faith that it will be a shooter. I tested five different handloads and they all shot well although one was especially accurate.
I purchased mine as a gun only so I guess that has changed, The recall was handled very quickly and kept my faith with TC (I guess S&W actually...)
Good luck with whatever you purchase.
SeaRun1
My .22-250 TC Venture Predator is really, really accurate. You can purchase one with faith that it will be a shooter. I tested five different handloads and they all shot well although one was especially accurate.
I purchased mine as a gun only so I guess that has changed, The recall was handled very quickly and kept my faith with TC (I guess S&W actually...)
Good luck with whatever you purchase.
SeaRun1
I couldn't stand it any more and had to drop coin on the Venture Max-1 predator .223 we had in the shop. I mounted it up Wednesday night with a Leupold VX-II 3-9x40 I had in the safe and got it to the range yesterday for some work. As already mentioned the T/C has a 1-12 twist barrel which lends itself to the lighter .223 bullets. Testing made this very clear. After initial sight in I shot numerous groups with 5 different factory loads ranging in weight from 40 to 69 grains.
I shot benched using a Harris bi-pod and rear bag:
Federal Premium Gold Metal Match 69gr Sierra Match King BTHP
Federal Premium Tactical Urban 64gr Sierra Game King PSP
Federal Premium Tactical Urban 62gr Sierra Game King PSP
Federal Premium Tactical Urban 55gr Sierra BTHP
Nosler Custom 40gr Ballistic Tip
The gun clearly had an appetite for the Nosler 40gr load. I printed 4 consecutive 3 shot groups under 1/2" and a 5 shot group that measured 3/8 center to center. All 14 rounds of that ammo that I shot could be hidden under a nickel.
The Federal 55 gr load did very well also. I printed several 1/2minute groups with it, but it didnt prove as consistent as the Nosler loading in my rifle, but clearly an acceptable factory loading for any chore a 223 should be asked to handle.
Once stepping up above 55 grains the results became totally unacceptable by my standard. I had trouble doing better than 2moa with the 62's and the 64's were consistently at 3moa or worse. The FGMM 69's can not even be considered in my rifle. I literally had trouble keeping them on paper and several rounds showed signs of yawing as they key holed through the targets. Accuracy is a relative term but the 69 gr load in the Venture was barely minute of barn door....seriously! Having said that the FGMM 69gr SMK was a 1/4minute factory load out of my Rock River Predator Pursuit that I recently sold. Clearly the 12 twist barrel does not stabilize the big long pills!
The Trigger on my Venture is excellent at the factory setting out of the box. The 5R barrel cleaned up very easily.
The bolt worked very smoothly with positive cycling. I had no failures to feed or extract during the entire range session. I was impressed with the magazine and it's positive feeding. The 3 round capacity is no issue for me as I consider this rifle a tool and not a range gun. The 4 round total capacity suits me just fine for a hunting stick. The bottom line for me is: The T/C is a heck of a value as long as you feed it what it likes. I'm going to start working up handloads for this rifle and I expect it will be an absolute laser!
I shot benched using a Harris bi-pod and rear bag:
Federal Premium Gold Metal Match 69gr Sierra Match King BTHP
Federal Premium Tactical Urban 64gr Sierra Game King PSP
Federal Premium Tactical Urban 62gr Sierra Game King PSP
Federal Premium Tactical Urban 55gr Sierra BTHP
Nosler Custom 40gr Ballistic Tip
The gun clearly had an appetite for the Nosler 40gr load. I printed 4 consecutive 3 shot groups under 1/2" and a 5 shot group that measured 3/8 center to center. All 14 rounds of that ammo that I shot could be hidden under a nickel.
The Federal 55 gr load did very well also. I printed several 1/2minute groups with it, but it didnt prove as consistent as the Nosler loading in my rifle, but clearly an acceptable factory loading for any chore a 223 should be asked to handle.
Once stepping up above 55 grains the results became totally unacceptable by my standard. I had trouble doing better than 2moa with the 62's and the 64's were consistently at 3moa or worse. The FGMM 69's can not even be considered in my rifle. I literally had trouble keeping them on paper and several rounds showed signs of yawing as they key holed through the targets. Accuracy is a relative term but the 69 gr load in the Venture was barely minute of barn door....seriously! Having said that the FGMM 69gr SMK was a 1/4minute factory load out of my Rock River Predator Pursuit that I recently sold. Clearly the 12 twist barrel does not stabilize the big long pills!
The Trigger on my Venture is excellent at the factory setting out of the box. The 5R barrel cleaned up very easily.
The bolt worked very smoothly with positive cycling. I had no failures to feed or extract during the entire range session. I was impressed with the magazine and it's positive feeding. The 3 round capacity is no issue for me as I consider this rifle a tool and not a range gun. The 4 round total capacity suits me just fine for a hunting stick. The bottom line for me is: The T/C is a heck of a value as long as you feed it what it likes. I'm going to start working up handloads for this rifle and I expect it will be an absolute laser!
ironworker
New member
I have a T/C Venture waiting for me at my FFL office. Its also a scope/rifle combo. Mine will be in 22-250 . The 3x9x40mm scope will be nearly perfect for coyotes at 100 yds. I'm considering putting my Elite 4200 6c24x40 on it instead.