NRA Gun of the Week: Thompson/Center Venture II

by
posted on March 6, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Thompson/Center’s Venture II include enhancements that make it a viable and top contender in the flooded market of budget-friendly, bolt-action hunting rifles. The Venture II is available in a full suite of chamberings, nine total, including long- and short-action cartridges.

For this NRA Gun of the Week video, American Rifleman examines a Venture II model chambered for a cartridge hard not to accept as a good one—6.5 mm Creedmoor. Between the cartridge's fairly-light recoil impulse to its slippery, high ballistic coefficient 6.5 mm bullets, shooters and hunters today can use with budget-priced, bolt-action platforms to achieve accuracy and precision once thought to be indicative of custom-built rifles.

Taking a look at the Venture II’s receiver, you’ll find a right-side ejection port, right-hand bolt handle and a two-position safety mounted on the right side just behind the bolt. Opposite the safety lever is the left-side-mounted bolt-release lever. The bolt’s three-lug head requires 60 degrees of rotation to lock and unlock. A sliding-plate extractor and plunger ejector are used on the push-feed-style bolt.

Thompson/Center utilizes a three-round detachable magazine to feed its Venture II rifle. This next generation Venture rifle includes Thompson/Center’s Generation II trigger, an adjustable mechanism with blade-in-shoe safety that provides for a smooth pull with crisp breaking point. Putting rounds on target is promoted by a 22” button-rifled barrel that features 5R-style rifling, target crown and threaded muzzle for accessories. The rifle's receiver is drilled and tapped for optics; Weaver-style bases are included from the factory.

Completing the Venture II is a Hogue Overmolded stock with pillar bedding and traction panels—adornments that improve the gun’s repeatability and handling characteristics. Additionally, T/C’s use of Weather Shield coating to the gun’s barreled action protects against corrosion and wear, another added bonus for those seeking to push the Venture II through inclement conditions, whether at the range or a mountain-top hunt.

Watch our NRA Gun of the Week video, above, to learn more about Thompson/Center’s top-tier bolt-action rifle—the Venture II.

Thompson/Center Venture II Specifications
Manufacturer: Thompson/Center Arms
Model: Venture II
Chambering: 6.5 mm Creedmoor
Action Type: bolt-action center-fire rifle
Receiver: Weather Shield-finished steel
Barrel: 22” Weather Shield-finished steel
Magazine: three-round detachable box
Sights: none; Weaver optic bases included
Trigger: single-stage, adjustable 3-lb., 4-oz. pull
Stock: black Hogue Overmold
MSRP: $525

Additional Reading:
Tested: Thompson/Center Strike Muzzleloader
Thompson/Center Compass Rifle Review
Thompson/Center Arms Pro Hunter FX 209X50
Tested: Thompson/Center T/CR22 Rifle

Right side of rifle with stainless steel barrel, black stock, black scope on white background with text saying Thompson/Center Venture II.

Silver barrel on white backround showing muzzle with black thread protector.

Thompson/Center Venture II rifle trigger on white background.

Thompson/Center Venture II bolt with three-lug head, slideing-plate extractor and plunger ejector shown on white background.

Rifle magazine in hand showing loading brass with Federal Premium ammunition box in background.

Over-the-shoulder view of rifleman with gray ballcap and green shirt shown in white indoor shooting range holding a black rifle with black Crimson Trace scope and a black sling.

Foward-facing view of rifleman with gray ballcap and green shirt shooting rifle in white indoor shooting range.


Extras:
Thompson Center Dimension Review


Gun of the Week: Thompson/Center Dimension


T/C Compass Rifle Review


The Men & Guns of D-Day; T/C Arms T/CR22; Dutch Lugers


Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P M2.0

Latest

Kimber 2K11
Kimber 2K11

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 6, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

FEMA Notes Decline In Disaster Preparedness

A recent report from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) noted a decline in local government preparedness for natural disasters, putting increased pressure on individuals to prepare themselves for emergencies.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.