Thompson/Center Compass II: An Affordable, Versatile Bolt-Action Rifle

The Thompson/Center Compass ranked No. 6 in popularity among bolt-action rifles sold through retailers on GunBroker.com last year. The composite-stocked firearm comes in a wide variety of chamberings, with configurations to suit nearly every taste at a budget-friendly MSRP.

Just because the price is right, though, that doesn’t mean they’re short on features. All Compass IIs, regardless of your preference come with a threaded barrel, 5R rifling with guaranteed minute-of-angle performance and they’re backed by the T/C lifetime warranty. The bolt is a three-lug design with a 60-degree bolt lift. Each have a flush fitting rotary magazine and three-position safety. Trigger pulls from the factory measure 3 to 4 pounds, and MSRP is $405.

There is also a Compass II Compact line as well as a family of Compass Utility family. MSRPs are $405 and $359, respectively. Throughout them all you can select models that come with a factory mounted Crimson Trace riflescope.

The number of chamberings available among the Utilities models explains another part of this rifle’s continuing popularity. You can get one in .223 Rem./5.56 NATO, .243 Win., .270 Win., .30-’06 Sprg., .308 Win. and 6.5 Creedmoor. You can also select a combo pack that incudes the optic (price goes up, of course). All barrel lengths are 21.65 inches and the line features the Version I trigger, which is more suited for precision shooting.

Compass IIs are available in .223 Rem./5.56 NATO, .243 Win., .270 Win., .300 Win. Mag., .30-’06 Sprg., .308 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor and 7 mm Rem. Mag. Barrel lengths vary from 21.65 inches to 24.

Diversity is similar on the Compact line, but they come with an extended buttpad spacer to add or remove 7/8 inch in the length of pull. Barrel length also drops to a more manageable for small frames 16.5 inches. It’s a great option for younger shooters.