Thompson/Center Venture Predator Bolt Action Rifle .204 Ruge

[mmw1015]

Thinking of buying a new 204 rifle. any thoughts on this rifle?
Thompson/Center Venture Predator bolt-action rifle 22" light fluted barrel 1:10" twist 5R rifling
Adjustable trigger, 3.5 to 5 pounds trigger pull
Composite stock with Hogue rubber inlays
Realtree Max-1 camo finish

Or what about this one?

Savage model 12FV Varmint series bolt-action rifle
26" heavy free-float & button-rifled barrel 1:12" twist
Adjustable AccuTrigger

Mack

[Ol` Joe]

Are you planning on toting this rifle or shooting off a stand or bench?
Personally, I`d go with the Savage unless you plan on a lot of walking. Neither rifle is a bad choice IMHO though

[204_au]

The 1:10 twist light barrel would have me sold on the TC.

[mmw1015]

Is there a advantage with the 1:10 twist and shorter barrel than the 26" with 1:12?
I'm looking for the most accurate and will not be carring it a long distance.

[204_au]

Is there a advantage with the 1:10 twist and shorter barrel than the 26" with 1:12?
I'm looking for the most accurate and will not be carring it a long distance.

Only if you want to shoot longer, heavier projectiles, as these need a faster twist to stabilize. If you were planning to use only 32 or 40 gr bullets then the 1:12 26" barrel would probably be an advantage.

[Varoum]

Not so sure the twist rate is right. It is a 12

[bang bang]

I tried to purchase the T/C Predator in .204 last year but none of the Rhode Island deallers could get them. The 1x10 twist was the selling point. I ended up getting the Savage MAX 1 predator, 24" bbl, accustock, accu trigger 1x12 twist. Love the gun has no problem stabilizing 45gr. bullets. Can't go wrong with either i wouldn't think. I like the all camo of the T/C. Good luck!!

[sniper74]

I bought a TC Predator in November and love it! I was also thinking of buying as Savage Model 10 as well, as I am a big fan of their rifles and love the 3 I own, but I could not find one for over a year. I think they are a hot commodity. Anyway, I got tired of waiting for Savage and found the Predator at a gun show and snapped it up. I played around with some different loads and found some it liked and have been amazed with it ever since. I love being able to see bullet hit! Gun is nice to carry, action is very smooth, factory trigger is very crisp with no creep and it looks great. Great camo job! I have shot about a dozen yotes with it and have nothing to complain about.
That is my .02, as others have wrote, I don't think you can go wrong with either, they are both nice guns. Shoulder them both and see which one feels the best, TC might be a little cheaper if that matters.
Let us know what you buy!

[mmw1015]

I was reading about the rifling in the TC and they said it had 5 lands instead of 6 that most american guns use. They said the Russian 5 lands was more accurate than the 6.
Any thoughts on this?
Mack

[Varoum]

It just does not get as dirty as a 6

[sniper74]

It just does not get as dirty as a 6

The gun is accurate no doubt, but I also heard that it does not foul as bad due to their only being 5 lands to collect copper etc. This would also make it easier clean as well.
Not sure if its more accurate, for sure it would be as accurate.

[mmw1015]

Their statement about the 5 was that the edges of the rifling were not as sharp as the 6 so it did not damage the bullets as bad which resulted in better accuracy.
Just wondering if anyone has this rifle and has seen a difference accuracy?
Mack

[tractorman]

I should be getting mine today or tomorrow. Planning on running 40gr. vmax factories through it. I hope the above post is wrong about the twist. The 1-10 is the whole reason I wanted the gun and the 5R was a plus as well. I got the gun and scope combo.

[Bill K]

Their statement about the 5 was that the edges of the rifling were not as sharp as the 6 so it did not damage the bullets as bad which resulted in better accuracy.
Just wondering if anyone has this rifle and has seen a difference accuracy?
Mack

What that means is the Russian style land/grove set up, has a slight bevel to the edge, is not square as the other lands have. I think is a matter of choice, most than anything else. Some of the Glock pistol barrels have the same beveled lands. Bill K

[sniper74]

Their statement about the 5 was that the edges of the rifling were not as sharp as the 6 so it did not damage the bullets as bad which resulted in better accuracy.
Just wondering if anyone has this rifle and has seen a difference accuracy?
Mack

What do you mean by difference in accuracy? As I said earlier, I have had the Venture Predator 204 since November and it has shot great! With 32 gr Vmax and 28 grains of Varget, I shoot about .5 to .75 of an inch at 100 yards. That is good enough for me. Other people I know that have had a 204 got really good accuracy as well, one had a Remington and the other had a CZ. Not sure which is more accurate, every gun seems to be different and like different bullets.
I can just about guarantee you that you will love the TC. What are you planning to shoot out of it?