I do not have any experience with the Venture other than casual observation in a gun store. However I picked up a T/C Icon a few days ago and have had the unfortunate experience of having to send the rifle back to T/C. Here is my story:
My Icon is the Weathershield model chambered in 308 and was purchased 8-2-2010. I really like the look and feel of this gun, however, after you fire a round, you would about have to beat the bolt back to extract the case. The bolt lifted normal....just was extremely hard to pull back. After inspecting the cases, they had a small "gouge" in them just below the rim. Tried Winchester and Federal factory 150 grain loads with the exact same results.
I called T/C Customer service at 7:55 am on 8-9-2010 and was actually suprised someone answered before the "official" opening time. The C/S rep listened to my problem then put me on hold to go speak with a gunsmith. She came back within 3 minutes and told me to send the rifle back with an attention to "John" we'll say. I was then told I would be reimbursed for shipping and they would make me happy....whatever that means.
I called T/C on 8-16-2010 to ask about an expected return date for my rifle. I was told it had an expected shipment date of 8-30-10. I actually decided to call C/S everyday last week and just bug the crap out of them. My feeling was that this was a new rifle purchased on August 2nd and it should be top priority. Last Friday, I was told they would be replacing my rifle with a new one and it would be sent out on Monday, August 23rd.
The new Icon came today and I picked it up at the gun store. When I got it home I took it outside and test fired it myself and it worked as it should. A 23 day turn around time is not too bad at all, IMO. I'm happy, but still wish the original rifle would have worked. All the T/C reps that I spoke with were friendly and helpful. One in particular went above and beyond what the others did.
Here is a pic of the fired cases:
TC Venture anyone?
