{"id":69423,"date":"2017-03-06T13:01:59","date_gmt":"2017-03-06T18:01:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/?p=69423"},"modified":"2025-11-12T15:30:55","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T21:30:55","slug":"ton-rifle-money-thompson-center-308-compass-full-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/ton-rifle-money-thompson-center-308-compass-full-review\/","title":{"rendered":"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass &#8211; Full Review"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_69429\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-6.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ton-rifle-money-thompson-center-308-compass-full-review\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-69429\" class=\"size-large wp-image-69429\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-6-1024x485.jpg\" alt=\"Thompson Center's new Compass rifle is a bargain considering its performance. \" width=\"1024\" height=\"485\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-6-1024x485.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-6-150x71.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-6-400x190.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-6-768x364.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-6.jpg 1169w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-69429\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Thompson Center&#8217;s new Compass rifle is a bargain considering its performance.<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\">To learn more, visit\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcarms.com\/firearms\/bolt-action-rifles\/t-c-compass-rifles\/t-c-compass\" campaign=\"ThompsonCenterCompass\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\">https:\/\/www.tcarms.com\/firearms\/bolt-action-rifles\/t-c-compass-rifles\/t-c-compass<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">To purchase a Thompson\/Center Compass on GunsAmerica.com, click this link:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/Search.aspx?T=Thompson%20Compass\" campaign=\"ThompsonCenterCompasonGA\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\">https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/Search.aspx?T=Thompson%20Compass<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">I first fired one of the new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcarms.com\/firearms\/bolt-action-rifles\/t-c-compass-rifles\/t-c-compass\" campaign=\"ThompsonCenterCompass\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\">Thompson\/Center Compass<\/a> rifles at a pre-release event and was immediately hooked. Why? It&#8217;s a very affordable rifle that shoots and handles like a very unaffordable rifle. What&#8217;s not to love about that?<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_69432\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-7.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ton-rifle-money-thompson-center-308-compass-full-review\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-69432\" class=\"size-large wp-image-69432\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-7-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Towards the end of my 780-round shooting binge, I might have slipped off the rifle rest...\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-7-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-7-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-7-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-7-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-7.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-69432\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Towards the end of my 780-round shooting binge, I might have slipped off the rifle rest&#8230;<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">My first impression of the Compass was very favorable. It&#8217;s not like I fired a few shots and made some snap judgment. Rather, I came to that conclusion after firing over 780 rounds from the same rifle in just two days. For a bolt-action rifle, that might qualify as cruel and inhumane punishment, especially considering that the barrel got so hot, I completely melted a rifle rest. Still no word on whether the gunsmiths back at Smith &amp; Wesson have removed all the melted goo from that barrel&#8230; Anyway, I shot the heck out of one of these rifles, chambered in .204 Ruger, and it performed. As a result, I wanted to get my hands on a more versatile caliber model and give it a more in-depth trial. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><mark>Compass II<\/mark> Key Specifications<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Calibers<\/strong>: Available in .223 Remington, .243 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Winchester, 7mm Remington Magnum, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, and .300 Winchester Magnum.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Capacity<\/strong>: 5+1 rounds<\/li>\n<li><strong>Barrel<\/strong>: 21.625-inch threaded barrel, standard threading at 5\/8&#215;24<\/li>\n<li><strong>Overall Length<\/strong>: 41 inches<\/li>\n<li><strong>Weight<\/strong>: 7 pounds<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stock<\/strong>: Black polymer<\/li>\n<li><strong>Finish<\/strong>: Blued steel<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sights<\/strong>: None included, but scope bases come pre-installed<\/li>\n<li><strong>Trigger Pull<\/strong>: Factory set at 3.4 pounds<\/li>\n<li><strong>MSRP<\/strong>: $405<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This lineup offers plenty of flexibility when it comes to caliber selection, whether you&#8217;re chasing whitetails, testing your skills at the range, or prepping for a larger hunt.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The sample for this review was a Compass chambered in .308 Winchester. As of this writing, Thompson\/Center also offers the Compass in the following calibers: .204 Ruger, .223 Remington, .22-250, .243 Winchester, .270 Winchester, .300 Winchester Magnum, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, 7mm Remington Magnum, and 7mm-08. During SHOT Show 2017, the company announced yet another caliber option &#8211; 6.5 Creedmoor.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_69430\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-4.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ton-rifle-money-thompson-center-308-compass-full-review\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-69430\" class=\"size-large wp-image-69430\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-4-1024x405.jpg\" alt=\"The Compass barrel is comfortably free-floated. You can easily slide a business card all the way to the receiver. \" width=\"1024\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-4-1024x405.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-4-150x59.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-4-400x158.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-4-768x304.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-4.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-69430\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Compass barrel is comfortably free-floated. You can easily slide a business card all the way to the receiver.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Barrel Lengths and Threading Options<\/h3>\n<p>Barrel length on the <mark>Compass II<\/mark> varies by caliber, so you can expect either 21.625-inch or 24-inch free-floated options depending on the chambering you select. If you like to run suppressors or muzzle devices, you&#8217;ll appreciate that the muzzles are already threaded\u2014either 1\/2&#215;28 or 5\/8&#215;24\u2014making it easy to add your favorite accessory from brands like <mark>SilencerCo<\/mark> or <mark>SureFire<\/mark> right out of the box.<\/p>\n<h2>How Does the <mark>Compass II<\/mark> Stack Up?<\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019re scouting around for alternatives, it\u2019s interesting to note how the <mark>Compass II<\/mark> positions itself among popular bolt-action options. Price-wise, it undercuts both the <mark>Ruger American Rifle<\/mark> and the <mark>Winchester XPR<\/mark>, coming in with a retail tag of $405, which leaves a surprising bit of change in your pocket compared to the <mark>Ruger<\/mark> ($489) or the <mark>XPR<\/mark> ($549).<\/p>\n<p>As for heft, the <mark>Compass II<\/mark> tips the scales as the heaviest of the trio\u2014about four ounces more than the <mark>Winchester<\/mark> and nearly a pound heavier than the <mark>Ruger American<\/mark>. Still, it stands out as the only one of the bunch to sport 5R rifling, which brings some unique advantages for accuracy and barrel maintenance.<\/p>\n<h2>Key Design Features Carried Over<\/h2>\n<p>Much of what made the original stand out makes a return here, with some welcome consistency. The <mark>Compass II<\/mark> continues the tradition with a full-diameter bolt, ensuring you get that same smooth cycling found in the predecessor\u2014something you typically don\u2019t find in rifles of this price range. It keeps the three-lug bolt design, which means you benefit from a shorter bolt lift and faster follow-up shots.<\/p>\n<p>The rotary magazine is another carryover, fitting securely and clicking into place without any hassle. For those who appreciate intuitive operation (any fellow <mark>Winchester Model 70<\/mark> fans out there?), the familiar three-position wing safety is present as well, providing a reassuring sense of control and familiarity.<\/p>\n<h2>Notable Improvements with the <mark>Compass II<\/mark><\/h2>\n<p>So, what&#8217;s new in the <mark>Compass II<\/mark>, and does it matter to anyone who\u2019s ever gnawed their fingernails during Range Day? The most significant upgrade is the Generation II trigger, and for budget-minded shooters, this is a win. Instead of the gritty, heavier pull on the original, the <mark>Compass II<\/mark> now features a redesigned, bladed trigger that consistently breaks right around 3.4 pounds\u2014smooth, predictable, and confidence-inspiring. (I tested with a Wheeler gauge; no fishing scales required.)<\/p>\n<p>The essentials from the <mark>Compass<\/mark> remain, but <mark>Thompson\/Center<\/mark> didn\u2019t stop there. The full-diameter bolt and three-lug action design make for smoother cycling and a noticeably shorter bolt lift. Translation: faster follow-ups without feeling like you\u2019re wrestling an old door hinge.<\/p>\n<p>The original rotary magazine design returns, but it&#8217;s been refined for a more secure fit\u2014no more wiggling or fiddling or the dreaded mag drop right when you\u2019re trying to impress at the bench. Fans of the classic <mark>Winchester Model 70<\/mark> will appreciate that the three-position safety sticks around, wing-style and intuitive, while the stock itself sports nicely contoured grip panels and a chunky recoil pad that actually fits the shoulder pocket\u2014unlike some cut-rate competitors where comfort is an afterthought.<\/p>\n<p>Another pain point addressed: overall build quality is up. No more questionable seams, nothing that rattles or feels like it\u2019s playing \u201cguess which part will fail first.\u201d Controls, from the safety to the bolt release, operate crisply. Even the muzzle threading is clean and even, so you won\u2019t end up cross-threading your favorite suppressor or brake.<\/p>\n<p>Overall, with <mark>Compass II<\/mark>, the improvements are purposeful and noticeable\u2014making it a real contender in a category where details matter.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Quick Tour<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3>Build Quality Compared to the Budget Crowd<\/h3>\n<p>Budget rifles can be a mixed bag, but the <mark>Compass<\/mark> stands out as a pleasant surprise. Unlike some entry-level options that sport clunky controls and plastic parts prone to wiggling like a loose tooth, the <mark>Compass<\/mark> shows real attention to detail. Parts fit together neatly\u2014no rattles or unsightly gaps to be found after a day in the field or a season in the safe.<\/p>\n<p>The wing safety and bolt release both move with satisfying precision, avoiding the cheap, toy-like feel you sometimes encounter on rifles at this price point (looking at you, big-box specials). Even touches like the threaded muzzle show care, with clean, even machining\u2014none of that haphazard cross-threading headache seen on some competing models. In short, the <mark>Compass<\/mark> feels solidly built compared to its budget classmates, punching slightly above its weight in both durability and finish.<\/p>\n<h3>Stock Design and Comfort<\/h3>\n<p>One of the first things you\u2019ll notice when shouldering the <mark>Compass II<\/mark> is its stock\u2014it\u2019s more than just a place to rest your cheek. The synthetic stock comes equipped with boldly textured grip panels sporting deep, V-shaped contours. Whether your hands are wet, cold, or gloved, these generous grip zones lock your hand in place for solid control, much like the tactile grips you\u2019ll find on a <mark>Weatherby Vanguard<\/mark>.<\/p>\n<p>A thick, well-fitted recoil pad at the rear helps take the sting out of firing, even if you\u2019re putting .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor downrange. While these cartridges aren\u2019t known for punishing recoil, the pad\u2019s dense construction makes shooting even more comfortable, especially during longer sessions at the range or on a hunt. It\u2019s the kind of feature you\u2019d expect on higher-end models but is a welcome addition here.<\/p>\n<p>The straight comb of the stock encourages a consistent cheek weld, helping with proper sight alignment whether you\u2019re shooting offhand or from a bench. The design also keeps things simple\u2014no adjustable bells and whistles, just effective ergonomics that help you stay on target. One thing to keep in mind: the fore-end, with its slightly ramped profile, is wide enough to offer stability from field rests or a bipod, but it could also let in debris or snow if you\u2019re trekking through the backcountry, so a little awareness is always smart.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Let&#8217;s start with the barrel as that&#8217;s the really important part, at least for accuracy and longevity. This model features a 1:12 twist rate, but that&#8217;s caliber specific, so yours may vary depending on which model you choose.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>What Does 5R Rifling Bring to the Table?<\/h3>\n<p>The 5R rifling pattern isn\u2019t just neat to look at; it offers some practical benefits, too. Instead of the typical even-numbered lands and grooves, 5R uses five, with each land set at a gentler, more angled edge compared to the sharper corners you\u2019ll find in traditional rifling (think\u00a0<mark>Remington<\/mark>\u2019s approach, not your grandpa\u2019s old hunting rifle).<\/p>\n<p>This unique design aims to minimize how much the lands cut into the bullet jacket, reducing deformation as the bullet zips down the barrel. In theory, less bullet distortion equals better downrange accuracy\u2014a claim that\u2019s found loyal fans among precision shooters.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s also an edge in maintenance: the rounded lands mean fewer sharp corners for fouling to cling to, making the bore easier to clean after a long day turning ammo into noise. These tweaks might sound subtle, but those who have spent time behind rifles with 5R barrels\u2014like a certain\u00a0<mark>Prairie Dog Compass<\/mark>\u00a0after a few hundred rounds\u2014often walk away impressed with easier cleaning and tight groups on target.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">[one_half]<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_69443\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-2.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ton-rifle-money-thompson-center-308-compass-full-review\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-69443\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-69443\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-2-400x225.jpg\" alt=\"The Compass comes with scope ring bases installed, so adding an optic requires only the right size rings. \" width=\"400\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-2-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-2-150x85.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-2-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-2-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-69443\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Compass comes with scope ring bases installed, so adding an optic requires only the right size rings.<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\">[\/one_half]<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">[one_half_last]<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_69444\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-3.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ton-rifle-money-thompson-center-308-compass-full-review\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-69444\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-69444\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-3-400x255.jpg\" alt=\"The three-position safety is easy to reach from a normal firing grip.\" width=\"400\" height=\"255\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-3-400x255.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-3-150x96.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-3-768x489.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-3-1024x652.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-3.jpg 1199w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-69444\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The three-position safety is easy to reach from a normal firing grip.<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\">[\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">So the marketing benefits claim accuracy, but so does everyone. What makes this $399 MSRP rifle stand out is that it comes with something far more rare in its price range, a minute of angle accuracy guarantee. Simply put, Thompson Center puts in writing that your rifle will shoot three shots into a one-inch group at 100 yards. Of course, you have to use quality ammunition that&#8217;s capable of the same accuracy, not junk. I put that to the test, and we&#8217;ll cover the results later in this article. Or you can ask relatives (if there are any left) of the disintegrated Prairie Dogs if this rifle is capable of hitting them from 300 to 600 yards away. The answer is a resounding yes. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">There&#8217;s one more big thing to mention about the barrel. It comes factory threaded. I love this feature because once you shoot suppressed, you&#8217;ll never go back. It&#8217;s so easy for a manufacturer to add this at the factory and such a pain to do on your own. The threading pattern varies by caliber. For example, .204 Ruger, .223 Remington, and .22-250 feature a 1\/2&#215;28 TPI pattern while .243 and larger caliber rifles have a 5\/8&#215;24 TPI pattern. The Compass comes with a thread protector cap with a knurled surface so you can easily remove it by hand.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_69449\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-1.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ton-rifle-money-thompson-center-308-compass-full-review\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-69449\" class=\"wp-image-69449 size-large\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"For a while, I mounted a Burris Eliminator III laser range finding scope. That made prairie dog hits at 500 - 600 yards somewhat easy. \" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-1-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-69449\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">For a while, I mounted a Burris Eliminator III laser range finding scope. That made prairie dog hits at 500 &#8211; 600 yards with the .204 Ruger-chambered rifle somewhat easy.<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The timing on an affordable factory rifle with a threaded barrel couldn&#8217;t be better. I&#8217;m very encouraged by the possibility of the Hearing Protection Act passing and being signed into law something this year. That means that buying a suppressor will be no harder than buying the rifle itself. No special paperwork, no $200 check to Uncle Spendy, and no waiting period of six to 12 months to get your suppressor. Pester your Congress Critters on this issue now, we&#8217;ve never had a better opportunity to get this done.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Moving on, the Thompson\/Center Compass employs a detachable magazine. The magazines in all calibers are flush fit with the bottom of the stock, so you don&#8217;t have to worry about the rifle getting hung on on gear, rests, or your support hand. Capacity depends on caliber. Most calibers have a five-round magazine capacity, and Magnum calibers have a four-round capacity. The .308 Winchester model shown here holds five rounds in the magazine plus an extra in the chamber if you like. The magazine drops out the bottom of the stock with the press of an inset lever. It&#8217;s an easy system, and I found the magazine simple to load. Of course, you can leave an empty magazine in place and single feed into the chamber as well. The magazine itself is mostly polymer, so it&#8217;s almost entirely rust-proof.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Rotary Magazine: Details and Field Impressions<\/h2>\n<p>The <mark>Compass II<\/mark> sticks with the proven rotary magazine design, which locks smoothly and securely into the rifle. In practice, loading the magazine is straightforward, and it slides neatly into place without any wrestling. Just pay attention to how the cartridges are seated\u2014if a round\u2019s tip is angled up too much, you might experience a missed feed. But that&#8217;s true of plenty of rotary systems out there, not just this one.<\/p>\n<p>I have to say, the overall construction feels more robust than the bargain-bin plastic mags you\u2019ll find in some other value-focused rifles. The polymer build shrugs off wet days and gritty environments with ease, so you won&#8217;t be babying it in the field. Capacity holds steady at five rounds for standard calibers, and four for magnums\u2014plenty for a morning on the prairie or a day at the range.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">[one_half]<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_69439\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-5.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ton-rifle-money-thompson-center-308-compass-full-review\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-69439\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-69439\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-5-400x249.jpg\" alt=\"The detachable box magazine holds five rounds of most calibers, four for magnum sizes.\" width=\"400\" height=\"249\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-5-400x249.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-5-150x93.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-5-768x477.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-5-1024x637.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-5.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-69439\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The detachable box magazine holds five rounds of most calibers, four for magnum sizes.<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\">[\/one_half]<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">[one_half_last]<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_69441\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-6.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ton-rifle-money-thompson-center-308-compass-full-review\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-69441\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-69441\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-6-400x267.jpg\" alt=\"The polymer magazine is ready for field conditions and designed to resist rust and gunk.\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-6-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-6-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-6-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-6-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-6.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-69441\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The polymer magazine is ready for field conditions and designed to resist rust and gunk.<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\">[\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n<h2>Improved Trigger Performance in the <mark>Compass II<\/mark><\/h2>\n<p>The <mark>Compass II<\/mark> takes things up a notch in the trigger department. The Generation II trigger features an updated bladed design and arrives from the factory already set lighter than its predecessor. In my hands and with a <mark>Wheeler<\/mark> gauge on standby, I found the break hovered right around 3.4 pounds after a series of ten pulls\u2014noticeably lighter and crisper compared to the original <mark>Compass<\/mark>.<\/p>\n<p>This new trigger doesn\u2019t just shed weight; it provides a smooth, consistent pull without any grit or creep getting in the way. The result? A reliable and predictable trigger press that\u2019s easy to manage, helping you squeeze off more accurate shots whether you\u2019re at the bench or in the field.<\/p>\n<h2>Bolt Action and Handling<\/h2>\n<p>Much like its predecessor, the <mark>Compass II<\/mark> carries forward a bolt design that delivers the goods where it counts. The full-diameter bolt glides along the raceway with a smoothness you don\u2019t often see in this price bracket\u2014think more along the lines of a well-broken-in <mark>Tikka<\/mark> than what you\u2019d expect from your buddy\u2019s loaner rifle. Thanks to its three locking lugs, you get a snappy 60-degree bolt lift, which makes quick cycling a breeze. No need to wrestle the handle up near your scope or punch yourself in the cheek when chambering the next round. The end result? Fast follow-up shots and an operation that feels reassuringly robust, even when your hands are gloved up or half-frozen after a morning in the field.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The bolt operation is smooth and positive. it uses a three-lug design that offers plenty of strength and a solid lockup. The bolt lift angle is 60 degrees. In plain English, that means that the bolt operates without the operator having to live the handle too high. If you have a scope mounted, that leaves clearance for your hand with less chance of interference from the scope body.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">One of the hidden gems in this rifle is an adjustable trigger. Using a series of three nuts, you can make easy adjustments to both pull weight and over-travel. Just remove the action from the stock, and you\u2019ll see those three nuts behind the trigger assembly. The two on the top adjust the pull weight while the single one on the bottom sets the over travel distance. It goes without saying to exercise extreme care while tinkering with the trigger. Too light a weight can be dangerous, and the wrong over travel setting can prevent your rifle from firing at all. When finished, apply a couple of drops of nail polish to keep everything locked in place. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">From the factory, the trigger weight on this particular rifle measured a consistent five pounds. A little on the heavy side for my preference, but since it&#8217;s fully adjustable, I see why the Thompson\/Center folks send it out on the weightier side. The single-stage trigger is grit-free and has a nice crisp break. If I keep this rifle, I might consider adjusting the trigger down to 3 1\/2 pounds, but other than that, it&#8217;s good to go.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The safety is mounted on the rear right side of the bolt and easily accessible by the firing hand thumb. It&#8217;s a three position safety that performs the following functions:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">&#8211; Locks the trigger and bolt operation. If you&#8217;re trekking through the woods, you might use this safety position to ensure no accidental discharges or unplanned bolt openings. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">&#8211; Load and unload. The center safety position allows the bolt to operate so you can load a shell into the chamber or remove one. This position prevents trigger operation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">&#8211; Fire. As the name implies, this one unlocks everything so you can operate the bolt and fire a shot.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_69447\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-10.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ton-rifle-money-thompson-center-308-compass-full-review\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-69447\" class=\"wp-image-69447 size-large\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-10-1024x637.jpg\" alt=\"One of my favorite features is the factory threaded barrel. \" width=\"1024\" height=\"637\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-10-1024x637.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-10-150x93.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-10-400x249.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-10-768x478.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-10.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-69447\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">One of my favorite features is the factory threaded barrel.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>Potential Drawbacks: Fore-End and Bolt Knob Considerations<\/h2>\n<p>While I\u2019m a fan of the straight comb stock\u2014my cheek weld appreciates the consistency\u2014there are a couple of quirks worth noting. The fore-end is styled with a bit of an upslope, almost as if it\u2019s beckoning stray pine needles, mud, or a snowflake or two to join the party between barrel and stock. In particularly messy conditions, you might end up with some debris sneaking in for a closer look, but unless you\u2019re planning on a snow angel mid-hunt, it\u2019s unlikely to cause major headaches.<\/p>\n<p>As for the bolt knob, you\u2019ll notice it sports that familiar honey dipper look. It works just fine, but on the petite side at about 0.6 inches in diameter. If you\u2019re used to the oversized bolt knobs found on some tactical rigs or certain models from <mark>Savage<\/mark> or <mark>Ruger<\/mark>, this may feel a tad dainty by comparison. For folks with bear paws or if you love operating with gloves in place, it\u2019s something to keep in mind.<\/p>\n<h2>Three-Position Safety Mechanism<\/h2>\n<p>The <mark>Compass II<\/mark> features a practical three-position safety mounted on the rear right side of the bolt\u2014right where your thumb naturally rests. This setup gives you versatile control over the rifle\u2019s operation:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In the rear (fully engaged) position, both the bolt and trigger are locked. This is ideal when you&#8217;re hiking through brush or transporting the rifle, eliminating worries about accidental bolt openings or unintentional discharges.<\/li>\n<li>The middle position allows you to operate the bolt\u2014handy for safely loading or unloading a round\u2014while still blocking the trigger.<\/li>\n<li>Move the safety all the way forward, and both bolt and trigger are free to use, putting the rifle in firing mode.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This user-friendly design is a big plus if, like me, you appreciate that extra margin of safety during field use. It\u2019s a familiar and intuitive system for those who have spent time with iconic hunting rifles, and works smoothly on the <mark>Compass II<\/mark>.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Shooting the Compass<br \/>\n<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3>Proven Accuracy at 100 Yards<\/h3>\n<p>So, what kind of real-world precision can you expect from the <mark>Compass II<\/mark> when you head out to the range? In my own experience, it lived up to that bold minute-of-angle accuracy guarantee. With three different brands of factory ammunition, the rifle consistently punched out tight groups\u2014think somewhere in the neighborhood of 0.8 to 1.3 inches for three shots at 100 yards. For a rifle in this price bracket, that&#8217;s impressive. Whether you&#8217;re ringing steel targets or squaring off with wary prairie dogs on the far edge of the field, the <mark>Compass II<\/mark> flat-out performs like a champ.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">I mounted a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.burrisoptics.com\/scopes\/fullfield-e1-riflescopes-series\/fullfield-e1-riflescope-3-9x40mm\" campaign=\"BurrisFullFieldScope\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\">Burris Fullfield E1 3-9x40mm <\/a>scope to the compass as it seemed an appropriate price point match. The compass includes Weaver-style sight bases, so all I needed was a set of one-inch rings to finish the process. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">I fired some shots &#8220;as is&#8221; to feel the relative recoil of the Compass .308 with nothing done to the muzzle. Recoil was mellow, and the substantial recoil pad was easy on the shoulder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Recoil Pad Performance<\/h3>\n<p>Even though the 6.5 Creedmoor is no shoulder-breaker to begin with, I found the generous recoil pad on the Compass made a noticeable difference. Each shot was tamed to a gentle push rather than a sharp jab, letting me stay comfortable through extended range sessions. The pad\u2019s cushioning helped minimize felt recoil, soaking up what little kick the Creedmoor delivers and making follow-up shots a breeze.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">[one_half]<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_69445\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-3.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ton-rifle-money-thompson-center-308-compass-full-review\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-69445\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-69445\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-3-400x267.jpg\" alt=\"The bolt throw is 60 degrees so optics won't get in the way.\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-3-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-3-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-3.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-69445\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The bolt throw is 60 degrees so optics won&#8217;t get in the way.<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\">[\/one_half]<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">[one_half_last]<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_69446\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ton-rifle-money-thompson-center-308-compass-full-review\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-69446\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-69446\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-9-400x277.jpg\" alt=\"The bolt locks with three large lugs. \" width=\"400\" height=\"277\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-9-400x277.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-9-150x104.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-9-768x532.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-9-1024x709.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-9.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-69446\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The bolt locks with three large lugs.<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\">[\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">With that out of the way, I decided to put the threaded muzzle to good use. I mounted a SilencerCo ASR muzzle brake so I could attach a SilencerCo Specwar 762. That made shooting the Compass a whole new bundle of fun, so I kept it on for the rest of the shooting. While physics is still physics, the addition of the big heavy silencer mellowed out perceived recoil even more and brought the noise down to a much more neighbor-friendly level. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">For ammo, I used four different factory loads:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sigsauer.com\/products\/ammunition\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ton-rifle-money-thompson-center-308-compass-full-review\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sig Sauer Elite Performance .308 Winchester Match 168-grain<\/a>. These cartridges are loaded to exacting tolerances and use the world-class Sierra Matchking projectile. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/federalpremium.com\/ammunition\/rifle\/family\/gold-medal\/gold-medal-sierra-matchking\/gm308m\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ton-rifle-money-thompson-center-308-compass-full-review\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Federal Premium Gold Medal 168-grain<\/a>. Also using the Sierra Matchking projectile, this one is an accuracy demon.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/federalpremium.com\/ammunition\/rifle\/family\/gold-medal\/gold-medal-sierra-matchking\/gm308m2\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ton-rifle-money-thompson-center-308-compass-full-review\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Federal Premium Gold Medal 175-grain<\/a>. For longer range applications, this load uses a slightly heavier Sierra Matchking bullet. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/federalpremium.com\/ammunition\/rifle\/family\/fusion\/fusion-rifle\/f308fs2\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ton-rifle-money-thompson-center-308-compass-full-review\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Federal Premium Fusion 165-grain<\/a>. This load is, for lack of a better word, a bonded type of expanding hunting round where the jacket is fused to the lead core inside. It&#8217;s designed for expansion and consistent penetration, not match grade accuracy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">First up I shot for velocity, using a Shooting Chrony Beta Master Chronograph placed 15 feet down range from the now relatively quiet muzzle. I didn&#8217;t record velocities without the suppressor attached, but you might assume that the numbers below have a slight velocity boost from the suppressor, perhaps 20-30 feet per second.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\"><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\"><b>Velocity (feet per second)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\"><b>Federal Gold Medal Match .308 Winchester 168 grain<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\">2,621.7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\"><b>Federal Gold Medal Match .308 Winchester 175 grain<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\">2,620.3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\"><b>Sig Sauer Match Grade OTM .308 Winchester 168 grain<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\">2,638.0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\"><b>Federal Fusion .308 Winchester 165 grain<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\">2,643.7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">For accuracy, I set up targets and 100 yards and fired three shot groups. With a \u201chunting\u201d rifle like this, I prefer not to heat up the barrel with higher shot volume, and the three-shot approach is more of a realistic indicator of what it needs to do in the field. I fired from a concrete bench using a Blackhawk! Titan III adjustable rest with rear bag. I weighed down the Titan with a 25-pound bag of lead shot to firm things up. I also kept the suppressor attached for all the accuracy shooting. Because fun. Also, while suppressors usually cause a constant shift in point of impact, I\u2019ve not yet seen one that had a negative impact on accuracy, so I didn\u2019t feel like keeping quiet would skew the accuracy measurements of the Compass rifle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Here\u2019s what I measured.<\/span><\/p>\n<table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\"><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\"><b>Distance<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\"><b>Group Size (3 shots)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\"><b>Federal Gold Medal Match .308 Winchester 168 grain<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\">100<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\">.58\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\"><b>Federal Gold Medal Match .308 Winchester 175 grain<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\">100<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\">.92\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\"><b>Sig Sauer Match Grade OTM .308 Winchester 168 grain<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\">100<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\">.67\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\"><b>Sig Sauer Match Grade OTM .308 Winchester 168 grain<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\">200<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\">2.16\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\"><b>Federal Fusion .308 Winchester 165 grain<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\">100<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<p align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;\">2.01\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">So, using match grade ammo, the Compass absolutely lived up to its one minute of angle factory guarantee. As for the Fusion results, that\u2019s consistent with most every other Fusion caliber and load combination I\u2019ve tried from different rifles. It\u2019s designed for penetration and expansion performance, not match accuracy, so the larger group didn\u2019t surprise me.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">[one_half]<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_69435\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-12.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ton-rifle-money-thompson-center-308-compass-full-review\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-69435\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-69435\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-12-400x300.jpg\" alt=\"The Compass had no trouble living up to its one minute of angle accuracy guarantee.\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-12-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-12-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-12-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-12-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-12.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-69435\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Compass had no trouble living up to its one minute of angle accuracy guarantee.<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\">[\/one_half]<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">[one_half_last]<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_69436\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-13.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"ton-rifle-money-thompson-center-308-compass-full-review\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-69436\" class=\"wp-image-69436 size-medium\" title=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-13-400x300.jpg\" alt=\"The Federal Premium 168-grain match grade load turned in the best 100-yard groups. \" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-13-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-13-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-13-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-13-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Compass-13.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-69436\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Federal Premium 168-grain match grade load turned in the best 100-yard groups.<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\">[\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Closing Arguments<br \/>\n<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3>Ideal Rifle for the Dedicated Hunter<\/h3>\n<p>If you spend much of your season slipping into tight box blinds, squeezing into ground blinds, or maneuvering among the limbs of a tree stand, the compact build of this model is a genuine asset. Hunters who value portability\u2014especially those navigating the thick woods and close quarters so common in the East\u2014will appreciate its shorter overall length and barrel.<\/p>\n<p>For anyone seeking a reliable addition to their deer camp arsenal\u2014without straining the budget\u2014this is an option that delivers impressive performance for the investment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">There&#8217;s a lot to like about this rifle. With an MSRP of $399, you&#8217;re going to find it for somewhat less than that if you shop for it here on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/Search.aspx?T=Thompson%20Compass\" campaign=\"CompassonGA\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\">GunsAmerica.com<\/a>. The accuracy and associated minute of angle guarantee is a rare thing for a rifle at this price point. Then you factor in things like the threaded barrel and adjustable trigger, and you&#8217;re quickly getting a lot of value for that four hundred bucks. I&#8217;m getting one. Perhaps a 6.5 Creedmoor &#8230; .<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>How the <mark>Compass II<\/mark> Stacks Up in the Budget Rifle Arena<\/h2>\n<p>Let\u2019s talk about how the <mark>Compass II<\/mark> fares against its competition\u2014because, let\u2019s face it, when you\u2019re comparison shopping, dollars and details count. The <mark>Compass II<\/mark> rolls in with a suggested retail price of $405, which undercuts popular competitors like the <mark>Ruger American Rifle<\/mark> and <mark>Winchester XPR<\/mark> by a decent chunk of change. That means more money left in your pocket for optics, ammo, or maybe a celebratory steak dinner after your first range trip.<\/p>\n<p>But value isn\u2019t just about being the cheapest game in town. The <mark>Compass II<\/mark> brings some engineering muscle to the table with features you don\u2019t often see at this price point. Take the 5R rifling, for example\u2014found in far more expensive rifles\u2014helping to deliver tighter groups and easier cleaning. Even though it tips the scales a few ounces heavier than its rivals, that extra heft translates to a little less felt recoil and a confidence-inspiring, solid build.<\/p>\n<p>What really seals the deal, though, is the rifle\u2019s real-world performance. Consistent sub-MOA groups with quality ammo show that this isn\u2019t just budget-friendly; it\u2019s a legit shooter that can hang with rifles costing hundreds more. Fit and finish? Better than you\u2019d expect. Everything from the bolt release to the safety feels crisp, not chintzy, and the threaded barrel is ready for your favorite muzzle device or suppressor straight out of the box.<\/p>\n<p>So, if you\u2019re in the hunt for a new rifle that won\u2019t hammer your bank account but still offers impressive accuracy, bulletproof build quality, and features you\u2019d expect north of this price range, the <mark>Compass II<\/mark> makes an awfully strong case. Call it a reminder that you don\u2019t have to sacrifice performance or feel for affordability\u2014at least not here.<\/p>\n<h2>Price Point<\/h2>\n<p>The <mark>Compass II<\/mark> comes with a suggested retail price of $405, placing it well below competitors like the <mark>Ruger American Rifle<\/mark> and <mark>Winchester XPR<\/mark>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">To purchase a Thompson\/Center Compass on GunsAmerica.com, click this link:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/Search.aspx?T=Thompson%20Compass\" campaign=\"ThompsonCenterCompasonGA\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\">https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/Search.aspx?T=Thompson%20Compass<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Compass rifle from Thompson\/Center offers shooters a sub-MOA capable rifle ready for the hunting fields at an amazing MSRP of only $399.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":69429,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_specdata_upc":"","_specdata_placement":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7,855,694,37,209],"tags":[132,102,108,208,343,520],"featured":[],"hunt365":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-69423","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-gunsamerica-authors","8":"category-bolt-action","9":"category-gun-reviews","10":"category-gun-reviews-rifles","11":"category-tom-mchale","12":"tag-buzz","13":"tag-feature-articles","14":"tag-guns","15":"tag-reviews-2","16":"tag-rifle","17":"tag-thompson-center"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review - Authors\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/ton-rifle-money-thompson-center-308-compass-full-review\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\/Center .308 Compass - Full Review\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Compass rifle from Thompson\/Center offers shooters a sub-MOA capable rifle ready for the hunting fields at an amazing MSRP of only $399.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/ton-rifle-money-thompson-center-308-compass-full-review\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Gun Reviews and News | GunsAmerica.com\/Digest\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/gunsamerica\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"http:\/\/facebook.com\/mygunculture\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2017-03-06T18:01:59+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-11-12T21:30:55+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Thompson-Center-Hunt-6.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1169\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"554\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Tom McHale\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@http:\/\/twitter.com\/mygunculture\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@gunsamerica\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Tom McHale\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"24 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/ton-rifle-money-thompson-center-308-compass-full-review\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/ton-rifle-money-thompson-center-308-compass-full-review\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Tom McHale\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/0d300d007eac411171a5b1eff424c4de\"},\"headline\":\"A Ton Of Rifle For Your Money: Thompson\\\/Center .308 Compass &#8211; 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