I first hunted with the original Thompson/Center Compass on a media trip to Africa. Before leaving the U.S., I had shot that .30-06 out to about 450 yards. It later accounted for several plains-game animals, including a black wildebeest at 390 yards. I bought the test rifle and have since used it on Oklahoma whitetails and feral hogs.
That history gave me a useful baseline when I received the Thompson/Center Compass II in 6.5 Creedmoor. The question was whether its updated Gen II trigger and familiar budget-hunting format could deliver comparable handling and accuracy. On a near-windless, 75-degree day, I fired five five-shot groups with Winchester 140-grain Match BTHP from front and rear bags at 100 yards.
- You want an affordable, mild-recoiling deer rifle
- You value a crisp trigger and quick, simple bolt operation
- Accuracy testing covered one load and 25 documented shots
Thompson/Center Compass II Features and Gen II Trigger
Of course, the first thing I did when taking the T/C Compass II 6.5 Creedmoor out of the box was work the action, check to ensure the chamber was clear, and slowly press the trigger.
It was perfect and shocking for a gun at this price. It was the improvement most touted by Thompson/Center with this newest generation of the Compass, and they did not disappoint. I was happy.
Compass II 6.5 Creedmoor Range-Test Setup
Taking the gun to the range on a near-windless 75-degree day sent a Chris Matthews thrill up my leg. I knew 2 MoA targets out to 400 yards were waiting for me. The 6.5 Creedmoor is one of my favorite cartridges for deer-sized game due to its flat-shooting, wind-bucking, low-recoiling nature.
Compass II Handling: Bolt, Safety and Magazine
The shooting session reminded me of the things I most like about the Compass. The short 60-degree throw of the bolt on re-load is a true pleasure for those of us who train to work the bolt as part of our automatic follow-through after every shot.
It is something we should all strive for because it is what allows for quick follow-up shots on game. I simply love how this minimized bolt handles. It reminds me of the wonderfully efficient Sakos.
The three-position safety is crisp in its movement and locks the bolt in the rear position, something that is critically important when walking through thick vegetation that has a penchant for grabbing a bolt handle and taking it out of battery.
The five-round detachable rotary magazine is a very nice feature for loading and unloading when scouting for species like pronghorn from a vehicle. Another joy is the threaded barrel to accommodate one of my many hearing-saving suppressors I’ve collected through the years.
Our Remington Model Seven Bottomland review examines the same emphasis on fast handling in another lightweight hunting rifle.
Compass II Accuracy Results at 100 Yards
But then there is the silly-good accuracy that I found in the Compass I took to Africa. It consistently shot sub MoA groups with a variety of ammo. For the trip to the range with the T/CCompass II 6.5 Creedmoor, I used the 140 grain Winchester Match BTHP.
I shot five five-shot groups from front and back bags at 100 yards. The average group size was 1.12 inches with the smallest group at an exceptionally good 0.81 inches. This gun’s accuracy did not disappoint.
For a premium 6.5 Creedmoor contrast, our Nosler Model 21 review documents three hunting loads at the same 100-yard distance.
How the Compass II Trigger Improves on the Original
The only minor complaint I had about the original Compass was that the trigger was not perfect. There is no doubt I’m a trigger snob, so my standards in this department are high.
It had just the slightest grinding creep perceptible when totally focused on it during dry-fire or taking that precise shot from the bench.
Should You Buy the Thompson/Center Compass II?
There is a lot to like about the Compass II and virtually nothing to dislike. It is a fantastic option for anyone looking for a bargain-priced hunting rifle. The version chambered in .243 Win or 6.5 Creedmoor is ideal for newer hunters so they can practice without having skills eroded by fear of harsher recoil.
Adding a suppressor would be icing on the cake here by taking one more measure to avoid having the dreaded “flinch” response creep into the equation. For a low-cost rifle, it performs way above its class.
For a current alternative in the same value-focused hunting-rifle class, see our Ruger American Rifle Gen II review.
Thompson/Center Compass II 6.5 Creedmoor Review: Final Verdict and Score
- Five-group average of 1.12 inches at 100 yards
- Short 60-degree bolt throw speeds follow-up shots
- Three-position safety locks the bolt closed in cover
- Threaded barrel is suppressor-ready out of the box
- Detachable five-round rotary magazine
- Trigger had slight creep
- Product Origin
- Manufacturer sample
- Test Type
- Range (bench, front and rear bags)
- Rounds Fired
- 25 (five 5-shot groups)
- Ammunition Tested
- Winchester Match 140-grain BTHP
- Conditions
- Near-windless, 75°F
- Tested By
- Darren Lesorte
