Omega X5 review

[AndyHass]

I haven't seen much posted about this rifle, so I thought I'd give my thoughts.

I purchases an X5 in August through the local Cabelas because  I wanted a light, shorter gun to replace my old sidelock carbine (no longer accurate) for woods and standing corn hunting.  The selling point for me, beyond the weight and length, was mainly the peep sight.  I used to use peeps a lot and actually like them better than scopes for sub-100yds.

I called ahead of the 1-hour drive to ensure they had some in stock, and was assured they did (2).  IN typical Cabelas fashion, however, when I arrived I found they'd pulled the peep sights and installed cheap $30 scopes on even cheaper rings.  After some arguing, they said they'd "do me a favor" and put the peep back on (how is restoring a gun to factory, ADVERTISED condition a favor??).  After more then 3 hours, I finally left with the gun.

I must say I was very impressed with the fit and feel of the gun.  When compared to my 3 year old thumbhole Omega, this one was about 2-3 inches shorter and had a better recoil pad.  The trigger is improved and lighter, and the trigger guard shape has been improved.  Weight is noticeably less, easy to carry in one hand for a long hike.

In addition to Cabelas, I soon developed a beef with T/C.  When I tried to sight the gun in, I was pleased that 100gr 777 FFg plus a 250gr Shockwave produced nice tight groups.... off the paper high at 30 yards.  I bottomed out the rear peep and was still 9 inches high at 50 yards.  It appears they decided to offer the peep for Colorado elk purposes, but didn't bother to test-fire the setup?  Inspection revealed no problems with the sight mounting.  I like the Omega design, but I had to eat shipping TWICE with my last Omega shipping it back to fix a defective stock.

To their credit, when I called customer service they promptly shipped me a taller front sight (the lack of discussion makes me wonder if every person that has bought one has called in with the same complaint).  I haven't had it back out to shoot yet, but the problem will obviously be resolved and I already know the gun groups well.  Overall I'm pleased with the gun and look forward to hunting with it this fall.

[Biff Mayhem]

Very few want peep sights on their inlines outside of a couple of states like Colorado with added MLing restrictions. I can understand Cabelas thinking in removing the peeps - the installing a scope - in order to sell the ML sooner. Those last two X5's were probably collecting dust with the peeps attached.

[Busta]

Andy,

Don't mean to tell you what you have, but I think we are talking about the "X7" King of the Mountain with laminate stock, SS 24" tapered barrel, fluted receiver, and WGRS Peep sight? I think you have the "Z5" and the "X7" mixed up, unless there is a new cross breed I am not aware of? I was looking at that X7 and would love to get one, but it has that damned QLA on it. It would be a nice rifle for out west shooting conicals, IF they had not put the QLA on it. When they came out and named it "King of the Mountain", I thought T/C was marketing a conical shooter, wrong. I still really like the rifle, but they could lighten it up more by putting a synthetic stock on it. I really like the look of the Cinnimon Laminate stock and the Sims pad.

If you ever shoot some lead conicals out of it, let me know how it goes. I looked at those at Dick's & Outdoor World when they first came out, and was wondering about that short front sight on that tapered barrel. I don't think they took that into consideration, and I bet you are right about them having to give the taller sights away by the hundreds. You would think a company like T/C would have that all figured out before releasing them. 9" hight at 50 is still gonna be WAY to high even for a 460 grain conical.

[vonfatman]

Andy,
Thanks for the review.  I have two in-line guns.  On my CVA, I switched to peep sights and had the same issue...HAD to locate and
install a taller front sight.  Once installed, my $79.00 Staghorn was making 3-4" groups at 100 yards...good enough for my needs.

My Omega is no big shake.  A "bottom of the line Omega".  It's blued with the black stock and has a decent Sightron scope.  It's consistant 1.5" groups at 100 yards has me
planning to carry it all deer season (not just muzzleloading season).

Glad you were able to get your Omega working.

Bob

[AndyHass]

Busta,
   You're right, X7 not X5...I type faster than I think

   The thing about the scopes is, they didn't pre-install scopes on any of the other Omegas, just the X7.  And Cabela's own ads made specific mention of the peep sight, so I felt they should supply it as advertised or at least not make an issue out of returning it to as-advertised condition.  Finally, if someone is going to shell out the cash for an Omega (double the price of an entry-level inline), I'm going to guess they're not going to be happy with a $25-30 scope on it.

[elkstalkr]

  Finally, if someone is going to shell out the cash for an Omega (double the price of an entry-level inline), I'm going to guess they're not going to be happy with a $25-30 scope on it.

Ain't that the freakin truth.  Its not like you picking up a $120 CVA!!!