Day at the range with T7 and my Omega

[Rog]

I spent a bit of time at the range on Saturday with my Omega.  I've owned T/C Encore ML's in the past, but now have an Omega.  Gotta say I like the Omega, but think I prefer the Encore a bit more, but not by much.

I had not previously shot this Omega, so I was anxious to see what it was capable of.

My shooting session encompassed shooting only the T/C Shockwave bullet in 250gr versions, both with the 'black sabot' and the new Super Glide sabot.

Triple 7 would be the powder of choice, in 4 different types.  I had on hand T7 pellets (50/50), T7 fffg, and T7 ffg, as well as the new T7 Magnums.

In my Omega, the pellets were somewhat disappointing.  3 pellet loads did not group very well at all, with groups running 4-4.5" at 100 meters (109 yds.)  2 pellet loads were acceptable for hunting accuracy, with groups going around 2" for 3 shots.

Switching to the loose T7 fffg showed a good bit of improvement, with 110gr. equiv. groups running ~ 1.6-2.0" for 3 shots, while the 120gr equiv. groups were ~ 1.5" or so for 3 shots.

Changing over to the T7 Magnums pellets, 2 pellet loads were nearly as bad as the standard T7 3 pellets loads.  Groups were 3.5-4.0" range.  Not impressed with the T7 Magnums.  They did kick a bit more the any other load, except the 120gr T7 fffg load was really close.

I never got around the the T7 ffg powder since I ran out of time, but previous range sessions with T7 ffg have always produced good accuracy in my Encore.

Next session will be to shoot more T7 fffg and ffg and also try other bulllets.

I was hoping to get this Omega to shoot closer to 1" with the T/C Shockwave, but it may not happen.

The Super Glide sabot was a bit easier to load than the black sabot.  In my limited shooting, bullet impact was virtually the same between the two, with a slight edge in accuracy going to the Super Glide.  Further shooting needed to confirm.

My old Encore was a bit more accurate than this Omega, I think.

My scope I'm using is a Simmons Aetec 2.8-10.  This is the 4th or 5th Aectec I've owned.  Two of which I paid under $140 for. 

Just gotta keep working on finding that 1" group.....

Regards,
Rog

[1marty]

I tried many different combinations but it seems my omega loves 2 777 pellets with 295 or 348 gr. power belts. Anything less than 295 gr. seems to walk all over the paper. I found the power belt loads the easiest than other bullet.  I've been getting 2 inch groups at 100 yards-the rifle has a Nikon 1x4 20 scope.
Some people have told me power belts are terrible on deer-so far I've taken 2 deer and neither ran more than 25 yards

[Rog]

I am not a big fan of the powerbelt bullets.  I know personally of two people who've used them in the past on deer, both with very poor results.  Both of these two individuals are accomplished deer hunters.

I will be looking at bullets made by Precision Rifle and other similar bullets, cause they have much better aerodynamic qualities than the powerbelt bullets, and that would suit my needs better.

Of easy to load bullets, the easiest I've loaded has been the T/C Shockwave with the Super Glide sabot.  Very easy to load.

[1marty]

as they say different strokes for different folks.........I've heard stories of the poor killing power of the powerbelts but have personally never had a problem......since I get great accuracy, loading is easy I'll stick with the powerbelts....

[manofthe45]

Your range report sounds about right to me.  Most inlines do not like three pellets, but fall into place with two.  Even better results with loose powder.  Well Yeah that is the way it works.  I would try dropping down to 90 grains of 2f and working back up in 2.5 or 5 grain increments.  Ain't that the fun part of ML'ers. Time, time, and alot of money will show you the sweet spot.

I will not get into the powerbelt debate as most people here have already read my views on them and the other garbage CVA makes.

[Biff Mayhem]

Rog

First time at the range with a new sabot gun should be with a box of conicals - to remove any possible burrs in the bore. Your Omega  bore may need a little more break-in time than your Encore - especially when you are asking a plastic sabot to remove that metallic burr. It's best to do it with conicals on your first visit with a new ML  -- then shoot for accuracy with sabots on the 2nd visit to the range.

[Rog]

Biff,

Thanks for the tip regarding breaking in the barrel.  However, I bought this gun used (such a good deal I couldn't pass it up... I am extremely pleased with my purchase price - I've got considerably less in the gun and the Simmons Aetec 2.8-10 scope I've mounted on it than a new gun would cost.)

The barrel is really smooth - much smoother than I'm used to from T/C.

I suspect that switching to T7 ffg would perhaps show a slight improvement in accuracy.  Next trip to the range will confirm that.  Gonna also try some of the Precision Rifle bullets and see how they do.  Gotta try to find them locally....


Manothe45,  I really don't have any plans to drop down in powder charge.  I may try 90 grains just for grins, but I really plan on hunting with this with using 120 grains of T7 fffg @ 120 grains with the T/C shockwave bullet until I find a "better" load.

I really think my accuracy is there, with this load capable of more accuracy than what I've listed in my first post.  I think my scope parallax setting is what is keeping me from actually getting better groups on paper.  My current groups will sometimes have 2-3 bullets in nearly one hole with the other one-two bullets opening up the group.  I am sure my head/eye placement consistency is lacking and is reflected by the groups.

I hope to get some more range time and set my target at 150 yards just to eliminate the parallax variable.  Plus, I think that would be a good zero range for this Omega ML.