TC Omega ... should I buy one?

[gila_dog]

I'm going to buy a new in-line muzzle loader. What's good and what's bad about the TC Omega? This will be an all-weather elk hunting rifle that will have to be carried up and down mountains and rough country. I intend to put a scope on it and shoot sabot ammo. Any info and experiences will be appreciated.

[sabotloader]

gila_dog 

I have two of the Omega's a SS model and a blued Z5.  They both shoot better than I can and I really like them.  I have replaced the 209 ignition system in both of them with the 25 ACP system.  It is a whole lot cleaner and does not put deposits on your scope.

A couple of down sides to the Omega... small trigger guard - a lot of people have a problem with the trigger guard and shooting with gloves... and 2 - some Omegas come with very tight bores.  You can find a sabot that will work with the bore you have it just takes experimenting to find the correct one.  I can use HPH-24's in the SS model and I need to "crush ribs" in the Z5.

The new Triumph is suppose to replace the Omega..

Another qun getting a lot of attention now days is the Knight KRB7.  The Knight use a quality Green Mountain barrel and can shoot conicals and sabots equally well.

I still hang on to my Omega's because I THINK SEEM lighter and easier to carry around all day.  And at my age that is important to me...

I shoot 110 grains of T7-2f and Nosler Partitions for hunting loads and for practice and eventually hunting (Noslers are getting way to expensive) I will shoot Speer Gold Bonded bullets. .452/250 deer and .452/300 elk - the 300 has a BC of .232 and that is good for a 45 cal bullet.  Another bullet of interest that I will test this summer will be the Speer Gold .430/270 grain SP bullet... I think it really might be a real winner.

 

[Double 30]

The Omega is a winner!My Z5 has performed so well I've retired my breechloaders. I use variflames and can report excellent results. My Z5 doesnt foul my scope at all.I dont find the triggerguard to be a problem although some do.The trigger looks cramped when its in the " at rest" position, but its fine when cocked. Tight bore? Compared to some yes, but mine slugs .500 bore and .510 groove and accuracy is superb, espicially using 240 or 300 gr Hornady XTP's and Harvester sabots, regular not the crush ribs.I've used alot of bullet/sabot combos and haven't found any to be objectionally tight ( yet).IME tighter loads are generally more accurate. Honestly, I think the Omega is probably the best of the modern muzzleloaders. I'm basing this on; cost,accuracy,ease of operation, maintenence' warranty and overall quality and simplicity.T/C would be making a colossal mistake if they discontinued the Omega.

[dstegjas]

Gila_Dog,
Here is another vote for the T/C Omega. I have been muzzleloading hunting for deer since 1977. I used a T/C Renegade at that time and I still have one in my gun safe. I switched to the Omega about 4 years ago. I topped it off with a Sightron red dot scope. It took me a long time to finally decide to switch to the inline muzzle loader. After shooting and hunting with this setup I haven't looked back. It has performed perfectly for me. I have taken deer out beyond 100 yard mark with deadly accuracy. I have not had any issues with this gun mechanically or weather wise. It is a sound shooter and will be in my gun safe for a long time to come.

Jim

[AndyHass]

I own two, a thumbhole stainless and an X7.  I have zero complaints.  I guess the trigger guard thing took some getting used to at first but my fingers aren't huge and I don't walk around with my finger in the guard unless it's cocked and aimed anyways.  That and when I can I remove a glove to shoot.

Accuracy-wise, both were far better than the average ML out of the box.  The good thing about the Omega is the design lets you further accurize if you want to.

I would be ticked if they discontinued the Omega for the Triumph.  Not all of us want break action MLs.

[burntmuch]

Ive been looking at them real hard for a couple mths.  I may be putting one on lay-away for next season

[gila_dog]

They are making the blue/black version with a "weather shield" finish now. Does anybody have any experience with that?
I like a black rifle better than a white stainless steel one, just for the sake of sneakiness in the woods.

[dstegjas]

Gela_Dog,
I have yet to see that version of the Omega yet. Mine has the real tree camo covering all of it. It seems to hold up well so far. None of the camo has scraped off yet. Even if it would I would imagine it would be easy to touch up. I do know what you mean about the black guns. My Contender pistols are all black as well as my new Winchester Super X3 deer gun. Just something about that stealthy look that I like.

Jim

[vabowhntr]

I have the weathershield finish Z5 version.  Seems to be fine.  The finish is very nice on it and a very dull stainless.  I would think it has less glare in the sun than a blue version.  Looks kinda like a grey dead limb on a tree.  The bore is still blued, so no additional protection there.

As far as shooting.  Mine seems to like the 250 gr SST's with short black MMP sabot from cabelas.  These were about 1.5" at 100 yards with 90 gr of pyrodex.   I just picked up some t7 and will be trying 85 and 90 gr with the 250gr sst's and 200gr shockwaves soon.  This should be deadly out to 150+ yards.  I just freefloated the barrel with a little sanding and shimming this weekend.  Hopefully that will get me near one inch at 100 with the right load.

[cherokee75]

Tally another vote for the Omega.  I have the SS with black synthetic stock.  It loves 300 grain T/C Shockwaves and 2 Pyrodex pellets.  I topped it with a Nikon Pro-Staff 3-9x40.  It is an excellent scope for the money.

[coyotemark]

The TC Omega is a wonderful muzzleloader. I have one in SS in a peper laminate stock, with a Swift Premiere scope on it. I have owned other muzzleloaders such as a Knight and a CVA. I sold the Knight, and kept the CVA Staghorn as a backup. Even though the Staghorn is a cheap gun, it will drive tacks. You cannot go wrong with the Omega and it will last for a lifetime. My Omega is easy to clean and is very, very accurate with Triple Seven and Shockwaves. The company has excellent customer service as well.

[Rummer]

The Omega is great gun.  It is easy to clean, just remove the breach plug and clean from the rear like a bolt action rifle.  It is as accurate as any of my centerfires with a load it likes.  3 shot groups w/90 grains of 777FFg and a 300gr KNHP give me 3 shot groups ranging from .75" to 1.25" at 100 yards.

[gila_dog]

Ok, ok, already. I'll get an Omega.

I think I'll go with the weather shield/black version cause it's cheap and stealthy. The small trigger guard isn't too much of an issue for me because when it's cold I use those funky mittens that flip open so you can use your fingers. I really like the trigger on the Omegas I've tried out. Easy cleaning is another big plus. Reading about those 1.5" groups you guys are shooting really turns me on too.

Now I just hope I get drawn for an elk license this year.