Encore versus Triumph versus Omega

[Myerslake2005]

I thinking aobut getting at .50 caliber (right now I have a .54) and am looking at the Encore (I already have frame), Triumph or Omega.

Those of you who have shot these guns what's the major positive and negatives of these guns?

Thanks

[Keith Lewis]

Most of the T/C barrels will not shoot conicals very well (some do but a lot don't). If you are only interested in shooting sabot/bullet combinations then the T/C rifles and or barrels will do just fine. T/C barrels tend to be a little on the small diameter side so you will have to select the correct sabot/bullet combination. When they first came out there was not a large selection and my Omega was difficult to load. Now there are many thickness sabots available and the problem is less difficult to fix.

[lefty red]

I've been looking at a "good" inline for the past month (feels like years!).  I've shot the Triumph, Omega, the Savage, and several CVA inlines that were very well made (can't remember all the models).  Seems that in So IL, the move is to MLs since they can be used for three weekend seasons.  Plus the inlines allow a great range over the slugs we are forced to use.  While at the range looking at MLs being sighted in for the upcoming season, there was a wait to use the 200 yard slots.  And they were mostly T/Cs, and a lone CVA Elkhorn. 

I'm not a fan of swapping barrel, so my opinion is bias from the start.  I like to grab a rifle and go.

As for the two T/Cs, I would base my decision on what kind of bp sub I used.  I HATE to clean up after BP and the earlier subs.  I use to play dress up and have a custom made Fowler.  I like to hunt and shoot deer now.  And since I'm limited to either a ML or slugguns, I like a ML for its range and accuracy.  I would like a rifle that will hold up to the weather and thicket I hunt in.  I also want to be able to take that 150-175 yard shot across the field on the buck that is trying to ease away.  I doubt I would shot more than 10-15 shots from the rifle a year, after the initial year of working up a load.  So I want a SS rifle with Tupperware furniture.  I also want easy clean up, and be able to use the cleanest BP subs.

With my "standards" only the Omega fits the bill.  The Omega shoots great.  The one I shot a 4" group at 200 yards.  The owner stated he could get a smaller group, if he backed off of the 777, but wanted the "smack" downrange.  And, the 150 gr load was not bad to shoot.  We shot seven or eight times before he removed the breech plug and ran a rod down it.  Then it was back to shooting.  I was impressed, coming from sidelocks where you get maybe two shots before you had to clean the barrel.  The Omega also has a longer barrel than the Triumph.  With it being a full stocked rifle, the Omega can be bedded for greater accuracy.  So, if you are taking those longer shots, then its the Omega.

Now, the Triumph isn't a bad rifle.  Its just that it's not SS.  Its got a coating over its metal.  I find that coatings can be scratched, dinged, banged off and then rust starts under the coating.  Plus, for the price, I think T/C should have made it SS.  Its over $500 here, just $150 off from a Savage SS/Laminated stock ML!  But the neat breech goes make for some quick cleaning.

Jerry