Omega range report (real one)

[Wolfhound]

It was a pretty good day to go shooting so I took my new Thumbhole Omega out shooting. I had a nice little breeze and it wasn't too warm (50 ish today).

 I took several premeasured charges of 81gr (weight) 777. I also took a small selection of bullets namely the Winchester Platinum tips and T/C Shockwaves. I also had the 5 bullets that came with the rifle which I used to get it roughly sighted in at 100yds. Of course I ran into problems early on, namely finding I had forgotten my earplugs and my range rod busting. I used some patches to help replace the earplugs and my powerrod had to double for swabbing as well as loading.

After getting my little shooting bench set up, I proceeded to get the scope rough sighted. 3 shots and a move of the target later I was roughly on at 100 yds. I then fired a 3 shot group with the T/C shockwaves. An inch and a quarter to the left of the center of the bull was a pretty little group of 1/2".

After seeing that I decided to not shoot the platinum tips. I did however decide to chrono the load. I got an average of: 1985 fps at the muzzle: 1665 fps at 100 yds. When I used the formula in my chrony manual to figure energy I got: 2187 ft/lbs (muzzle) and1539 ft/lbs at 100 yds.

Had my range rod not busted I would likely have  shot the platinum tips to see how they did in the Omega. That's not too likely now. I was pretty impressed with how the Shockwaves shot. The recoil was a little stiffer that with my Extreme but that's probably due to the stiffer recoil pad. Overall a pretty good day despite having my range rod bust.

[Bob_K]

Sweet group!  She's a keeper for sure.  What primer did you use, and what was your loading procedure?  Swab between shots, if so, with what?

[RandyWakeman]

An inch and a quarter to the left of the center of the bull was a pretty little group of 1/2".

Just wait until you get "used" to it!  :eek:  :eek:  :eek:

[Wolfhound]

Sweet group!  She's a keeper for sure.  What primer did you use, and what was your loading procedure?  Swab between shots, if so, with what?

Winchester 209. I swabbed with a patch dampened with Butches BP Bore Shine followed by a dry patch. I'm betting the biggest factor was the weighed powder and also the fact that the bullets were very uniform in weight. Out of all the bullets here I belive the shockwaves were closest in uniformity after the Barnes bullets.

[Wolfhound]

Just wait until you get "used" to it!  :eek:  :eek:  :eek:

This is one sweet gun, both in looks and how she shoots.  It sure won't be much of a burdon getting to know her better!  :grin:  :grin:  :grin:  :grin:  :grin:

[RandyWakeman]

I'm betting the biggest factor was the weighed powder and also the fact that the bullets were very uniform in weight. Out of all the bullets here I belive the shockwaves were closest in uniformity after the Barnes bullets.

Oh, I think both an accurate gun and a competent shooter has a lot to do with it, Pat. Most muzzleloading enthusiasts have never, ever shot a 1/2" group in their lives-- and a small percentage of center-fire hunters can, either. Most frontloaders are just not capable of that.

Congratulations on a fine gun, and a fine job. Do you think you are going to keep it? :roll:

[RandyWakeman]

MPBR, 8" kill = 208 yards.

Wolfhound Load Data
~~~~~~~~~

Name: .45 Cal, Hornady , 250 grn
Ballistic Coeff: 0.226
Bullet Weight: 250
Velocity: 1985
Target Distance: 178
Scope Height: 1.500
Temperature: 70
Altitude: 500

Ballistic Data
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  Range  Elevation  Velocity   Energy     ETA         Drop      Max Y  10mph Wind Deflect
  0 yds   -1.50 in  1985 fps  2187 fpe  0.000 sec    0.00 in  -1.50 in   -0.00 in
 25 yds    0.85 in  1904 fps  2012 fpe  0.038 sec    0.27 in  -0.53 in    0.03 in
 50 yds    2.60 in  1826 fps  1851 fpe  0.078 sec    1.15 in  -0.30 in    0.47 in
 75 yds    3.68 in  1751 fps  1702 fpe  0.121 sec    2.69 in   0.11 in    1.26 in
100 yds    4.05 in  1678 fps  1563 fpe  0.165 sec    4.95 in   0.72 in    2.38 in
125 yds    3.64 in  1607 fps  1434 fpe  0.211 sec    7.98 in   1.55 in    3.80 in
150 yds    2.43 in  1539 fps  1315 fpe  0.258 sec   11.81 in   2.63 in    5.49 in
175 yds    0.32 in  1473 fps  1205 fpe  0.307 sec   16.56 in   3.99 in    7.56 in
200 yds   -2.82 in  1411 fps  1105 fpe  0.359 sec   22.32 in   5.68 in   10.05 in
225 yds   -7.10 in  1353 fps  1016 fpe  0.414 sec   29.22 in   7.73 in   13.00 in
250 yds  -12.56 in  1299 fps   936 fpe  0.471 sec   37.31 in  10.17 in   16.34 in
275 yds  -19.25 in  1247 fps   863 fpe  0.529 sec   46.62 in  13.02 in   20.03 in
300 yds  -27.39 in  1201 fps   800 fpe  0.591 sec   57.38 in  16.36 in   24.16 in

[grouse]

Wolfhound,
           Really great shooting. :eek:  :grin:

[Kent Harshman]

Wolfhound...
What is the rough volumetric weight of 81g.?  Also, was this FF or FFF 777?

[Wolfhound]

Grouse,
Thanks.

Wolfhound...
What is the rough volumetric weight of 81g.?  Also, was this FF or FFF 777?

81gr. by weight is roughly equivelent to 100 gr by volume. When I weighed out 10 loads of 100gr 777, 81 gr (weight) was the high number. Instead of the average, I went with the highest number. It was FFG 777.

[Batchief909]

Wolfhound, do you know of anybody who's selling just the thumbhole stock for the Omega?

[Wolfhound]

I'm afraid not. The only thing I can tell you is to call Thompson. You may be able to get one that way, but only they can tell you.

[Wolfhound]

Well I got out an did a little shooting this morning. I decided to follow Randy's suggesstion of zeroing at 3" at 100 yds and seeing where it shoots at 200 yds. I appologise for the sloppy groups, I was using my bipod and not the benchrest. The only modification I will be doing is rezeroing so it's 1 1/2" high at 100 yds. I guess that's why they say real world shooting is better than a ballistics program. :wink:

[PA-Joe]

Before you change the sight, try it at 50 yrds.

What you have now looks great. Hold a little under at 100yrd. As is its good to 200yds.

[Wolfhound]

Finally the pics are here! :grin:


Comparing it to my Extreme:



By itself:



Here's the links. For some reason the pictures are smaller when posted. :?
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid110/p29b9b0ccac726d1afcdbee17539b897e/f9184b21.jpg.orig.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid110/p29b9b0ccac726d1afcdbee17539b897e/f9184b21.jpg.orig.jpg

[RandyWakeman]

I'm still trying to figure out what exactly you did there, Wolfhound-- except for the obvious, which is terrific shooting!  

3" drop from 100 - 200 is a bit too good to be true, but you may well have more like a 225 yard load there rather than a 200 yard 6" kill MPBR.

Glad you didn't attempt a shot at "that horse" -- looks like you might have been buying him!  :eek:

[Wolfhound]

I told her I could probably hit him from here. :eek: He was only 250 yds away.

[simonkenton]

Wolfhound, that is some good shooting!
Would you tell me what your assessment is of the thumbhole stock for hunting? I have never fired one of these, but I am thinking of getting one for my Savage, I will be getting some type of wooden stock for it.
Would there be much difference in packing the thumbhole stock in the woods for a day of hunting compared to a regular monte carlo style?
I believe I would get better accuracy with the thumbhole style, I am thinking of going wild and getting one of the wild laminates in  thumbhole from Richards Microfit.

[Wolfhound]

The thumbhole is supposed to help eliminate canting the rifle. For me though, it's just more comfortable to shoot. As you can see from my picture, I do have two rifles stocked with thumbholes.

[Wolfhound]

I wrote this letter to Eric Brooker at Thompson/Center and today I recieved his response (picture mentioned is the one at the top of this thread). You know, Thompson/Center really is the class of the muzzleloading industry.

April 10, 2004


 

Mr. Eric Brooker,

I just bought a Thompson Center Omega with the laminate thumbhole stock and stainless fluted barrel. Yesterday I was able to get to the range and shoot it. All I can really say is that I’m very impressed. With T/C Shockwaves and 81gr. (weight, approximately 100 gr. volume) of Triple Seven FFG I got a ½” group at 100 yds.  That really impressed me, but I was also impressed after I shot the load through a chronograph. I had an average of 1985 fps. at the muzzle and 1665 fps. at 100 yds.  This was the very first load I tried too.

   There are many things on this rifle I like. I love my trigger. It’s got a 3.14 lb trigger pull weight. I also love the balance of the rifle. Even scoped it balances and handles very well. The length of pull is darn near perfect. The accuracy is outstanding (see enclosed picture). I also love the fact that there is zero blowback. The thumbhole stock is outstanding. When the Omega first came out I wished it had a thumbhole stock available. And as soon as I found out T/C was coming out with a thumbhole model, I knew I had to have one.  

   The only things I don’t really care for are fairly minor. One is the factory ramrod. I just don’t care for the ribbed  gripping end. It’s really no big deal as I’ve already ordered a XSSights Powerrod for it. The other minor thing is the front sight. Since scoping muzzleloaders is legal here, on my scoped guns I remove the sights. Unfortunately the plug screws won’t fit the front sight hole, so I’ve left the front sight on.  

   I was talking to Randy Wakeman last night and we were discussing my Omega range report that I had posted on a couple of muzzleloading forums we both frequent. He basically said that I got a exceptional one and truthfully I agree. When I told him I planned on writing T/C about my experience with my rifle, he gave me your name. I just wanted to thank you for  making such a fine rifle. I’m sure it won’t be my last Thompson Center muzzleloader.


Sincerely,

Patrick White

Dear Patrick,
 
    Thanks for writing your letter. We're certainly glad you are happy with the
performance of your Omega and we appreciate you telling us this. More often
than not we only hear complaints and it's so nice to hear from satisfied customers.
 
    1/2" groups at 100 yards---seems like you got hold of a "shooter". Don't
ever let that one get away from you!
 
    Can't help you with a ramrod. We try to put in a viable working ramrod
not prone to breakage but not everyone is happy with an aluminum rod.
 
    As for the screws for the front sight, I'm enclosing some. I know they're
blue but they will at least work.
 
    Patrick, thanks again for your nice comments. Good luck with the rifle this
season. I am enclosing a ball cap for your use.
 
                                                                             Yours truly,
                                                                             Eric E. Brooker
                                                                             Advertising manager