I got to take my new Omega to the range yesterday for a little impromptu shooting session. My 100 yard range isn't complete yet and my benchrest is still in the works so my shots were limited to typical field position shooting; sitting, kneeling, and offhand (grass too tall for prone still).
I was impressed by the Omega, as were my brother and step bother who shot it at least as much as I did. The easy bullet starting and overall ease of use (this was their first muzzleloader firing) made me glad I bought the T/C.
However, the cleaning, both between shots and after the session ended had me contemplating a Savage, or a breechplug, or a range boy (or girl) to keep this thing clean. I shot mostly Pyrodex pellets as they are expendible IMO, I am saving the 777 for more serious range work since that is what will be used later for hunting.
I did a complete barrel cleaning at lunch to try to knock some of the fouling loose that wasn't budging with the patches alone. So far the spit patching seems to work for a few shots but after a half dozen or so my ramrod is wishing I would use a brush before cramming bullets down the barrel. Patching with any type of solvent and then dry patching was the method I found to work best for higher volume shooting, with a good brushing needed at about midday.
After returning home I took out the breech plug, fairly easily probably due in part to my lunch cleaning session. I filled a pill bottle with ammonia and let it soak in that for few minutes and the crud literally fell off, wiping with a rag was just about all that was needed. I used a q-tip to get the loosened crud from less accessible areas. MUCH easier overall than using elbow grease and I'm not aware of ammonia hurting stainless (let me know if I'm wrong here).
Overall, the T/C shot well, I'll have some groups to post in the following months but my more "field position" oriented trial impressed me. I could see the great benefit of less/easier cleaning of smokeless, especially on range days but for general hunting use, it's not that bad. Count me in as a pleased Omega owner.
