Author Topic: 50 cal Omega Review (Read 1414 times)

NimrodRx · « **on:** April 04, 2005, 07:17:21 PM »

I'm the last one to be reviewing a rifle, but... I had the opportunity to spend a day at the range with my buddies rifle. Bare in mind, I have not shot a lot of black powder (just enough to be dangerous :eek: ) and am about as far from an expert as you will find.

That said, here are my thoughts and findings.

Over all, a VERY fine rifle. I think it's simplicity is the biggest selling point. It is very easy to operate.

It shot very well. The rifle swallowed most anything I stuffed down it's throat. Hornady SST 250 gr, Barnes Spitfire 245 gr, and Buffalo Bullet 285 gr all shot well.

The rifle is very attractive. It was the grey lam SS model. Topped with a silver Bushnell 3200 Elite 3X9 = a fine looking shooting iron.

The rifle really shined when it was time to clean it up. One step was saved - the cleaning of the bolt. Cleaning the bore and the breach plug was no different than my rifle, but I would tack on another 3-5 mins to clean the bolt on mine.

Zero blow back. I mean ZERO. My rifle blows a little bit to the side and leaves a little bit of residue underneath the scope at about the midway point. This thing left zero trace of residue on the scope or the barrel.

My concerns...

First the trigger guard. It is obscenely tight. It isn't until you cock the hammer that there is sufficient space between the trigger and the guard. That brings to mind another point. The trigger on this rifle is very good. I experienced little creep and it broke clean and crisp. That being said, I can't get past the trigger guard. I don't know what TC was thinking.... :?

Another consideration. I was using a range rod and left the rifle's ram rod in while shooting. Every shot sent the ram rod 2-3 inches out from the "home" position. Just for kicks, I tilted the rile's bore down after shooting and the ram rod quickly fell to the ground. Might leave you in a lurch if you were in a tree stand. However, I think this could be quickly remedied with some electrical tape.

Now for the dreaded crud ring... I can honestly say, I know understand. I was surprised. I shoot 100 gr of 777 in all my rifles and have never seen anything like this. I have no idea why this occurs. I used a spit patch between each shot and found myself thankful for having a range rod. If I put the patch down the bore and then waited a 30-60 seconds, it was much easier to pull out, as opposed to attempting to pull it out immediately. This seemed to have zero effect on accuracy.

Another thing that struck me was the barrel. It is advertised as a 26" barrel, yet it was a solid 2 (probably more) inches shorter than my rifle's barrel - which is also a 26 inch. I also tend to prefer a tapered barrel. This one isn't and doesn't claim to be.

My last concern. I found it awkward at best to put the primer on the nipple. It is just set too far in for my taste.

Anyway, that's my .02 on the Omega. In short, I can see why this rifle has become so popular. I would have a hard time finding a reason for the average ML'r not to buy one.

simonkenton · « **Reply #1 on:** April 05, 2005, 07:46:34 AM »

Thanks for that review. The Omega is on my "want" list.
Why do you need to put your finger in the trigger guard if the gun is not cocked?

Keith Lewis · « **Reply #2 on:** April 05, 2005, 09:33:17 AM »

Good question. I do not find the trigger guard a big problem although with heavy gloves it is a little more problem. I think T/C allowed the asthetics of the rifle overpower the functional aspects. It just looks better with a standard size triggerguard. The "funny trigger" action makes it a little more of a problem than others with "normal" triggers. I have been told that T/C is redesigning the trigger/trigger guard system and may do a retrofit if there are enough owner complaints.

S.B. · « **Reply #3 on:** April 06, 2005, 05:02:36 PM »

Amen brothers, that trigger guard needs some advanced engineering. I called T/C about this thing and was told I wasn't the first to complain. They told me that not enogh shooters have called to warrent a engineering change? Call them, it will make a difference, I hope? My rifle had the primers stick like the one you were shooting but, after about 4-5 shots they started coming off with just my fingernail. Love the rifle, hate the trigger guard. I didn't have trouble with the crud ring as much as some have, I used a patch with bore butter on it between shots and pyrodex, my way of doing things. Thanks for the post on the trigger guards, I thought I was the only one.

harvester · « **Reply #4 on:** April 07, 2005, 02:20:08 AM »

yes, the trigger guard is tight. however, cocking the hammer brings the trigger back, allowing much more room in the trigger housing.

is it a concern? if you're wearing thick gloves, i would be slightly concerned. fitting that thick glove in the trigger housing while the hammer is cocked - you'd have to be mindful of accidental discharge.

i don't like gloves that are this thick. to be quite honest, the first year i went out hunting with my H&R slug gun, i couldn't fit my thinsulate stuffed finger into the trigger housing effectively. after that experience, i went back to the best stuff on earth - wool. take a wool glove with cut off fingers, and a mitten flap to cover the fingers when not in use, and your hands will stay warm even in the coldest weather. for added insurance, you can stick a hand warmer in the mitten flap. the price - at around $10/pair most places, and you can get upwards of 3 pair for the price of those expensive "mossy oak" thinsulate lined gloves.

i have no problems with the size of the trigger housing on any guns now.

AndyHass · « **Reply #5 on:** April 07, 2005, 09:55:19 AM »

I've noticed the ramrod problem too. However I rarely fire mine with the ramrod in the gun...it hurts accuracy.

newhunter1 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 07, 2005, 03:04:34 PM »

Quote from: AndyHass

I've noticed the ramrod problem too. However I rarely fire mine with the ramrod in the gun...it hurts accuracy.

Andy,

I'm confused--how would this effect accuracy?

Paul

daddywpb · « **Reply #7 on:** April 13, 2005, 02:21:36 PM »

My ramrod has never stabilized well. Use a bullet, it'll work better. :grin:

S.B. · « **Reply #8 on:** April 13, 2005, 04:27:58 PM »

Quote from: Keith Lewis

Good question. I do not find the trigger guard a big problem although with heavy gloves it is a little more problem. I think T/C allowed the asthetics of the rifle overpower the functional aspects. It just looks better with a standard size triggerguard. The "funny trigger" action makes it a little more of a problem than others with "normal" triggers. I have been told that T/C is redesigning the trigger/trigger guard system and may do a retrofit if there are enough owner complaints.

Keith, I'm thinking a savvy engineer could probably redesign the trigger more than change the size of the trigger guard. But, more room in there would be a definate PLUS.

NimrodRx · « **Reply #9 on:** April 13, 2005, 08:06:02 PM »

I agree. A bullet works better than a ram-rod. Then again, I don't like the idea of being in a tree with an empty rifle and no ram-rod.

S.B. Good point. It isn't so much that the trigger housing is small, as it is that the trigger travels so far back when you cock the hammer. I have never seen this with any other single shot gun.

Again, IMVHO, this is a fine rifle.

However, it does have some issues that need consideration. In my opinion, the rifle also feels a little "blocky" or "bulky." Maybe it's the short barrel combined with the large forend? I don't know. I'm just telling you how the rifle felt to me.

I'm not trying to convince anyone to buy or not to buy an Omega. Just thought some might be interested in one person's unbiased experience wiht a very popular rifle.

lonewolf7396 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 15, 2005, 06:17:14 AM »

The rifle is very attractive. It was the grey lam SS model.
I have agree I seen a couple of guys shoot them at the range last year,so is the price .I wonder why they don't make the blue and the Lam: stock?
Stainless is sharp but still has to be cleaned and a blued iron should bring the price down a little,O well I have a t/c thunderhawk 54 cal.bought on closeout a couple of years back,love the gun, light, and the price was right $139.00
I still have the no#11 flame thrower nipple and with the RWS 1075 plus caps never had a misfire ,no matter how bad the weather got.
t/c warranty outstanding

AndyHass · « **Reply #11 on:** April 17, 2005, 05:32:55 PM »

Actually I hear ramrods shoot quite well with a 1 in .25" twist...

Vibrations are bad for accuracy. That is one reason for floating barrels and bedding actions. Try attaching anything loose to the barrel and on an accurate gun you could see the difference. When I bought my Traditions Lightning I found out the second time to the range that the front ramrod thimble was loose...tightening that closed the groups half an inch.
A ramrod in the gun (in the appropriate place, not the bore!) is analagous to putting a tuning fork on the gun.

S.B. · « **Reply #12 on:** April 17, 2005, 05:45:00 PM »

AndyHass, last I heard the benchrest guys were bedding the barrels and free floating the actions, in .22 anyway? They were using some kind of marine rubber bedding material. And I think the problems aren't vibration but the harmonics of the barrel? If you can picture a barel undgulating, it's where the barrel is when the bullet is leaving the barrel? All this is too techincal for me. I just like my guns to shoot where I aim them.

scott johnson · « **Reply #13 on:** April 19, 2005, 12:58:53 PM »

I found it fun to shoot and no problem with the trigger You don't need to put your trigger finger on the trigger until you pull the hammer back and our going to shoot So I see no problem with the trigger ,or why thompson center should have to remodify it I love mine I shot 20 rounds through it yesterday and it cleaned up nice in betwtween shots . :grin: :grin: :grin: