Got a new Omega, now what to shot in it?????

[ourabmen]

Hello and thanks in advance for the help.  I got my my first smoke pole this weekend, a SS thumbhole Omega for a heck of a deal.  After reading many, many threads here, I am more confused than when I started.

First: .25 ACP conversion.  Is it worth it.  It seems that those who have gone this route have good things to say about it.  Is ti money well spent?

Second;  What bullets to use:  I have read some good things about the Dead Centers. but am confused on the 45 cal in a 50 cal gun.  

Third: is Black Mag the way to go?

Last: Scope suggestions?

Thanks for all of your help.

Sincerely,

OUrabmen

[newhunter1]

Hello and thanks in advance for the help.  I got my my first smoke pole this weekend, a SS thumbhole Omega for a heck of a deal.  After reading many, many threads here, I am more confused than when I started.

First: .25 ACP conversion.  Is it worth it.  It seems that those who have gone this route have good things to say about it.  Is ti money well spent?

Second;  What bullets to use:  I have read some good things about the Dead Centers. but am confused on the 45 cal in a 50 cal gun.  

Third: is Black Mag the way to go?

Last: Scope suggestions?

Thanks for all of your help.

Sincerely,

OUrabmen

Lets do this by the numbers:

#1--don't really know.  I'm quite happy with the 209 that my Omega came with.  

#2--I have shot No Excuse conicals out of my Omega with some success.  I had to quit because I just about broke my finger that day.  Very sore to shoot.  If you want to do some cheap plinking then go with the TC cheap shots.  As to what shoots good???  I had some buffalo bullets in 225 grain sabots that shot very well out to 100 yards.  I'll be going this weekend to test out some precision bullets in 215gr, 275 gr,  and 330 grain.  I also have some hunterman boolets that shoot really well.  I have found that sabots (and this is my gun and my opinion) shoot better out of my Omega.

#3--I shoot the Black mag 3 out of this rifle and I would have to say yes.  It seems that BM3 prefers the longer barrels of the Omega.  I got superb accuracy out of the Buffalo sabots.  

#4--as for scopes--what ever you want to spend.  I have a pine ridge 2-7x30 scope on mine that is really good.  You could get better or worse scopes: leupold, burris, sightron, bushnell, simmons.  The choice is yours, but I would get a scope in the 2-7 power or 3-9 power range.  That's my preference.  I had (sold the scope and gun) a bushnell dusk to dawn 1.75-4X32 scope on my CVA buckhorn that seeing things at 100 yards was a little difficult.  The higer powers have more pros than cons, but you must remember what your going to use your omega for.  Will you have shots out to 50 yards or less, or will you have shots 50-150 yards?  Thats what you have to figure out for yourself.

Hopefully this helped

Paul

[RCL]

I'm not claiming this is the best setup, but it's what worked for me in my Omega.

1) I am using the 209 primer system that came on the gun. No problems. I would try it first, there may be no reason for you to change (don't fix what ain't broke!).

2) I use a .44 caliber Hornady XTP in a Hornady sabot (green sabot). These are fairly easy to get down the bore, unlike the .45 XTP and black sabot (took both hands pulling HARD on the ramrod). The .44 XTP/green sabot will shoot 1-1 1/2" groups at 100 yards out of my Omega, but is not what I would consider to be a long range bullet (say past 200-250 yards).
However, where I hunt those shots are not common.

3) I have only used loose Pyrodex Select so far, and am completely satisfied with it's performance. I can load several shots without cleaning. I may try standard grade Pyrodex this year just because it is more available around here.

4)My gun came with a 3x9 Nikon mounted, a package deal from the gun shop. I really like this scope, although it is probably more than what I need for where I hunt. I would most likely choose a 2x7 or smaller, but I am impressed with the Nikon scope, it compares well against my Leupolds.

My opinions, FWIW

[NEW222]

Hey there.  I don't think the .25 acp conversion is worth it as you can now buy a set of brass 209 blanks in which you put small rifle or pistol primers for around $25 fron Precision Rifle.  I just got my Omega and found this to leave a less pronounced 'burn ring'.  I have to agree with RCL on this one as I also shoot 44/240 XTP regularly and also find the 45/250 XTP to load a little harder.  Pyrodex Select powder is also what I use with a Bushnell Trophy 3-9x40 and a circle-x reticle.

[S.B.]

The 209 priming system works great in my Omega. I swab the bore with a patch and Bore Butter between rounds. I been using Pyrodex in mine, can't seem to find the BlackMag stuff? Scope depend on where your hunting and your particular taste play a big role in this decision. Now, about that darn trigger has a bad angle and or guard  is too small, not enough room in there for my taste? The trigger and guard sure weren't designed for shooting with gloves and in Illinois deer season, gloves are a must.

[AndyHass]

Good choice...just what I have!
   Mine was nearly un-shootable with 777 and 209s (BAD crud ring).  I hate pyrodex, and BM3 wasn't out then.  I got the 25ACP and it CURED the crud ring, and as a bonus was much, MUCH easier to get in and out of the gun (and find in my pocket).  I haven't tried BM3 and don't have enough shooting time this year so I'll stick with 777.  If you try it and no crud ring, you'll have to decide if the convenience of the conversion is worth it to you.  I make no claim that it helps accuracy since I didn't pillar bed my gun until after the ACP conversion.
   I shoot 110gr 777 under a 200gr Shockwave.  Cloverleaf accurate and lethal to any range I feel comfortable shooting.  2100fps for this load...flat trajectory for a ML.  I know of someone who says they use pyrodex pellets (150 gr) and get 2300 fps with a 250gr Shockwave, and I'll believe them, but it didn't happen in my gun.
    As for the Dead Centers, I had good luck with them in other guns but for some reason not this one.  I should try them again now that the barrel is shot-in more.  They are double the price of Shockwaves and, in my experience, limited to around 1800fps-2000fps without losing accuracy.  They'll tell you they are accurate at all ML velocities, but again I won't doubt THEY can do it, but not in my 3 guns.  I used the .357 195 grain on half a dozen deer and performance was awesome.

[Nic_58]

First: .25 ACP conversion. Is it worth it. It seems that those who have gone this route have good things to say about it. Is ti money well spent?

Well, I believe it is.  I get great accuracy with the .25 ACP in my Omega and it is easier to handle the primers.

Second; What bullets to use: I have read some good things about the Dead Centers. but am confused on the 45 cal in a 50 cal gun.

I primarliy use T/C 200 gr. Shockwaves in the blue sabot over 110 grs. of Triple Se7en ffg.  They will shoot sub-MOA @ 100yds.

Third: is Black Mag the way to go?

That I couldn't tell you.  The way Triple Se7en shoots out of my Omega, there's no reason to try it!

Last: Scope suggestions?

I use a Leupold VX-II 3-9x40mm in Leupold QR mounts.  Makes a very nice setup and fits the gun well.
Good luck with your choices!

[poncaguy]

I had good luck with 3 777 pellets and 245 grain Powerbelts, which I really like because of the ease of reloading when a 2nd shot is needed in the field . 2 777 pellets work good to....I use the 50 grain pellets, but got some 30 grain to try in my new Omega with the 25 ACP conversion. I was using my .50 Encore last year, but like the way the Omega handled better.