Omega ... anyone else frustrated?

[dec]

I want to want to love my Omega.  But I'm struggling with this gun beyond belief.  I've owned it for 1 1/2 years now and it is a love/hate relationship.  It is a stainless version with the gray wood laminate stock (not the thumb hole version).  It is topped off with a Nikon Buckmasters 3-9x40 scope.  It really is a beautiful looking gun.  But that is where my love ends and my frustration steps in.

Accuracy.  One day it seems on, the next it seems all over.  I shoot off of a solid bench using sand bags.  The rest is solid.  Two 50 gr. 777 pellets and a 250 gr. Shock Wave one day will stack 1" groups.  Same load and same gun the next time shooting will be all over the place.  I can't figure it out.  I'd say it is me, but while shooting on a frustrating day a couple weeks ago with a friend, I picked up his Omega with the same load and stacked them right in there.  He picked up mine and it was spraying bullets.  Two days later I shot mine again and it was stacking them in a very nice group at 100 yds.  I just don't get this gun.

Priming and de-priming.  I HATE trying to wiggle a 209 in there below the scope.  I have two types of T/C capper tools and they help, but God help you if you miss and the cap falls down into the action.  Then does anyone else have trouble getting the spent primer out of the breech plug?  I have to use a primer pulling tool and pry the primers out.  777, Remington Clean Bore, Winchester el' cheap-o ... it doesn't seem to matter.  All my primers stick and stick hard when they have been shot.

Like I said, I want to want to love this gun.  But I am so frustrated right now with it, I am considering a new purchase.  I never had any of these problems with that old stainless Traditions Buck Hunter Pro that I sold when I bought this Omega.

[Buckskins & Black Powder]

Could be either the T7 has gone bad *Reason i stopped using it* or the stock is giving you problems.

Try either some loose pyrodex or pyrodex pellets.

That triple 7 stuff wasnt consistent from one range session to the next for me.

[kyelkhunter3006]

If your powder/pellets are old or have been exposed to any moisture, it could be the problem, as it'll cause inconsistent ignition.

Are you taking the stock off the gun after the shooting is done, while you're cleaning? You may not be getting the screws tight enough, or tightened equally.

Make sure that your bases and rings are tight, if either of them are loose in the slightest, it could cause your problem.

You might take it to smith and have them check the crown of the barrel below the QLA,  but I don't think that's problem.  Could be, but I don't think so.

I've got a stainless/synthetic, and it grouped a bit erratically until I hit the 50 round mark, then it settled right down and puts the 250gr SW and 100grs of 777 loose FFg in the same ragged hole all day long at 100 yds.

I don't have a problem getting the primers in with my fingers, but I've got small hands, which helps.  My primers start to stick after 3 consecutive shots (without cleaning), and it gets a little worse as I continue to shoot, even if I clean between shots.  I get home, pull the plug and clean it, no problems until I get past three shots on the next outing.  I had one of the Omega Z5's before I bought the stainless, and I never had any problems with primers sticking.  Maybe a new breech plug will take care of it.

I use the T/C dogbone capper in the field, and I have never missed with it, as it holds the primer firmly.  You have to get it seated in the recess and then pull the capper off.  If the primer isn't seated, it's not going to pull out of the capper.  If a primer does fall down in the block, I just make sure that it's open completely as I tilt the rifle upward and over, the primer falls right out.

[DennyRoark]

I had the same problems as you and was pulling my hair out!  If I removed the stock, I had to sight the rifle in all over again as well.  Had it glass bedded and problem solved.  The inletting where the barrel lugs fit is notoriously loose on some guns while others fit perfectly.  this allowed my barrel to shift all over the place while shooting.  If I loosened the mounting screws a little, I had right at .060" of side to side play between the forestock and barrel.  Try loosening the screws a bit and see how sloppy the barrel fits.  If it moves around, get it bedded.  The only problem I have now is that I have the X7 short barrel version and it is a very picky eater, but have found a couple of bullets that expand well at the lower charges I am forced to use.  I am starting to have some confidence in this gun again!

[AndyHass]

Accuracy issue -- it could be the powder.  Could it possibly be the outside temp, ie the gun is getting too heated up some of the days?  IMHO the most likely problem has been suggested, which is that you are taking it out of the stock to clean it and not inserting it back the same.  That can cause a) groups opening up (like you have) or b) wandering POI (like I had).  I installed aluminum pillars and bedded mine and I have seen few MLs that equal its accuracy (I shoot MOA or better to 400 yds).  It's like any other gun, to get the price down tolerances and bedding are such that you will have good guns and bad guns (my 2nd Omega needed zero improvements to shoot well).

Priming - I hate manipulating 209s.  I long ago switched to 25ACP conversion.  Well worth the money and the primers are easy to handle.  Instead of fumbling the 209s into the action I now just pull the 25ACP out with my nail and then grab it with 2 fingers to remove.  EASY.

[dec]

Thanks for the replies you guys and I really think that you might have pointed me in a direction.  To answer a couple questions.

777 - the 777 pellets are left over from the 2007 hunting season.  So, you could be right.  They might be old.  I doubt they got wet, but they could have drawn moisture.  New 777 is being purchased tonight.

Cleaning - I did in fact remove the gun from the stock to one time to clean it.  This is when I noticed the accuracy going all to heck the first time.  I think this could very well be the problem, or part of it.  I'm not a big gun guy ... I consider myself a bow hunter who picks up a gun on occasion.  I know of bedding, but don't know where to begin.  Is this something I need to find a gun smith to do for me?  Is it something that can be done rather quickly (i.e. in time for m.l. season in two weeks), or do I need to leave it somewhere for a long period of time to get it taken care of.  I'm in n.e. Indiana and really don't know any good gun smiths.  Without bedding the barrel, how tight should the stock be to the barrel?  My old Traditions, I had to remove the stock every time I cleaned it and never had this kind of an issue.

Like I said.  I want to love this gun, but right now I want to throw it.

Keep the help coming guys, it is appreciated more than you can know.

[dec]

Just wanted to share a range report with you guys.  I thank you so very much for your help.

I went and bought some new 777 pellets today.  I also tightened the screws that mount the stock to the receiver (needed snugged up), and checked the scope mount screws (solid).  Went to the range and I think it was a combo of the old 777 pellets and the stock screws.  Right away, it was throwing relatively good groups, but to the high and right.  Some adjustments of the scope, and many rounds later, I was punching 2" groups on the orange dot on the target.  Looks and feels real good.  A drastic improvement over what it had been doing.

I'm not touching the stock to receiver relationship until after seasons.  Then I want to pursue this bedding thing.  Can anyone share more info on bedding this gun?  What is involved or who to send it to to get this done?

Still have the sticky primer situation, but I'm going to order a new breech plug today.  Hopefully that fixes that condition.

Thanks again all!!!!!

[Flatlander.54]

 I learned a long time ago the the Omegas are prone to drastic accuracy loss if you let the barrel get too warm from shooting too quickly without allowing time for the barrel to cool between shots. Might keep that in mind if you havent tried it. Other than that sounds like it could be your powder...(old or exposed to too much humidity) I keep fresh powder on hand and shoot slow and my groups run between 3/4" to 1 1/4" @ 100 yards.

[DennyRoark]

dec, I was having problems like that with CCI primers, switched to regular winchesters and mostly went away.  While hunting, I use a T/C primer tool.  Carries a primer at one end and the other is a notched wedge for removal.  About 3" long and 3/8" wide.  They work great, not expensive and eliminate fumbling.  Bought direct from T/C, got them fast as usual.  I also religously clean my breach plug, using a q-tip for the pocket, a .108" (I can't see the writing on the bits anymore, approx 7/64") drill bit by hand to clean the first counter bore, and a welding torch tip cleaner for the flash hole.  Soak in #13 while cleaning the rest of the gun, spray with brake cleaner when done and install after drying.

https://secure.tcarms.com/store/index.php/action/item/id/187/prevaction/category/previd/33/prevstart/36/

Best of luck...

[AJ]

I bought my Omega this past summer and had issues with it initially.  Mine is the SS with brown laminated stock (non thumbhole).  I used the Talley one piece mount/ring setup and its a piece of crap.  It sits parallel to the bore (no taper) so the scope ran out of adjustment vertically before it would zero.  I replaced it with a good base from Ken Farrell with +20 MOA machined in.  This solved one problem.  My Kahles scope is centered in its adjustments and performs great.

The other problem was the action to stock fit.  With centerfire guns, I don't waste any ammo until I have bedded the action to the stock.  I did not do this with my Omega.  I should have.  After I did a bedding job, the gun will now shoot under 1.5 MOA at 300 yards with 120 BH209 and a 300 gr Bonded SST.  It's my long range elk setup. 

[rks1949]

dec,you can do it yourself,it's not hard to do,just follow the instructions and it will come out fine.Here's the link Ron                                http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1033&title=ACRAGLAS~

[AndyHass]

Just wanted to share a range report with you guys.  I thank you so very much for your help.

I went and bought some new 777 pellets today.  I also tightened the screws that mount the stock to the receiver (needed snugged up), and checked the scope mount screws (solid).  Went to the range and I think it was a combo of the old 777 pellets and the stock screws.  Right away, it was throwing relatively good groups, but to the high and right.  Some adjustments of the scope, and many rounds later, I was punching 2" groups on the orange dot on the target.  Looks and feels real good.  A drastic improvement over what it had been doing.

I'm not touching the stock to receiver relationship until after seasons.  Then I want to pursue this bedding thing.  Can anyone share more info on bedding this gun?  What is involved or who to send it to to get this done?

Still have the sticky primer situation, but I'm going to order a new breech plug today.  Hopefully that fixes that condition.

Thanks again all!!!!!

PM sent.

[dec]

Thanks guys.  I've got it driving tacks, but I want to bed the stock to solve future problems.  I'm going to check out that link and Adam has offered up some good info.

Here is what the Omega did for me last Friday morning at 75 yards.

[Tn Jim]

Great buck Dec! It looks like it shoots good now. Bedding isn't a hard thing to do. I have a Remington 700 BDL in 30-06 that made a better tomato stake than a rifle. Bedded it and it shoots 1" or better (usually better) with boring consistency.

[rks1949]

Nice Buck! Ron

[john keyes]

dude, that is MONSTER 
holy cow

and having your (I presume) your kid there too...
doesn't get better than that.

you must have gone into shock before and after the shot.

[dec]

Thanks guys.  I actually shot this buck with my bow in late October.  Not sure what happened that the shot went off course, but it did and hit him high in the right shoulder.  2 to 3 inches of penetration was all.  I was sick about it.  Then he showed up again while hunting last Friday with my 9 year old daughter.  I thought she was going to get a crack at him ... and I would have much preferred that she take him instead of me, but it didn't work out that way.  I couldn't call him in any closer than 75 yards.  She's good to 40 ... maybe 50 yards ... with her little Rossi muzzleloader.  So as he was trying to exit the area, I stopped him one last time with a grunt and shot him at 75 yards broadside.  It was really an incredible and special moment.  To drop this mid 140's deer that I had already had an encounter with during bow season, and to have my best hunting buddy in the world sitting next to me to share in the moment.

Here are a couple more photos.





Here he is just days after I arrowed him with the fresh broadhead wound.

[john keyes]

amazing....

please tell us about your safety harness episode, or lack thereof...

[dec]

please tell us about your safety harness episode, or lack thereof...

Thankfully I was wearing a harness on the opener in 2005.  I was in my climber, took a shot at a doe with my muzzleloader, somehow lost my balance and fell.  Still not sure what happened.  My Summit harness saved my life.  Since then, I try to use my example of how a harness when used properly will not only allow you to hunt another day, but more importantly let you tuck your kids in bed later that same night.

I take tree stand safety pretty seriously.  I'm tied off to a static line from the moment I leave the ground until I'm tied off in the tree ... and the same in reverse when coming down.

[AndyHass]

please tell us about your safety harness episode, or lack thereof...

Thankfully I was wearing a harness on the opener in 2005.  I was in my climber, took a shot at a doe with my muzzleloader, somehow lost my balance and fell.  Still not sure what happened.  My Summit harness saved my life.  Since then, I try to use my example of how a harness when used properly will not only allow you to hunt another day, but more importantly let you tuck your kids in bed later that same night.

I take tree stand safety pretty seriously.  I'm tied off to a static line from the moment I leave the ground until I'm tied off in the tree ... and the same in reverse when coming down.

A guy from near where I grew up has made some national news sources as he fell and died while taking down a treestand -- apparently it broke somehow while he was taking it down and caused the fall.  I wear a harness in the stand but I need to find a way to be tied in all the time up and down. 

WOW, that is a nice buck!

[dec]

I wear a harness in the stand but I need to find a way to be tied in all the time up and down.

Follow this link and it will give you all the info on how to use static lines to safely tie off from the time you leave the ground until you return.  I've bought 7 or 8 systems from the guy, but you can easily make your own (you can download his instructions for free) and save a few bucks.

[borrowed time]

It may be a bit late, been busy (deer hunting) but I seem to recall  that the regular 209 primers caused irratic ignition, and accuracy problems with the pellet T-7 and a few primer companys were manufacturing  a hotter primer for in-lines using this powder. I have not had any problems with loose T-7 with reg 209 but this is maybe worth a look for someone who still has a problem.

[S.B.]

dec, I was having problems like that with CCI primers, switched to regular winchesters and mostly went away.  While hunting, I use a T/C primer tool.  Carries a primer at one end and the other is a notched wedge for removal.  About 3" long and 3/8" wide.  They work great, not expensive and eliminate fumbling.  Bought direct from T/C, got them fast as usual.  I also religously clean my breach plug, using a q-tip for the pocket, a .108" (I can't see the writing on the bits anymore, approx 7/64") drill bit by hand to clean the first counter bore, and a welding torch tip cleaner for the flash hole.  Soak in #13 while cleaning the rest of the gun, spray with brake cleaner when done and install after drying.

https://secure.tcarms.com/store/index.php/action/item/id/187/prevaction/category/previd/33/prevstart/36/

Best of luck...

Denny, another vote for the T/C priming tool. Wish they would come out with one that holds more than one primer at a time and perhaps brass but, the original work great, for me.
Steve

[Underclocked]

A good thing to use some Cabela's Bucks on Ted Cash 209 Capper.  Just replace that springy clip with a key ring and you have the best 209 capper made.

[S.B.]

Thanks, I just bought one. Only thing that could be better is if it had the little pick on the other end.
Steve