I mentioned the Omega earlier, but I will go into more detail of why I like the Omega. I thought seriously about buying a Optima in thumbhole stock with the stainless barrel just like Big Block has posted photo's of. Our local Walmart had one of the Optima's on clearance after muzzle loading season ended. To my surprise they actually still had it last time I was in there and it's been 8 months or so since ML season ended. I'm not sure why it hasn't sold. It seems like a decent deal at the $200 they are asking. I've picked it up several times and looked at it, and I just can't get used to how it feels. It feels horrible in my hands. I've had other thumb hole stocks, and while they aren't my favorite, they have felt pretty good, but this one I just couldn't get comfortable with. I also felt it felt a little cheap. The stock that is, but that was just my opinion. I put it back every time I picked it up. It just seems like such a good deal and that's why I've looked at it as many times as I have, but I know if I don't like how it feels in the store that I wont shoot it that well. I also have a little experience with a friends Optima with the regular stock, and it doesn't fit me all that well either, but I do like it better. Overall, I just am not really that impressed with the gun.
On the other hand, I really like the older T/C Black Diamonds and other than being hard to clean, I think they are some of the best guns out there. I love them.
Then over the past couple of years some hunting buddies bought a T/C Omega Z5's from Walmart. One of them didn't shoot so well, but the other one shot great. I'm not sure if the one that didn't shoot so well was just his bullet/powder combo, or the gun or what. It shot well enough to hunt with though, it just wasn't shooting under an inch like I expected after his brothers shot so well. They feel great in my hands, and just feel like quality. IMO it's no comparison between the Optima and the Omega. The Omega to me is the hands down winner. The Omega is also very easy to take down and clean, and imo just an all around great gun. Our Walmart sold out of them as soon as the clearance started on them, as I'd have bought one. That should have been a hint I guess since they still have the CVA, and sold the T/C's right away before I could get my hands on one. I'm still considering an Omega and if I ever come across a decent deal on one, that will probably be my next muzzle loader. I really want the one with the stainless barrel though so it may have worked out best that I didn't get the Z5 from Walmart.
With BigBlock, I really value his opinions and he posts a lot of great information, but at the same time, he also gets a lot free stuff from CVA which is why he pushes their stuff so hard. So you kind of have to take that into consideration when listening to his recommendations.
Last edited by slowr1der; 07/23/11.
