T/C Omega wins the 2004 new smoke pole derby - 09/27/04
On an earlier thread I discussed my interest in the Austin Halleck 420. I had a chance to spend some time handling a large number of black powder rifles over the weekend and after a good deal of hemming and hawing, I dropped the coin down for a new T/C Omega with stainless barrel and "salt and pepper" laminate stock.
The A&H 420 is very fine rifle, but there were a few things I didn't like. The rifle is very LONG (as noted by my friend on the last thread). The rifle is barrel heavy and the balance is just off enough to bother me a bit. The fancy curly maple stock was a nice piece of wood but I'm not a fan of the glossy finish nor of the monte carlo style that was in stock. The quick release bolt is a nice touch and the action was smooth.
The Omega reminded me a bit of the Ruger No. 1's I have carried... the "drop" action making a long barrel work on an almost carbine length rifle. I'd guess the Omega was good 5 inches shorter than the A&H 420... and I've crawled through enough brush to care about every inch.
I took some time to warm up to Omega, but the more I handled it, the more I liked it. The rifle looks very easy to clean. I like the exposed hammer and the trigger was surprisingly crisp and clean. I was so tickled with the trigger, I asked for the rifle I was handling rather than one out of the back.
Of course, the second phase happens on the range but generally, the reports I have read on the T/C suggest it is accurate enough for hunting. I'll drop back and post my results as I work up a load or two.
The A&H 420 is very fine rifle, but there were a few things I didn't like. The rifle is very LONG (as noted by my friend on the last thread). The rifle is barrel heavy and the balance is just off enough to bother me a bit. The fancy curly maple stock was a nice piece of wood but I'm not a fan of the glossy finish nor of the monte carlo style that was in stock. The quick release bolt is a nice touch and the action was smooth.
The Omega reminded me a bit of the Ruger No. 1's I have carried... the "drop" action making a long barrel work on an almost carbine length rifle. I'd guess the Omega was good 5 inches shorter than the A&H 420... and I've crawled through enough brush to care about every inch.
I took some time to warm up to Omega, but the more I handled it, the more I liked it. The rifle looks very easy to clean. I like the exposed hammer and the trigger was surprisingly crisp and clean. I was so tickled with the trigger, I asked for the rifle I was handling rather than one out of the back.
Of course, the second phase happens on the range but generally, the reports I have read on the T/C suggest it is accurate enough for hunting. I'll drop back and post my results as I work up a load or two.