T/C Omega versus Savage 10MLB

[dmacintyre]

Hi All,

Just decided to get into muzzleloading as I missed most of the shotgun season for deer here (gives me an extra 2 weeks to get my first one). I was looking at either the Savage 10MLBTSS II or T/C Omega and wondered if one had a better reputation than the other. As far as I can tell both take black powder and Pyrodex (with the Savage taking smokeless too). I'm wondering if the circa $200 premium for the Savage is worth it. Any other considerations I should be aware of?

BTW, looking for the laminated wooden stock thumbhole version of either if anyone has one to sell.

Thanks

David

[Pahoo]

If you are asking if the 10ML is worth $200.00 more than the Omega I'd have to say: not to me. But if that is the direction you want to go to, it's entirely your call. If all you intend to shoot is BP or Pyrodex, stick with the Omega. I have buddies that just love the performance of the 10ML and sadly, they will never experience the pleasure and passion of a side-lock. Again, sadly I see M/L's going in this direction for folks that just want to shoot and shoot mre like a breech loader. Don't get me wrong, I own, shoot and teach in-lines but there is a point where I just have to get off this ride. :rolleyes:


"I never tell a man what to do with his money or his wife"


Be Safe !!!

[simonkenton]

I had to make the same choice five years ago: Omega vs. Savage
I picked the Savage. The main reason, I didn't want to have to clean the rifle every time I fired. I live way out in the country, sometimes I go out and just fire a shot or two from my porch.
I like the Savage very much. One of the most accurate muzzleloaders; I got 1 1/2 inch groups right out of the box.
I killed a 6 pointer in 2006 and have not cleaned the rifle since. And, I killed a real big 8 pointer last year.

You are capable of 400 more fps with the Savage than with the Omega, I don't know if this matters to you. I have read of a guy making a 208 yard shot with the Omega, on the other hand, the longest shot I know of with the Savage is 335 yards.
The Omega is one of the best inlines ever made.

[dmacintyre]

Thanks guys. Probably just comes down to personal preference as those kind of ranges are highly unlikely to be needed where I am shooting and I am verging on OCD with my gun cleaning habits!!

As an aside, reading up on all things muzzleloading for hunting has really kindled my interest in more traditional black powder shooting. I'm sure it won't be my last purchase in this discipline!

D.

[simonkenton]

Since you are not going to be making long range shots, and you are interested in traditional shooting, why don't you start off with a Lyman Great Plains Rifle, or the TC Hawken? Shoot patched round balls like Davy Crockett did.
I have a TC Hawken and a homemade Tennessee Mountain Rifle. I have killed 7 deer and 6 hogs with patched round balls with these guns. I swear that patched round ball kills 'em better than a 30-06.
Get black powder and do it like Davy did.
The only reason I got an inline is, at age 45, my vision started to get bad and I had to use a scope. Not gonna scope up one of my beautiful traditional rifles.

It is a beautiful thing, to be sitting in the tree stand, a cloud of blue smoke around you, the brown and yellow leaves on the ground, and laying dead 40 yards away a 6 pointer.

[wpcexpert]

I bought the Savage last year. Got to take a 5.5 year old 5 pointer with it this year.(Have to put in the age. Doesn't sound os cool as just a 5 point.)

I like it. I got it to shoot extended range during ML season. It's great as far as no cleaning/30 shots before cleaning. Plus you have the option of going black powder or smokeless.