First Date With The Omega X7

[Semisane]

I shot the new X7 for the first time Monday. The session was not problem free, but nothing that can't be fixed.

I figured I should start with my favorite hunting bullet - the 300 grain Speer Gold Dot Hollow Point - thinking that if the gun shoots that bullet well I will be a happy camper.

I setthe Williams peep sightat mid-point of the adjustments for both windage and elevation. Loaded up the squeaky clean barrel with the Gold Dot in a Harvester short sabot over 80 grains Pyrodex RS and shot at 25 yards from the bench using a 6 o'clock hold on the bull. That shot clipped the very top edge of the target.

So I adjusted the rear sight to a point halfway between the mid-point and lowest point of the elevation scale and took three more shots with the same load - still at only 25 yards. Those three shots hit four inches above where I wanted them.

So I adjusted the rear signt as far down as it would go and reduced the charge to 70 grains, and took shot #5. It still hit two inches higher than I wanted.

Here's the target with all five shots.





Considering that I can't shoot for squat with fiber optic sights, I though the accuracy potential looked real good. But that front sight needs to be higher, and it needs to be a nice square blade(or maybe I'll put a scope onthe rifle and be done with it.)

Figuring a lighter bullet ought to shoot lower, I pulled out some .40 caliber 200 grain XTPs and some Harvester 50/40 crush rib sabots. Loaded those over 70 grains Pyrodex RS and shot them on a new target, still at 25 yards. I've got to say - that load just "felt right" for this gun. It had a sharp crack to it, and light recoil. I wish I had had time to pull out the chronograph to see what those bullets were doing, but it was getting late and time to head for a stand for the evening hunt.

Anyway, here's the target. Not great for only 25 yards, but you can see the potential.




Thoughts on the Omega X7: What a nice little gun this is. I was a little worred about some of the QLA horror stories, but don't see a problem there so far. I suspect this gun will shoot real tight groups with a little load experimentation. I was amazed at how CLEAN the breech area remained after the ten shots I took. Absolutly no blow-back. Even with CCI 209s, it's ten time cleaner than the Mustang's breech would be with that much shooting. No need for a .25 ACP breech plug with this one- though I may give one a try somewhere down the road just for the heck of it. As noted on the targets, I was wiping with one alcohol patch between shots. Loading with both bullet/sabot combinations was tight but not difficult. When I finished shooting I cleaned the bore with three very wet alcohol patches. The third one came out clean, as did a follow-up dry patch. I don't know why TC doesn't put a higher front sight on the X7, but I will be asking them for a new front sight.

Thoughts on the fiber optic sight: Actually, the front sight on this gun would be just right for quick shots at moving animals at woods distances. But my hunting situation almost always gives me time for well aimed shots atdeer that haven't been spooked. I'ts a rare situation where I can't wait for the perfect shot at a still animal. So, Ilike a precise sight picture and FOs just don't do it for me.

[cayugad]

Well that sure looks like with some work it will be a real good shooter. I thik you need to play with the loads a little more. Also try some 250 grain Shockwaves.. I am kind of surprised it is shooting so high.

[thumper50]

SEMI; JUST THINK HOW GOOD THAT RIFLE WILL SHOOT WITH BH209!!

[burntmuch]

Semisane. The frontsight isfor the thicker barrels. Call TC they will send you a taller one. Sounds like you like the gun though. My X7 likes 70 grains BH209 & a 200 grain SST. Congrats

[UncleNorby]

One thing to consider on the front sight height. You're only shooting at 25 yds, so its hard to say what is really going on, but...changing two things at once (rear sight andcharge) can be confusing.

I would expect a reduced charge to hit HIGHER at 25 yds. This is because the bullet is moving slower and exits the barrel later during recoil, when the muzzle is higher. Conversely, I would expect a heavier charge to hit lower at 25 yds. You've only shot up to 80 gr of powder so far. You may find that 90 or 100 will bring your group down enough at 25 yds to be in the bull.

Since you're on the paper, I would wait on scrapping the sights until you can shoot at 50 yds at least. Unless, that is you just don't like them.

[ronlaughlin]

I am sorta surprised that you need a higher front sight myself. My X7 wants a lower front sight if any thing. My peep is set about as high as it will go, and the rifle barely shoots high enough. I wonder if our sights are the same height. UncleNorby suggests that a heavier charge will lower your group. I believe it will.

My present hunting load in the X7 is: 105g BH209, ignited by a Winchester shot gun primer, pushing a 300g Nosler in a crush rib sabot.

[spaniel]

My X7 experience...

Beware the 250 Shockwaves, I tried one in my X7 once and literally had to get a hammer out to get it seated. Get some crush-ribs if you want to try that bullet I suggest.

The front sight is not a surprise. I could not get mine on the paper during my first range session. I called T/C, since they didn't even let me finish my explanation before stopping me and asking for my address to mail the new front blade I got the impression this is a known, frequent issue they encounter. They popped one in the mail and I was back out by the following weekend.

With the taller front sight, most loads shoot dead-on at 100 yards with the rear sight mid-range in adjustment:
200grSW and 110gr 777
300gr PR Keith Nose HP 100gr 777

However, this year I sighted it in with 120gr 777 and 300grSW for elk. I needed to take the sight up almost as far as it would go. Indeed, I could have put the lower front sight back on and sighted the rear sight in near the bottom of the ramp.

I recommend picking the primary bullet(s) to be used first, and verifying where they will shoot then ordering the front sight if necessary.

For all the hype about faulty QLAs, every T/C gun I've owned or my direct shooting buddies own has been very accurate and my X7 is no exception. I shoot nice tight 100yd groups, I'm sure they'd be better with a scope but I don't want one on it.

Enjoy!!

[oldsmellhound]

Looks like the X7 has a lot of potential. A front sight problem is nothing to be worried about, especially at the price you got the rifle for. Probably to reach its full potential, you'll need to put a scope on it, but I know some people prefer open sights.