I did a search and found a few threads discussing the Winchester Apex. There seems to be a love/hate relationship going on. A couple of friends and I have discussed doing some black powder hunting this fall/winter. If that happens, I need to buy a gun. Cabelas in Dundee, MI is 30 min. from where I work, so when I went to their website and saw the sale they have going right now, the Apex captured my attention for being what seems to be a decent gun at a decent price.

I've read a lot of replies saying not to get the Apex andgo for the Thompson Omega.With the sale price and giftcards I have, I can get thestainless barrel, blackcomposite stock, scope,scope rail and rings on theApex for $154. The Omega would be $284 with the same discounts applied for the gun ONLY. That is quite a price difference. My intent is to use this gun for a couple of weekends through the seasoneachDecember for whitetail, so this is by no means my primary firearm. However, these same buddies and I have played with the idea of a mule deer or elk hunt out west where this would probably be the firearm I use.My 12 ga. slug gun and .270 Win. probably aren't the best choices for that size game.

I'm just wonderingif the Apex owners here are still standing next to theirrifles, or are they sorry they bought it? I would be getting the .50 caliber shown here.

I don't mean to beat this topic to death, just trying to make a sound decision to meet my needs and not go poor before the holidays. Thanks!