no i dont think it was a barrel problem with the apex. i think it was more of an owner problem not willing to try different bullets made for that rifle. How did you send it back so fast? I would have loved to have shot that gun and shown that it was fine and that you have to be willing to try diff. combos.i've handled an omega before but wasnt impressed with its overall balance. Shame we couldnt have work out a deal on that apex.