revpilot,
I recently just got my first ML, and by my really original username you probably could have guessed it is the tc triumph. My dad got me into this, as he owns a few omegas that I thought were good guns, easy to use, and good shooters. I got it from Cabelas, the all camo version and got a sweet deal on it, grand total was like 412 and some change. I have been out to the range as much as possible with it and here is some things about it, hope it helps.

As soon as I got the gun, I did put a scope on it. I have no problems priming the gun or removing the breach plug by hand with the scope on it. On one visit to the range, the breach plug came easily out by hand after 30 rounds at the range. Just make sure its well lubed, and its all downhill from there.

I started out shooting 100gr of american powder in sticks, and a 200gr shockwave bullet. The american powder, the regular stuff, not shockeys gold, is crap. I was only holding about a 7 inch group from a bench and rest at 100yds. The stuff burned clean, no crud ring but then again its hard to get that when your powder sticks are trailing the bullet out of the gun from only partial burns, not to mention that the sticks don't fit in the barrel without a little force. The 200gr shockwaves were a little hard to load too, but I think that might be due having a bad batch of the sabots that was mentioned on page 3 or 4 in this thread. The slug didn't fit well in the sabot at all on the two boxes I had, it seemed like the slug was to big for the sabot.

Now I am shooting 100gr of loose triple 7 powder with a 250gr shockwave and all is much better. The loose triple 7 burns very consistently and the 250gr shockwave can be loaded with ease. Now, I am holding about a 3 inch group at 100yds, which is good for me. The triple 7 does leave a little ring in the barrel, but I do use a damp(not wet) patch and then 2 dry patches inbetween every shot. Thought about maybe experimenting with different primers to see if it makes a difference, right now I use the CCI I think it is. On the same trip to the range with the breach plug there was snow on the ground, and after 30 shots, there were only a couple of tiny spots of powder on top of the snow, so the loose triple 7 does burn much better.

I like the QLA on the gun, and it shoots consistent. I shoot just as good with it as I do my centerfire rifles, so...I guess I don't really understand what the issue with the QLA is as I have not shot a ML without it.

Really the only downside is that the camo is wearing off the end of the barrel from shooting. All in all I love the new gun and can not wait to take it out next fall. Until then the range will have to satisfy my desires...haha

Good luck with your decision!