This will be my first muzzleloader. Has anyone shot one? Is it as good as the higher priced Omegas? I saw this at Bass-Pro and though it was great that someone was producing a high quality American-made muzzleloader with starter kit for $300. I've looked atthe otherOmegas before and found that the cost almost as much as my Ruger .30-06. Just too much for me.

If you are set on the Omega and plan to scope it and replace the recoil pad with a simms Limbsaver you might as well buy the cheaper one as that is about the only difference (sights and recoil pad). The barrel and action is all the same stuff.

Ranger

I have the OmegaZ5 and really like it. It is reliable, easy to clean, and shoots great.

The Z5 is represents T/C's effort to enter the moderate priced muzzleloader market while maintaining their reputation for high quality. They accomplished this by

1. Only one choice in stock design, color, and finish options. The Z5 is available only in blued steel with a black synthetic stock.

2. The fiber optic sites, I'm told, are of lesser quality than those sold on other Omegas. I couldn't care less, as I took them off and scoped my gun. Take a look at the Talley lightweight two-piece mounts designed for the Omega. The base and bottom half of the rings is machined out of one piece of aluminum alloy. Very strong, stable, and I think it looks great.

3. There is a slight difference in the design of the falling breech. In the Omega the breech apparently pivots on pins that can be removed with an allen wrench. On the Z5 the pins are pressed in place and cannot be removed. I learned this because my Z5 came with an allen wrench, but there isn't an allen screw in the gun. A call to T/C confirmed the difference. Frankly I don't care, as T/C has a great reputation for costomer service.

I highly recommend the Z5 if you want a no-frills rifle that shoots great and is made to high quality standards by a company with a great reputation for standing behind their products.

Thanks for the info. Another question. What about the TC bore Butter included in the kit? Is this just snake oil? It says that it is a lubricant and seasons the bore, but I've read in TC's online manuals that you shouldn't use any lubricant while shooting sabots. I am right? Should I use some high quality bore cleaner instead?

You don't need any lube with sabots and shouldn't use any. Just swab with alcohol/windshield washer solvent (50/50) between shots. You can use use any good gun oil after cleaning, to prevent rust, but make sure you use the alcohol/windshield washer solvent to remove the oil when you are ready to shoot again. Use two dry patches after you swab to make sure the bore is dry.

Bore butter is for storing the gun. #13 bore cleaner is the stuff you'll be using for cleaning.