My APEX arrived
 

It's here. Thanks to Cabelas for gittin it here quick. Say I really to like the way she feels.

Balance:

The balance point is right about the muzzle side pair of Scope base screws. With scope it should be right in front of the trigger guard, they way my high powered rifles are balanced. The balance is an improvement over my Sidekick which balance point is centered in forearm in spite of its shorter barrel. Certainly feels more comfy when sighting offhand to me.

Trigger:

In my way of thinking, the trigger isn't as good as the sidekick. There is a very short pull before breaking and it does notpull as easy. If the sidekick is 3.5 to 4.0 lbs, I'd say the Apex is 4.25-4.5 lbs. I have not scaled it. Not horrible in my estimation, but I would really have liked a trigger more like the sidekick. The trigger spring is not heavy soit looks like trigger could potentially be improved with a little honing. Looks like access to at least one surface would be easy without disassembling the action. I'm gonna try her like she is and only have the trigger modified iflater feel I must.

Handling:

I found the rifle cheeked at a compromise between the open sights and a scope. I had to press my cheek a little firmer than perfect to sight the open sights. I may cheek a littlelower on the cheekthan perfect with a scope on her, we'll see. The weight of the rifle is supposed to be 8.25 lbs. and I can feel the extra weight, but when shouldered, it feels lighter than my sidekick due to the balance. With scope, I should see a reduction of 20% in recoil for the same loads I fire in the sidekick.

Cleaning:

I think the APEX will be easy to clean. I really like fact that all the action comes out with the barrel. Looks likethree allen headscrews will let you get into the trigger/hammer/action assembly if one must. But right now I'm not planning to open it up while cleaning.

The real test is coming.

Of course the real test is "will she shoot". I don't have the answer to that one yet but will be finding out in the next few weeks.

I can tell the rifle was purchased before and returned, but it has not been shot the best I can tell. Can't explain why it was returned. I notice the package with tools has been opened. May they have had a problem with scope mounting? My first impression of the hammer was that it was too light. It's driven by a fairly light spring also. While that concerned me a little, I haven't heard anyone complain about insufficent primer ignition, and am thinking every thing will probably be fine.

I'm gonna keep her. Right now my impression is that for $60 dollars less than I spent on my Stainless Sidekick, I got more rifle, stainless,and a sling. But the Apex has to beat it at the range to really impress me. I have a hunch that it will achieve par with it if not better. I really like the solid stock/two recoil lug design for a stable platform.

Dang, I want to go shoot it.:D

RE: My APEX arrived
 

Congrats again on your new rifle. You sound as happy as a kid on christmas.

RE: My APEX arrived
 

Was the UPS person wearing a Santa Claus suit? Congratulations on your new rifle. I am glad you are pleased with it. I will be looking forward to your range reports as I value your opinion on such matters. Have you decided what kind of load you want to try first?

RE: My APEX arrived
 

Thanks guys,

You know, come to think of it, that UPS guy was "lively and quick" and a "right jolly old elf" . . . must have been Santa!

Hmmm, my first load. I have lots of BP around but my substitute stash is really dwindling. I plan to do alot of testing with the 375 and 435 SSB's. I have 4 boxes of 375's so Ithink I will try them with 80 grains 3f Goex to start. I really want to see how hard I can push them so I will test higher charges untilthe groups open.

80 grains will be enough to get me to 200 yards with 40 clicks of the new scope and will deliver about 1140 ft-lbs at that range. So I am obviously hopeful that the Apex can handle 80 grains and group the 375's tightly. Anyway thats the plan. You know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men? The hoped forballistics arebelow.

On another note, I was surprised to find the rifling of my Apex incorporating and idea I have long wanted to incorporate in a custom barrel. The lands are much more narrow than the grooves. I've alway thought that would ease loading and help prevent the shearing ofboth sabots andconicals. For conicals I think the grooves should be just a little deeper, but since I have lots of them, I'll be testing some them too, and maybe the rifle will prove me wrong about that.

Now the 3f APP, just wouldn't shoot at all in my sidekick. I have a whole pound I paid $25 for and if anyone has any load suggestions on if and how I can get it to work in the APEX, I'd really appreciate it.

RE: My APEX arrived
 

I just got my APEX on Monday and agree with you on every point. The gun comes up very comfortably on me. One thing that I thought could be improved is the sling swivels are plastic. I tend to be "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" but if it's plastic, I tend to break it, so those may be getting swapped soon. I also wasn't impressed that there was an adhesive residue on the ramrod that had it glued in place. I had to remove the barrel to get the rod to finally slide out. Despite these 2 annoyances, they do not affect the direct performance of the gun. Plus I'll take some annoyance for the price I paid ($108.50 delivered).

I'm planning to go with 100 gr. of Pyrodex pellets and the 270 gr. PowerBeltPlatinums. I've read a couple posts whereguys getgood groupswith theAPEX and sister CVAs with this combo. Ihave Xmas shopping to do, but I may get it to the range this weekend.

RE: My APEX arrived
 

OK thats it now I want an apex. My girlfriend is gonna be pissed at me so I think I just might blame Pglasqow. You made it way to apealing.


Ps, if you guys dont see me on the forum anymore it is because my girlfriend grounded me from it. I am buying way to much black powder stuff and she will blame you all for it... Only jokeing

RE: My APEX arrived
 

It will great to have a fellow Apex owner share info and loads with. Update us when you get it!

RE: My APEX arrived
 

:D:D:D:D:D tell her it was impulse buying. Better yet, don't tell her at all.

RE: My APEX arrived
 

cayugad

see now you are trying to get him in trouble like you do me.... we are all just trying to keep up with you..

RE: My APEX arrived
 

can't blame this one on me.. I don't own an Apex. This is all Pglasgow's doing.

RE: My APEX arrived
 

we'll after selling some parts off my 1953 ford mainline i now have enough to purchase an Apex :D. 4.5lbs trigger pull is what winchester lists it as on their website. Im not exactly sure what my x-150 isbut its smooth with very little "play" while pulling it. i picked up some kleenbore primers at walmart today for $3 a box and i got the best deal yet! a combo, bore brush/mop for $1! As soon as my money order comes in, im off to cabelas to order my apex. How are the sights? i was thinking of ordering the tru glow sights for an extra $40.

RE: My APEX arrived
 

F. G.,

You may like the sights that come with it so you might oughta wait. If you are sure you won't, then order the tru glow sights. Glad to hear that you are going to take advantage of the deal. No telling how long they'll last.

RE: My APEX arrived
 

Okay thanks for the info. I'll put the sights off untill i get the rifle. Seeing how the black.blue and all camo Apex's are now sold out from cabelas, i dont think the ss/camo will last long so that money order/ mail truck better be hauling some ass lol. Enjoy the new rifle and make sure you keep us updated when you fire it.

RE: My APEX arrived
 

I think i am gonna wait and try to find an all camo one. I have never owned an all camo gun and I want one.

RE: My APEX arrived
 

I just watched the video which came with it and saw the all camo rifle, it looks sharp.

RE: My APEX arrived
 

For now, it looks like I'm off the hook. ~wiping sweat from brow~

RE: My APEX arrived
 

i heard that the all camo isnt worth the extra $$ and that it flakes off. i just did some experimenting with those remington kleenbore primers and wow! They are #1 in my book. i fired one kneelbore primer in my x-150 and when took my swab and ran it down the barrel a couple times and pulled it out with only a specks of black here and there. I fired one cci 209 primer after i cleaned the barrel and did it all over again and this time i had resistence with only the swab! the swap as i expected came out black. The only down fall i found with the kleenbore primers, they love to throw burning powder in your eye, as i found out as im typing with one eye and a washcloth over my other hurting eye. The cci primers did it also but no where near as bad. But for you guys that are going to order or have bought new rifles, i'd switch to the kleen bored. Very very nice primers that dont foul the barrel nearly as much. Sorry pglasgow, didnt mean to rob your post but i thought it was fitting.

RE: My APEX arrived
 

Yeah you are off the hook for now, but can I still blame you when I do get one?

RE: My APEX arrived
 

Sure. If it gets you off the hook with your girl friend .. .:D . You need to make sure the purchase is long before or sufficiently long after Valentines day or that rifle is always going to look like a ring or pair of earrings.

RE: My APEX arrived
 

Oh boy i forgot about valentines day. I guess i am gonna have to wait till spring.:(

RE: My APEX arrived
 

Boy... sounds like someone is //\\!//\\ 'ed.

:Djust kiddin wimuzzleman

RE: My APEX arrived
 

Its ok I will be the first to admit i am whipped.

RE: My APEX arrived
 

RE: My APEX arrived
 

You'll like your Apex when you get to know it. I have one. My first ML, so I have nothing to compare it to - but I love it. It takes a 250gr. shockwave and two T7 pellets, and makes a straight line for the bullseye at 100 yards shot after shot, with just a spit patch between shots. Took a nice 4 pointer with her this season!
I'm going to start trying some other bullets/loads after the new year, and try to find a place to shoot past 100 yds.

Good luck with your rifle!

RE: My APEX arrived
 

Roger,

I think what he meant was that he paid $108.50 of his own money and the rest was promotion, gift card, and cabela's points, or something like that. The Stainless/Black Apex is selling for $199 at Cabelas. I used a Cabelas discount they emailed me ($20 off a $150 dollar or more purchase) and paid for the remainder with accumulated cabelas card points. Mine was free to me as a gift from Cabela's for using their card to buy my gas, groceries, etc.

RE: My APEX arrived
 

Exactly what Pglasgow said. The gun was already on sale,then I had a $10 Cabelascoupon/gift card, a$50 Mastercard gift card and $44.xx in Cabelas points. With shipping it cost me $108.50. Being a Cabelas Club member has been great! I canceled allmy other cards and strictly use this as I end up getting clothes or gear for nothing or ata severe discount when you use the points!

RE: My APEX arrived
 

I think i might have to get me a cabelas card. All the points i will rack up will give me more of a reason to shop there.

RE: My APEX arrived
 

Good luck with your new ML Phil! Hope it's a good shooter for you. That's a nice discounted price you gave for it. That's one of the best deals I've seenthroughout 2006. Knowing you, I'm sure you will make a sweet shooter out of it with more than one type of bullet style.

RE: My APEX arrived
 

Thanks Triple Se7en. I sure hope she shoots too. But you know what's got into my brain lately?

This weekend Cabelas will give me$100 off a $450 + purchase. I can bring up to 5 people, who if they apply for a Cabelas card and are approved, I will be awarde $40 dollars each in Cabelas points. They get $25 in Cabelas points.

Now I've tried get everyone I have not already encouraged to get a Cabelas card to come up to Denver with me to the new Cabelas retail store there. No commitments though, but I am really going to try garner, all means and powers of persuasion,to get at least two to make the trip with me. If I can, I figure it will play out like this.

I arrive at the store with a $150 discount,hopefully I've managed to bring 2 people who are approved for cards enriching my cabelas points stash from $160 to $240. All this means that between points and discount I could take $340 off any purchase of $450 or more. Can you see where this is headed?

You see right now Cabelas is selling Laminate stock Omega's for $429. I just add the Scope base for the Apex maybe some little other thing and Presto! For $110 dollars of my own money I get a stainless Omega with laminated Stock and a Scope base for the Apex. Subtract $20 for the Scope base and the Stainless Omega with Laminate stock is mine for the incredible out of pocket cost of $90 Bucks. No Trip, if I get this done tomorrow I will have one-upped the Apex deal hands down.

RE: My APEX arrived
 

That's brilliant. I wish I could figure out a scheme like that. I still wanna new muzzleloader, but after Christmas I might get money and a Cabela's gift card which will definetely help. The best way to get a deal there is to ask everyone you know for a Cabela's card for Christmas this year. I got a hundred bucks last year and then found an after Christmas sale on a bow. It was 170 bucks--a steal. I then sold my old bow and only had to pay a tiny amount for a brand new bow. You should try this for that muzzleloader. Maybe you can get an Omega or something. Good luck

RE: My APEX arrived
 

outdoorslover,

I have just discovered that the store at Denver isn't yet open, so I can't go anyway :(. Sidney Nebraska, the closest,is just too far to travel this weekend.

So I am just praying the omegas are still available when it opens for the reduced price. Christmas is tough time to get people to go along with you and I wasn't able to get anyone to go today anyway. I figure they'll run sometheing similar as a Grand Opening promotion. So maybe January or February when the store opens, I'll be posting info on my new purchase. I should by then have 30 to 40 dollars more points.

I'm still trying to recruit new cardmembers so maybe, just maybe, I will get even more points. Wish me luck, those laminated stock stainless omegas are just beautiful.

RE: My APEX arrived
 

Pglasgow

OK I am totally confused... I know that is easialy done, but you just got a new Apex and now you are wheeling and dealing to get a Omega??? I thought you were trying to get an Omega scope for your Apex...

If'n you just got the Apex and you already have a NEF and goodness knows what else and now you're after a Omega - you have Cayugad's disease - more the better...

RE: My APEX arrived
 

Mike,

I'm one of those unfortunate souls who is a slave to his mortgage. But I love my rifles, really I do. These Cabelas schemes have been thebest way I've come up with to justify my obsessions with fishing and hunting with my wife. Even so, alot of my own money goes into these sports andwhen it goes in a little at a time, there is usually only support from Steph. A rifle, especially an Omega, is a whole nuther matter but even she is impressed with my scheme of obtaining one:D. Its an investment I tell her.

I freely confess to being diseased with an obsession for outdoor sports and especially muzzleloading. My name is Phil, my first experience with muzzleloading began at the age of 15, it was then that my father bought a hawken kit . . . .