Here's a few questions I'm debating in regards to my final selection of the Omega Z5 or the X7. I hunt in a brushy coastal area that is very dense with a few open areas. Most of the hunting is from the ground due to the lack of trees. I'm leaning towards the X7 because of these conditions. But I have these questions.

Will I lose downrange performance due to the shorter barrel if I add a scope?

How is the standard peep sight to shoot on the X7 at low light?

Any load suggestions for the X7, I'd like to have an excess of knockdown power with minimal effect on longer shots?

Thanks for any input.

That little loss of barrel will never even be noticed down range. I own a couple rifles with 22" barrels and their accuracy is exceptional. I think in the situation you described, the X-7 is the perfect choice. A peep sight for quick and accurate aiming, a better stock, and all the muscle you would need even with a scope. Peep sights can be messy in low light, but most of them have a center you can remove and then use the peep as a ghost ring. I think that is a great rifle. If I were going to get an Omega it would be that one.

I would start the rifle with 100 grains of powder and a 250 grain shockwave.

I was pretty sure the Mustang would be my one an only in-line. But I have to admit I have ahankering for an X7. It's a sweet little rifle - got a crushon itas soon as I picked one up.

The aperture on the X7 peep is pretty large, even bigger than the "hunting" aperture for the Lyman 57 peep sight. I don't think it would be a problem in any conditions in which you can see the deer with your naked eye. On the other hand, a 4x compact scope would be REAL NICE.

The length of a barrel has no effect on the accuracy of the barrel.
By using 777-FFF or P or BH209 you can cut the velocity loss due to the shorter barrel down to the point where it wont affect you in the conditions you describe. Lee

I bought my X7 after season last year. I love it. I havent hunted with it yet. Its a nice little compact rifle. Its not much fun to shoot from the bench. Its kinda short & recoil is a bit stiff. Im shooting 180 grain Gold Dots over 70 grains of BH209. & 200 grain SSTs over the same charge. This last week The SSTs gave me a .40X .85 hole,3 shot group. Thats outside to outside. The GDs gave me about 1.5. When I shoot the bigger bullets & bigger charges. recoil gets a bit stiff.