T/C Omega X7 King of the Mountain, Laminate stock Short barrel I do like the way it shoulders has a peep site for $340 new or a Regular Omega Z5 and put a scope on it? They also have a Encore for $499. The X7 any likes or dislikes? The shorter barrel kinda worries me.

I have nothing good or bad to tell you about the rifles you ask about, but I would not let that shorter barrel turn me off if you like the rifle. Semisane has one I believe (the X7) and will be able to help you out.

I have an X7 (stainless/laminate stock). I put a 4X scope on it and really like it.

The shorter barrel kinda doesn't worries me. Being an older fella with short legs, it is real nice to carry the X7 around whilst hunting. The short barreled thing killed some doe last season.

The load we settled on is 105g BH209, Winchester 209 primer, Crush Rib Sabot, and various 270g to 300g bullet in 44 and 45 caliber.

The .44 300g xtp was clocked by a chrony at 1875 fps from the X7. From the longer barreled Accura the same load, with a different sabot, was clocked at 1960 fps. Obviously, barrel length is not an issue.

The killer bullet last year was the 300g Nosler Partition. This year we are starting out with the .44 270g gold dot, just because.

We used a scope to refine our loads, but are required to use iron sights during the muzzle loader season here, so the X7 is perfect.

I picked one up last year for the wife. It handles well and looks good too, high priority for a female shooter. 250gr shockwaves/sst's over 90 gr. T7-3F. She only shoots it @ 50 yards and it's more capable than she is. 2" groups are the norm, nothing to do with the rifle.

I have an X7, with the stock factory peep sights, and it is a WONDERFUL carry and stalk gun. Killed my first deer with it (1st with that gun that is) last year at about 90 yds I think it was.

Unless you plan to shoot full max charge and care about 6 inches extra drop at 300 yards, don't let the barrel length bother you. If you're worried about that, you're looking at the wrong gun anyways!

It is a WONDERFUL gun and of much better quality (stock etc) than the Z5. For the ML hunter shooting average ranges, the X7 is outstanding.

I love my X7. 70 grains BH209 200 grain shockwave gives me 3 holes almost touching. Perfect little hunting gun.

I believe that if you use BH209 which is progressive burning and a bullet over 250 gr the barrel length is almost a non issue. The big difference in my opinion is the progressive burning powder which dose not need as much barrel length to burn a decent load. Lee

$340 for an X7 new sounds like a good deal, and if it is the stainless model, a very good deal. TC no longer makes the X7 so they are going to get harder and harder to find.

My X7 is my first ML and I am pretty happy with it. My hunting sites have a lot of steep, wooded areas which is just what it was designed for.

Need to settle on a load for this season, either Speer GDHPs or the FPBs. Both are shooting well.