New To ML Need advice.
 

Hello everyone! Im 22 and I would like to enter the realm of ML hunting. Im kind of teaching myself through research and the much appreciated replies that I get from these forums. Im looking at 2 ML rifles at this time. T/C Black Diamond and Omega. From what I have seen on these posts they are great rifles However, I would like to get a ML that can have a scope mounted on it safely. I have read a few posts on the issue and I have noticed a few people getting nailed in the head by their scope. OUCH! I believe it was the Omega that had this issue but im not 100% sure. Can a scope be put on the Black Diamond succesfully without getting rammed in the face with it? Also, any of your suggestions on other rifles that can be equiped with a scope would be much appreciated. Thanks for your time and help in advance. These forums are great. My father lives in another state so for a young guy like myself that is teaching himself everything , this is heaven!

RE: New To ML Need advice.
 

Make sure the scope you choose is rated for ML recoil . You' ll need one with a minimum eye relief of 3" . Magnum load recoil is the #1 cause of " coon eye" . Both the Black Diamond and Omega are fine choices , or you could buy a less expensive ML to start out and then work your way up to the others .

I shoot a Traditions Buckhunter in .54 cal , got it for $150 and it slays anything in front of it . It' s a very simple design , requires only one tool(supplied) to break it down for cleaning , and is very reliable . It' s rate of twist is 1 in 48" , although I understand that they also make it in 1 in 28" now . Either will handle sabots well , but 1 in 48" will also allow you to use round balls accurately as well . RB will take large game effectively at ranges up to 100 yards .

RE: New To ML Need advice.
 

averagejoe,

Welcome aboard. I started muzzleloading about 3 years ago and at first had a hard time getting use to the flint. The gun I purchased is the Traditions Deerhunter. I like the gun but had trouble with the plasic sights. I repaced them with Trueglow sights which work much better. The inlines are great and the modern version of muzzleloaders. I have a CVA Firebolt and have never had a problem with the scope hitting my head. Anyway, it is so much easier with the inline than the flint, but both offer additional hunting for me and experience.

I use Triple 7 compressed powder and it' s easy to load, no measuring. I use the 209 primer caps which are easy to use as well.

Good luck....

Tomster

RE: New To ML Need advice.
 

Lots of good ML' s on the market and picking one really depends on the person and their funds. I have been using the Rem 700 MLS for 6 years and had not one single problem with this gun, yet other say they are inaccurate, etc. I can shoot 1" group at 100 all day long, so IME this as good a ML as many others I have seen and tried. I have shot Traditions, Knight, Gonic, TC' s and White in an inline version and they all seemed fine to me. As far as scoping all these guns were scoped I never heard of any issues with mounting. The cause of " coon eye" is usually form problems or improper mounting. On big magnums some tend to crowd the scope in fear it will bowl them over, this is not a problem with an ML. Really are more of a push compared to a jar of a CF. Most scopes offer 3" or better eye relief which is more than suitable for a ML.

Basically try out a few and pick the one that feels GOOOOOOOD. Then all you have to worry about is getting a piece of lead to fly good and keeping her clean;)! It is an involved but rewarding sport.

Good luck and have a BLAST[8D]

RE: New To ML Need advice.
 

it depends on your $$$$$$$$$$ ; if you want a good inexpeseive weapon.Bas-Pro has a CVA mag-bolt 150 , with everything you need to shoot except powder for $199.00.that is gun scope bullets,cleaning kit.
Good gun for the money.I have two , and had no problem for the last 4 years.

RE: New To ML Need advice.
 

The Thompson Omega is easily the most successful inline of the last 2 years, and the easiest to maintain. The only problem seems to be finding them in stock.

RE: New To ML Need advice.
 

Thank you all for all your help. I really appreciate it. Today I went to the shop and held a few guns up to feel them out and I broke down,pulled out the old visa and got me an OMEGA!! MAN IS THIS THING SWEET!!! I cant wait to run a few rounds through this baby! I got the Stainless steel breakup camo and I am now in the process of checking scopes. I think im going to go with a good old american Leupold! I was hesitant because of the posts with people hitting themselves with their scope but I came to the conclusion based on what some of you have said along with other people I have talked to that this sort of problem is not the guns fault. I think a nice leupold with a good amount of eye relief will due just fine. Im lookin to spend about 250-300 so I think I can find a nice setup in that range. Thanks again everybody!

RE: New To ML Need advice.
 

In putting a thousand rounds or so through my Omega, with a dozen different scopes, eye relief was no problem.

The Bushnell Elite 4200 1.5 x 6 / QR steel Maxima base / rings is a wonderful combination, and you can leave your iron sights in place. That' s what sits on my Encore right now, and this is how it has worked:

http://www.prbullet.com/DCenter.wmv

RE: New To ML Need advice.
 

As a recent purchaser of a flawed Omega… My advice, if you have any issues with your Omega or T/C customer service; don’t mention them here or the Omega faithful will burn you at the stake.

As for scopes, IMO Bushnell currently has the best products at the best price, especially the 3200 and 4200 series. There are a number of places to order scopes online at decent prices. As for bases and rings, IMO Warne has the best bases and rings. You can order the Maxima bases and rings directly form Warne (www.warnescopemounts.com). One thing to note though, the Warne SS base and rings are more of a silvery SS compared to the Omega SS barrel, which is more of a gray SS.

RE: New To ML Need advice.
 

Randy W- Nice shot! That was a nice video, thanks for sharing it. I looked at the bushnel scopes and I think I am sold on them. Very nice! Thanks for the recomendation!

Bugs- what was your flaw? Perhaps I should take a look at mine just in case to make sure I dont have the same. I have read a few rewiews on the omega here, was it the improperly drilled scope base scrue that was your post? Its too bad that something like that can happen with such a nice gun.