Range Report!
I took it out today, side-by-side with the Cabela's model.
Truthfully, the Cabela's didn't get much shooting time.
I shot both with 80gr of FFG Triple-7 at first, then went to 70gr.
They both kick like mules from the bench, and the T/C doubly so because of that dang curved brass butt plate. I yelped pretty loud after the first shot with the T/C.
HOWEVER: I raised the rest up a bit and slung a bag of #7 shot (range provides as rests) over my shoulder as a pad, and that worked great!
From offhand it's not bothersome at all (without the shot-bag-pad).
At 50yds I grouped maybe 3-4", with some variation due to me messing around. I'm not sure I can see much better than that with post & cup sights - give me a good set of competition peeps and it's another story. Offhand and bench were about the same, or close enough anyway.
I shot with oiled patches and bore-buttered patches, both around a .530 round ball.
The T/C is the hands-down winner for me, I'm keeping it. I figure I can shoot saboted .45acp bullets sometime if I want, but within all reasonable open-sight ranges, the ballistics are nearly identical to a 240gr .530 ball. I'd have to go to a big .45colt bullet to get an advantage and some thicker clothes...
So I guess the Cabela's carbine is up for sale.
Thanks for all the input, folks!
-Daizee