If you do a search on here you will find quite a few positive comments. I have not heard anything bad about them as far as taking game.
The only real negative seems to be that since they are one size fits all and ML barrels are not all consistantly .50 cal, the FPBs are difficult to load in some guns.
My Omega X7 seems to like them. They load pretty easy and I have gotten pretty good groups with them. Have not yet tried them on deer but will use them this season.
Bottom line is you need to see you how your muzzleloader loads and shoots them.
I really like them. They are the only conical that will shoot accurately in my Omega (Other than the powerbelts and the FPB is slightly more accurate). And they are noticably cheaper than powerbelts. Last year I used my Omega, and this year I used my Knight LRH.
I killed a very large cow elk last year and a good sized cow this year with 90 gr of BH 209 and the 350 gr FPB. This year, the bullet broke the large leg bone just above the elbow (shooting steep uphill and obviously not where I was aiming). Bullet kept on trucking and took out the heart.
Very good bullet and they fly fairly flat for a somewhat larger bullet. With my set up I can dead on aim out to 120 yards. At 150, they are 4-5 inches low.
There is a learning curve for loading. In my Omega, no problem because the QLA lets you drop them down the barrel. Slightly harder in my Knight with no QLA. However, in both you really need a short bullet starter with a Hornady (or similar) loading tip. The rear of the bullet is flared and larger than bore diameter by design, so you have to custom fit it to your barrel. The way you do that is by giving the bullet starter a "pop" with the palm of your hand to start it down the barrel. When you do that, you then can finish loading it with your ramrod (and the bullet jag) fairly easily.
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Venor ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
Last edited by txhunter58; 10-20-2009 at 10:33 AM.
They are the best conical in a TC with QLA. They load easy and shoot well in all of mine. I use 90 gr it was the first load I tried and gave me well under minute of angle groups.
i've killed several big hogs with my Encore and the FPB. All of them went down immediately. The last one thrashed around on the ground and needed a coup de grace.
I shoot them in my Genesis and they shoot very well. I have heard that some guys have trouble with loading (not the starting part) because they are too tight in the bore. Once started in my gun they slide down fairly easily, even if I don't swab after one shot. Give them a try.
I can only speak to the accuracy as I have yet to take any game with them. The shoot well in all my guns though. Most bullets if they shoot well you should be able to bring meat home. A lot of people like them though.
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"Yes, well, I’m polymerized tree sap and you’re an inorganic adhesive, so whatever verbal projectile you launch in my direction is reflected off of me, returns to its original trajectory and adheres to you." - Sheldon Cooper
QLA = Quick Load Accurizor its a false muzzle. Where the muzzle is drilled out a little larger then the actual bore so the projectile can set in there and if the QLA is centered properly, be driven straight into the bore. They are found on Thompson Center rifles and some of the others have a form of it as well.
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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, a total wreck, screaming Yahoo, with a big smile on your face."
I started useing them last year,I took a doe at 60yds,complete pass thru and only ran maybe 30 yds,and an awesome blood trail to follow.. They load super easy in my CVA kodiak,and I can get about 1.5in groups at 100yds...Im going to keep useing them,unltil the cows come home! LOL
Hornady FPB 350gr - Anyone Use Them?
