ORIGINAL: SWKSrookie
I have always used Powerbelts because I was told they do not damage the rifle as much. But the price makes it hard to justify spending a lot of time at the range to the wife!!
Powerbelts work - they kill deer. They're easy to load. They're accurate in some rifles. They're also WAAAAY overpriced, and underperform. For less money, go to a sabot with a 240-300gr bullet (heavier is probably better). No, sabots don't damage rifling - in fact, they seem to keep it pretty clean, compared to a greased conical.
I've killed a couple deer this year with 240gr Hornady XTP. I'm going to kill the next one with a T/C CheapShot 240.... just cause they're cheap, and are very accurate in my gun. Seem to me that a 240 HP ought to do the trick; I'll post report soon as I kill one with the CheapShot. I'll be using 90-95 grains of Pyrodex RS.