Back to the original question. I am not really sure if youHAVE to back off on powder with heavier conicals, but Ipersonallydo, for several reasons.

First, I have to admit, that I am recoil shy. I am helped a lot by a Sims recoil pad, but you put a no excuses 460 grains through with 110 grains of 777 and that packs a wallop!That means less accuracy for ME, so I back off to 80-90 grains.I can't imagine what a 500+ grain conical would feel like with a big charge.

Second, at that level (80-90 gr)you get DEVESTATING power and penetration, so in my mind why would I even think about going higher? I don't shoot past 100 yards, so trajectory is not really an issue, so there is really no need for me to go higher.

Because of these things, "can I go higher" is a nonissue with me. Just doesn't make sense for me and mine.

As to the alternate disscussion: I have shot and will probably shoot powerbelts in the future, mainly because they are about the only thing that my Omega will shoot with accuracy. However, there is a lot of bad press out there about them. I have personally heard so many stories about "failures" where the animal went 25 yards. Not a failure in my book. However, I have to believe some of it may be true. How much bad press have you heard or read about with other pure lead big bore conicals? No excuses, bull shop, T/C maxiballs, buffalo bullets,...... Maybe it is out there, but I have not heard it hardly ever.

Bottom line for me is that under certain conditions, I will continue to use powerbelts. But for the most part, if I can find another big conical with a great reputation, great terminal performance, and usually about 1/2 the price of powerbelts, I will be using them.

Lastly, when I do use a powerbelt, I will definately be using a reduced charge of powder. I just think they hold together and perform better, actually getting better penetration at reduced velocities. JMHO