Most of the Powerbelt talk you see is from me. I shoot them because my state does not allow sabots, even if they did, i wouldnt use them due to me not liking them.

Powerbelts are Pure lead with a thin copper/platinum coating to keep your bore from leading up. If you've ever shot the powerbelts without the coating, you know how tough it is to get that stuff out. Pure lead has its limits and if you push them to hard, they like to come apart. Some years ago i shot a doe with a pure lead 385g great plains conical with 80g RS- 20 yard shot through the shoulder and found that the bullet only made it through one shoulder, started to rip if half and then came to rest on the inside of the other shoulder. With all of the tests ive done with powerbelts, 80 grains seemed to be the best for anything from the 225g .45cal, all the way up to the monster 405g powerbelt. This it based on 50 yards and under. This charge will also perform great at 150+ yards and still packs a big punch.

You can go to a lot of the high $$$$$$ muzzle loading experts and you'll find that all they say it, blah blah powerbelts are horrible, they dont perform, blah blah, they dont hold up. Basically, these guys dont even do actual tests but just go by what they read from the other guy.

Dont get caught up in that 150 grain, 3 pellet load crap, its a marketing hype and not needed. Some guys dont understand that 150g loads were meant for long range muzzle loading, 150+ yards and they try using this load with a light weight powerbelt and shoot something at 20-50 yards and complain about the bullet coming apart.

Im sure you've seen all the tests i've done on an assortment of powerbelts. So far, it looks like i am the only one to offer this info on the popular lighter weight powerbelts.

As for Powder, I prefer Pyrodex Select or Pyrodex P. Triple 7 never was consistant enough for me to use.

Choosing what bullet to use really depends on the terrain you are hunting, what kind of distance you expect to shoot. When i hunted the barren/hill country up in northern Colorado, i chose the .45 with a 225g powerbelt and 80g triple 7, this load was dead on at 100 and only 3 - 3 1/2" low @ 150. 175yards was, aim at the top of the back and you're going hope with meat.

You'll have to simply buy the certain bullet you like, give it a try with lets say, 80,90,100 grains powder and see what shot the best for you. It also depends on the muzzle loader you buy.