I never shot powerbelts out of my Genesis. Sounds like something I might want to try. I have shot the FPB's out of it. And yes, they start hard. You have to kind of balance them on the muzzle and then smack the short starter hard to drive them into the bore. They did well.

Shockwaves load fine in my rifle. Were you swabbing between shots? I shoot both the 250 and the 200 grain out of it. The best shooting thing out of it is the 250 grain Barnes MZ Expanders with two pyrodex pellets.

That simple Simmons 4x32mm scope for being a low end scope is a great scope. I really like them. It sounds like you have a good day shooting.