BDHUNTR ,
My reference to cost goes along with the fact that most people that get into shooting ML's will do more than just hunt with them. I my self probably shoot 1000 rounds a year from my ml's and shooting PB's would not get it - to expensive.
I'd love to know why PB's get slammed all the time. I have found them to be superior to sabotted bullets in all respects save price.
It is all in the eyes of the shooter - I certainly would disagree with your evaluations of sabots and the projectiles that you might use with them vs powerbelts. My hunting partner is forced to use PB's because his barrel is so tight he is unable to get sabots down. I have seen from his experiances a lot of mixed results with PB, from blowing up to no expansion at all and of course a very successful hunt and shoot also.
I would also comment that if you are pounding your sabot and bullet down you are probably using the wrong sabot for the barrel that you have. There are many different thicknesses out there you just need to find the one that works for you.