Powerbelt Accuracy & Load Question
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Dark Side of the Moon
Posts: 406
Powerbelt Accuracy & Load Question
I just started hunting with a muzzleloader last year. I recieved a .50 cal CVA Kodiak Magnum as a birthday present from my girlfriend. 295 grain Powerbelt & 777 50 grain pellets were also part of the gift. With open sights I was confident and accurate out to 60 yards with 100grains. I put a scope on the gun this past week. I amdead on at 60 yards, but 100 yards is all over the place (no consistency). I was thinking of either dropping the bullet weight down to 245 grain,increasing the powder to 130 grains or both. I am still a newbie in this sport and could use any advice you can give for this type of gun and setup.Thanks!
#2
RE: Powerbelt Accuracy & Load Question
Are you swabbing the barrel between shots? That will often times make the shots more consistent. You are probably on the right track with trying different powerbelt weights and different charges. I personally shoot a CVA Staghorn and it will shoot the 348 grain pure lead hollow points or the 245 grain Aero Tips real will with 90-100 grains of loose powder. 90 grains if I shoot Goex and 100 grains if I shoot Clean Shot. If powerbelts are what you want to shoot then you have to try different combinations. I had the same experience with the 295 grains as you did. I really thought I was on to something when I first started shooting them but back at the 100 yard station they shot about a 6 inch group. The others do much better with the open sights.
In my Staghorn, I get good results shooting 375 grain Buffalo Bullet SSB sabots. I shoot them with 100 grains of Goex 2f. I also have good luck with the 240 grain T/C Cheap Shots and T/C Mag Express XTP's and 100 grains of loose powder. All of them are real game stoppers. Something else you might experiment with if you get a chance...
Good luck with your rifle.
In my Staghorn, I get good results shooting 375 grain Buffalo Bullet SSB sabots. I shoot them with 100 grains of Goex 2f. I also have good luck with the 240 grain T/C Cheap Shots and T/C Mag Express XTP's and 100 grains of loose powder. All of them are real game stoppers. Something else you might experiment with if you get a chance...
Good luck with your rifle.
#3
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location:
Posts: 60
RE: Powerbelt Accuracy & Load Question
id go with dropping the weight to 245 and increasing the powder to 120 or 130 grns. it could be also that u didnt have the gun properly bore sighted or u just could be shakin a tadd. always member squize dont pull. 1shot
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Kerrville, Tx. USA
Posts: 2,722
RE: Powerbelt Accuracy & Load Question
In my experience, powerbelts tend to like lower charges of 777. Mine shoots a 5 inch group at 25 yards with 110 grains of 777, but drop it to 90 grains and the bullets touch at 25 yards. Every gun is different too. My brother shoots the same gun ( T/C Omega) and his shoots great at 110 grains. I just like loose powder better because it is cheaper and you can custom load for your gun. Personally, I would stick with the 295, get some loose powder and experiment. Load 85 grains, shoot 3 times, load 90 grains, shoot 3 times, 95 grains.............. See which is most accurate for your gun.
By the way, loose powder 777 is 15% stronger than pellets, so 85 grains is roughly equivalent to 100 grains of pyrodex or 777 pellets. You would have plenty of energy. My elk load is 90 grains 777 powder and a 348 grain powerbelt.
By the way, is your girlfriend ready to marry you or can I ask her out! You lucky dog.
By the way, loose powder 777 is 15% stronger than pellets, so 85 grains is roughly equivalent to 100 grains of pyrodex or 777 pellets. You would have plenty of energy. My elk load is 90 grains 777 powder and a 348 grain powerbelt.
By the way, is your girlfriend ready to marry you or can I ask her out! You lucky dog.
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,236
RE: Powerbelt Accuracy & Load Question
My experience is that the Powerbelts like small charges. If I drop the powder to 65 or 70 gr 777, they shoot real tight. I was also shooting Buffalo Ball-ets with 45 gr 777 at 50 yards and was putting them almost in the same hole. One thing to consider though: is it the gun that likes small charges, or is it ME that likes small charges? I definetly hold much more still at the shot when I know I'm not getting thumped when I pull that trigger. I would try dropping your powder down, not up. Get some 30gr pellets and mix the two to get different loads. 3/30=90, 1/50&1/30=80. 1/50-2/30=110.
#6
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: A flat lander lost in the mountains of Northern,AZ
Posts: 3,171
RE: Powerbelt Accuracy & Load Question
Ive had my best accuracy with the 295 grain powerbelts with a one 50 grain pyrodex pellet. I play with a lot of different loads and do alot of light end loads its fun for me lol
its seems these smoke poles become more consistant by going the other way then you are thinking. Heavier bullets and lighter powder charges seem to be the ticket for best consistancy.
its seems these smoke poles become more consistant by going the other way then you are thinking. Heavier bullets and lighter powder charges seem to be the ticket for best consistancy.
#7
RE: Powerbelt Accuracy & Load Question
ORIGINAL: Kathwacckkk
I just started hunting with a muzzleloader last year. I recieved a .50 cal CVA Kodiak Magnum as a birthday present from my girlfriend. 295 grain Powerbelt & 777 50 grain pellets were also part of the gift. With open sights I was confident and accurate out to 60 yards with 100grains. I put a scope on the gun this past week. I amdead on at 60 yards, but 100 yards is all over the place (no consistency). I was thinking of either dropping the bullet weight down to 245 grain,increasing the powder to 130 grains or both. I am still a newbie in this sport and could use any advice you can give for this type of gun and setup.Thanks!
I just started hunting with a muzzleloader last year. I recieved a .50 cal CVA Kodiak Magnum as a birthday present from my girlfriend. 295 grain Powerbelt & 777 50 grain pellets were also part of the gift. With open sights I was confident and accurate out to 60 yards with 100grains. I put a scope on the gun this past week. I amdead on at 60 yards, but 100 yards is all over the place (no consistency). I was thinking of either dropping the bullet weight down to 245 grain,increasing the powder to 130 grains or both. I am still a newbie in this sport and could use any advice you can give for this type of gun and setup.Thanks!
#8
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wabash, IN
Posts: 826
RE: Powerbelt Accuracy & Load Question
Like has already been said.......................try more bullet & less powder.
I shoot the 348gr aerotips with 90gr of loose 2fg 777 and get sub2" groups at 100yds out of my Knight. A 100gr 777 pellet load should give you close to the same results.
Also, here's a tip for shooting powerbelts.....................Loosen the cups from the bullets some before shooting them. Typically I twist them off & on a few times and put just a little dab of lube on the bullet's post beforeI shoot them. I've found that if you push the powerbelts a little too hard, the cups won't release from the bullets and that throws the accuracy to the "four winds". If you ever see a BIG hole in your paper target when shooting powerbelts - you'll know the cup didn't release. But even if they area little sticky and don't release as quickly as they should - accuracy will suffer some.
I shoot the 348gr aerotips with 90gr of loose 2fg 777 and get sub2" groups at 100yds out of my Knight. A 100gr 777 pellet load should give you close to the same results.
Also, here's a tip for shooting powerbelts.....................Loosen the cups from the bullets some before shooting them. Typically I twist them off & on a few times and put just a little dab of lube on the bullet's post beforeI shoot them. I've found that if you push the powerbelts a little too hard, the cups won't release from the bullets and that throws the accuracy to the "four winds". If you ever see a BIG hole in your paper target when shooting powerbelts - you'll know the cup didn't release. But even if they area little sticky and don't release as quickly as they should - accuracy will suffer some.
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,236
RE: Powerbelt Accuracy & Load Question
With powerbelts in my Traditions flinter, the only thing holding the bullet from falling out of the barrel is the cup. I'm afraid that if I lube the post, I will lose the bullet out the barrel. I took the cup off of a bullet and dropped it in and it literally fell down the barrel on it's own. I would think that the bullet should touch somewhat. I'm told that they expand on the way out when you shoot. Has anyone ever retrieved one to witness the rifling marks?
#10
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: A flat lander lost in the mountains of Northern,AZ
Posts: 3,171
RE: Powerbelt Accuracy & Load Question
ORIGINAL: eldeguello
I suspect you'd do better to either increase the bullet weight, decrease the powder charge (using loose powder to experiment with) or both, to improve your accuracy. Lightening the bullet or increasing the powder charge is most likely to increase your dispersion at 100 yards!
ORIGINAL: Kathwacckkk
I just started hunting with a muzzleloader last year. I recieved a .50 cal CVA Kodiak Magnum as a birthday present from my girlfriend. 295 grain Powerbelt & 777 50 grain pellets were also part of the gift. With open sights I was confident and accurate out to 60 yards with 100grains. I put a scope on the gun this past week. I amdead on at 60 yards, but 100 yards is all over the place (no consistency). I was thinking of either dropping the bullet weight down to 245 grain,increasing the powder to 130 grains or both. I am still a newbie in this sport and could use any advice you can give for this type of gun and setup.Thanks!
I just started hunting with a muzzleloader last year. I recieved a .50 cal CVA Kodiak Magnum as a birthday present from my girlfriend. 295 grain Powerbelt & 777 50 grain pellets were also part of the gift. With open sights I was confident and accurate out to 60 yards with 100grains. I put a scope on the gun this past week. I amdead on at 60 yards, but 100 yards is all over the place (no consistency). I was thinking of either dropping the bullet weight down to 245 grain,increasing the powder to 130 grains or both. I am still a newbie in this sport and could use any advice you can give for this type of gun and setup.Thanks!
thats basically what i was explaining too, its deffinately the way to go. good luck