powerbelt bullets for TC encore
 

i hunt deer and elk with a TC Encore and would like recommendations for the best powerbelt bullet weight to use based on personal experience. i'd like to use a single bullet weight for both animals, although i'm willing to utilize different weights if there is a clear benefit based on your experiences. thanks for the input.

RE: powerbelt bullets for TC encore
 

Based on what a lot of folks use out here, I would recommend the 348 gr. Powerbelt. They are the most popular of the Colorado-legal elk bullets, and are equally up to the task of taking deer.

If regulations permit, however, I would take a hard look at the 250 grain Shockwave. They seem to be a "does everything well" muzzleloading bullet.

RE: powerbelt bullets for TC encore
 

Yeh, I too would rather use the shockwave but you may have to use full bore bullets where you hunt. Have you tried the No Excuse bullets? How about heavy Maxiballs?

400+grain buffalo bullets should shoot good in that rifle as well.

RE: powerbelt bullets for TC encore
 

The 348gr.has been the most accurate of the Power Belts in many of my .50cal rifles and I plan on using them next week during our late deer season in Illinois. I've had very good luck with this bullet on deer sized game. However if I wanted an elk load, I'd try towork up a load for the heavier 405 or 444gr. PB's. If those didn't work out, then I'd go back to the 348's knowing that at least I tried.
I've never shot the No Excuse bullets, but I've heard a lot of good about them. Iplan on giving them a try down the road.

RE: powerbelt bullets for TC encore
 

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Question(s) - Do you have to use PowerBelts? Do you have to use bore size projectiles?

I have hunted deer with the 295's and the 348's, but in the state of Idaho sabots are legal so I made that switch.

RE: powerbelt bullets for TC encore
 

i don't have to use powerbelts, however, i am interested in their relative ease of loading and larger caliber size when compared to saboted bullets. i've used sabots and conicals in the past, but not enough to have a strong preference one way or another. most of my shots will be 100 yards or less with an occasional 150 a possibility. just need to find out what others, who have more field experience, think of powerbelts compared to some of the other options. thanks for all the help so far.

RE: powerbelt bullets for TC encore
 

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I think is basically two reasons people choose PowerBelts, I believe you have just stated the number one reason and the second reason is because like in the states of Washington and Colorado sabots are not legal during ML season. And the next best thing that looks like a real bullet to most people is a PowerBelt.

Today - unless you are shooting a smokelss version Savage - there really isn't a good reason to stuggle to load sabots. The variety of sabots sizes and the new plastics they are using make them tougher than they have ever been. Thickness very from the Harvester "crush rib" to the regular MMP. Even loading the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th sabot combination should not be a problem if you are controlling fouling. There really isn't even a good reason to use a short starter anymore. Thumb pressure and your rod should be all you need.

I hope you find the answers you are looking for - but given a choice I would continue using sabots vs PowerBelts.

I really hope I have not muddied the waters - that was not my intention - but it really does bug me when i see someone standing on their ram rod trying to seat a bullet.

RE: powerbelt bullets for TC encore
 

thanks for the input. this is the kind of information that is invaluable to me as i progress to finding what is right for my hunting situations and my shooting patterns.

RE: powerbelt bullets for TC encore
 

http://members.aol.com/noexcusesb/page2.html As mentioned, the 460 grain No Excuse Conical shoots excellent out of my T/C Black Diamond XR and although I have not personally hunted elk with them, if I were in an area were sabots were not allowed, these would be my choice of projectile. Elk, deer, bear, I think this is a real quality projectile..

RE: powerbelt bullets for TC encore
 

i keep hearing that these are excellent. i'll give them a try along the way. thanks for the feedback.

RE: powerbelt bullets for TC encore
 

cayugad


the 460NE is a great bullet if you have to use it, but it's ballistics are terrible down range. 50-75 yards it would be great, 100-150 it would be questionable... If the wnd is blowing especially a xwind - if the animal is moving you are going to have to do a lot of calculating to the get that bullet in the right place and then most of us would be guessing. Shooting at animals we do not need to guess any more than necessary. That is currently what is driving the popularity of the 200 grain Shockwave - (point and shoot)great ballistics and it goes where you shoot it. Down range the 460 is sort of a hope and prayer xwinds - even a gust can move it off POA reallt significantly. You are settingyourself up for a down range shot that the conditions have to be perfect - and how often does that happen. Weather and distance is a key factor in what projectile you might choose to use.

Just me running off again.

RE: powerbelt bullets for TC encore
 

my only concern would be that a 200 grain shockwave would be too light for elk. have you had experience with the heavier shockwaves?

RE: powerbelt bullets for TC encore
 

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I would agree with you on that hole-heartedly - the 200 is effective because of its velocity and its ability to get throught a thinned skinned animal. I accomplish the same thing shooting a 200 grain .308 Nosler Partition, but it is out of a 300 Win Mag much more velocity.

As you probably know getting a thick-skinned elk down can be a real task and I really belive using the correct bullet is important, a bullet that will penetrate that big body and work its way across or through. Moose are a much easier to get down than Elk.

The shockwave does come in other weights250 & 300 I believe- I myself use the 300 grain weight bullet - I use again a Nosler Partition in an MMP HPH24 sabot. It is truly very effective - I can imagine the 300 shockwave being up to the task. I use the Nosler for penetration and my personal bias from years of centerfire hunting.

Another thought escaped me the Nosler is .451 instead of .452

RE: powerbelt bullets for TC encore
 

thanks again for the input. very helpful.

RE: powerbelt bullets for TC encore
 

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All of this still depends on if you can find a sabot that will load with a acceptableamount of pressure on a clean and a fouled barrel.