Has anyone tried the 444 gr. flat nose powerbelts? I'm envisioning a nice hog load with that bullet sitting on top of about 80 gr., or so,of triple 7.

I tested this bullet with two Pyrodex pellets a couple of years back. They shot pretty well and weren't too punishing on recoil. Tested them in wet phone books along with the 348 gr. Powerbelts. Good results. Front 1/3 of the bullet mushroomed nicely to about .80 caliber. The 348 gr. Powerbelt HP flattened like a pancake, and appeared to be on the verge of coming apart with the same charge. Some fellow hunters in this area have used this bullet on Elk and Bison with good results. Should be tough enough for the biggest hog that walks.

Nice for who? You? or the Hog? . I've not used them but I hear they work on elk. That load will definitely do it well. Glad I'm not a hog.

Happy Hunting, Phil

Good for me, bad for the hog. I'm wanting a short range load, sub 75 yards, that'll just punch a big hole in one side and out the other. I currently use the 348 gr. hollow point on deer size game, but those hog/boar mix we have on the cumberland plateau can get pretty good size and they have that cartilage shield. I'm not sure those hollow point pb's would make it out the off side after a solid hit on that shield. I like having blood trails.

Bad for the hog indeed. Did you say a "nice hog" load? Or was it a "nice load" for a "bad hog"? Anyway, may the blood trails be bloody and short!

Happy Hunting, Phil

I know of a couple guys in Colorado who used these on elk, and were very impressed with the results!