@@-Bullet Found- @@- Don't OverDrive PowerBelts-Pics
12-11-2006 | 07:31 PM
#31
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: mississippi by way of Florida
RE: Don't OverDrive PowerBelts-Pics
There are several good bullet/sabot combos out there, and there may be one better than shockwaves. But, I have killed 1 deer,5 bucks and5 does, in the past three years with the 250 grain shockwave pushed by 110 grains of 777. I tried 125 grains of 777 and my accuracy went bad, so I went back to 110. The latest one was sunday afternoon. A big ole Nannygoat at 175 yards, my furthest yet. The second furthest was a 7 point buck. While I am not disputing reports of no expansion, The deer I have shot with these bullets have been from around 40 to 175 and the damage I am seeing is perfect. I recovered three bullets so far (on quartering shots) and despite bones and running almost the length of deer, the bullets had a great shape and retained great percentages of metal.
Last Thursday, one of our more seasoned hunters shot a doe with a PB from about 40 yards. I was slightly quartering away and he hit it just a bit back behind the lungs and into the liver. We looked and looked for blood and sign of where she went. Nothing. Looked for several hours on Friday as well. Nothing. Found her sunday about 400 yards away, bloated and nasty. The PB went in, blew up and didn't make it out the other side. Liver and stuff filled the entrance wound so no blood made it out. If he had used 75 grains of Pyrodex instead of 125, I don't think he would have lost the deer. More is not always better.
My kids are using 75 grains of 777 under a 250 grain XTP. Of the four deer they have shot, every one a passthrough with good blood and either dead in the immediate area or close by. These huge magnum loads really are not needed unless you intend, or are capable, to shoot 150 yards or greater. Many of the bullets just were not designed for this type of velocity and energy.
Hank
Last Thursday, one of our more seasoned hunters shot a doe with a PB from about 40 yards. I was slightly quartering away and he hit it just a bit back behind the lungs and into the liver. We looked and looked for blood and sign of where she went. Nothing. Looked for several hours on Friday as well. Nothing. Found her sunday about 400 yards away, bloated and nasty. The PB went in, blew up and didn't make it out the other side. Liver and stuff filled the entrance wound so no blood made it out. If he had used 75 grains of Pyrodex instead of 125, I don't think he would have lost the deer. More is not always better.
My kids are using 75 grains of 777 under a 250 grain XTP. Of the four deer they have shot, every one a passthrough with good blood and either dead in the immediate area or close by. These huge magnum loads really are not needed unless you intend, or are capable, to shoot 150 yards or greater. Many of the bullets just were not designed for this type of velocity and energy.
Hank
12-11-2006 | 09:21 PM
#32
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,585
Likes: 0
RE: Don't OverDrive PowerBelts-Pics
All these bullets have a velocity range they work best in,a lot of them are easy to determine some are not the PB's have been around for a long time and the people that shoot them at 1400 or there about seem to do okthe Shock Waves seem to be designed to work at inline speeds on the higher end say 2000 or there about and the XTP and Speer Gold Dot are in between. At least that the conclusion I have come to over the years. Lee
12-12-2006 | 01:05 AM
#34
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Don't OverDrive PowerBelts-Pics
Very interesting thread! I have had the priveledge to shoot 2 deer in the past two years useing245 gr. powerbelt's. Both deer were small, first year deer. Hit them both behind the shoulder, and in the heart. (luckely) There was no heavey bone to stop the bullet other than the ribs on the oppisite side. Few fragments made it that far!
I got no exit wound at all on either deer!
But they dide'nt go far either!
I would hate to hit a bigger deer with a questionable shot, where theere was no passthrough and bloodtrail. Especially from a tree stand shooting down.
I got no exit wound at all on either deer!
But they dide'nt go far either!
I would hate to hit a bigger deer with a questionable shot, where theere was no passthrough and bloodtrail. Especially from a tree stand shooting down.
12-12-2006 | 06:00 AM
#35
Spike
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
RE: Don't OverDrive PowerBelts-Pics
I have hunt with inlines for many years and used many guns and many bullets. I started out not so wise - thinking wow this $99 CVA from wallmart has a long 26" barrel, will hold 150 gr of powder and I should get riffle like performance using a light bullet. With this mindset I proceeded to use 185gr XTPs and 3 pellets of pyrodex. Took 2 deer that year, both at about 40-50 yards, dropped a doe and had the buck run 80-100 yards but didnt have to track since I could see it. I recovered the bullet out of the doe, mushroomed nice but practically inside out. After I talked to some pros that year I decided I wasnt doing things right and that XTPs werent that good of a choice. For someone used to shooting patch & balls or maxi's maybe the XTPs seem to perform well but most the pros will tell you a bullet specifically designed for modern inlines will outperform something like and XTP which really wasnt designed with muzzleloading in mind at all. Although as said I have used XTPs without problem as well as several of my huntin buddies use them since they are cheap. But the ballistics cant compare to something like the dead center sabot especially if your into long range shootin. Unfortunetly I have only 1 deer taken with the dead centers and I had a loose scope ring and broke its back. I dont know much about the powerbelts, first year I have used em. I tried them since the #1 blackpowder shooter in NY state (friend of my dads) recomended them. I'll probably do some more experimenting next summer since I want more velocity and flatter shooting, since the PBs seem to be better matched to lighter charges and slower velocity.
As far as bullets exploading, I dont really think anything you can shoot out of a front end loader can compare to how a 22-250 exploads, but I knowa fewpeople who wont shoot at a deer with anything else. Heck, even my .270 has the nickname 'the meat grinder'. LOL
As far as bullets exploading, I dont really think anything you can shoot out of a front end loader can compare to how a 22-250 exploads, but I knowa fewpeople who wont shoot at a deer with anything else. Heck, even my .270 has the nickname 'the meat grinder'. LOL
12-12-2006 | 06:29 AM
#36
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,925
Likes: 0
RE: Don't OverDrive PowerBelts-Pics
ORIGINAL: ahankster
Pglasgow, I agree since an XTP is basically the same exact bullet in 90% of it's construction as a Shockwave. Very little difference, other thana bit of a tighter hollow point and a plastic tip.
Maybe his sabots were staying with the bullet and impacting the paper?
Have to say I don't understand this as it has a very thick copper jacket. Maybe a bad batch of bullets.
Hank
Pglasgow, I agree since an XTP is basically the same exact bullet in 90% of it's construction as a Shockwave. Very little difference, other thana bit of a tighter hollow point and a plastic tip.
Maybe his sabots were staying with the bullet and impacting the paper?
Have to say I don't understand this as it has a very thick copper jacket. Maybe a bad batch of bullets.
Hank
The bullets I recovered from the deer while missing the copper otherwise seemed to do exactly what they were supposed to, the mushroomed great, caused massive damage, and I never had a deer go more then maybe 30 yrds after the shot.The bullets would almost go through, usually lodging just under the skin on the far side.Bloodtrails were very poor.
After posting yesterday I was thinking, the bullets could have actually come from the same lot, while they were boughtin different years the store I get the at doesnt sell a lot of blackpowder goods and they could have very well been leftover from the previous year and just restocked.Maybe all it boiled down to was a bad bunch of bullets after all.Suppose I could buy another box and try them again but somehow the idea they could seperate in the barrel makes me think now shooting them may not have been the safest things to do with that gun.Must be getting older
12-12-2006 | 12:25 PM
#38
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,470
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From:
RE: Don't OverDrive PowerBelts-Pics
ORIGINAL: ahankster
My kids are using 75 grains of 777 under a 250 grain XTP. Of the four deer they have shot, every one a passthrough with good blood and either dead in the immediate area or close by. These huge magnum loads really are not needed unless you intend, or are capable, to shoot 150 yards or greater. Many of the bullets just were not designed for this type of velocity and energy.
Hank
My kids are using 75 grains of 777 under a 250 grain XTP. Of the four deer they have shot, every one a passthrough with good blood and either dead in the immediate area or close by. These huge magnum loads really are not needed unless you intend, or are capable, to shoot 150 yards or greater. Many of the bullets just were not designed for this type of velocity and energy.
Hank
I have to admit, nothing I've read here has given me more pleasure than your recollections of hunting with your sons. I agree with you 100% about your assessment of 75 grains 777 and the 250 xtp. What a great load for anyone inside 120 yards, but perfect for a young man (or woman)just being introduced to the sport of muzzleloading. No better velocity can be achieved for a 250 grain bullet for as little recoil as the 777 will deliver. Where sabots can be used. I think it's close to perfect.
12-12-2006 | 05:58 PM
#39
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,195
Likes: 0
From: PA.
RE: Don't OverDrive PowerBelts-Pics
ORIGINAL: ol eagle eyes
I have hunt with inlines for many years and used many guns and many bullets. I started out not so wise - thinking wow this $99 CVA from wallmart has a long 26" barrel, will hold 150 gr of powder and I should get riffle like performance using a light bullet. With this mindset I proceeded to use 185gr XTPs and 3 pellets of pyrodex. Took 2 deer that year, both at about 40-50 yards, dropped a doe and had the buck run 80-100 yards but didnt have to track since I could see it. I recovered the bullet out of the doe, mushroomed nice but practically inside out. After I talked to some pros that year I decided I wasnt doing things right and that XTPs werent that good of a choice. For someone used to shooting patch & balls or maxi's maybe the XTPs seem to perform well but most the pros will tell you a bullet specifically designed for modern inlines will outperform something like and XTP which really wasnt designed with muzzleloading in mind at all. Although as said I have used XTPs without problem as well as several of my huntin buddies use them since they are cheap. But the ballistics cant compare to something like the dead center sabot especially if your into long range shootin. Unfortunetly I have only 1 deer taken with the dead centers and I had a loose scope ring and broke its back. I dont know much about the powerbelts, first year I have used em. I tried them since the #1 blackpowder shooter in NY state (friend of my dads) recomended them. I'll probably do some more experimenting next summer since I want more velocity and flatter shooting, since the PBs seem to be better matched to lighter charges and slower velocity.
As far as bullets exploading, I dont really think anything you can shoot out of a front end loader can compare to how a 22-250 exploads, but I knowa fewpeople who wont shoot at a deer with anything else. Heck, even my .270 has the nickname 'the meat grinder'. LOL
I have hunt with inlines for many years and used many guns and many bullets. I started out not so wise - thinking wow this $99 CVA from wallmart has a long 26" barrel, will hold 150 gr of powder and I should get riffle like performance using a light bullet. With this mindset I proceeded to use 185gr XTPs and 3 pellets of pyrodex. Took 2 deer that year, both at about 40-50 yards, dropped a doe and had the buck run 80-100 yards but didnt have to track since I could see it. I recovered the bullet out of the doe, mushroomed nice but practically inside out. After I talked to some pros that year I decided I wasnt doing things right and that XTPs werent that good of a choice. For someone used to shooting patch & balls or maxi's maybe the XTPs seem to perform well but most the pros will tell you a bullet specifically designed for modern inlines will outperform something like and XTP which really wasnt designed with muzzleloading in mind at all. Although as said I have used XTPs without problem as well as several of my huntin buddies use them since they are cheap. But the ballistics cant compare to something like the dead center sabot especially if your into long range shootin. Unfortunetly I have only 1 deer taken with the dead centers and I had a loose scope ring and broke its back. I dont know much about the powerbelts, first year I have used em. I tried them since the #1 blackpowder shooter in NY state (friend of my dads) recomended them. I'll probably do some more experimenting next summer since I want more velocity and flatter shooting, since the PBs seem to be better matched to lighter charges and slower velocity.
As far as bullets exploading, I dont really think anything you can shoot out of a front end loader can compare to how a 22-250 exploads, but I knowa fewpeople who wont shoot at a deer with anything else. Heck, even my .270 has the nickname 'the meat grinder'. LOL
experts all rec 100 gr soft point for deer..well, i shot a few deer with the 100 gr..behind shoulder..most ran after shot..the bullet came out the other side ,on most..
i then went back to 87 gr pushed at 3000 ft in 250 sav, guess what..every deer i shot behind shoulder went RIGHT DOWN.. could 13 grs of bullet make that much of difference?
you bet it does!! exploding bullet is not bad thing if shot behind shoulder..no running shots, noquartering shots or front with light bullets..same with powerbelt pushed fast and a light one..295 grs and under..
i would not take a shot unless it was neck/shoulder area side..
this is why if i was hunting and shooting at deer from all angleswith muzz, i would NOT use a powerbelt..i would use nothing but the MAXI-BALL ..
i am not that type of hunter, i have to have neck or deer sideways behind shoulder or my bucks walk..
so, powerbelt 295 or 338 is better for deer,is great thing for my flintlock..
12-14-2006 | 12:01 AM
#40
Thread Starter
Typical Buck
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 601
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska
RE: Don't OverDrive PowerBelts-Pics
Well here is part 2.
Shot a 10point small basket buck and another doe last saturday. This time I used 70 grains of Shockey's Gold and the 270grain PB.
Boom Flop at 40 yards!
Hit him high, just behind shoulder. Smaller entry hole, andNO pass thru
Bullet dissintigrated.
See Pics: (Garage is messy[&:])
This makes 5 deer down, 3 with PB's, 1 with .243, and 1 with 200grain ShockWave--Neck shot at 90 yards, during regular rifle season-highpower scope
Shot a 10point small basket buck and another doe last saturday. This time I used 70 grains of Shockey's Gold and the 270grain PB.
Boom Flop at 40 yards!
Hit him high, just behind shoulder. Smaller entry hole, andNO pass thruBullet dissintigrated. See Pics: (Garage is messy[&:])
This makes 5 deer down, 3 with PB's, 1 with .243, and 1 with 200grain ShockWave--Neck shot at 90 yards, during regular rifle season-highpower scope