A lot of folks have had that same experience. Chap Gleason

A lot of other people must not have had those problems,theyare still the#1 selling bullet.

Greetings FG,
Yes,I am aware of their market share and the number of bullets they sell.However, how long does it take toestablish product reputation? The scripturessay that a good reputation is better than silver and gold, so it is important. I think the reputation of the PB is somewhat tarnished (note I didn't saywrecked, product recallor evil or anything like that, just tarnished---not perfectly clean)nowgiven it's fragamention issues--documented on the Webby some major ML writers--Toby Bridges and Randy Wakeman. The number 1 question on bullet performance that Randay Wakeman and Toby Bridges gets is whya PBfragmented. Further many other huntershave reported problems on the Web, and no longer shoot the bullet, just do a google search for "Powerbelt fragments" or Powerbelt Bullet Performance and read the threads and posts. I know this is counter to yourown experience. IfCVA put a productlabel on the package, like a pack of cigarettes (that was a forced situation I know), something like

shoot them less than 1200 fps or
don't shoot 3 pellets with them or
use heavy (>=348g)PB bullets for whitetails

That would be a good thing. All this I learned on thisforum (thank you forum members)or the web. I had no idea that 1200 fps was the magic number for a PB, nor was I aware that the heavier PB performed better, nor was I aware that if you overpowered the charge they would explode on impact especially at close range. I really wish I had known that. I didn't. If they are used properly they are an excellent bullet, I have no doubt about that. You know how to use them, I have no doubt about that either, your a life member of this forum, so you got some experience and knowledge. I had >>no<< guidance on proper use of PB. I do now, but I have found better bullets thru my own testing and experimentation andthru following threads on this forum and reading about bullet performance on the web and books (I collect articles on ML bullet performance in a folder--one of the best is by Richard Mann in Black Powder Shooting and Hunting about3 yeards go). Thanks for your comment on their market share.By the way FG, I just bought the book "Rifle Bullets for the Hunter, A Definitive Study" and have read the ML chaper twice. Bruce Towsley is the auther of the ML bullets section. I will try to summarize in a post the bottom line of this chapter, since it has a national expert speaking. Authors of the book are:
John Barsness, Craig Boddington, John Haviland, Richard Mann, Ron Spomer and Bryce Towsley. An interesting read.

Chap Gleason Va

The PowerBelt functional concept is OK. However, many people tend to shoot very light ones with heavy powder charges. This gives a high MV and a relkatively flat trajectory. But many who do so fail to realize that big, fat,light, high MV bullets shed velocity very fast, and consequently have less power on impact than a slower, heavier bullet would have had. Then they get disturbed at the lack of performance. Just keep in mind that black powder arms gain power by using massive-for-caliber bullets at moderate to slow velocities.

So me being new to ML, I will ask.Yoursaying Iwould be better off instead of usinga 245 grain Powerbelt areotip with 2 50gr Pyrodex pellets to switch to maybe a 295gr areotip and maybe less powder? Play around with the loose powder 80-95gr or so? Thanks

245 grain bullet + 150 grains powder + rib shot/lung = dead deer Times 2 in my book.

I just ordered some 225's for my .45 and heres what the chart recommends.

Loose powder, 175-195-225-275 powerbelt= 80-90 grains.
Pellets 175-195-225-275= 100 grain pellets.
.45 magnum 175 195 225 275- 150 grain pellets.

80-90 grains loose for all 50 cal powerbelts.
80-100 for pellets
110-150 for magnum loads with pellets.

sjsfire

This is just my opinion and I am certainly not an authority, but if you don have to shoot power belts - don't. There are far better bullets out than than a PB, both more expensive ones and ones far less expensive. If you are in state that does not allow sabots and regular jacket bullets, then I might consider a PB, but even then if you are gong to shoot a full bullet there are some awful good conicals out there thatwill out perform a PB.

The major reason people shoot PB's in an ML is because they load easy. That is just not a valid reason anymore to shoot them. They are also a great way to begin shooting - expensive but easy to learn with - same for pellets.... but I would suggest to you as soon as you can make the jump away from pellets and PB's you will open a whole new world in shooting a ML...

Good luck on what ever you do - just have fun....

From my own experience, 385 GP conical is a great deer projectile when used with 80 grains Goex or RS. Awesome expansion and pass through penetration on double lung every time. Good combination.

Just like Eldequello said, bigger is best for downrange delivery of power, slower to moderate velocity is better.

I've not hunted with PB's yet. But functionally they are a full bore all lead conical (copper plating is not a jacket) with a generous hollowpoint, indeed quite similar to the 385 GP's I like to use, though PB's are superior in ballistic efficiency. Just like the GP's, they will expand well at low velocity, and if they are heavy, drive right through a deer without worry. If you are going to use them, you may try the 405's with 80 grains if its accurate in your rifle. IMHO, any light weight jacketed bullet which shares the same impact energy of that load, will underperform it, wasting more energy on entrance and causing inferior trauma, and exiting with less energy being imparted to wounding.

The key to getting the most out ofunjacketed hollowpointbullets is exploiting their strengths and avoiding their weaknesses.

I have used the .50 cal, 223gr aerotips with great success with 100gr & 150gr load of 777 pellets. I have never had the fragmentation issues other people have experienced. However, I have never tried to use the hollowpoint version of Powerbelts. With the areotip, all my shots have been passthroughs between 50 & 125 yards. Are most of the fragmentation issues occurring with the hollowpoint? Has anyone experienced fragmentation with the aerotip?

My brother has with a 295G Aerotip Platinum. Shoulder hit at 60 yards. Bullet blew meat, hair and bullet fragments on the ground. My brother mailed all his PBs to CVA and said make a better bullet. He now shoots Harvester Sabertooth.
Chap Gleason