Did a little research after the responsesto my 100 yard accuracy thread and one of the articles was by Randy Wakeman and he didn't have much nice to say aboout PowerBelts. I seem to remember reading some opinions about him here a while back. What do ya'll think of him and PowerBelts in general?

www.chuckhawks.com/powerbelt_bullets.htm

Plenty of opinions have been voiced. Do a quick search and you'll find alot of discussion over the topic. For me, I could never get them to group well out of my Encore, so I never used them for hunting.

ever get any conical to group well?


Powerbelts are a great bullet when used properly. Thats all ive used besides a couple diff. bullets here and there. RW will pretty much put anything down if its not on his payroll.

Randy who????

My own experance with them that at the loads and velocity that they will shoot accurate in my guns [I can get a 2 inch group at 100 with 150 gr RS] they blow up like a varmit bullet every time. Thats not to say that they will not work ok for somebody who can get them to shoot with 60 or 70 gr.
As far as any one who gets paid for advetising ,well lets just say there are a lot of people right here that will give you their honest opinion for nothing and have no axe to grind. Lee

I got 1.5 inch groups with 245gr areotips out of my CVA Wolfwith 100gr Pyrodex pellets 2 weeks ago at 50 yards, ( I know not too impressive yet) at least I plan on tuning a little more. This weekend I plan to try loose Pyrodex RS and move out to 100yds. I didn't shoot that far out last time because I had my father in law with who has been ill and the range was muddy.But if I can get the same results at 100 yds by tweeking things a little I'll be satisfied to use those Power Beltsthis fall deer hunting.

The first thing I want to point out is it is an opinion. Opinions can change from one person to the next. What works for one does not work for another. Powerbelts are a strange projectile. Some people will have excellent results with powerbelts while the next person claims bad wound channels, no blood trails, no penetration. Why does this happen to one and not the other? After reading all the posts I can on powerbelts and shooting hundreds of them (not at any animals unfortunately) I have decided it all boils down to shot placement, and a little luck.

I also tend to think that the degree Powerbelts are pushed might have an influence on the ability of them to do what they were designed to do, as well. Pick the style of powerbelt for what you want it to do. If you want penetration, then pick something in an Aero Tip. After all, if you shoot a hollow point into a deer, you really should not be upset if the projectile expands as it is supposed to, and does not pass through. Also try to match the weight of the the Powerbelt for what you want it to do. Heavy conicals should penetrate better.

If you wish to shoot powerbelts, try some. If they are accurate, hunt with them. If you hunt with them be sure and put them in the right place. Decide for yourself, and share you experiences with others.

I have to agree with Randy on this one (about powerbelts)
I have seen powerbelts kill nice size elk (348 grain AT)
and in some guns that is the only conical that shoots to somewhat accuracy, In my Omega that is definetly the case. Use the heavier ones
and you will do fine. The skirt doesn't do a thing ,it can't as it spins on the bullet. I found they work best with a thin wad.
Redclub

Do a google search for "Powerbelt Fragments" and see what you come up with. Bigger is better and slower is better if you intend to use the bullet for terminal performance, of course that assumes excellent shot placement and no bone hits.

Chap Gleason

I personally love Powerbelts i have never had a problem with them. They shoot great out of my CVA Hunterbolt 50 cal i would not use any other kind of bullet.