what are y'all using/recommending? I take it Powerbelts are legal even though they have a plastic gas ring...

That would depend on what your rifle likes to shoot. Which ever conical is most accurate would be the one I was using. Some to try besides powerbelts; Bull Shop conicals in 460 grain or 500 grain. Have him make them to match your rifle. No Excuses Conical in .503 diameter in 460 grain or 495 grain. Great Plains Conicals. Maxiball. Hydrocon Conicals. One of them should shoot well out of your rifle, but it is a matter of trial and error...

Thanks cayugad! Ok I wasn't being specific enough using a T/C Encore and a CVA Wolf.

I know there have been issues with Powerbelts and deer. What are people seeing with them as far as penetration and blood trails on elk?

I've never hunted elk with a muzzleloader.. As for deer there are mixed feelings. I think in a lot of cases on deer, they push the powerbelt too hard. If I had to hunt elk with a powerbelt, it would be the biggest one my rifle would shoot, and the hardest one they make. I would go for penetration...


I wonder if the Encore would shoot Bull Shop Conicals.. I've never played with one of them. Good luck.

Thanks again. We are exploring our options in CO and we have talked about M/L hunting.

blackheel

The PowerBelt is probably the most common bullet used in Colorado for the purpose of their muzzleloading hunts. But, if it were up to me I would prefer to use and all lead conical sized to fit your bore.

In Idaho here where I am at our rules changed last year a bunch and have re-changed again this year. But, with the rules passed last year I needed to change to an all lead conical also, PowerBelts are not legal here. So with what I think was a good deal od research I made the switch to either Bull Shop or No Excuse 460 grain conicals. When I first read the weight I really thought why would you use or needthat much weight??? But I did get some and started shooting them - they are deadly accurate and carry a ton of energy. With bullet placement they will down an Elk without a problem, probably will plant it on the spot with the correct placement. Another plus that I like is the ones from Bullshop you can get sized to your bore so it loads just like a sabot... push it down with thumb pressure and home with the ram-rod.

The NEGATIVE since your Encore has a QLA on the end of the barrel it may or may not shoot conicals accurately. There was a time period there that TC was not getting the QLA centered on the barrel. Some people have know problem with the QLA others do. The WOLF that will not be a problem.

I load 90 grains of T7-3f - a .125x.510 shot card - a .503/460 grain Bull Shop in a my GM LRH barrels and shoot that. There are some issues with PowerBelts - that do not exist with these heavier conicals.

Here is a pic of some of Bull Shops offerings.... the 460MT Nex would be my reccomendation.

I've been thinking about trying some conicals, as I've heard they shoot well out of the KRB7. What do you do different with them vs. a saboted bullet? I believe you have to use a lube of some sort, right? Do you have to use any sort of wad or card? Sorry if this isa dumb question.

All joking aside if you want a super Conical shooter get your self a Knight KRB7 or a WHITE
and some Bullshop 460gr NEX @ 100yds to 150yds you won't get any better Accueracy than these Combos.

SuperKirby

I certainly am not an expert on shooting conicals, I have been forced by the state of Idaho to do so during ML season. There are some real experts on here that can probably provide you with a much better picture, Cayugad, Underclocked, abd others.

I have chose to shoot primarily Bull Shop conicals because he will size then to your bore and there fore it is not much different than loading a sabot... Really then they become just like loading and shooting sabots. If you buy a conical off the shelf in the store it will most often come tapered - smaller diameter at the bottom getting larger as you go up the projectile. Most often these projectiles are going to require a short stater to get them started down the barrel. Often the store bought conical will already be lubed - but sometimes not.

The conical I shoot is a 460 grain pure lead conical that comes lubed and sized from Bull Shop for my particular bore. No Excuse conicals are also very good but he does not size to individual bores, his are .503 which is probably the most common size and they are lubed...

I choose to place a .125" thick x.510" diameter shot card under the bullet and isolate the bullet from the powder. I choose to do this for a couple of reasons... I shoot 90 grains of T7-3f and the heat that T7 generates could possible melt the bottom of the bullet so the card acts as an insulator. Another reason I believe the card also protects the powder from contamination bythe bullet lube especially on warm days - probably not a real concern, but I might leave a bullet in the barrel for weeks at a time and the gun is in and out of the house. A third thought is as you push the shot card and conical down the shot card does also wipe the bore a bit on the way down.

I used to hear about these bullets, but don't hear much any more. Anyone shooting them?

http://www.prbullet.com/ul50.htm