The last thing a hunter needs in their mind is doubt in their bullet when they pull the trigger. I don't care if it's the scientifically validated best bullet in the world, if an individual hunter has lost trust in the bullet they need to change.

There are just too many good bullets out there to think you HAVE to use a certain one.

240gr XTP, Precision Rifle Keith Nose (for under 150yds), Nosler, Gold Dot, 200gr Shockwave, Barnes....I could go on but I made my point. Any of them will work fine and though it's debated here ad nauseum my personal belief is that all of these bullets will get the job done about the same if you do your part. I think we fall for the marketing hype that pretends there is a difference when in reality, not so much.

Perhaps after this season I'll add the Leigh or FTX or both to that list, I'm waiting on more reports/experiences with both. The first reports with the Leigh seem to indicate it's as good as any.

Power Junk!!!! Try the hornady FPB bullet,my Ml shoots them great,and I shot a doe with them at 60yds,great blood trail and complete pass thru.

Wise words - confidence is IMPORTANT!!!! He wants to try something else - telling him to just forget it and keep trying is not help.

My experiance as well.

kclcpa ,
Bullets are like Muzzleloaders. Guy's think since they own it it's the best. The PowerBelts have routinely lost Deer because of lack of a blood trail or any blood. I had the exact same experience as you and switched to DeadCenter bullets. I will mention i did find the Deer but needed alot of help.

My suggestion for you would be go buy some 250grn XTP'S and some MMP short black sabots. Shoot the ML in and go enjoy hunting. You will have blood and you'll find your animal. You will also save money while doing that.

Never personally had good results with Powerbelts, and have two friends who would have them keyhole down range on the paper. One even swapped over his .50 cal to the .45 barrel that it came with and had some **** poor grouping. You need to find a bullet that works for you and your gun.

Shockwaves are all I shoot out of my .50 Hawkens, .50 CVA, and .45 CVA. Would shoot them out of my 1851 Navy .44 BP pistol if they made them. They just work perfect for me.

poor shots are not made up for by a different bullet. Now ive just started shooting Thors, dont make me go back to shooting powerbelts just to teach you all a lesson

the productive ones

i've made the switch to 240gr xtp's

good luck to you all

250 gr Gold Dot first choice 250 gr Shock Wave second choice and long long range[200yd choice] There are other good choices like the XTP and FPB but to be honest if there are 20 good choices I would put PB' about 21.

If half of the people like Powerbelt and half dont - whats the point of using them. I have made a few post about my experiances with PBs and most were poor ones.

I have not really heard of anyone shooting nosler partitions and having no blood trail. I liked shockwaves and now have switched to noslers and they expand well and exit consistently.

TC shockwaves and nozler partition will shoot well, most likely, out of your gun. You should give them a try.

Never really got to shoot a Powerbelt. Before i got serious about returning to muzzleloader hunting, a friend asked me to to hunting with him. He loaned am a nice loaded Knight rifle and some quick loaders.

While walking along a trail i looked down in time to see the PowerBelt fall out the muzzle of the borrowed Knight rifle. E-nuff for me.