With 3 people shooting and expensive as PB's are, that would be my last choice!

I think I will try the Barnes that I have and some of the CR 50/40 sabots too. What bullet should I get with those sabots? I don't think I will change my son's set up yet. The 223 grain Powerbelts are working pretty good in his Wolf.


This is a great forum and I thank all of you for your input.

barnes are much cheaper.

My main worry, if you guys are shooting light loads, and using a barnes, i'd be worried about them opening up.

Soft lead = easy expansion.

I am shooting 100 grains of Pyrodex Select FFG, my wife will have around 70-75 grains, and the boy will be shooting 50 grains. I am leaving the Powerbelts in his for now, and will try them in my wife's Accura too. Do you think that will work out alright?

Michael396

Golly! I really really hate it when I have to say something like this...

MD is probably right in this statement. The Power Belt really is nothing more than a bullet shaped patched round ball and shooting that low velocity load - they should work better than a pistol bullet desinged to be shot faster - then add that to the easy loading for your son - Reluctantly I agree with MD.

For youself... I would change from the SW to a 40 cal 180/200 grain bullet. Either the Barnes 195, Lehigh 200, or even the Speer Deep Curl 40/180 grain.

just an opinion....

Where can I get those bullets? I don't have a gun shop around here, just a sporting goods store and they don't stock just the bullets.

online stores like midway, cabela's, gander mtn, ect ect ect. under the reloading section. pistol sections.

Sorry i still can't lol. i would shoot a XTP before PB's,same soft lead, "cheaper" and you can tailor a sabot to fit properly if need be! i don't know how well the boy can shoot but 6-7 " groups may well be the PB! just a observation!

Michael396

I need to amend this list...

I would take the Barnes and the Lehigh off the list - they both need velocity.

So I am back to the Speer 40/180 Deep Curl and adding the Hornady 40/200 grain XTP - probably using the Harvester 5040 CR sabot - Blue Crush rib

Both of these bullets will open very well at lower velocities... the bif difference the Deep Curl is bonded the Hornady is not - but it is still a very good bullet.

Both of these reduce recoil significantly and possibly to the point you might even boost your powder load.... + you get a 100 bullets per box at a really decent price.

What is your current powder load - for yourself?

Yes, I know where you are coming from... but for a 7 year old to be able to load by himself - the Power Belt remains the viable option. Any proper fitting sabot is going to be more difficult than a Power Belt.

KISS - might apply here, he will grow and change in good time...