Aero or HP powerbelts?
 

I have my tag for hunting elk in Colorado next fall, and now I am trying to decide whether to use aerotip or hollowpoint powerbelts. I am definately using powerbelts because of ease of loading and I have found a very accurate load. However, I am undecided about which tip to use. Back when the only came as a flat nose, I shot an elk through the chest and the exit hole was no bigger than the entreance. Now he didn't go 5 yards, but I like a bullet to mushroom a little more than that.

Personal experiences with both tips? I suspect the aero will mushroom more than a flat point, but don't know by how much. I know that the hollow point will mushroom, but will it mushroom too much?

Any personal stories about performance with shots through the chest would be appreciated. Chest shots are the only ones I will take.

thanks

RE: Aero or HP powerbelts?
 

On tough skin elk, I'd only recommend the 405 hollow point as "last resort using HPs".. with poly-tips being my first choice. If recoil's a problem & the 348 is the max grain you're comfortable with, then the 348 aero-tip has taken many elk on bigger game forum homes I've read. If shootin' sabot/bullets instead, I'd opt for any +325 grain poly-tip over a hollow point with elk. Also, powerful 777 powder would be my choice for better chance at an instant harvest.

RE: Aero or HP powerbelts?
 

What are the current bullet restrictions for muzzle loaders in Colorado?
Have they changed from the 1998 law restricting the size of the bullet to not exceed two calibers in length?
I don't know many retailers who will allow you to open the packaging for measurement to confirm that the .54 caliber bullet is 1.080" or shorter or the .50 caliber bullet is 1.000" or shorter before they sell them to you.
Do the Powerbelts fit this criteria?

RE: Aero or HP powerbelts?
 

Does that HP really expand at muzzleloader velocities? If it does, I would pick another bullet, as I'd want as much penetration as I could get. I'd want to use the heaviest bullet that would shoot flat enough for the ranges I expect to shoot.

In my opinion, 350 is heavy enough. I'd load it up to where accuracy goes south, and go with the heaviest load that was acceptably accurate.

RE: Aero or HP powerbelts?
 

Mlaubner

I read a post stating the 405 Powerbelt does not exceed Colorado's limitations on ML bullets. Seen many residents buying them over the years at Cabelas.

Uncle Norby

The 405 copper HP Powerbelt does not expand like the leaded versions. Like I stated earlier, Aerotips are my first choice, but those massive copper hollows have exited elk-size game.

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RE: Aero or HP powerbelts?
 

If that's the case, and they fly flat enough for you, go with them. IMO penetration is where its at with muzzleloaders. You want an exit hole when that elk runs off.

RE: Aero or HP powerbelts?
 

Well I got bored and took a lighter to one of my aero tip .50 cal powerbelts. I melted the plastic out and it turns out it's the same bullet as the HP only with the plastic taking up the space.

RE: Aero or HP powerbelts?
 

Yes, powerbelts (348 and 405 gr) ar both legal in Colorado.

Jeremy: That is what I figured about the aerotips. don't know how this affects the penetration or mushrooming though.

RE: Aero or HP powerbelts?
 

I would use the aerotips myself.

Used the 348 model on a boar at close range and killed him on-the-spot dead. However, there was ZERO bullet expansion.

For elk, I'd definitely say use the 405gr Aero. I've shot those with 100gr of 2fg 777 out of my Knight and had good accuracy results. They will be my back-up load for my Buffalo hunt - whenever that occurs.

RE: Aero or HP powerbelts?
 

I took a 5x5 last fall using a 348 gr Aerotip with 110gr of 777. I hit him a bit high, but he side stepped twice and tipped like a ton of bricks. Either he slightly turned towards me when I shot, or he was on a very slight angle towards me, either way, the bullet entered on a slight angle and lodged against the hide on the opposite side and it was a near perfect mushroom, nearly twice it's original diameter.

Not sure if posting this pic will work, but if it does, this is what he looked like when I walked up to him :-)

RE: Aero or HP powerbelts?
 

Last month I killed a 120 lb hog (not a trophy but a good eater!) last month with an aerotip powerbelt. We found the round lodged in his opposite sholder and it almoast the size of a silverdollar. We also found the plastic tip which looked undamaged. That was my first hunt with the powerbelt and I was very impressed.

RE: Aero or HP powerbelts?
 

Thanks for sharing the photo whitetails. Looks like the bullet did its job well

RE: Aero or HP powerbelts?
 

Jeremy

You're right - it's the same bullet w/ just a plastic tip inserted. It actually pops out - you don't have to melt it.

I was at the range last year w/ my dad, I shot HP and he shoots the aero. I didn't realize I was low on bullets, I borrowed a few from him and just pulled the plastic tip out.

RE: Aero or HP powerbelts?
 

I actually like the aero tip PB. I shoot the 295 grain in my Traditions Flintlock and my in-line, both at Deer. The PB is very easy to load, I use my thumb and they shoot great. I shot 2 does with them last year, both only went a few feet after I shot them, bullet passed right through.

T

RE: Aero or HP powerbelts?
 

Txhunter58, This is the skinny on powerbelts. I've shot both the aero and hp, and I recommend the aero. The reason is that the hp is only good to approx. 100 yrds. The aero is good for close range , and beyond 100 yards. I have found that the bullet will penetrate the game in one side, and usually lodges inside the animal on the other. I have shot powerbelts exclusively with my muzzleloder, and all of the bullets have mushroomed perfectly. The aero tips are made for 100 yrds and beyond, they fly more stable. Well, good luck on your hunt, Turkeyhunter1......