Another powerbelt question
 

Probably been askd here many times, but I am just starting up in the "new" world of ml. I am going to try the powerbelts. For those of you with experience (or random knowledge) are their many benefits to the copper clad over the all lead power belts, if MOST opportunities will be at deer under 100 yards?

RE: Another powerbelt question
 

Lots of Powerbelt lead fragmentation in deer. Makes a huge mess alot of times. The Powerbelts with the least amount of complaints are the copper hollow-points. Least amount of grain size/accuracy problems come with the 348s in 50-cal.

RE: Another powerbelt question
 

maineac,

I have not shot a lot of PowerBelts so I am not an expert, but as to your question the copper clad power belts may have a a slight advantage over the pure lead in a couple of areas. In actuallity the copper is so thin it probably adds nothing to expansion or the control of expansion - it may however, benifit the flight of the bullet providing a smoother surface cutting through the air than straight lead. It may also reduce some lead fouling in the barrel, depending on how hard you are pushing the PB out. The heavier the charge the more you will drive the bullet up against the walls of the barrel and then out the barrel.

PowerBelts are expensive but they may be the easiest way to get started, but with a little experiance I am sure you will change your projectile - unless there are state requirements that lock you in somewhat.

Just my 2 cents

RE: Another powerbelt question
 

No state requirements. I am looking for simple, start up, cleaning etc. Muzzleloader here (unless I forgoe cartridge) is an addition of two Sats. I look at it as an opportunity to fill my one tag if I haven't in Bow and rifle. By the way thanks for the input so far.

RE: Another powerbelt question
 

Why change the projectile if they work and they are what you like? I have been shooting 295-grain PB Aerotips since they first came out. They are accurate, load easily and hit with authority. Why should I change? Because they cost a few more dollars than some plastic-sabotted pistol bullet that needs hammering down the bore to seat on the powder charge?

I'd love to know why PB's get slammed all the time. I have found them to be superior to sabotted bullets in all respects save price. They might not shoot well out of your M/L, but you have to try several different bullets to see what works and what doesn't. If they work, they are a great bullet going down the bore, coming out the barrel and when they hit what you're aiming at!

Brian

RE: Another powerbelt question
 

BDHUNTR ,

My reference to cost goes along with the fact that most people that get into shooting ML's will do more than just hunt with them. I my self probably shoot 1000 rounds a year from my ml's and shooting PB's would not get it - to expensive.

It is all in the eyes of the shooter - I certainly would disagree with your evaluations of sabots and the projectiles that you might use with them vs powerbelts. My hunting partner is forced to use PB's because his barrel is so tight he is unable to get sabots down. I have seen from his experiances a lot of mixed results with PB, from blowing up to no expansion at all and of course a very successful hunt and shoot also.

I would also comment that if you are pounding your sabot and bullet down you are probably using the wrong sabot for the barrel that you have. There are many different thicknesses out there you just need to find the one that works for you.

RE: Another powerbelt question
 

I'm personally not a big fan of Powerbelts as I've had difficulty in getting them to group consistant in several different rifle and load combinations.

That said, there are scads of folks that are shooting them with good results. The general consensus is to stick with the heavier powerbelts. in .50 cal 295gr, 348 and so on.

The lead or copper powerbelts will equally work just fine and you should not see copper or lead fouling before 50-100 shots depending on your charge. When fouling does occur, then a brass brush and some good solvent and your back in business.

A powerbelt is also considered a conical.

A good conical is really effective out to 150yards with the right charge combination.

Back before powerbelts and sabots. All I used were large conicals or patch and roundball for bigger game. Killed several dozen deer with them.

If cost is an issue and/or you like to shoot more often, then consider a pre-lubed Conical on top of a lubed felt wad.
They are also easy to load.
A decent conical will really lay the lumber on larger game. I also use them for small game with lower charges.

No Excuses Conical Bullets (50/$20)
Hornady Great Plains Conical Bullet (20/under $10)
Ox-Yoke Wonderwad Felts (50/$5-7)

Good luck!

RE: Another powerbelt question
 

Thanks again. Plenty to think about.

RE: Another powerbelt question
 

I've killed several elk with 348gr PBs. They have always performed well for me. I'll use them until they stop manufacturing them.

RE: Another powerbelt question
 

Iuse the 295 gr. HP Copper Clad for deer and bear , Trip. 777 , 100gr. powder. Works for me .

RE: Another powerbelt question
 

Powerbelts are a good choice for a lot of us; and for some of us they
are a bad choice. It's the nature of the beast; human beast that is.
As for ease of loading, for most ML's, they work great. Some folks
say the gas seal will blowout with magnum powder charges. As for
me they work great. I shoot a 45cal and a 50cal.. the 50 will shoot
PB's ok but I have a lot of fliers. But the 45cal shoots powerbelts
with astounding accuracy. My load combo. is 2-50gr. 777 pellets
195gr. aero-tip powerbelt and remington 209 primer. Good luck hope you will enjoy your ML.

RE: Another powerbelt question
 

I tried some 245 grain Aero Tip Power Belts the other day out of the CVA Staghorn Magnum. I was shooting 90 grains of Goex 2f, and a Winchester W209 primer. I had never tried this size out of this rifle. The rifle has a RED DOT on it and the only range that was not snowed in was the 30 yard station.

Needless to say, I shot three rounds and had a perfect clover leaf all shots touching in the 10 circle. I decided I would not waste anymore of them with that kind of accuracy.

I figure with that kind of powder charge and that projectile this would make a nice hunting load....

RE: Another powerbelt question
 

I've been shooting the 295 gr. hollow point Powerbelts for 3 years now and have nothing but good things to say about them. 2" groups at 100 yards and a nasty blood trail (never really needed) in the woods. I always use 100 gr of powder, 150 just beat me up too much. If they work in your rig,:D use 'em!

RE: Another powerbelt question
 

maineac,

Power belts have done the job for me.

.

This is a 295 grain .50 cal powerbelt copper clad Hollow point I recovered from a buck I shot last Muzzleloader season. It was around a 90 yard shot from a steady rest. I was using a Lyman's Great Plains Hunter and 90 grians of Pyrodex RS. The animal was quartering away slightly. I found this bullet lodged behind the far shoulder. The buck ran about 45 yards before he expired, The blood trail was a little spotty for the first 20 yards but was impressive for that last 25. I will agree that the Powerbelts do fragment, I don't think that is necessarily a bad thing. The Powerbelts are fairly good shooters out of my gun, I Almost get my shots touching at 50 yards. Hey It was my first Muzzleloader kill. I was very Happy.

Jerry

RE: Another powerbelt question
 

The bullet looks like it did exactly what it was supposed to do. Congratulations on the buck and making a nice shot to boot. I bet you will be hunting with powerbelts again in the future....

RE: Another powerbelt question
 

After those picts from Turkey Addict, I now am very sure I will never use powerbelts again. With XTPs, I get wonderful little mushrooms that don't mushroom too much. With Barnes, same but 100% wieght retention and almost always a passthru.

Much better choices in my opinion.

RE: Another powerbelt question
 

BC,

I really try not to add to controversy to dicussions, but the pictures of PB's that TA posted show me exactly what I thought I knew....

Where is the lead? What is suppose to carry this projectile through the body? What happens if you hit a major bone first? I really hate to say this I sure can see why some people are dis-appointed with the PB and also why T7 recommends copper jacketed PB's. If it wasn't for the copper there wouldn't be anything left.

I know they work for some but, I also know if you have an option their are better projectiles out there. Cayugad and Surveyor both convinced me if I was unable to use sabots - I would have to look very hard at "No Excuse" bullets. I ran the ballistics on them from projected velocities and for a heaviiiiii bullet the act ran out there fairly well.

RE: Another powerbelt question
 

Hey Big, I see what you mean, nothing left of that bullet. It is the same bullet/weight I shoot.....hum. I never got to see one of mine afterwards because they have all been pass-throughs. I guess I still will use them only because I'm a little more selective on my shots with a smokepole and I never have a shot over 100 yards where I hunt. They shoot well outta my gun but this post has me thinking now.......[:o]

RE: Another powerbelt question
 

Aw Allcamo, if they shot well for me, it would be one thing, but they are the only bullet that shot bad in my ML with 95gr of pyrodex, 100gr 777, and 2 pellets 777, and 150gr 777.

But they say they usually do in knights? Who knows. I am just mad I paid 15 dollars for poor results.

I am surprised however. I always heard they didn't expand well. But with that one, it expanded more than well. Before I try another powerbelt, I would try a buffalo ball heavy conical.