+1 on the fact that most gun kills are realted to hydrostatic shock. Just think about all the hunting shows and the number of times you have seen deer "planted". Wound channels don't have enough time to work at that point. I would say that the the need for a good wound channel when gun hunting would be nice with a perfect broadside shoot that hits nothing but internals and muscle. That deer will die but will need some tracking IMO.

You have to shoot them into game for them to open up...I used them on a dozen or so deer and they are a very good bullet...Cataloges and deer are very different...

When they are drt, it's usually a cns hit...Like a high shoulder shot...

What kind of accuracy are you guys seeing when shooting those hollow point bullets out to 200 yards? I.E. Barnes Expander MZ and Hornaday XTP....

Kyle:

You are using 100 gr. powder and not (2) pyrodex pellets correct?

I use a TC Omega also.
.50 caliber
(2) pyrodex pellets
Hornady Sabot (not sure of all of the specs from here at work)

I do not have an accuracy issue, however, the entry and exit holes are usually small little holes.
I usually get no hair at impact and no blood trail for the first 50 yards.

I was actualy contemplating going back to the shotgun with 1oz. slugs.

Maybe I will try the TC Shockwave Sabots - just wondering how much difference the Pyrodex will make versus the powder.

SWThomas...The short answer is that you need to work up a load for each before you will really know...

Longer answer...A few years back I did some testing with my Knight to find the best long range bullet in my gun...I shot about 6 different projectiles, got my best groups and shot them out to 150 yards...
Now, for some reason, my gun didn't like either the .451 250gr or 300gr Hornady XTP bullets...These are a good option as you can buy them in bulk and match them up with the MMP sabots, saving money...

I also tried the Dead Centers in 2 different weights, but my gun didn't like them either...So I ended up with the 295 PowerBelts, the 300gr Barnes MZ and the 250 T/C Shockwaves...

The PowerBelts and Barnes both preferred 100grs of Goex FFF or Pyrodex RS...The Shockwaves preferred 90grs of the same...I sighted them each in at 2 1/2 inches high at 100 yards and then checked them at 150 yards...The 250 Shockwaves hit 3 inches low, the Barnes about 8 inches low and the Powerbelts a foot low, with the group really opening up as well...Groups with the Shockwaves and Barnes were both about 3 inches at 150...

I had used the Barnes for a few years, so I decided to go with the Shockwaves for awhile...I've killed 7-8 with the Shockwaves and a buddy has killed another 6 with his...My longest kill was at a ranged 147 yards...

We have killed about 15 deer with the 295 PowerBelts and still have one guy that uses them...We also had problems with exits...I will say that bullets recovered have mushroomed very nicely...I just prefer an exit wound for better blood trails...

The thing we alll need to remember is that with a muzzleloader, we are handloading...We need to anticipate how far the shot will be and use a bullet that will preform within those velocities...Any of these bullets will fragment if pushed too fast (just like centerfires)...

I've also seen reports in the Shockwaves and Hornady SSTs (same bullet) both being too hard and fragmenting...So some say it's too hard and some too soft...It all goes back to velocity...You take a Shockwave and run it out to 2200-2300 (like out of a Savage with smokeless powder) and shoot a deer at say, 15 yards and it could fragment...

Frankly, if shots are within 100 yards, a Shockwave isn't needed...The 250 or 300 Barnes MZ or the Hornady .451 250 or 300 XTPsare excellent bullets for this situation...What the Shockwave gives you is a higher BC (more streamlined) bullet that will drop less once you pass that 100-125 yard mark...

There are a couple of other good hollow point bullets that the guys over in the Black Powder section talk about I just can't recall them right now, but a search will pull them up...I believe one is made by Nosler and one by Speer...

No I'm using the 2 50gr pyrodex pellets. I hit bone with it this year when I shot a doe and the exit hole was between the size of a golf ball and a tenis ball. Entrance was decent size. Wasn't a real far shot though. Its actually my uncles gun that ive used a couple times cuz i draw a park tag during our gun season some times and its ml only. He has shot a few deer and my aunt shot a muley this year with it and non of them went too far. I'm lookin to get an encore sometime I supose.WCL

Thank you for the correction, I used explode wrong. Fragment is a much better description.

I will still disagree that hydrostatic shock is the key to making a consistent killing load. It is certainly aa factor, especially when the animal is planted as we have all seen. I would still say bullet diameter and complete penetration are the key to making a consistent killing load. I guess we will agree to disagree. I have just seen too many animals drop and then walk away. Once they are back on their feet again, it is the wound channel and the bleed out which gets the job completed.

I used to shoot powerbelts... I switched over to shockwaves... they seem to do more damage

Personally, I have had excellent results with .44-240gr Hornady XTP saboted bullets in front of 150 gr. Triple Seven. I know many people frown on use of 150gr. of powder, but it's the load I've worked up that works best in my TC Encore.