Which black powder projectile...

[Dakota Dogman]

Alright, blackpower season is coming very quickly! 
My son has been given (by an older sportsman in the community who hardly even knows us!    ) an older Cabela's rifle.

The gun is in good shape, but unfortunately we are running out of time & I know I'm not going to  have time to fully wring it out before season hits.  So far it seams to have no drastic dislike for any bullet at iron site ranges (@100 yards for my son.)

He enjoys loads of 65 grains under standard .53 round patched balls
He can handle 95 grains under the same ball
He tolerates 75 grains under a bullet well enough for elk, but not for extended practice sessions

I have 3 options for him at the moment...
1) TC .50 Cal. 370 grain Maxi-ball
2) PowerBelt Bullets, .50 cal, 295 grain
3) Buffalo Bullet Comp., .50 Cal., 385 grain Hollow point / hollow base

As I said, I don't have time to wring out the accuracy & see which is best.  I have shot all 3 at 75 yards, off hand, no rest, and easily kept them on a 12" x 18" box.

Suggestions? Preferences?  "light & Quick" or "slow & heavy"?

God Bless,

[p-ohana]

I would go slow and heavy. Someone explained to me like this;  the fast bullet is like a small car and when it hits a wall it explodes without much penetration, the slow and heavy is a mack truck it hits the wall and destroys it with good penetration. 

[jdb]

I have noe experience with the power belt bullet so I cant coment on it but I have killed elk with both the t/c 370 and the 385 great plains. Both are excellent bullets and should work beautifuly. JB

[Moe the Sleaze]

IMO Powerbelt rules.  Go find the 348gr for elk.  I think the 295 might be too light but it's an excellent deer bullet.

[Sagedawg]

 Slow and heavy for elk for sure. IMO my 1st choice would be the Buffalo bullet, followed by the TC and wouldnt even consider the Powerbelts. There are better bullets out there. The Great Plains is also one to consider. I have had good and constient accuracy with them out of my sidelock. This may cause some flak, but I think the powerbelts are way overrated, the actual bullet is undersized and the skirt is what expands and engages the rifleing of the barrel,in my experiance with them in different guns, my best groups were 6'' at 100yds, and this includes the ones that went through the target sideways. Also with the same powder charge they were not constiant to the same POI with a clean or fouled barrel. Again this is just what Ive found, so take it as you will.Hope this helps.


  Sage

[Little Fish]

I have not shot powerbelts, but have heard lots of good things about them from friends.

[TheHunt]

Your top two choices are fine but the PowerBelts needs a heavier bullet as stated eairler. 

1) TC .50 Cal. 370 grain Maxi-ball
2) PowerBelt Bullets, .50 cal, 295 grain

[scudmaster]

Do you know what the twist rate is on your rifle?  That makes a big difference on which bullet you should use.  I will agree with Sage and others.  Heavy is better.  The fast flatter shooting bullets don't make much difference at non-scope ranges of 100-150yds.  The down range is substantially greater (like 50% greater) than your lighter bullets.  So find a heavy bullet 300 plus grains and one that matches your twist rate and you should find acceptable accuracy. 

[hard hunter]

I have had good luck with the 385gr bullets both the bufflo and the great plains, not much difference in groups too.