Your Experience with Powerbelt

[trophyelk6x6]

I have had great luck with them but must admit I have not tried many others. CVA muzz with 100 to 130 (pellets). 

[BENCHLEG]

never shot them. but my theory is if it isnt broke dont fix it. i shoot knight 310 grain sabots with 100 grain pyrodex pellets and have no problems. stick to what works for you. good luck J

[stumprat]

My Knight Bighorn doesn't like them. If they are working for you stay with them.

[Intruder]

Sorry... this is kinda of 

I noticed a lot of you are recommending bullets under 300 grains.  Are these loads primarily for deer?  I'm very green in the ML arena but I've always heard you should shoot BIGGER bullets... especially for elk.

I've had similar questions about powerbelts but specifically for elk hunting.  I do most of my hunting in ID where you cannot shoot sabots or jacketed bullets. Can you smoke pole gurus recommend a load combo for elk out of a Black Diamand... powerbelt or otherwise?

[CP]

This probably deserves its own thread but, looking forward to next year, I expect that we will be allowed to use jacketed bullets.  This is one of the changes that are under consideration and the all lead restriction makes no sense when sabots are allowed as there is no ballistic advantage to be gained with a jacketed bullet.  There is however big gains to be had in terminal performance that will produce cleaner, more humane kills. 

If this change happens, it opens up a whole new world of inexpensive, mass produced bullets that have proven track records.  Top of my list would be the Hornady XTP in .44 caliber, 300 grain JHP (sectional density .232, BC .245) but there are many other fine bullets around as well.  I pick the .44 caliber over the .45 because of the higher SD for a given weight, therefore better penetration. 

This is all theoretical however; I have never shot an elk with a ML.

[CowlitzHntr]

I tried them when I first got my Black Diamond XR. The accuracy was horrible. The best I could do was 4 inch groups but would get a flier once in a while. I killed an elk with one but the bullet split in half after going through the front shoulder. I was fortunate that on of the pieces went through the spine. I now shoot Knight 310 grain sabots with good accuracy.