Powerbelts?

[huntnnw]

Its a no brainer to me to shoot the jacketed or Barnes bullets now...wont even waste my time with all lead. I tested alot of bullets and one thing lead penetrated a 1/4 of what the Barnes would do, these bullets are devastating.  Unless you are hunting Idaho.

[WA hunter14]

why are they here but not there?

[huntnnw]

Idaho requires all lead...WA did too until a few years ago

[Sabotloader]

This past weekend I shot my new muzzleloader for the first time. I tried 250 grain Hornaday sst's and 245 grain Powerbelts. They both group well but the Powerbelts grouped just a bit better. Since I've never killed anything with a muzzleloader I don't know how these bullets do on game. So I started researching the 2 and in my research they both get good revues. But the Powerbelts seem to have more people saying they shoot well but don't do well on actual game. Like they tend to grenade. So I'm leaning towards using the Hornadays but would like to know what everyones experience has been with them. Or if you feel neither of these bullets are adequate then what would you recommend?

Power Belts are the quickest and the easiest way to get started shoooting... but I would not use them for hunting... basically they are an elongated round ball...  And that doesn't mean they will not work but at times they certainly will not.

This is the bullet I use - they are awesome.  For deer I would suggest the .452-250 grain - the best all-around bullet might be the .458-275 grain, and my elk bullet is a .458-300

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,75690.0.html

My second option would be a Speer GoldDot - Deep Curl, again the 250 for deer and the 300 as an all-around.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,77194.0.html

OOPS!  are you in Idaho? that changes things - I live in Idaho also and during ML season I change to a .503-460 grain Bull Shop...

[Kowsrule30]

I shoot Powerbelts and love them... They've taken a bunch of game with one shot.... I only had one follow up on a spike last year that took two Powerbelts.... It was a sharp angle and I only got one lung.... My fault... The bullet did perfect.... Every deer I've shot with them has dropped in their tracks.... That's from 150-6 yard shots..... I shoot the 295 Copper Areotip for deer and elk.... But I would highly recommend going with the 348 grain Copper Areotip for elk... I'm moving up next year when I'm out of my 295.....

[dupedc]

This was dropped with a .54cal 348gr copper aero tip Powerbelt.  Worked just fine...having said that, I have switched to the Barnes bullet for this year.  I just think it will be a more stable bullet.
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[carpsniperg2]

This was dropped with a .54cal 348gr copper aero tip Powerbelt.  Worked just fine...having said that, I have switched to the Barnes bullet for this year.  I just think it will be a more stable bullet.
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With the shot that you put on that buck. I bet a rock would have dropped him

[dupedc]

That's about right!  I guess it's true about shot placement.

[PNWsportsman]

I have always been pleased with powerbelts.  I enjoy the accuracy and ease of use especially.  I am interested in shooting the jacketed powerbelts as I have always been impressed with the lead bullets and sounds like the jacketed powerbelts perform even better.

[huntnnw]

shoot a bull elk in the shoulder with a lead bullet...goodbye.. hit it with a Barnes or similar bullet dead

[ribka]

shoot a bull elk in the shoulder with a lead bullet...goodbye.. hit it with a Barnes or similar bullet dead

Fine for deer. Shoot accurately enough. For me elk no.
I shot a big cow elk two years ago 3 times behind shoulder with power belts. 2 of 3 just mushroomed on the shoulder bone when I butchered her.The 3 rd( first shot) just  nicked shoulder and hit lungs. She went about a 1/2 mile tracking her.

[huntnnw]

exactly why I dont mess with solid lead anymore..far better bullets on the market and legal in this state.. I watch my dad shoot a spike bull quartering at him at 10 yards! with a great plains 395gr bullet..almost dropped the bull... it staggered around..we thought it was all done.. trying to get muzzy re loaded as the bull got over the hill...needless to say the front shoulder was broken and we saw this bull 8 hrs later gimping thru timber..never found it 

[Heredoggydoggy]

I tried them once, and they grouped well in testing, but they didn't seal well in the barrel in hunting, and the powder got damp.  I'm going to try some full sabot pills this year, and if my gun groups well with them I'll hunt with them.