Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Muzzleloader Hunting => Topic started by: HoofsandWings on August 29, 2011, 09:18:05 PM

Title: Powerbelts platinum
Post by: HoofsandWings on August 29, 2011, 09:18:05 PM: Since I am restricted to power belt due to my barrel being tight, I am looking to try some 300 grain with fffg triple 7 powder.
I had some luck with 100 grains, but am going to try 110 and 120 grains.
My goal is 100 yards with decent groups.
My favorite deer spot was thinned and I am going to sit in a ground blind to wait for a deer to come by.
Title: Re: Powerbelts platinum
Post by: bobcat on August 29, 2011, 09:22:29 PM: Sounds like a good combination. I'll be curious to hear how they shoot.
Title: Re: Powerbelts platinum
Post by: huntnnw on August 29, 2011, 10:01:18 PM: what gun are u using? I have never heard of that. Pushing Barnes in mine is really tight
Title: Re: Powerbelts platinum
Post by: HoofsandWings on August 30, 2011, 10:56:08 AM: Quote from: huntnnw on August 29, 2011, 10:01:18 PM
what gun are u using? I have never heard of that. Pushing Barnes in mine is really tight
It is a Knight Big Horn. I tried several sabot designs, different thickness, etc. No luck. All of the bullets were the same diameter.
When I say tight, I mean tight. I used a hammer to get the sabot into the barrel. Then disassembled the muzzleloader and used an iron rod and a hammer to get the sabot out after about 5 minutes of hammering to get the sabot out of the barrel.
I now use powerbelts with barrel butter. It is a tight fit, but the bullet goes down the barrel just fine.
Title: Re: Powerbelts platinum
Post by: superdown on August 30, 2011, 11:03:16 AM: maybe you should call knight I have never heard of anyone having problems with a knight or these guy's might have a sabot that will fit http://www.mmpsabots.com/ (http://www.mmpsabots.com/)
Title: Re: Powerbelts platinum
Post by: TopOfTheFoodChain on August 30, 2011, 11:20:29 AM: Odd. Knight is usually pretty close to advertised caliber on the barrel. However, in mass production it is acceptable standard to vary by .010, anotherwords if the gun says it's .50 cal it could be anywhere from .495 to .505. If you gun is on the tight side that would explain the problem with sabots but not power belts or maxiballs. My Winchester X-150 (BPI-CVA) is a .50 that actually mics .496 at the lands. Sabots were almost impossible in mine for a long time. Now after 6 years, over 1,000 shots and countless hours cleaning I am able for the first time this year to get sabots loaded in it. If you still want to shoot them, maybe take it to a gunsmith and have the barrel polished/honed?? :dunno:
Title: Re: Powerbelts platinum
Post by: CP on August 30, 2011, 11:23:40 AM: My Bighorn has a tight bore as well. I was going to send it back to the company but after several discussions with their techs they convinced me to use their orange EZ load sabot (which they sent free of charge) and that solved the problem. Also working fine is Hornady red sabot and the .44 cal green sabot).

This is a typical group at 100y off a bench with a scope on the rifle:
Title: Re: Powerbelts platinum
Post by: Nilehunter on September 05, 2011, 01:16:46 PM: Quote from: superdown on August 30, 2011, 11:03:16 AM
maybe you should call knight I have never heard of anyone having problems with a knight or these guy's might have a sabot that will fit http://www.mmpsabots.com/ (http://www.mmpsabots.com/)
:yeah:

Your using the right caliber? LOL just asking... I shoot the same rifle and never had that much trouble.
Title: Re: Powerbelts platinum
Post by: HoofsandWings on September 06, 2011, 07:12:14 PM: Actually, I sent back the original barrel and when I received the new one, there was a box of sabots that the enclosed note said the sabots in the box were very thin and should work. It still was too tight. I have to say I am happy with customer service. In looking at the lands and grooves, the lands were very prominate which I think is why the barrel is so tight.
I can almost shoot without a sabot. The shoe liner needed to be several thousands thinner.
Title: Re: Powerbelts platinum
Post by: HoofsandWings on September 11, 2011, 03:06:36 PM: Went to the range today. At 100 yards, the holes were touching and an inch from the bullseye, which I thought was pretty good for a peep sight. Looks like I am ready for the opener.
Also, on the elk opener last October, I loaded, but never had a shot. Fast forward to today. I pulled the trigger and found the powder still dry and the ML fired without problem.
Title: Re: Powerbelts platinum
Post by: wildlndff on September 13, 2011, 02:33:07 PM: I shoot a TC and have the same problem with sabots. Power Belts seem to work real well.