Author Topic: Powerbelt bullets (Read 1620 times)

daddywpb · « **on:** December 23, 2003, 12:07:50 AM »

Well, there's one weekend left in our deer season, and so far...no deer. I use a 295 grain Powerbelt in my Omega over two Pyrodex pellets, and I'm very happy with accuracy and results on the range. I am curious (worried) about how they will perform on game. If anyone has shot a whitetail or hog with one, I'd appreciate some comments on bullet performance. Thanks.

bigbore442001 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2003, 05:27:16 AM »

I killed a button buck a couple of seasons ago in Connecticut with that bullet. But I had 3 Pyrodex pellets under it. I had a broked scope mount and the deer was moving. Instead of a chest hit, it was a rear ham hit. Wow. What meat damage. I lost a lot of meat off that one . The bullet and its fragments followed the bone into the gut. The thing didn't drop right away because of that.

I shot at a doe but hit a sapling with that bullet. The sapling was the size of a mans thumb and it burst into fragments. I looked all over for my doe and found a fragment the size of a pea. So I don't like that bullet for brush. Now with a sturdy mount, I wouldn't mind seeing what it would do on a deer now.

I hope this info helps

johnc21 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2003, 07:44:54 AM »

I have shot several with the 295 hollow point over 2 pyro pellets. They have performed great for me. Al shots have been pass thrus with plenty of blood. All shots have been under 100 yards with the longest about 90 or so. Very accurate out of my ruger. Good luck.

JC

papellet · « **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2003, 02:14:37 PM »

I have the same combination (omega and use 2 pellets) and am pleased with the results. I havent shot over 50 yards as the PA woods are heavily forested in this area.

daddywpb · « **Reply #4 on:** December 23, 2003, 11:24:28 PM »

Shots around our stand would be 100 yards or less - now if I could just get a shot! I tried 150 grains (three pellets), and 130 grains (also pellets), and accuracy results were about the same. I was looking for opinions about results on game because I wonder if the extra recoil is justified. I think I'll stick with the two pellet load. Thanks for the replies everyone. Happy holidays!

RandyWakeman · « **Reply #5 on:** December 24, 2003, 01:09:05 AM »

The Powerbelts, originally developed in 1985 (Del Ramsey), are fundamentally conicals. I like them-- they are easy loading and fun to shoot.

(Opinion) The .50 caliber, lighter weight versions have a fundamental flaw-- they have wide and deep hollow points. The problems you hear of Powerbelts are primarily with the 245 gr. / 295 gr. versions, far less with the 348, and I've never heard of any less than excellent results with the 405 gr. or 444 Flat Nose examples.

There is a good reason why. The hollow point is the same size and depth, whether 245 / 295 / 348 / 405. Still soft lead, a hot 245 gr. PB can fragment badly. You'll most often hear of this when a "3 pellet" load takes a deer at short range. The bullet can blow itself to small pieces.

The Aerotip exists to retard expansion, and the polymer material was recently hardened to improve upon that. Not much of an issue with the 405, as the nose can blow off when hitting bone-- and you still have a lot of mass left to drive on through. With a 245 gr.-- no similar possibility.

So, the trend (according to their makers, Big Bore Express) is that the 295 Aerotips at moderate velocities do a competent job on thin-skinned game, with the 348 HP fine for deer, but 348 Aerotips or 405 HP's a far better choice for elk or similar. The heavier bullets aren't pushed that fast, anyway, even with three-pellet charges. 150 grains of pellets pushing 405 gr. version gets you in the 1680 fps range.

sduve · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2003, 04:15:01 PM »

Last year I shot my first 2 deer with a BP rifle using 50 cal, 295 Powerbelts. The first was a 45 yd shot 1/4 away with 2 pellets with placement behind ribs. The bullet stopped on farside shoulder with no exit. the deer traveled 115 yds. It was a 100 lb on the hoof button buck. Second deer was a 4 1/2 yr old doe dressing at 137 lbs. A 20 yd broadside lung shot. Can't remember if bullet passed thru but deer ran 50 yds. I personally think the 295's open up far to easily/soon. What does it do on a big boned buck? Any thoughts or experiences? sduve

Old Cane · « **Reply #7 on:** December 30, 2003, 04:06:08 AM »

Are these 295s the copper or lead? Is there much difference? I have the lead but have not taken a deer with it yet.

sduve · « **Reply #8 on:** December 30, 2003, 03:55:29 PM »

Mine were lead.

vinconco · « **Reply #9 on:** January 01, 2004, 05:12:51 AM »

Anyone know if the skirt on the PowerBelt is designed to come off after leaving the barrel?

Also, I had a PowerBelt drop off the powder charge and up the barrel while hunting. When the shot presented itself all I got was a POOF....with the pellets whizzing like bottle rockets through the air. Could have sworn the deer were laughing :-D SOOO... if dem' PB's fit a little loose don't swab the barrel a lot for your hunting shot.

Happy New Year

Steve

RandyWakeman · « **Reply #10 on:** January 01, 2004, 07:08:02 AM »

Quote from: vinconco

Anyone know if the skirt on the PowerBelt is designed to come off after leaving the barrel?

Yes.

Like all conicals, you should consider a fouling shot before hunting. What makes you think the Powerbelt moved off the charge? I've had the same thing-- with oily barrels.

Old Cane · « **Reply #11 on:** January 01, 2004, 07:36:11 AM »

Mine is a CVA. If the Powerbelts, which are recommended, slipped I'd be selling it.

vinconco · « **Reply #12 on:** January 01, 2004, 07:53:02 AM »

Quote from: RandyWakeman

Quote from: vinconco
Anyone know if the skirt on the PowerBelt is designed to come off after leaving the barrel?

Yes.

Like all conicals, you should consider a fouling shot before hunting. What makes you think the Powerbelt moved off the charge? I've had the same thing-- with oily barrels.

Randy;
I had fired probably 20 or more shots while doing load development and sighting in prior to going into the woods that day. I swab the barrel with a Windex patch then a dry patch between shots, which is how I prepped the barrel to go hunting. (I am lucky enough to have a 400 yd range and 8000 acres of State Wildlife Management Area in my back yard.) I carry the gun on a sling upside down which pointed the muzzle toward the ground and gravity took over I guess. The pellets shot out of the barrel like bottle rockets which means they were still in there, which means the bullet must have been there as well otherwise the pellets would have fallen out being quite a bit smaller than the bore. This was my first try with PowerBelts and I did notice they fit a little on the loose side. Just another learning experience. :roll:

Robert · « **Reply #13 on:** January 01, 2004, 08:14:04 AM »

Unbeleivably cool looking bullets. These were with sabots. Hell, they ought to make earings or something with them. They sure are pretty, I am going to have to try some. It would be a good excuse to get out with my smoke pole. I wonder if they make them for my 58 cal 1864 Springfield? Now that would be totally awesome.

RandyWakeman · « **Reply #14 on:** January 01, 2004, 08:26:05 AM »

I've had "flaming pellets" out of several rifles on the first (fouling) shot-- including sabots.

The easiest to load bullets of all are slip-fit conicals in a White 98. They sink right down, with just one finger on the ramrod. You might think they would easily move off the charge-- but, they don't. It's always a good idea to check your bullet seating with a witness mark on your ramrod, of course.

Doc White has been doing just that for years-- after a horseback ride, ride in a bumpy truck, etc., prior to recapping the gun. He hasn't found one that has moved yet. Naturally, being the skeptical sort-- I thumped the muzzle of my White 98 on a thick rubber mat several times to try to get the 460 grain PowerPunch to move. It didn't.

With the green gas check off, a Powerbelt will fall right down the clean, oil-protected barrel of my Encore. After a fouling shot-- it won't. I'll confess to not carrying a slinged muzzleloader upside down, though.

vinconco · « **Reply #15 on:** January 01, 2004, 08:50:54 AM »

Quote from: RandyWakeman

With the green gas check off, a Powerbelt will fall right down the clean, oil-protected barrel of my Encore. After a fouling shot-- it won't. I'll confess to not carrying a slinged muzzleloader upside down, though.

Randy;
Maybe the slug came off the green gas check and fell out leaving the gascheck to hold in the pellets. It was REALLY cold that day. BTW it happened w/ my 209 x 50 encore. The gun had been shot 20+ times and swabbed between shots including the hunting shot in an effort to keep things consistant. (windex patch / dry patch)

Steve

RandyWakeman · « **Reply #16 on:** January 01, 2004, 09:50:59 AM »

Sure, its possible. I think Powerbelts stay seated far better on loose powder than .45 cal. pellets, but haven't tested anything in that area.

Bullseye · « **Reply #17 on:** January 01, 2004, 04:59:48 PM »

Must be why the instructions on the package say to check to make sure the bullet is seated if the gun has been carried a lot of jostled. Sounds like a headache I do not need.

vinconco · « **Reply #18 on:** January 01, 2004, 05:44:52 PM »

My system to achieve repeatable results with the PowerBelt was to swab between shots. If I don't swab the next shot would be outside the group. When I swab the PowerBelts fits loose and will hit in the group at 100 yds. but they might fall out of the barrel (only if I'm shooting at game)..... classic Catch 22.

I ain't gonna tell the deer to wait while I use the ramrod.

Reliability is EVERYTHING

Goooooodbye PowerBelts