Author Topic: 295 Gr. Powerbelt vs. Barnes X 300 Grain Expander (Read 1464 times)

perklo · « **on:** August 03, 2004, 12:48:02 PM »

:wink:

My .50 Huntsman I bought at the end of last season loads up and shoots the 295 Gr. Powerbelt so well it is scary. The problem is three different hunting buddies all have had TERRIBLE terminal results with them.

Five actual shootings of deer - all but one perfect, in-the-boiler room hits - and there has been NO anchoring shots. All the deer went at least 100+ yards and left very little blood. None were lost, but all three guys threw the powerbelts out...

In contrast, I've heard great things on the web about the 300 gr. Barnes X Expander/sabot load. Good accuracy, deep penetration with massive expansion, but no weight loss.

Anyone used the Barnes in a Huntsman, and if so, how was the 100 yd accuracy??

Thanks - perklo

flintlock · « **Reply #1 on:** August 03, 2004, 01:46:36 PM »

I do most of my muzzloading with my .54 flinter...but do own a Knight Disc...and have several buddies that concur with your buddies on the PowerBelts...they have killed deer with, but usually don't get an exit, which is nice on lung shot whitetails...most of us have gone to the 250 or 300 Barnes...or the 250 SST Hornady...I did some testing with the Barnes, PowerBelts, Hornady and 220 Dead Center this spring...past 100 yards, the PowerBelt drops rapidly (using 90-110 grs 777)...I really wanted to use the 220 Dead Center...but my gun didn't like...I killed a couple of deer with the Barnes 300...full penetration...and have settled on the 250 SST Hornady with 90 grains 777 for this year...sighted 2 1/2 high at 100...I'm about 2 1/2 low at 150....my limit with a muzzloader...flintlock

perklo · « **Reply #2 on:** August 04, 2004, 02:17:53 AM »

Now I need to find the Barnes Expander 300 grainers locally. Wally World has the 250's, but I really want to try the heavier ones.

Bass Pro here in Memphis had no Barnes at all, so I need to check at other local stores.

I'd like to avoid Shipping if I can...

Thanks for the info - perklo :grin:

PS - Anybody else have range time with the Barnes??

MTNMAN · « **Reply #3 on:** August 04, 2004, 04:40:54 AM »

Hey Perk,
Haven't used anything other than the 245 Gr XTP's I originally bought...and I haven't had a problem with them on NY deer...most have fallen where they stood or taken 2 steps back and dropped... neck shot with a Lil' hole in and Big hole out...

Now I got a friend headin' for Colorado for Elk thats been playin' with some heavy stuff...he says 348 powerbelts group pretty good with triple 7, but he's currently playing with a 460 grain No Excuses conical that groups even better... Haven't got his recipe yet for the 7...but It shouldn't take much arm twistin' to get it out of him... Later, MTNMAN :grin:

Longcruise · « **Reply #4 on:** August 04, 2004, 05:47:50 AM »

What's with those Powerbelts?

? :shock:

Friend of mine drove one from stem to stern through a bull elk. busted the hip bones and then exited. Elk got back up! :eek: Apparently no expansion.

He hit a 100# hog (no gristle shield) with the same bullet from the same pack and it disintegrated in the chest cavity without exiting :shock:

They were .54 295 gr copperclad and I think hollow point.

fuzzy · « **Reply #5 on:** August 04, 2004, 06:50:42 AM »

:eek: Darn looks like i better find another load fore deer season think ill try the baren`s Rich

perklo · « **Reply #6 on:** August 04, 2004, 11:48:59 AM »

Hey there MTNMAN, I really like the Huntsman. I hated to give up hunting with my old built-from-a-kit CVA Frontier Carbine, but my eyes finally made that choice for me! I've had that CVA longer than any other longgun; about 25+ years I guess. For many a year, it was my only deer rifle, and it laid down a bunch. Not bad for a $99 homemade job...

My huntsman shoots great, it is only the Powerbelt's game-taking ability that is in question. Like Longcruise noted, Powerbelt performance seems erratic. What a shame - they load and shoot really well - and their concept is sound. Powerbelt has a lot to learn about bullet design and construction though.

Best load for me was 100 gr. loose Pyrodex RS with the 295 gr. Powerbelt, so I'll likely start at the same place with the 300 gr. Barnes. Then (if it shoots well) borrow about 4 of the 50 gr. pellets from my buds that shoot them, and go back and try them out of a clean, cold bore.

That should keep me busy for a while! - perklo

perklo · « **Reply #7 on:** August 06, 2004, 09:30:44 AM »

:eek:

Ouuucchhh!

I got some of the 300 gr. Barnes Expanders and went to the range last night... not encouraging!

First 3 clean barrel shots were in a 9 inch triangle around my orange square.

But worse than that they are the hardest to load (tightest fit) sabots I've ever run across. No way I'd try to reload in the field with the Huntsman ramrod!!

My friends have had better terminal performance with the 348 gr. Power belts, and I haven't tried the 295 gr. Maxi-Balls yet. There's still a little time before Muzzleloader season...

- perklo

rmtaylor · « **Reply #8 on:** August 07, 2004, 01:21:46 AM »

I tried some 240 gr Hornady xtp sabots last weekend. I only got to shoot twice but they were only an Inch apart at 50 yards using the factory sights. I have some 245 gr SST sabots to try as well. The price is right on both of these and I have read good reviews on terminal performance.

Richard