Powerbelt

[manofthe45]

I shot a deer with one the one year I had a CVA inline the bullet fell apart in the deer but It fell and never moved.  Hole through one lung and shrapnel through the other lung, heart, and why I'll never use them again through the far shoulder.  Did it kill the deer yes will I ever use PB again NO.

[poncaguy]

I've never had a PB come apart, usually find them just under skin on far side or a complete pass through. I use some 295's, but the 348 grain PB's work best. Usually here a loud kerthunk, and then plop!

[KYBOY]

So far every deer I have shot with a PB 295 has been DOA on contact with good penetration.

[cherokee75]

simonkenton- I did not read all the posts but the 300 grain bonded T/C Shockwave super glide is a great performer and very easy to load.

[Buckskins & Black Powder]

Powerbelts are all ive been using besides the Great plains bullets. I have one rifle that will only shoot powerbelts and it will hold a steady 2" group @ 150 yards with 70 grains Triple 7 and a 225 grain powerbelt. Last two deer ive shots were pushing close to 150 yards and was shooting 120- 150 grain loads with a 295 grain aerotip and 245 grain hollow point. Both bullets entered the lung area and exited.  No blood trail though. Both deer dropped.

[vabowhntr]

Powerbelts are terrible, I have recovered 3 in the last 2 years that were nothing but a flat disc about the thickness of a penny.  They always kill deer if you put the shot in the right spot, but poor wound channel and NO BLOOD.  New bullet for me next year.

The one I found last year was like this under the far hide.  I prefer this, though as all the energy was spent in the deer and the deer fell over dead.  ~50 yard shot, high lung, 120 lb doe, 90 gr pyro RS with 348 gr PB out of an open sighted T/C Black Mtn Mag.  I would stay away from the smaller PB's but I really like the 348 and 444 versions.

[ronbow]

Powerbelts are terrible, I have recovered 3 in the last 2 years that were nothing but a flat disc about the thickness of a penny.  They always kill deer if you put the shot in the right spot, but poor wound channel and NO BLOOD.  New bullet for me next year.

The one I found last year was like this under the far hide.  I prefer this, though as all the energy was spent in the deer and the deer fell over dead.  ~50 yard shot, high lung, 120 lb doe, 90 gr pyro RS with 348 gr PB out of an open sighted T/C Black Mtn Mag.  I would stay away from the smaller PB's but I really like the 348 and 444 versions.

Small world vaybow. That's the same setup I use and the same results.

[mspaci]

I read an article one time about p-belts & it claimed that the blowing up problem stopped if you shot the heavier 395 or 405 bullets. Mike

[mspaci]

sorry 348grain,  Mike

[gt2003]

Simon, He's got to use a bullet that performs for him.  I shot the Hornady XTP 300 grain bullets over 90 grains of Pyrodex RS as well as the 303 grain jacketed hollow point that Remington had out a few years ago also over 90 grains of Pyrodex RS.  The bullets were incredibly accurate but did not perform well for me on deer.  My hunting partner shoots the same load and loves it with the same amount of powder.  My guess is I simply didn't have the velocity for the bullets to work the way they should.  I asked for advice and purchased some Precision Rifle dead center 220 grain bullets and i shoot them with 80 grains of 777.  I've shot 2 deer with them.  One dropped in its tracks.  The other ran 30-40 yds straight towards me and died.  Both expanded incredibly well and did their job.  I won't hunt with anything else with my current ML.  If he is shooting at shorter distances maybe he can lessen his powder charge and shoot the same bullet or shoot a heavier one with his current charge.  Like Flintlock said, match the bullet and powder with the situation and see what he comes up with.  Since I've switched to the 220 grain bullet I'm much happier.  There is much less recoil, I use less powder and I'm killing deer.  I would feel confident to shoot this load up to 100 yds, much longer than I'll ever have the opportunity to shoot around here.  Just FYI, I was to the point of giving up on ML'ing if I had lost another deer so the dead centers have made me enjoy muzzleloading again.