Author Topic: Conicals and Powerbelts (Read 1049 times)

RandyWakeman · « **on:** December 17, 2003, 05:58:57 PM »

Who prefers them? Who casts their own? Who likes what they do on game? What bullet weights work best for you?

TKO · « **Reply #1 on:** December 19, 2003, 12:08:06 PM »

Randy,

I use 295 grain Powerbelt HP's in my not so modern (flintlock) TC Firestorm (but it does have a stainless hardware/barrel and a synthetic stock :grin: ).

Excerpt from an earlier post:

Got to the range today and shot some 295 grain Powerbelt HP's. Shot three shot groups starting at 100 grains and working up to 150 grains. Didn't shoot over the chronograph, but here are the center to center (subtracted .50 from outside group size) group sizes fired at 25 yards with factory iron sights:

100 grain .50"
110 grain 1.0"
120 grain .875"
130 grain .7"
140 grain .7"
150 grain .7"

It's a wonder that I could hit the target at all with the horrendous trigger pull on that rifle

I am going to use the 130 grain load to hunt with as it shot the center out of a 50ft small bore target. That should put me pretty much right on at 100 yards (yes, I will check it at 100 yards next range trip with the chronograph).

It was kind of neat to watch the groups move. All were pretty much the same vertically, but the 100 grain load was 1/2" off to the right and things waked right over to center with the 130 grain load and then kept walking through to the 150 grain load that was 1" to the left. Pretty cool.

I have yet to hunt with them, so I can't speak of their terminal effectiveness, but will settle that issue the day after Christmas her in Pennsylvania.

RandyWakeman · « **Reply #2 on:** December 19, 2003, 01:12:08 PM »

Sounds like you are having fun. FWIW, in an older T/C Hawken 1:48 barrel, we had the best groups from the Knight 260 grain Powerbelts.

Old Cane · « **Reply #3 on:** December 19, 2003, 02:28:59 PM »

You used 150g of loose powder? I thought the "magnum" 150g loads was only recommeded in pellet form. Are the TCs that much different?

RandyWakeman · « **Reply #4 on:** December 19, 2003, 02:32:34 PM »

Quote from: Old Cane

I thought the "magnum" 150g loads was only recommeded in pellet form. Are the TCs that much different?

Most Thompsons, Knights, Whites, and the Savage 10ML are good to go with 150 grains loose powder, contingent on exact model.

Old Cane · « **Reply #5 on:** December 19, 2003, 02:44:48 PM »

Well, as long as it lights up, more "power" to you.

Ironwood · « **Reply #6 on:** December 19, 2003, 03:10:25 PM »

I cast a 320 gr. REAL bullet for my CVA .50 Caliber Hawken. Enjoy casting them and the accuracy is great. With a scope on the rifle I can get 1", or less, 3 shot groups at 50 yards off the bench. Haven't pulled the trigger yet on any type of game with that bullet.

jh45gun · « **Reply #7 on:** December 22, 2003, 01:26:30 AM »

I also Cast the Lee REAL bullets and like them. I prefer using conicals over sabots and pistol bullets but would try sabots out if I could get a sabot that I could use my .459 diameter 45/70 home cast bullets in a 50 and 54 cal. Both are fast twist 1/28 barrels. Jim