Author Topic: Hornady SST vs. Powerbelt (Read 4260 times)

VolFan9183 · « **on:** July 24, 2006, 07:48:20 AM »

I apologize if this question has been asked already, but the search feature doesn't appear to be working.

I'm new to hunting with an in-line, but have hunted with a hawken for several years. I bought an in-line specifically for an Illinois hunt this Fall, as we'll be hunting areas where 200 yd shots are possible. I've found two loads that are both showing acceptable accuracy:

1) 295 gr Powerbelt Aerotip w/ 130 gr Pyrodex pellets
2) 250 gr Hornady SST w/ 100 gr Pyrodex pellets

On paper, the ballistics of these two loads appear very similar, so I was thinking of going with the Hornady because of less powder, recoil, etc. I may try the 300 gr SST, as the downrange punch seems a little better. But, I recently read an article by Randy Wakeman stating the "peformance of the 300 gr SST was dismal" because of poor expansion. This article was discussing the performance of different loads from the new Savage muzzleloader as documented by several hunters on several deer over a season.

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with the 300 grain SST? I'm basically looking for at least a 150 yard load. Also, what would be the max range (assuming proper shot placement) of the two loads listed above?

Thanks, in advance, for any replies.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 24, 2006, 09:06:36 AM »

I have only used the 295 gr. power belts, but I was using 100 gr. of triple 7/ 2 pellets. I had very good accuracy, about 2 inch's at 100 yards. I have taken deer as far as 150 yards with no problem. But then again I practice at that range also. I key to good shot placement at longer distance is practice. I now shoot 2 different Encore muzzleloader in 50 cal. In one I am shooting 250 gr. T/C bonded shockwave sabots over 120 gr. of loose triple 7 and I am getting 1 inch groups consistently at 100 yards. I can hit a 4 inch clay target at 200 yards, I am also using the new Nikon Omega 3X9X40 scope with the BDC-250 reticle. My other Encore shoot a Precision Rifles DC 195 gr. duplex sabot over 90 gr. of loose triple 7 and my accuracy is also an inch at 100 yards.

flintlock · « **Reply #2 on:** July 24, 2006, 11:00:41 AM »

Vol...I have tried to like PowerBelts, and just can't get excited about them...I would suggest that you shoot both loads at 150 and 200 yards....Reason being...I have shot the 250 SST/Shockwave and the PowerBelts at 150 yards....The SSTs with 90 grains Pyrodex RS...Sighted in 2 1/2 inches high at 10 yards, my Knight Disc is about 2 1/2 inches low at 150.....And still groups about 2-3 inches at 150....The PowerBelts really seem to drop at 150 yards....Now, I have to stop at 100 grains with the PowerBelts because the group opens up....You might do better with !30 grains....But....at close shots I wonder how that PowerBelt would perform...

I have 3 friends that have killed deer with the 295 PowerBelts..all use 100grs of Pyrodex....At close range they don't get full penetration....But they do mushroom...perhaps too well....

We have killed about 12 deer in the last few years with the 250 SST...Using 90-110 grains of Pyrodex...so far we have recovered only one bullet...I just prefer the design bc of the SST...

poncaguy · « **Reply #3 on:** July 24, 2006, 04:32:05 PM »

I.ve always been a Powerbelt fan, like the ease of loading. They have been accurate in my Omega and TC Encore, but I always use the 348 grain bullets. I have some of the new 338 50 Cal Platinum bullets I'm dying to try...been so hot and they closed our range due to new house construction, we're looking for some new land now. I use 3 777 pellets or 120 Grains FFG American Pioneer .

Busta · « **Reply #4 on:** July 24, 2006, 04:48:06 PM »

Quote from: VolFan9183 on July 24, 2006, 07:48:20 AM

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with the 300 grain SST? I'm basically looking for at least a 150 yard load. Also, what would be the max range (assuming proper shot placement) of the two loads listed above?

Thanks, in advance, for any replies.

VolFan,

I have shot deer with the 300 grain SST and I have gotten complete pass throughs with golf ball size exits. These deer were all shot through the front shoulders from quartering to to quartering away. Bone was encountered on each shot and all shots were under 75 yards. Dont really know what the outcome would be at 150 yards on a between the ribs shot, but I suspect you would be eating backstraps.

I have shot deer with the 200 grain Shockwave, 250 grain SST/Shockwave, 300 grain SST, never had one run more than about 60 yards. These bullets are WAY better than the PowerBelts in my experience.

VolFan9183 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 25, 2006, 07:49:38 AM »

Thanks for the replies so far....

I definitely like the sleeker profile and higher BC of the SST's over the Powerbelts, ease of loading is not that big of a deal to me. My groups seem to come apart with the 250 gr SST when I go over 100 gr of powder, so I may end up sticking with that. This load seems to definitely be good to 150 yds, and I've only killed one deer over that in 20 years of hunting.

Any more experiences would be appreciated.

Smokepole cowboy · « **Reply #6 on:** July 25, 2006, 03:17:20 PM »

I loved the ease of which the powerbelts loaded, however, I could not get anywhere near the accuracy in which I was getting with the Hornady SST.

I tried different weights of powerbelts as well as different amounts of powder before giving up on them.

kudzu · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2006, 03:54:28 PM »

Have never had luck with the powerbelts in any MZ I've had. IMO PB=poo poo. Some have had luck(accuracy wise) with lower vel. loads. To me the PB load easy, but don't give a good seal for higher presure loads.

For the 300sst. That's my bullet of choice right now, shooting from my Savage MLII. I'm at about 2450 fps and these bullets perform very well at this vel. Took 5 WT last season with them from 60 to 176 yrds. All but one exited. The one that didn't was a very hard quartering to shot. Of the 5 3 fell where they stood and the other two less than 10 yards.
One was 176 yrds, double lung shot, exit hole 21/2 to 3 ".
One was 125 yards. wanted to see what a double shoulder shot would do. pass thru with about 3'' exit hole.
One was a 100 yrd opps. Spine shot when gun slipped as I pulled the trigger(portable tree stand). However results were the same.

I went from the 250sst to the 300sst due to the bullets fling apart at the higher vel. IMO the 250 or 300 would work well at reg. BP ML vel. If I were shootin 100 to 110 gr or less I would probally go 250 over that 300'

Didn't get to read the article by Randy W. I could see expansion problems with a lower vel. load over 150 yrds. However, I would have to differ from RW opinion with the use of the 300sst at my current vel. load. from my MLII. (69gr H4198).

Developed this load before the TC/BSW, May wait and see how others do with them. If they stay together I may go back to a 250 bullet.
IMO, it will be hard to beat the on game performance of either sst, depending on vel. shot.

Good Luck, DM

captkev · « **Reply #8 on:** July 27, 2006, 09:15:42 AM »

Me being a novice at this Muzzle Loading. I am picking up lots of great info from the sidelines here, I've only been hunting with a ML for 4 years now, and I'm starting to make the proper adjustments, I've been shooting the powerbelts as well with 3 (150gr) pellets, I can see before this season starts that I am going to try some 777 and some other bullets. This place is great, I'm a new comer here, but I'm sure I'll be spending alot more time sucking all of this great info up.

1marty · « **Reply #9 on:** July 27, 2006, 05:00:21 PM »

I've tried everything in my omega but only the PB goes down easy. The other bullits needed a sledge hammer to get them down. The PB 295 with 2-777's have great accuracy but after the secoond shot they tend to lose zero. Has anyone tried a different bullit in their omega which loads easy?

flintlock · « **Reply #10 on:** July 28, 2006, 04:38:58 AM »

Marty...do you swab between shots??? Most bullets will print differently if you don't at least run a damp patch followed by a dry one between shots...Personally I run 2 damp patches with alcohol and one dry followed by a oiled patch and a dry one when I am sighting in an inline...

Also...with an Omega you might try the Crush Rib sabots by Harvester or the Moden Muzzloader 24s that are thinner than most packaged bullets come with...My cousin shoots an Omega and I gave him some of the 24s and he is good to go...it was tight, but not excessive...

bubba · « **Reply #11 on:** July 31, 2006, 02:15:15 AM »

Marty I shoot an omega and I use the harvester crush rib sabots with the Hornady sst or t/c shockwaves. I buy the package and throw away their sabots. I also use 100 grains loose 777 ffg. They load almost as easy as a powerbelt and I get great accuracy at 100 yards. I limit myself to that range because I am still old school patches round ball sidelock mode. Anyway it is a bit more to buy the sabots that way and the bullets but they do the job very well

1marty · « **Reply #12 on:** August 02, 2006, 05:06:21 PM »

thanks for the tip-I'll give it a try ;I do run a damp patch then dry beween shots till the bore is clean; The omega though seems to shoot much better with the 295 PB then the 245 PB; I was thinking of bringing it up to the 348 PB.

Carroll B · « **Reply #13 on:** August 10, 2006, 06:38:52 AM »

In my omega I can't get the second powerbelt down the bore when shooting 777. I also do not like the way the 295 gr PB expand so much. I shot a small deer with one last year in the shoulder and you could have stuck a beer can in the entrance hole, but no exit hole. The deer went 60 yards with its front leg almost blown off. The PB shot a good group at 50 yds with either 777 or loose Pryodex. I tried some Hornady 245 gr SST. Got good groups and will use them. I have some Barnes split fires on order and will try them this weekend. From what I have read they are about .001 under size and are supposed to load in the omega easier. To get the second shot down the bore I will carry some alcohol prep pads with me. I swap the bore with the prep pad, the alcohol dries fast while cleaning out the residue to make the second shot load as easy as the first. At the range using the alcohol prep pads between rounds each shot loaded like the gun had never been fired.

encore4me · « **Reply #14 on:** August 11, 2006, 08:01:38 AM »

I have killed 5 deer with 5 shots out of my Encore using 250 gr.Shockwaves/SST's over 90gr.loose 777. I heard that PB will not hold up well at close ranges and high volicity. Personally I have never tried them. Try the 250 gr sst/shochwaves I like them.

Matt

poncaguy · « **Reply #15 on:** August 11, 2006, 12:24:19 PM »

I have taken deer from 25' to 100+ yards with 348 Powerbelts, they all dropped like a rock.........

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #16 on:** August 23, 2006, 06:29:04 AM »

"I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with the 300 grain SST?"

The biggest deer I have taken in Virginia (206# buck) was shot with the SST 300 gr. I have found that in my case the SST is more accurate then the power belts. That said I still love the way the power belts load with ease.

I suppose that it boils down to 6 of one, or half dozen of another. It will depend on what your gun likes!

VolFan9183 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 22, 2006, 11:55:38 AM »

My Illinois hunt was last weekend and I thought I'd give an update on the load I chose.

I ended up going with the 338 gr Platinum Powerbelt pushed by 130 gr Pyrodex pellets. Sighted in 3 inches high at 100 yds was about dead on at 150 yds. I shot a large 9-point at 150 yards, and this load did the trick. There was virtually no rest on the stand I was using, and I hit the buck a little low and right behind the shoulder, so it traveled about 100 yards. But, the bullet exited the far shoulder, and I found good blood and pieces of bone and lung the whole way.

The next day I filled my doe tag with a 10 yard shot, square in the shoulder. She somehow ran about 30 yards, but the bullet exited and the blood trail was very good to say the least.

I'm quite impressed with this load, and from my limited experience, this particular bullet appears to perform well at all ranges. I would think that Powerbelts will perform fine, provided you stick with the heavier weights.

flintlock · « **Reply #18 on:** November 22, 2006, 12:11:08 PM »

:)Good job!!! I didn't even load my Knight this year...Have killed a couple of does with my .54 flintlock...And got to see a nice 8 point, just couldn't find an opening between the holly trees...He's still there and I have another month and a half or so to wait him out...

slave · « **Reply #19 on:** November 22, 2006, 01:03:24 PM »

My Encores will not shoot a power belt. Last year I shot Barnes because I could get a group and in previous years I thought the SST and Shoch Waves lacked expansion. From what I seen this past wekend the new Bonded shock waves look like the ticket. As good of groups as I have recorded and a .75" exit hole without hitting any bone. Now this is a sample of one but it is promising.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #20 on:** November 24, 2006, 02:06:23 AM »

Quote from: slave on November 22, 2006, 01:03:24 PM

My Encores will not shoot a power belt. Last year I shot Barnes because I could get a group and in previous years I thought the SST and Shoch Waves lacked expansion. From what I seen this past wekend the new Bonded shock waves look like the ticket. As good of groups as I have recorded and a .75" exit hole without hitting any bone. Now this is a sample of one but it is promising.

This was the main reason why I got rid of my Encore. It was a prima donna when it came to bullets. It would only shoot the SST/Shock Wave. It would not shoot any lead bullets. I now have a H&R (NEF) in .50 cal that will shoot the kitchen sink if I could find a way to stuff it down the barrel. I am very pleased with this gun and would recommend it to anyone. It used to be my back up gun, now it is the primary.

I also had a .30-06 barrel for that Encore that I could never get to group. The factory finally sent me a new barrel and it was better, but not by much.

Oldsnow · « **Reply #21 on:** November 24, 2006, 08:30:45 AM »

My Encore shoots Powerbelts 1 1/2" and less at 100 Yd's. I must keep my Pyrodex powder charge at 100 Gr's. or less. It will also shoot 1 1/2" and less at 100yd's with Hornady 250 SST's or 240 GR. XTP/Mag's. using 130 Gr's of Pyrodex powder. I like Small groups and my bullets flat and fast, so I shoot the 250 SST. At the range I clean between shots know matter what bullet I am shooting.

I think most people shoot powerbelts because #1 they shoot well for them, #2 they don't want to take the time to clean between shots.

mangulator · « **Reply #22 on:** November 24, 2006, 10:25:43 AM »

I will stick with the Shockwave or SST, I have excellent luck with the 250 grain bullet. I can't get the powerbelt to group well.

Tracker · « **Reply #23 on:** December 11, 2006, 09:30:32 AM »

I love the Hornady bullets. Started with the 300 SST and now using the 250gr. Randy Wakeman uses the phrase double lung and run which he does not like. As a bow hunter I always shoot for the double lung. They may run but they never run far. I have never lost a double lung hit deer. 100 grain of 777 with the .25acp conversion keeps them at around an inch for both my encore and NEF

DEPUTY · « **Reply #24 on:** December 11, 2006, 10:03:06 AM »

Rw yah we have been running 300grain sst all over the world,

from africa to canada to the USA on elk zebra whitetails from are ultimates out to 300+ yds and have yet to have anything run off more than 3 -4 steps.

we run the sst at 2300fps with awesome results on high shoulder shots we have too much video to prove otherwise...... seen weekly on tv

i wont use another bullet in the field it is accuracte and very deadly

eye shot · « **Reply #25 on:** December 11, 2006, 06:45:04 PM »

NEF 300 gr. SST, 90grs. T7. Hit doe both shoulders and spine, big hole. Very accuracte and just about as easy to load as PB's if you use Harvester crushed rib sabots. On the down side it wasted alot of meat.

Two Bears · « **Reply #26 on:** December 11, 2006, 09:09:42 PM »

Quote from: VolFan9183 on July 24, 2006, 07:48:20 AM

I apologize if this question has been asked already, but the search feature doesn't appear to be working.

I'm new to hunting with an in-line, but have hunted with a hawken for several years. I bought an in-line specifically for an Illinois hunt this Fall, as we'll be hunting areas where 200 yd shots are possible. I've found two loads that are both showing acceptable accuracy:

1) 295 gr Powerbelt Aerotip w/ 130 gr Pyrodex pellets
2) 250 gr Hornady SST w/ 100 gr Pyrodex pellets

On paper, the ballistics of these two loads appear very similar, so I was thinking of going with the Hornady because of less powder, recoil, etc. I may try the 300 gr SST, as the downrange punch seems a little better. But, I recently read an article by Randy Wakeman stating the "peformance of the 300 gr SST was dismal" because of poor expansion. This article was discussing the performance of different loads from the new Savage muzzleloader as documented by several hunters on several deer over a season.

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with the 300 grain SST? I'm basically looking for at least a 150 yard load. Also, what would be the max range (assuming proper shot placement) of the two loads listed above?

Thanks, in advance, for any replies.

The hornady 300 grain is VERY effective on any game animal and of the truck loads of deer that I have harvested with the Hornady XTP 300 grain bullet I have only recovered 1 bullet and it mushroomed very good, The rest went through the animals and left large wound chanels that produce large blood trails and fast recovery. You will enjoy what the Hornady bullets can do for you and they print very tight groups on paper that are hard to beat.

Also try to use the Harvester crush rib sabot they load easy with the Hornady XTP 300 grain bullet, You can get them at Cabelas and other retailers too.

Here is a picture of the only XTP hornady bullet that I have recovered....Shot with the Harvester sabot and 85 gr of BM3 powder, This bullet hit 2 ribs and went through the shoulder blade and ended up at the base of the deers neck ( a hard quartering away shot that went through a lot of muscle mass and bone ) The bullet retained (If I rember right) 92 or 93 % of its 300 grain start weight.