[LeverGunJunkie]

I've been using 245gr Power Belt HPs in my Inline, with 100gr of Pyrodex (pellets). I've had 2 deer escape makeable rifle shots due to bullet deflections from brush. And I'm talking small twigs. I continue to use them because I get MOA groups.

Yesterday, in my final blackpowder hunt of the season (GA) I smoked a coyote at 40 yrds. The shot placement (to the hind quarters) wasn't great, but I did the best I could based on the limited presentation I had and it put the dog down. In any event, during the subsequent pelt removal, I noticed no exit, and the bullet completely desinigrated in the paunch. The coup de grass shot to the chest at 10 yrds, also desinigrated the bullet with no exit.:(

This kind of performance is desirable in a varmint round, but this was intended for deer. If the bullet desinigrates at 40yrds on a yote, how is it supposed to make the tough deer shots (quartering) at 100yrds??? :scrutiny:

Wondering if anyone else uses power belts and could comment on this disappointing bullet performance. Any ideas as to why this occured? Is it still a valid deer bullet? Thanks.

[HUnter58]

I've been using the 295 gr. power belts behind 85 grs. of 2f Goex with great results. All shots under sixty yards have been double lung shots with complete pass thru. Shots beyond that have been disappointing.

[arcticap]

The performance of Powerbelts, especially the 245 grain ones, are the subject of much controversy on some black powder forums.
It seems that opinions about their performance and how effective they are on deer & other large game is split down the middle.
Their proponents claim that pushing them at too high of a velocity at too close of a range is what causes them to disintegrate. They say that if the powder charges are reduced to about 80 grains then they hold together better.
Powerbelt critics don't like them at all because too many deer have apparently escaped due to bullet failure and because there's so many other bullets to choose from.

For those who demand higher velocity or better terminal performance, it seems that the heavier Powerbelts offer better performance which includes the Platinums and those Powerbelts weighing 295 grains and over.

If you want to read many user reviews, then click on the following Cabela's product pages of their various Powerbelt offerings. All of the Powerbelts seem to perform differently on game.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20712-cat200005&id=0012630214373a&navCount=1&podId=0012630214373&parentId=cat200005&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20712-cat200005&id=0039907216176a&navCount=1&podId=0039907&parentId=cat200005&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=XK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20712-cat200005&id=0012630214282a&navCount=1&podId=0012630214282&parentId=cat200005&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20712-cat200005&id=0073012216225a&navCount=1&podId=0073012&parentId=cat200005&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=2UG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233

Here's a list of saboted bullets from Cabela's to compare user reviews for other brands:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/index/index-display.jsp?id=cat200005&navAction=jump&navCount=1&cmCat=MainCatcat20712&parentType=category&parentId=cat20712

One THR member even established a "Powerbelt Forum" where all of the Powerbelt performance issues are discussed in detail. Visit it for more advice and details if you really want to know more:

http://thepowerbeltforum.powerguild.net/

[LeverGunJunkie]

The limited research I've done this AM seems to confirm the falability of 245gr bullets. Seems like I need to re-evaluate the bullet choice. It's ashame to, these bullets shoot very well in my rifle. But it isn't worth losing game just to maintain pretty targets at the range.

Appreciate the info.

[frontiergander]

yep see sig link to learn!

try 80gr powder, the results will be much better! Theres also the Thor conical thats deadly accurate and load just as easy.

80gr will kill just as quick as 100gr.

Im also working a mold to make a new insert for the powerbelt that holds them together. With my insert and 100gr RS the 245gr powerbelt holds 90% + of its weight.