Powerbelt HP 348 for elk

[abaddon]

Hi,

I'm using a .50 Armsport for Elk in Western WA this year.

I bought some 348 grain copper jacketed hollow points. With a bit more fiddling I think I'll be able to get acceptable groups out to 100 yards (100 grains of powder).

My only concern is will this open up too much in the animal? I'm concerned that it won't penetrate enough. The copper jacket looks very modest. Since it's already a .50 caliber projectile my preference would be for no expansion and hopefully a through-and-through. Seems like the safest bet with an animal this big.

What are your thoughts?

 

[frontiergander]

you'd be much better off with the Flat Point lead powerbelt in 348 grains. The copper jacket is only to keep lead fouling down, its .005" thick and doesnt do a thing to control expansion.

Go here and email them for a sizing sample, its free of charge. www.thorbullets.com these will work much better.

 

[abaddon]

Any other replies? I appreciate yours Frontiergander, but I don't see a lot of details on bullet construction on that site. I'm kind of a details guy.

My take is that it's already a .50 hole. Why would you want any expansion in an elk? Does anyone make a 350 grain (or so) bore diameter bullet that's not designed to expand?

 

[arcticap]

I would recommend the Hornady FPB which comes in 300 & 350 grain weights and has proven performance on large game. They also shoot well from a variety of rifling twists.

http://www.hornady.com/store/50-Cal-300-gr-FPB/


http://www.hornady.com/store/50-Cal-350-gr-FPB/

There's 51 customer reviews about them on the Cabela's FPB product page:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hornady-50-Caliber-FPB-Black-Powder-Bullet-with-Flex-Tip-Technology/740611.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dhornady%2BFPB%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26x%3D4%26y%3D8&Ntt=hornady+FPB

CO elk hunt
October 2, 2010
after 2 years with Powerbelt bullets I made a change this year to the 300 gr FPB. what a bullet! I was happy at the range getting ready for this years hunt...tight groups with consistency.
on the last day of the hunt I finally got the shot I'd been waiting on. I was shooting a TC Encore 50 cal with 100 gr of Jim Shockey Gold. the bull was at 70 yards quartering slightly to me.
the bullet entered the point of his shoulder, went through bone, both lungs, ribs on opposite side and I found it just under the skin on the opposite side. the bull turned and walked maybe 10 yards, stumbled and went down for good.
my guide said it was the cleanest muzzle loader kill he's ever seen...I finally found a bullet I have confidence in.

FBP and TC triumph
February 11, 2011
I bought the 350 grain FBP from Cabelas for use in my Tc Triumph. The accuracy Was great at 1-1.5 inch groups at 100 yards. They are easy to load, and had great results on game. Killed a cow elk this winter at 245 yards quartering away,the bullet entered the second to last rib and exited out the opposite shoulder blade. The bullet retained a weight of 326 grains outstanding product.

Another proven alternative would be to simply use one of the heavier lead bore size conicals like the 385 grain Hornady Great Plains bullet. Their heavier weight and lower velocity could also result in less expansion and more penetration. However, any bullet would need to be tested for long range accuracy, ease of loading and consistent results. Cabela's product page has 36 customer reviews:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hornady-Great-Plains-Bullets/740549.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dhornady%2Bgreat%2Bplains%2Bbullet%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26x%3D0%26y%3D0&Ntt=hornady+great+plains+bullet

http://www.hornady.com/store/50-Cal-385-gr-HB-HP/

For loading any conical besides a Powerbelt, be sure to have a wood or plastic mallet handy to help start it into the bore just in case your bore is tight.