Power Belt bullets for deer

[whatnickname]

It’s been quite a few years since I’ve hunted deer with a muzzle loading rifle. I’ve always used the 223 grain Aero Tip or a 245 grain hollow points and 3 pellets of 777 with good results in a Thompson Center Omega. And yes, I’m aware of the 2 Vs. 3 pellet controversy. Not the most accurate loading but devastating on whitetail deer. I’m going to hunt with a muzzle loader again this next season. After doing some reading, I’ve decided to go with the 295 grain Aero Tip and 2 pellets of 777. 3 pellets & 240 grain bullets is pushing the envelope...295 grain and 3 pellets is just too much bullet weight to put in front of that heavy a powder charge IMO. Besides that my rifle’s sweet spot accuracy wise tends to be around 100 grains of 777. Would like to know if anyone else has used this bullet and charge combination and how it performed on deer at various ranges.

 

[arcticap]

Would like to know if anyone else has used this bullet and charge combination and how it performed on deer at various ranges.

The more user reviews that you read the better, and Midway has a lot of user reviews.
Note that some reviews don't mention which bullet weight was used.
But there's some common occurrences [both good and bad] to draw conclusions from.
Not that it matters, but some of the older reviews may even mention the Omega.--->>> https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2427550450

I recall when the Platinums first came out, and some folks thought that they were better.
Maybe they're slightly better, maybe not.
Some info. posted about the Platinums are also true for the Aero Tips.
The Midway reviews have some nice photos of expanded bullets.
It's worth reading all of the reviews for the tips they contain. --->>> https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2427159844

 

[arcticap]

Hornady introduced a new Bore Driver FTX that's has a plastic skirt just like the Aero Tip.
Except the bullet has a true jacket and not just plating.
Not sure where you can buy them but they're based on their existing FTX bullet technology. --->>> https://www.hornady.com/muzzleloading/bore-driver-ftx#!/

The Hornady website mentions them being sold at Dick's Sporting Goods but they're not listed.
Not in stock yet at muzzle loaders dot com. --->>> https://www.muzzle-loaders.com/horn...leloader-bullets-50-cal-290-grain-h67713.html
Coming soon to Midway.--->>> https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1023104952

 

[SC45-70]

It’s been quite a few years since I’ve hunted deer with a muzzle loading rifle. I’ve always used the 223 grain Aero Tip or a 245 grain hollow points and 3 pellets of 777 with good results in a Thompson Center Omega. And yes, I’m aware of the 2 Vs. 3 pellet controversy. Not the most accurate loading but devastating on whitetail deer. I’m going to hunt with a muzzle loader again this next season. After doing some reading, I’ve decided to go with the 295 grain Aero Tip and 2 pellets of 777. 3 pellets & 240 grain bullets is pushing the envelope...295 grain and 3 pellets is just too much bullet weight to put in front of that heavy a powder charge IMO. Besides that my rifle’s sweet spot accuracy wise tends to be around 100 grains of 777. Would like to know if anyone else has used this bullet and charge combination and how it performed on deer at various ranges.

I've killed 4 white tail deer with 295 grain aero tip power belts and 80 grains of 777. All shot at less than 100 yards, all standing broad side, shot in the vitals. 3 fell over on the spot, the other went less than 50 yards. I am very happy with the performance and accuracy of power belt 295
aero tip bullets.

SC45-70

 

[whatnickname]

The more user reviews that you read the better, and Midway has a lot of user reviews.
Note that some reviews don't mention which bullet weight was used.
But there's some common occurrences [both good and bad] to draw conclusions from.
Not that it matters, but some of the older reviews may even mention the Omega.--->>> https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2427550450

I recall when the Platinums first came out, and some folks thought that they were better.
Maybe they're slightly better, maybe not.
Some info. posted about the Platinums are also true for the Aero Tips.
The Midway reviews have some nice photos of expanded bullets.
It's worth reading all of the reviews for the tips they contain. --->>> https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2427159844

Thank you. I have read the Midway reviews. I agree with you...the more reviews the better.

 

[whatnickname]

I've killed 4 white tail deer with 295 grain aero tip power belts and 80 grains of 777. All shot at less than 100 yards, all standing broad side, shot in the vitals. 3 fell over on the spot, the other went less than 50 yards. I am very happy with the performance and accuracy of power belt 295
aero tip bullets.

SC45-70

Good to know. Thank you. Took the Qmega out to the range yesterday. Two pellets of Magnum 777 (120 grains equivalent of BP) shoots 1 inch groups at 100 yards.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I have not used the Aerotips, but I have been using the 295 grain hollow point Powerbelts for several years now and love them.

Also, unless the package says "Magnum", it's best not to use 3 pellets. They open very fast and it seems like most of the people who give negative reviews on them are using magnum loads.

I've shot the 295 grain hollow points for years with 80 grains of loose Pyrodex.
I killed a doe at 175 yards with that load. The deer ran 20-30 yards. The bullet was expanded and there was a knot on the off side where it nearly completely penetrated.

I'm a fan.

 

[frontiergander]

https://buckskinsbp.blogspot.com/2020/07/hunting-with-powerbelt-bullets-what-you.html

 

[whatnickname]

I have not used the Aerotips, but I have been using the 295 grain hollow point Powerbelts for several years now and love them.

Also, unless the package says "Magnum", it's best not to use 3 pellets. They open very fast and it seems like most of the people who give negative reviews on them are using magnum loads.

I've shot the 295 grain hollow points for years with 80 grains of loose Pyrodex.
I killed a doe at 175 yards with that load. The deer ran 20-30 yards. The bullet was expanded and there was a knot on the off side where it nearly completely penetrated.

I'm a fan.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[whatnickname]

https://buckskinsbp.blogspot.com/2020/07/hunting-with-powerbelt-bullets-what-you.html

Very useful article. Thank you.

 

[Aim1]

When we first started muzzleloader hunting we used all lead Powerbelts and got like 9 for 9 on deer. Great performance. However, when I got back into it I remember a lot of people saying don't use Powerbelts but can't recall why.

I switched to the Federal BoreLock and it killed a doe fine at 80 yards this year.

I do know someone said use either 100% lead or 100% copper but don't use a jacketed bullet because it will come apart and leave fragments in the deer.

 

[Grizzly2]

It sounds like you have found the right combination for your ML. Years ago I shied away from the Power Belts because of some bad reviews. I think some were fragmenting, but that was a long time ago and they have probably corrected that problem.

I came to like Blackhorn 209 and Barnes MZ-Expanders. I used 285 grain all lead spitzers for a while but they seemed to not travel much of a straight line inside the deer even thought they were effective. Then I tried an assortment of different 45 cal/sabot bullets before settling on the Barnes which gave me both the accuracy I was looking for and performance on deer up close and out to about 185 yards. That was out of a Knight Disc Elite. What I really wanted to use were some .40 sabot combinations that were supposed to be very accurate in my rifle but were not legal in Illinois.

 

[earlthegoat2]

My first ML, a CVA Staghorn, didn’t like PBs so I never used them in deer.

My uncle has the same gun and his shoots them great and he has good results....when he actually hits the deer. Haha. I just acquired a .54 cal inline and will try out the .54 cal PBs if I can find some.

 

[PonyKiller]

I think it may be a combination of a few things, the newer Bullets tend to outpace them in terminal performance and penetration which shines a light on their inherent flaws. Beyond that the sabot bullets or the latest gen of full bores shoot better on paper trajectory wise, the writers want to turn every caliber of every vintage into a weapon a sniper woukd salivate over... It sells.

For the most part whether its round ball, sabot, powerbelt or somewhere in between, as long as you are realistic about the range you will be hunting and are thoughtful in the shot you are taking with the given projectile, they all kill deer.

 

[Swampy75]

Started hunting deer with BP back in 05 and used PB almost exclusively since they are so easy to load. 100 gain T7 pellet with the 295 hollow point was the perfect combo for my NEF inline .50. Five out of the six deer taken with this combo dropped where they were standing. The 6th walked 20 feet and dropped. Bullets recovered on all 6 were on far side of entry, mostly intact and expanded to size of a quarter. Range varied from 20 yds to 145 yds. I used the lighter 238 Areo for my Optima .50 pistol loaded with 100 grain T7 with the thought process of lighter bullet in the shorter 14" barrel would help maintain velocity. Was never able to line up a good shot on a deer with that combo before moving out of Iowa. I personally won't use any other bullet due to the success I have had with PB.

 

[Thomasss]

I shoot traditional and my brother shoots a TC inline. 777 Pellets and 777 granular powder are not the same by volume, so don't try to compare them. My brother likes 3 pellets and the larger Power Belts as long as one uses a Power Belt bullet seating Jag. If you deform the tip of the bullet, you are not doing yourself any favors. And a friend poured 150 grains of granular powder in his in-line, thinking it was the same as 3 pellets. The breach plug buckled.