Saturday I went to the range to check my Encore 209x50. Because of poor grouping with ##### (name witheld because of a loose scope mount), I tried some 295 gr hollow point Power Belts. After I identified and corrected the scope problem I stayed with the PB's and found they shot very well, with one three shot 1" group at 100 yds. This was common with the #### above, but I am wondering...did I get lucky with the PB's, or have any of you folks had similar good fortune?

I shot today with similar results, and will check again tomorrow. If all stays the same, then I'll use them Saturday, 45 extra grains of lead can not hurt, though with a BC of .140 it is like a mortar!

Thanks, and good hunting,

Lee

I think it all depends on the gun. I tried them in my Encore and I couldn't get a 12" group at 50 yards. They were so loose in my barrel that you barely had to use the rod to seat them. I shoot them in my Lyman 54 cal flintlock with pretty good accuracy however I have yet to shoot an animal with them so can't say how well they perform on game but I have heard allot of good things there.

Stopping at the range on the way to the office. I will shoot #### and PB's. We'll see how it goes.

As to the loosness, mine load REAL easy.

I guess I should have spent more time with the MZ, and less time bow hunting...nope.

Lee

My Encore also shoots PBs well. However, I've been less than impressed with their performance on game. They seem fairly fragile. I get much better penetration and better results with Dead Centers, which are just as accurate.

OK, life has returned to normal.

The PB's would not group at all with my gun, 8" 3 shot group. I went back to the Shock Wave, 250 gr (I did not mention the brand earlier due to the fact the problem was me, not the bullet) and shot a 1 1/4" 3 shot group at 100 yds.

I think the problem is with bore diameter, the PB's almost drop to the bottom, not much engagement. I am certain they will work fine in other situations.

Lee

I have had a very good experience with power belts accurate and kills deer. I haven't had an exit hole yet but all the bullets have been stopped by the hide on the far side. I did not weigh them but they appeared to have stayed together pretty well. They got awful flat that's for sure. I have read some on the SST's I ordered some and can't get them down the barrel, too tight. I love the power belts. I will trade you.

Kinda backs up my thought on bore ID. The Shock Waves load fine with a spit patch between each shot, where the PB's almost drop in.

Lee

You are right. Power belts go in firm not loose at all. But the SST's I couldn't get in too tight. Someone suggested a lube but I didn't go that far, it seemed to be too tight for a lube to work.

I shot PB in my .54 cabelas hawken. I tried the older flat nose and the "aero-tip" both were replaced with a .530 round ball and a .015 patch with spitpatch lube.

PB didn't shoot too bad, but they were expensive the last time I shot them and they did load easier than I would have liked in order to seal the charge.

I shot 1 doe with a PB about 6 or 7 years ago during the NE muzzleloader season. It was a double lung pass-through and it didn't do any better than a round ball.

They shoot very well in my .50 cal ULA M90, and are tight on loading.

I hunted with the 348 gr in Colorado, but I didn't get an opportunity to try one on a deer.

jim

Chain,
I just got over a problem seating bullets with sabots in my Encore. I could not get them to seat using simple green/water for wash, then drying patch. Switched to a commercial cleaner followed by a lightly covered Bore Butter patch and all sabots and PB seated very well.

I have had the same experiences with PBs that Chain has. I shoot 348 grain Aerotips in my Encore ahead of 100 grains loose Triple Seven. Loading is easy but tight enough so that the bullets stay put. I tried heavier charges but the groups opened up. Also, I got much better accuracy with a fouled bore than a clean one, using a single spit patch between shots. That's how I hunt.

I've shot 3 cow elk with that load, been in on another, and two mule deer. My experience has been just what Chain described--bullets flattened and recovered just under the hide on the off side, except for one of the deer, the PB blew right through. All shots were broadside in the ribs except last year's elk, which went through the scapula on the near side and some more shoulder bone on the off side.