Sabots -vs- Powerbelts


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Hey Guys,

A grinding question from a newcomer.

I realize every ML rifle likes it's own specific powder and bullet load. I have a Kodiak Pro 209 Magnum. I plan on using T7 and trying both Barnes MZ Boattail Sabots 245gr and Powerbelts 250gr.

Question: If Sabots are such a pain in the butt to load after several shots,(mentioned consistently as a Con) leave plastic in the barrel, and aren't the full caliber of the barrel, why the heck are they still on the market!? Why haven't Powerbelts and Conicals just run them out all together?

I read good things about the accuracy of the Barnes MZ Boattails. They, from what I read, leave exit wounds as well. My buddy swears by the Powerbelts (his second year of shooting and I think he's a bit lazy and hasn't tried anything else) but, he has only had 1 pass through in 4 kills.

Thoughts?

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Re: Sabots -vs- Powerbelts

I used powerbelts for a couple years and just wasn't the accuracy from them and have heard problems of them falling off the belt and out of the barrel, thou I never had that problem. I have switched to hornady xtp sabots and have shot several shots and have not had a problem. Powerbelts are also undersized its the belt that's bore sized. I had the same concern and posted the question here. Try reading the (sabots) post by rds, I got some good info.

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Re: Sabots -vs- Powerbelts

For those of us that have muzzle loaders that like powerbelts, there's no substitute. I get VERY good accuracy from my black diamond and I can reload with musket cap in place before anyone in my hunting party could even get their sabot down the barrel. Also don't need to carry a bullet starter. I have not experienced any of the problems stated above with the powerbelts.

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Guest Numnutz

Re: Sabots -vs- Powerbelts

I find sabots much more accurate at farther ranges (say 150 yards) than powerbelts. I never have gotten powerbelts to shoot as good or perform as well on game as sabots. Having said that, I do have a hunting buddy that swears by the powerbelt. I don't worry about follow up shots anyway, thats why I use a Muzzleloader in the first place.

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Re: Sabots -vs- Powerbelts

[ QUOTE ]

For those of us that have muzzle loaders that like powerbelts, there's no substitute. I have not experienced any of the problems stated above with the powerbelts.

[/ QUOTE ]

We are the lucky ones who have muzzleloaders that shoot powerbelts great. There are many who have rifles that don't frown.gif I am waiting to try out the new ones soon.

too_

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Guest RandyWakeman

Re: Sabots -vs- Powerbelts

[ QUOTE ]

Question: If Sabots are such a pain in the butt to load after several shots,(mentioned consistently as a Con) leave plastic in the barrel, and aren't the full caliber of the barrel, why the heck are they still on the market!?

[/ QUOTE ]

They aren't hard to load at all, if you spitpatch between shots (the only way you are ever going to get consistent bore conditions). There are no muzzleloading bore standards, so you need to select the right combination for YOUR gun.

I've never had any plastic fouling, ever-- .

Being smaller than bore size is an advantage: shoot a .45 out of a .50, you have a 5 caliber ballistic advantage. Directly put, they fly better.

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Re: Sabots -vs- Powerbelts

I have used Powerbelts 295 gr. for 10 years and have never had a problem with accuracy or passthroughs. But I tried the Sabertooth bullets 270 gr. last year and like them even better. They're like the powerbelts except the bullet sits in a little sabot but pushes as easy as a powerbelt. The hollow in the bullet has six points and opens just like the Barnes bullets into six petals. In my Encore it's a little more accurate than the powerbelts.

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Re: Sabots -vs- Powerbelts

I love my .348 gr powerbelts!! After I saw what my best friend went through last year I with sabots, I doubt I will ever try them. He practically had to pound the T/C shockwaves down his barrel with a hammer. The year before he shot powerbelts just fine and he is switching back to them again this year.

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Re: Sabots -vs- Powerbelts

I use 2 50 Gr Pellets of Triple7 and a 295 Grain Aerotip powerbelt and get great results right out to 200 Yards as seen in this thread

http://www.realtree.com/forums/showflat....true#Post989070

Like everyone says each gun will like a different setup, just because one Encore does, does not mean they all will. You have to play around with them.

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Re: Sabots -vs- Powerbelts

i shoot a beartooth magnum which is cery close to your wolf as far as guns go. i love the powerbelts! accurate over 150 yds! i use 2 50gr triple seven and a 295 gr power belt, i moved up to three pellets and didn't see much if any difference! so i went back to 2!

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Guest Bushpilot

Re: Sabots -vs- Powerbelts

I bought some 295 gr. Powerbelt Arrowtips. I did a 4 shot 1.25 in group at 100 yards. 2 were touching. I did have two "flinch" or "flyers" also. So...out of 6 shots at 100 yards, 4 were consistantly within a 1.25 in. circle. The other 2 were about 2.50 inches away from the group. They were high and about 1.5 inches away from each other.

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Re: Sabots -vs- Powerbelts

i have a cva optima and i tried shooting the hollowpoint powerbelts out of it and they wouldnt group for anything...and it cost me big, i took someone elses gun hunting then and it wasnt sighted like they claimed and missed a monster 10. i then switched to the aero tips and bam, right on the money! sweet bullet

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