frustrated with ML elk Load

[stick]

Hey Guys, just venting. I just got back from my 12th consecutive day of a two hour sighting in session, and I am just going crazy. I found one load that is very accurate 2" group at 85yds. The problem is that it is the 245gr powerbelt and I have heard horror stories about how if you are within 50yds that the bullet will explode on impact. I have tried 11 other bullets in different sizes and powder charges and nothing gets less than a 8" group at 50yds. I am praying that if I have good shot placement that the bullet will do its job.

What does everyone else think. thanks Stick

[Gator]

Eddie, only exp I have with the Power belts were when I was trying to sight them in and shooting in a dirt bank. The bullets were hardly deformed, and that was I think at about 70yds with somewhere around 90grs of powder. I would THINK that dirt would have more of an impact on the bullet fragging than what an animal would, but I may be wrong

[EKYhunter]

Which muzzleloader are you shooting?

[stick]

I am shooting a cva hunterbolt and sabots shoot great but up here we cant use any sabots. I really have tried every possiable bullet from the buffalo bullets to different sizes of powerbelts. I have decided that confidence in my bullet and where it is going to hit should do the job. I talked to some guys at Bass Pro in Denver today and they said that the instances they have heard of were when the shot hit right on the shoulder closer than 20yds and that if you hit in the vital area than I shouldn't have any issues out to 150yds.

[stick]

Hey Gator, yea I thought the same thing but I have also seen a lot of guys up here shooting muzzleloaders and they are happy with 8" group at 50yds. I was horrified at the prospect of not having a 1" group at 50yds. I dont understand how "SOME" not all by any means, dont get their guns sighted in before season so they can hit what they are aiming at.

[Washi]

I saw an ad for some new muzzle loader bullets from Hornady. They don't use a sabot. I can't even remember what they are called.

[AJ]

If it is for elk, I definately do not recommend the lightweight Powerbelts. Elk are not deer they are much thicker and you need penetration to get through the hide, the thick tissue and vitals. An elk's ribs can be harder than a small whitetails leg bones. Go with something heavier, the recommended PB is the 348 or the 405 gr when it comes to elk sized game. Personally, none of my guns will shoot PBs worth a crap at the velocities I want.

Hornady does have a new bullet called the FPB. Wal Mart carries these as well as Cabelas. They are 350 gr and have a flex tip. If you are hunting Colorado you must remove the tip to make them legal. Otherwise they are too long.

I am in the process of working up my own elk load. I am testing the 340 Dead Center, 300 SST, 300 SST Bonded, 290 TMZ, 350 FPB. So far the 290 TMZ is looking decent with a 1 1/4" group at 100 yards.

What powder are you using and how much? Are you swabbing between shots? What ignition source? What is your rest?

[stick]

I have tried the heavier pbs and many different buffalo bullets, I am shooting 777 and have tried complete cleaning between shots, spit patch between shots and shooting 4 or 5 times without cleaning. The 338gr pbs had a 8" group at 80yds and I just dont trust that. This gun has always shot 1" groups at 100yds with sabots. As to the FPB I would love to have some and on wensday I went to Denver to see if I could find some at Bass Pro and they were out and didnt expect to have any in for three weeks and my season starts in two.

The powder charge that I have found to be the best is 100gr by volume. I am just not use to having to search for a load that works.

[EKYhunter]

I have 0 experience using anything other than sabots. Why not contact CVA, tell them your situation, and let them advise you on which load/bullet. Or contact the folks that make the dead center bullets. Have them recommend a good load. Sorry, I know that's not much help.