Goinghuntin Posted June 11, 2010 Report Share Posted June 11, 2010 I was just looking at a diagram of ballistics for Powerbelt bullets, which is what CVA recommends I shoot in my gun, but the ballistics don't look so hot. A 295-grain bullet with 100 grains of powder in 50 caliber only achieves just over 800 ft-lbs. of energy at 200 yards. Is that enough to kill a deer? In contrast a 300-grain Hornady bullet with 100 grains of blackpowder makes 1117 ft-lbs. of energy at the same distance, beating the Powerbelt with even 150-grains of powder. Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted June 11, 2010 Report Share Posted June 11, 2010 With the right shot placement I would think 800 ft lbs would easily kill a deer. If you want to get the energy up at that distance, might consider increasing your powder charge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goinghuntin Posted June 12, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2010 Yeah I think the chart said that 150 grains of powder will get 1000 ft-lbs. give or take with the Powerbelt bullet, though the Hornady beats it hands-down in every aspect. I'm going to try shooting both to see which one shoots better. I've heard that a full powder charge rarely gets the best groups so I was kinda thinking of sticking to 100 grains of powder. I should probably mention that I will probably never even shoot a deer as far as 200 yards out. I like to see how close I can get. But you never know Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted June 12, 2010 Report Share Posted June 12, 2010 I've heard that a full powder charge rarely gets the best groups so I was kinda thinking of sticking to 100 grains of powder. An advantage of shooting loose powder. Never tried powerbelts here, so cannot speak for their performance. Some folks don't speak so highly of the xtp mag's, but we have had pretty darned good results from them, might consider giving them a try too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrontierGander Posted June 12, 2010 Report Share Posted June 12, 2010 100gr powder - 295gr powerbelt will easily kill at 200+ yards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteSmoke Posted June 22, 2010 Report Share Posted June 22, 2010 Ballistics I have seen so many bad reports about no expansion or blood trails using Powerbelts that I have decided not to use them, no matter how good they shoot I shoot a 250-grain HP/XTP Hornady round with an HPH 3-Petal EZ in my TC Omega and get one ragged hole at 50 yards. A 300 grain is available if you want a heavier bullet. I have the rifle sighted in at 130 yards and that puts the bullet 2" high at 50, 2" high at 100 and 2" low at 150. Velocity and energy are excellent using a 110-grain load. Only use the XTP Mag with a full 150-grain load. With a 100 to 110-grain load, the HP/XTP performs a lot better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunter109 Posted July 22, 2010 Report Share Posted July 22, 2010 idk about any of you but the limit i put on my guns are 100 or just over 100 yards with any bullet i shoot out of mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEBRbruiser Posted July 22, 2010 Report Share Posted July 22, 2010 idk about any of you but the limit i put on my guns are 100 or just over 100 yards with any bullet i shoot out of mine Just for the sport of it or what? Or do you shoot an older muzzleloader. Any quality newer smoke stick will have the accuracy and the power past 150 yards. Of course it always depends on the trigger puller too!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunter109 Posted July 22, 2010 Report Share Posted July 22, 2010 nope just the range i put on my self that i am comfortable with that is what it is all about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goinghuntin Posted July 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2010 nope just the range i put on my self that i am comfortable with that is what it is all about Just out of curiosity, do you shoot open sights or with a scope? Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrontierGander Posted July 24, 2010 Report Share Posted July 24, 2010 Hunter109, thats good that you know what your comfort zone is and that you wont shoot over that. I give you a pat on the back for that. Some just throw that rifle to the shoulder, aim at the stars and jerk that trigger back. You stay in the range that you're comfortable with and just keep of practicing at longer distances off hand until you are in your comfort zone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowana Posted July 24, 2010 Report Share Posted July 24, 2010 There is nothing wrong with Powerbelt bullets as far as performance. You just have to make sure they will group with adequate hunting accuracy. I have 2 bucks on my wall (commerative bucks of Michigan registered) that I shot with Powerbelts. One broadside at 150 yards with a TC Encore the other at 175 yards with same gun. I recovered the bullet from the last deer (I hit it in the neck-very lucky) and its performance was what I would expect at that range. I was shooting 3 pellets instead of 2. equiv to 150 gr of powder. I would agree on backing down the charge. Every gun has a "sweet spot". It takes a couple of fun days...lots of patches...different bullets and powders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goinghuntin Posted July 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2010 Hunter109, thats good that you know what your comfort zone is and that you wont shoot over that. I give you a pat on the back for that. I agree with FrontierGander. I won't shoot over 100 yards with my slug gun, even though the numbers say I can safely shoot much farther. I have yet to find my comfort range with my Optima however, I'm still shooting at the range and finding my perfect load. I don't expect I'll ever want to shoot past 150 yards though. Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunter109 Posted July 25, 2010 Report Share Posted July 25, 2010 well here in the woods of ohio where i hunt there are limited areas you can shoot over 100 yards but if i am hunting a feild there are plonty of longer ranges i can shoot i just stick to 100 yards it is all i like to shoot anyways at a deer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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