dvdegeorge

Wondering what projectile you guys use when hunting elk with muzzleloader in Colorado.Iwant to hunt with my 50 cal. Omega.Ihave heard and read mixed reports on Powerbelts.Any suggestions would be helpful because I have my load worked up using a sabotted 250gr.Hornaday SST.Was wondering if anyone is shooting lead conicals from there Omega or Encores.Thanks

lonewolf5347

dvdegeorge
http://www.prbullet.com/col.htm

whitetails & muskies

For starters, in Colorado you cannot use sabots or powder in pellet form, nor a scope.

I was there this past season and was shooting a .50 caliber Traditions in-line with 100 gr of 777 2F and a 348 gr Powerbelt Aerotip. I took a nice 5x5 at about 85 yards, after working him for about a half hour before he finally showed himself. The shot was slightly high, but he side stepped and tipped over in his tracks. That worked for me. The bullet lodged on the opposite side and it was a near perfect mushroom.

dvdegeorge

I'm familiar with pb's site,but wanted some 1st hand experiences,also if that type of bullet will shoot well from a 1 in 28 twist barrel.

txhunter58

I have used powerbelts in my T/C renegade for years and have been very pleased. Just got a T/C Omega and tried 348 powerbelts for the first time last weekend. Out to 50 yards the best groups I got were 2-3 inches with the stock sights. I don't like "V" rear sights and am ordering a new peep sight for the rear. I think I will do better with that with the peep. I suspect that you can develop a load with the powerbelts with some experimentation. As stated, you have to use the loose powder, not pellets.

I think your choices are either powerbelts or bullets like buffalo bullets or maxiballs. Powerbelts are much more user friendly, so I think that working to find a good load is worth the effort.

Remember that you will be shooting open sights, so shots past 100 yards should be left to the experts. If you are one, go for it. Otherwise and 3-4 inch group at 100 is more than adequate. My personal max range for an elk is 100 yards.

whitetails & muskies

I put a Williams rear peep sight on my Traditions and I love it. When I shoulder the rifle, my eye just naturally centers itslef in the peep. Low light was a concern, so I got used to using the sight wide open. I removed the screw in insert and did just fine.

dvd...my Traditions is a 1:28.

There may be better behaving bullets out there, but as stated above, not being able to use sabots, the PB's are no doubt the most hassle free and I was able to control a good grouping.

dvdegeorge

Has anyone tried the colorado conicals PB sells?(1in 28 barrel)

Bill the Dog

dvdegeorge,
I've shot the Colorado conicals from prbullet through my Encore 50 cal. They are fine bullets. I chose to go to Colorado two years in a row with 110 gr of 777 driving 348 gr PowerBelts due to one fact. The Colorado conicals are a bitch to load and you have to carry lube with you or pre-lube the bullet. PowerBelts are way easier to load. I shot both the Semi-Spitzer and the Hollow point Spitzer. Both shoot well in the Encore and were every bit as accurate as any PowerBelt I've shot. I will likely spend another few days on the range this summer comparing prbullets conicals to other bullets, including PowerBelts. One thing for sure is that the prbullets shot about 4 inches higher than the PowerBelts using the same sight adjustments on my Encore. I believe that both prbullet conicals that I shot were 400 gr.

PS, One added fact, it is really hard to seat the pure lead prbullet conicals without marring the bullet with your ramrod, even using prbullets supplied bullet seater.

Bill the Dog

cayugad

From what I am reading, your limited to what you can use. Something about the projectile can not be twice as long as the caliber and no pellets. In that case have you considered LEE R.E.A.L. conicals. They are pure lead, 320 grains would still fall into that legal area for you. I realize that might be a little small, but the only other choice I would look into is the 405 grain powerbelt, if that is legal. I am not sure about the length of that powerbelt. Otherwise the 348 in a aero tip would be a good choice. What you want is good penetration and expansion.

The Lee Conicals would give you the penetration. If you put it in the right place, a half inch hole through the heart or lungs is going to ruin anyones day. They will expand but they have to hit bone usually. It would not hurt to get some and try them out, see how your rifle shoots them. Run a search on Black Jack Hill. He sells them very reasonable, and they shoot excellent in my in lines....

dvdegeorge

Thanks for all the info.guys,sent my deposit out today for the hunt,Looks like I'll be having fun this summer trying different loads and bullet combos.Anyone else with suggestions or results would be great.