What sabots and conicals?
- Thread starter davem
- Start date
With my Knight USAK I had no luck what-so-ever with those lead Knight sabots. I've had pretty good results with powerbelts accuracy-wise anyway.
The thing with powerbelts is 1) you can't push them too hard or they won't fly well, 2) make sure you loosen the cup from the bullet some and stick a little lube on the post when you put the cup back on - if that cup doesn't release early in flight you won't hit the broadside of a barn, 3) I've had issues with the plated aero-tips on game - when shooting wild hog I've had the bullet not expand any and that is awful thick hide not to cause bullet expansion. I've heard people swear by their expansion and some swear AT their lack of expansion - it seems to be somewhat of a hit-or-miss issue.
If you try those 260 knight sabots - keep your powder charge down.......say 80gr of 2fg 777 or 90gr PyroRS or true Black.
AT least that is how my rifle likes things, but every rifle IS different.
The thing with powerbelts is 1) you can't push them too hard or they won't fly well, 2) make sure you loosen the cup from the bullet some and stick a little lube on the post when you put the cup back on - if that cup doesn't release early in flight you won't hit the broadside of a barn, 3) I've had issues with the plated aero-tips on game - when shooting wild hog I've had the bullet not expand any and that is awful thick hide not to cause bullet expansion. I've heard people swear by their expansion and some swear AT their lack of expansion - it seems to be somewhat of a hit-or-miss issue.
If you try those 260 knight sabots - keep your powder charge down.......say 80gr of 2fg 777 or 90gr PyroRS or true Black.
AT least that is how my rifle likes things, but every rifle IS different.
bullets and sabots
I use muzzleloaders exclusively for whitetail regardless of season(shotgun or BP). I have taken tree with powerbelts and the rest with TC shockwaves. The big difference is having to track 60 to 100 yds with powerbelts and no more than30 with Shockwaves. Shockwaves expand violently but have always exited. Powerbelts dont seem to expand, make very small holes and dont leave good blood trails. They do load more easily but if the deer is in a pile speed loading isnt really a necessity. Cost per shot with shockwaves is better too. All my friends who got into BP tried powerbelts and ended up losing deer ; even with well placed shots. Accuracy with either bullet depends on the gun. The addition of Magnum sub-bases from Cabelas will also make a difference. I only use power belts in a pinch ;if at all. TC also now has the Easy-glide sabots with shockwaves. There are several options with the Shock waves. Just my two cents CW
I use muzzleloaders exclusively for whitetail regardless of season(shotgun or BP). I have taken tree with powerbelts and the rest with TC shockwaves. The big difference is having to track 60 to 100 yds with powerbelts and no more than30 with Shockwaves. Shockwaves expand violently but have always exited. Powerbelts dont seem to expand, make very small holes and dont leave good blood trails. They do load more easily but if the deer is in a pile speed loading isnt really a necessity. Cost per shot with shockwaves is better too. All my friends who got into BP tried powerbelts and ended up losing deer ; even with well placed shots. Accuracy with either bullet depends on the gun. The addition of Magnum sub-bases from Cabelas will also make a difference. I only use power belts in a pinch ;if at all. TC also now has the Easy-glide sabots with shockwaves. There are several options with the Shock waves. Just my two cents CW
I have heard the SST's are very accurate, seems that they or the T/C shock waves would be two good choices- I think I'll try a pack of both to see what works best. What would be a good starting powder load on these? I have a 50 caliber. I plan on using pyrodex powder simply because I have some of it already. Plus a 209 shotgun primer.
You can't go wrong with the SSTs or Shockwaves (They are really the same bullet with a different sabot) they are very accurate indeed.
As far as powder loads go, you will have to work them up some to see what works best - but for starting loads, I'd recommend:
80gr of Pyro with any sabot below 300gr of weight
90gr of Pyro with 300gr sabots
100gr of Pyro with 350gr sabots
I'd be willing to bet you'll find your best accuracy within 15gr of those loads.
As far as powder loads go, you will have to work them up some to see what works best - but for starting loads, I'd recommend:
80gr of Pyro with any sabot below 300gr of weight
90gr of Pyro with 300gr sabots
100gr of Pyro with 350gr sabots
I'd be willing to bet you'll find your best accuracy within 15gr of those loads.
I`ve got a Rem 700 thats just simply a tack driver with the 245gr. copper series aerotip Powerbelts/ 90 gr. Pyro. or Cleanshot/ 209 primer and I`ve not experienced lose deer due to lack of expansion. Have shot about every Powerbelt boolit grn. weight CVA offers and this rifle just likes the above mentioned load. I HAVE experienced accuracy going out the window when(as someone previously posted) the powder charge was increased much over 100gr. Problem is, my T/C Encore won`t shoot Powerbelts at all
. I`ve found the bonded SST`s or Shockwaves to be the best deer getters out of this rifle. Also,magnum powder charges don`t seem to affect accuracy as much with them(SST`s/Shockwaves). Hope your in-line can shoot Powerbelts cause they are VERY convenient and worth checking out.
. I`ve found the bonded SST`s or Shockwaves to be the best deer getters out of this rifle. Also,magnum powder charges don`t seem to affect accuracy as much with them(SST`s/Shockwaves). Hope your in-line can shoot Powerbelts cause they are VERY convenient and worth checking out.simonkenton
New member
I like the 250 SST. Very accurate in my rifle and hits deer like the Hammer of Thor!
shock wave grain weight
I prefer the 200gr over 150 gr pyrodex pellets. Great ballistic coefficient,flat trajectory,capable out to 250yds. The 250 gr is almost identical with little more arc to the trajectory. Generally easier to find in the stores. If you can get the newer bonded shockwave that is even better. If you are shooting whitetails these two are more than enough. If you are looking at mulies,elk,moose etc. then you might want to move up to the 300 and 350. Any of them really do hit like the Hammer of Thor!! Finally the light is being shed on the powerbelt mumbo-jumbo.
I prefer the 200gr over 150 gr pyrodex pellets. Great ballistic coefficient,flat trajectory,capable out to 250yds. The 250 gr is almost identical with little more arc to the trajectory. Generally easier to find in the stores. If you can get the newer bonded shockwave that is even better. If you are shooting whitetails these two are more than enough. If you are looking at mulies,elk,moose etc. then you might want to move up to the 300 and 350. Any of them really do hit like the Hammer of Thor!! Finally the light is being shed on the powerbelt mumbo-jumbo.
FrontierGander
New member
mumbo-jumbo 348gr Aerotip out of my cva flintlock @ 100 yards and open sights 
I did it again the next day only my first shot was an experiement to see how it would shoot with an oil free barrel. It shot low.
I did it again the next day only my first shot was an experiement to see how it would shoot with an oil free barrel. It shot low.