muzzleloader questions...sbots or powerbelts?

[dryfly]

Hey gang I just bought a new 50 cal CVA Apex...A Very nice ML that can take interchangeable barrels.

Will be shooting Buckhorn 209.....

Should I go with Powerbelts or sabots?

[stooxie]

I'd like to know what others say as well. One thing I was thinking is that the PowerBelts are big bullets, 300 grains or more, which means they will travel slower. 240gr is already a pretty big pill for a whitetail so I figured I'd rather have the flatter trajectory and less required powder of the sabot.

-Stooxie

[sourdough44]

I shoot a 250 grn SST(Shockwave) & use a CCIM primer for the B209. As usual shot placement is paramount.

[yellolab]

Depends on your bore ID. My encore does not group power belts well at all. On the other hand I get 2" groups with sabots.

kevin

[Mongosafari]

You'll have to try both to see which performs best in your rifle.
I guess that doesn't help much...

I shoot patched ball in my Hawkens 58 caliber but it has the correct 1:60" twist for round ball and FFg. This front stuffer has cleanly harvested a few Whitetails and a whole mess of Feral Hogs.
I also shoot a replica 1853 Enfield 58 caliber Rifled Musket and it needs Minie Ball 510 gr to perform at it's best with FFg.

[noway]

You have to go to the range and field them for yourself. I doubt you can get a honest answer on what's better in your gun

fwiw neither of my TCs current or past ( thunderhawk, omega or encore ) like powerbelts. I'm stilling using my tried and true 240 or 300grain XTP in the appropiate sabot with 120-130grains of loose powder.

Where the powerbelts shine at imho; easier to load for a coup de gras to finish an already down deer.

[ctaggart]

I shoot a 250 grn SST(Shockwave) & use a CCIM primer for the B209. As usual shot placement is paramount.

I just shot a doe with the same bullet. Double lung and she piled up after 50 yards. I get good groups with them.

[TScottW99]

I shoot the Barnes 250 grain TEZ Spitfire. Shoots great with 115 grains of Blackhorn 209 in my rifle. The SST shoots great in another muzzleloader but I have had blood trail problems with that bullet.

[Conan1]

I'm new myself to muzzleloading so I found this video on CVA's site you might find very informative. I've already got the Triple 7 209's but I bought the sabot's and now I'm thinking about taking them back and going with the Powerbelts after watching these. I bought a T/C Black Diamond magnum w/209 breech plug and a CVA Staghorn magnum w/ musket cap, both used. B D has a scope and I've just put a scope on the CVA and a 209 breech plug.

http://www.cva.com/videos.php