Sabot or Powerbelt?

[flyfishrman]

For you muzzelloader folks out there. What do you use and why? I picked up a deal on a TC Omega in Camo/Camo the other day. After deer season I'm going to fool around with loads and would love your opinions on what you use and why, so bring it on.

 

[Blue Sky]

Neither. Hornaday "Great Plains" conical, felt wad and 90 grains of triple 7. I hunt with folks who use Powerbelts and sabot loads and do well with them, but I prefer a lead bullet and loose powder.

The twist rate of your barrel will affect accuracy of different bullet types and weights, so don't forget to take that into consideration. Here's a place to start reading: http://www.prbullet.com/question.htm. If I can remember a few others, I'll add them later. Good luck and don't be afraid to try different things.

 

[Bwilson]

I tried the powerbelts - my T/C encore wouldn't group with them. I switched to 250 gr. shockwaves (sabots) with 100 gr. of triple 7. consistently shoots 1.5" groups at 100 yards with the occassional 1'' group. Devastates deer out to 150 yards.

 

[Geraldo]

My TC Encore shoots sabots so well that you'd think it was a centerfire barrel, so I haven't bothered with anything else. For practice I use cast bullets in the sabots which saves a bit of money. That said, I'm getting back into more traditional muzzleloading with my TC Hawken and Renegade. In them I use black powder and patched roundball or Hornady Great Plains bullets.