#469681 - 10/27/07 07:13 AM
Powerbelt poor performance?
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BowGuy84
10 Point
Registered: 09/16/07
Posts: 4862
Loc: Nashville, TN and Louisville, ...
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Has anyone else had consistent trouble with powerbelts and shots up close on deer? I have had 4 deer in recent years that were shot perfect and left minimal blood trails. They also traveled over 100 yards. About 5 years ago I was shooting the barnes copper solids and killed two one dropped in 10 yards even with a liver hit and the other sprayed awesome for 45 yards on a double lung shot. I will be taking the bow in the tree this year. I feel that the pb might be blowing through to quickly and not openning up on close shots. I already plan on shooting shockwaves next year, but with teaching this year I havent had a chance to make a change. Anyone else got any advice/experiences?
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#469703 - 10/27/07 07:44 AM
Re: Powerbelt poor performance?
[Re: BowGuy84]
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HOOK
TnDeer Old Timer
16 Point
Registered: 05/01/99
Posts: 15418
Loc: Rutherford County, TN
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Yes...don't like then...Haven't had a problem since I switched to Hornady
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Everytime I see you....there you are.
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#469775 - 10/27/07 09:52 AM
Re: Powerbelt poor performance?
[Re: BowGuy84]
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BSK
Jerkasourous of the non-typical kind
Non-Typical
Registered: 03/11/99
Posts: 59670
Loc: Nashville, TN
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Has anyone else had consistent trouble with powerbelts and shots up close on deer? I have had 4 deer in recent years that were shot perfect and left minimal blood trails. They also traveled over 100 yards. About 5 years ago I was shooting the barnes copper solids and killed two one dropped in 10 yards even with a liver hit and the other sprayed awesome for 45 yards on a double lung shot. I will be taking the bow in the tree this year. I feel that the pb might be blowing through to quickly and not openning up on close shots. I already plan on shooting shockwaves next year, but with teaching this year I havent had a chance to make a change. Anyone else got any advice/experiences?
Do a search on "Powerbelt" in this Forum. You will find many discussions on how the 295 grn and lighter PowerBelts expand too rapidly and do not produce full pass-throughs. However, those that have switching to the 348 or 405 PowerBelts are getting full pass-throughs and good blood-trails.
_________________________
"Know where you stand, and stand there" --Jesuit Father Daniel Berrigan
"There is no reasoning someone out of a position he has not reasoned himself into." --Clive James
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#470298 - 10/27/07 06:52 PM
Re: Powerbelt poor performance?
[Re: BowGuy84]
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jakeway
TnDeer Old Timer
10 Point
Registered: 11/22/99
Posts: 3459
Loc: Hendersonville, TN, USA
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I think you have it backwards about not "opening up" at close range. they actually expand too much at close range.
Different bullets are designed to expand at different velocities. If the bullet is not sturdy enough, it will expand too quickly at high velocities (read that close range, too) and even breakup. The resulting pieces are too small and don't have enough momentum to punch through the skin on the far side. No exit hole, less blood.
I had a .308 handload that works great at ranges from 50 - 200 yards, but when a big 12 point walked out at only 3 yards from my tree, the bullet broke up and there were many tiny holes on the far chest. But the buck piled up in about 50 yards.
I'm trying Hornady XTP 300 grain this year. They're rated to expand properly at velocites from over 1700 FPS to down to 800 fps, which with my load should be about 200 yards or more.
_________________________
It's not rocket surgery, for crying outside!
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#470765 - 10/28/07 06:17 AM
Re: Powerbelt poor performance?
[Re: jakeway]
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Young Buck
4 Point
Registered: 05/07/00
Posts: 369
Loc: SpringHill, Tn.
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Go back to Barnes
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#472228 - 10/29/07 08:15 AM
Re: Powerbelt poor performance?
[Re: FLIPPER]
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iowavf
10 Point
Registered: 10/25/05
Posts: 2559
Loc: southwest iowa
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You either like them or hate them. The deer I have shot with them have all dropped within several yards of where I shot them. I've shot deer from 10 to 160 yards without any problems. I don't always get pass throughs with my slug gun either so I didn't consider it to be necessary with my ML. I was more concerned with accuracy and ease of loading which I get using the powerbelts.
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#473163 - 10/29/07 05:43 PM
Re: Powerbelt poor performance?
[Re: iowavf]
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shootdonniebrook
8 Point
Registered: 12/14/03
Posts: 1195
Loc: Carter County
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BARNES 250gr. EXPANDER! I've used this bullet for years and have ALWAYS had complete pass throughs.The blood trails are awesome and always short.
_________________________
" Donniebrook "
A BIG MOUNTAIN BUCK
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#473601 - 10/29/07 09:04 PM
Re: Powerbelt poor performance?
[Re: shootdonniebrook]
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TennBuck
12 Point
Registered: 01/25/04
Posts: 5995
Loc: The Plateau
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POWERBELTS SUCK ! ! ! !
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you know it's FALL when it's time for deer and BALL
PS3: tennbuck
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#473768 - 10/29/07 10:58 PM
Re: Powerbelt poor performance?
[Re: BowGuy84]
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breezy
4 Point
Registered: 10/11/07
Posts: 159
Loc: tennessee
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I have shot close to 10 deer in the last 3 years with powerbelt 295gr. copper hollow points. I cant complain. I am shooting 150gr. of triple 7 pellets out of a thompson encore. My specialty is in muzzleloading and bow hunting. I have had pass throughs and had the bullet lodge on the other side of the animal. I have shot Shockwaves as well with basically the same results. If penetration is your main focus use a solid bullet such as lead ball, maxi-ball, or lke another person posted a 350-400gr. bullet. Every animal is different so the bullet will have different results based on shot location and the size of the deer. the lower weighted hollow point bullets arent designed only for penetration. They also pack a great deal of shock that the heavy bullet doesnt provide as much of at all ranges. Shoot 150grs. of powder and 295gr. hollow point and you will be tracking less and blood trails will never be a issue.
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