Power Belt® Bullets are the number one selling projectile for muzzleloader’s in the world. That said, I am a believer.
http://powerbeltbullets.com/Copper-Muzzleloading-Bullets.php
I have had good penetration, expansion, and wound channels with Power Belt copper coated lead bullets at moderate hunt ranges of 50 yards. I shoot them because they are cost effective, accurate and very easy to load and reload. So I have a dozen of these already in my possibles bag. The Aerotip aids in holding kinetic energy at longer ranges. But what about 100 to 150 yards with 100 grains of Pyrodex? Good Question!
First off, with 100 grains of powder I am getting 2 inch groups at 100 yards with my 26 inch TC Encore Rifle. Nice! But the energy is only 1100 ft lbs. Not so Good for penetration as the bullet mushrooms quite wide! At 75 yards it is 1200 ft-lbs. Better! Power Belt provides bullet energy and drop tables below so you know what kind of penetration and knock down power you are delivering.
https://www.powerbeltbullets.com/PBB26inchballistics.pdf
At 150 yards with 100 grains Pyrodex this bullet energy is under 1000 ft-lbs. That is not acceptable at all to me. Research on the web tells me that long shots over 100 yards do not produce a consistent exit wound with 100 grains powder thus I will need more powder. Exit wounds provide an excellent blood trail necessary for a fast recovery. If I am using powder pellets, use three 50 grain pellets under your 295 grain head and be more confident of an exit wound with over 1200 ft-lbs at 150 yards. I should get a big exit wound. At 100 yards with 150 grains powder your talking 1500 ft-lbs. Great for elk!
Having said the word “elk” I would go to the Platinum 338 grain Aerotip on the table for a 26 inch barrel and shoot 150 grains Pyrodex out to 200 yards and still have nearly 1500 ft-lbs. Of course if I were to buy new heads, this looks better to me in hindsight but I am very happy with the 295 grain heads with 150 grains Pyrodex for this season at longer ranges.
Good Hunting!
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