Powerbelt alternatives for CVA

Anybody getting good results in their CVA with something other than Powerbelts? I have an older "Optima Pro" (29 inch barrel) and my hunting load in recent years has been 2 x T7 pellets and a 270 grain Powerbelt Platinum.

I've had very mixed results with Powerbelts. Some have performed exactly as they're supposed to and some have fragmented badly upon impact. I've read that speed can be the problem with Powerbelts and have been considering dropping back the charge a bit and going with the heavier copper Powerbelt, but I'm thinking I'd like to get away from them altogether. I'd still like to stick with pellets for powder.



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I know a couple guys that have tried the powerbelts but don't like them. Most of my buddies use the hornady SST 250gr. but one guy with optima switched to the federals with B.O.R Lock and says he finds them as accurate as the hornadys but with less fouling than the sabots. I think most of them use the white hot pellets as well.

.300gr XTP. Bang flop!!!

I use the Hornady 250 gr SSTs, but I have only shot one deer with them. The slug did the job on standard shot at an adult doe at about 45 yards. Through the rib, through the far side shoulder and exited. The deer ran maybe 30 yards and died quickly. The exit hole was probably about the same diameter as the slug because I only found the exit hole when butchering it. Until that point, I thought the bullet hadn't exited. Accuracy with the bullets is pretty good.

Thanks for the suggestions so far, should help narrow things down and keep costs lower during future experimentation.

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With my CVA Wolf I use two of the 7's and a Hornady 300 gr SST bullet.... Good groups out to 100 yds and the 1/2 dozen or so deer I shot with this combo, I don't think I had one go over 30 yds....

GW11
Where are you? If your close I’ll give you a few combo’s to try if you like.
Sabot fit is key.

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Originally Posted by Big Jack

GW11
Where are you? If your close I’ll give you a few combo’s to try if you like.
Sabot fit is key.

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Appreciate the offer! We're close I think, I'll send you a PM.

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In my Optima magnum I've had really good accuracy with 2 triple seven mag pellets 120gr, and Thompson shockwave 250gr. That and the Hornady SST250 gr were both really good.

Over the years I have had several bad experiences with Powerbelts blowing up but I liked them for the ease of loading. After a couple instances of blowing up, I switched to Hornady 300 grn SST both in my black powder and my smokeless ML.

I have killed about 10 deer with the SST and 2 moose (130 and 160 yards with smokeless) and those bullets and they have never let me down. It is a no brainer in my mind.

Good luck.

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Originally Posted by tr21chris

In my Optima magnum I've had really good accuracy with 2 triple seven mag pellets 120gr, and Thompson shockwave 250gr. That and the Hornady SST250 gr were both really good.

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Originally Posted by Muskyhunter

Over the years I have had several bad experiences with Powerbelts blowing up but I liked them for the ease of loading. After a couple instances of blowing up, I switched to Hornady 300 grn SST both in my black powder and my smokeless ML.

I have killed about 10 deer with the SST and 2 moose (130 and 160 yards with smokeless) and those bullets and they have never let me down. It is a no brainer in my mind.

Good luck.

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Thanks guys. I'm definitely going to try some of the SST's.

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