Muzzleloader Bullet Question

[marshman]

Looking for recommendations for a different muzzleloader bullet. I have a .50 caliber CVA Optima Pro that’s about 20 years old but shoots good. It was my first muzzleloader to buy and I went with the bullets CVA recommended which is Powerbelts and I’ve used them ever since. I’m just wondering what else I could shoot that would shoot well. I’m using two 50 grain Triple 7 pellets with a 209 primer. I know I should just buy different ones and experiment but that can get real expensive nowadays.

[Razorback01]

I never had good results with power belts, sabots seemed to work better for me. Any sabots, and loose powder.

[twistedmidnite]

I use the Hornady sabots with 2 pellets and a 209. Iv never shot a deer but have shot it several times and it's very accurate out to 100. Never shot past 100.

[twistedmidnite]

I think they're the sst or stt something like that

[Drycreek3189]

Hornady makes a bullet they call the Bore Driver. I spent about four hours on YouTube a few days ago watching guys test bullets, powder, and loads. The Bore Driver was high enough on many of the guys’ list that I bought some. I haven’t tried them yet, gonna stick with the Powerbelts until MZ season is over, but I’ll be trying them for next year.

[Hix]

SST 50 cal sabot (.45 250 grain.) & 209 cci primers
mine is an older CVA optima magnum so it handles 150 gr (3 pellets)

Ive shot deer out to 140 yards

[Bayouboy]

Why switch? Exactly what you were shooting always work great for me in my CVA's.

[Quackerbox]

Another that didn't like powerbelts. They killed but terrible blood trails. We're shooting the 250grn SST over 100 grains pellets in 3 different 50s. TC, rem 700 and an optima

[critter69]

Do you the twist rate of the barrel? If it's 20 years old, I am not sure what they were.

[ohuett]

I started with PowerBelts but wanted to switch bc they didn’t leave a good blood trail. Check out Thor Bullets. I use the 297gr Thor Hammer hollow point. They’re accurate out of my CVA and a blind man could find the blood trail they leave.

[Drycreek3189]

I started with PowerBelts but wanted to switch bc they didn’t leave a good blood trail. Check out Thor Bullets. I use the 297gr Thor Hammer hollow point. They’re accurate out of my CVA and a blind man could find the blood trail they leave.

I thought about trying these too. I like the fact that you can size your bullet to your bore with their sample pack of bullets.

[marshman]

Do you the twist rate of the barrel? If it's 20 years old, I am not sure what they were.

It’s 1:28

[rebelbow]

i'm using harvester pt gold 300 gr in both of mine over 2 50 gr pellets . super accurate and load easy
heard good things about the barnes mz but haven't tried them

[Buff]

I started using Arrowhead bullets that you size to your barrel. They are stupid wicked.The last deer I shot you could stick your fist in the exit wound.

[Hogmauler]

Why doesn’t it shoot well? From personal experience I don’t always shoot well! Lol! I have a friend that can hold quarter sometimes dime size groups. , I’ve seen his targets at 200yards. Absolutely insane.