50 cal powerbelt bullet on moose

[willsey]

With moose season just around the corner. Could anyone tell me would be the maximum effective range on a 285 grain 50 cal muzzleloader bullet behind 150 grains of powder?

 

[eastwind]

Anything out to 200 yards I wouldn't be afraid to shoot. But then again, I do alot of shooting. bullet placement is the key.

 

[shepodyguide]

Whatever range you can absolutely lay that powerbelt into a vital area every time under any conditions, that is your maximum range. I would not try to drive that bullet through the chest or shoulder. Broadside and quartering away would be the highest percentage shots.

 

[delmer]

While I don't have any experience using Powerbelts on moose, I have read that they are not the best bullet of choice for something that large because they have a tendency to expand rapidly on impact, rather than penetrate.

 

[Huntsman]

Why use a bore sized projectile and instead use a sabot with a good bullet such as an XTP, SST or a Barnes TMZ. With these you surely have a flatter tragectory and extra fps for that final devistating knockdown punch.
Just a thought that's all.
Are you by chance shooting a CVA m.l.?

 

[beretta boy]

Hornady 300 gr. SST's.

 

[Huntsman]

300gr SST's

Hornady 300 gr. SST's.

They're what I use
I'm in the middle of testing out some Harvester Crush-rib sabots, If they work better I'll order some.
http://www.harvesterbullets.com/sabots.htm

 

[Bear250b]

Stick with Barnes, I have had great results from 7 yds to 110yds. Great bullet I will use no other in the smoke pole.

 

[Huntsman]

My brother Gilly is using Barnes this year in his Encore m.l.
They worked exceptionally well in his 7mm Mag bbl that he his switching to the Barnes TMZ.
If your going to use a "boresized" bullet, stick to a sidelock.
If you shoot an in-line, then take advantage of using saboted projectiles.

 

[hakx]

That will work. Like Huntsman said - if you are shooting a scoped inline, take advantage of sabotted stuff. Less powder required for the same performance

 

[BIGREDD]

I have used Power-Belts on all of the above... they are not rapid expander's...but those SST's certainly are!
The Power Belts work awesome on Big game with excellent penetration and expansion. I recommend the 300 or 338 grain platinum tip Power Belt for Moose. You should use a minimum bullet weight of 300grains with a magnum charge of Black powder and a minimum 26" barrel length. This will allow you to burn 150 grain charge of Pyrodex or Triple Seven! If you use a lighter bullet your downrange performance will drop off considerably!
200 yards is do-able with good glass and lots of practice!

I would not use a saboted bullet of any type... the reasons are many and quite valid... but that is a topic for another thread!