Powerbelts vs. Shockwave Sabots

Sea Buck · December 2, 2013, 05:54 PM

I am shooting a CVA Wolf Magnum. I shoot Hornady 250 gr SST Sabots. I am down to 8 rounds and went looking for another pack to carry me through the rest of the season. None to be had, anywhere.

So, I have available 245 gr Powerbelt and 250 gr Shockwave bullets in local stores. What are some of the experiences using either? Which in your opinion should I go for?

cdmckane · December 2, 2013, 06:01 PM

Basspro.com for Hornady XTP and mmpsabots.com for MMP sabots. They'll be cheaper than the prepackaged ones.

Given the choices you listed, I'd go with the Shockwaves. They're just repackaged SSTs.

shortwave · December 2, 2013, 07:29 PM

Since Hornady makes the Shockwaves for T/C and are the same bullet, just packaged by T/C and cost more, I'd go with the bonded Shockwaves. Using the same 250grn. you will most likely not tell a difference in your zero. But I'd check to be sure.

Going to the PB's, you will have to re-zero.

.284 · December 2, 2013, 08:41 PM

CVA's are made for Power Belts. I would give those a try. SST's are fine bullets and i like tham in my TC but, Power Belts and CVA barrels are like peanut butter and jelly.

NoSecondBest · December 2, 2013, 09:27 PM

I've shot several deer with Powerbelts and my opinion of them is very poor. I've had several totally disintegrate inside the animal, finding only very small particles of lead and plating material. I had one hit the side of the deer at 50 yds and not even penetrate the hide! It left a large crater in the deers hide on the ribs. This was a follow-up shot and the deer didn't get up when I shot. I reloaded and the next one went completely through the animal. The fragment most of the time and once in a while perform as they should. I've been hunting with muzzle loaders for over 40 years and have shot a LOT of deer with various side locks and in-lines. In all my experience, these are by far the worst bullets I've ever used. I now use Hornady XTP bullets which have performed very well on around the last dozen or so I've shot with the muzzle loader. They work very well in a handgun also. I'd strongly recommend using the Hornady XTP and an appropriate sabot in your gun.

Sea Buck · December 3, 2013, 01:11 PM

Thanks for all the response. The shockwave sure does appear to be a SST, just a yellow tip and a black sabot difference. Thanks for the info.

December 2, 2013, 05:54 PM	#1
Sea Buck Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: New England,Florida Snow Bird Posts: 312	Powerbelts vs. Shockwave Sabots I am shooting a CVA Wolf Magnum. I shoot Hornady 250 gr SST Sabots. I am down to 8 rounds and went looking for another pack to carry me through the rest of the season. None to be had, anywhere. So, I have available 245 gr Powerbelt and 250 gr Shockwave bullets in local stores. What are some of the experiences using either? Which in your opinion should I go for?

December 2, 2013, 07:29 PM	#3
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,970	Since Hornady makes the Shockwaves for T/C and are the same bullet, just packaged by T/C and cost more, I'd go with the bonded Shockwaves. Using the same 250grn. you will most likely not tell a difference in your zero. But I'd check to be sure. Going to the PB's, you will have to re-zero. Last edited by shortwave; December 2, 2013 at 07:54 PM.

December 2, 2013, 08:41 PM	#4
.284 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2009 Location: davison, michigan Posts: 665	CVA's are made for Power Belts. I would give those a try. SST's are fine bullets and i like tham in my TC but, Power Belts and CVA barrels are like peanut butter and jelly. __________________ Guns have only two enemies, rust and politicians! Deer are amazing creatures....so please don't burn the sauteed onions and I'll pass on the steak sauce, thank you.

December 2, 2013, 06:01 PM	#2
cdmckane Member Join Date: April 8, 2012 Location: Locke, NY Posts: 76	Basspro.com for Hornady XTP and mmpsabots.com for MMP sabots. They'll be cheaper than the prepackaged ones. Given the choices you listed, I'd go with the Shockwaves. They're just repackaged SSTs.

December 2, 2013, 09:27 PM	#5
NoSecondBest Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2009 Location: Western New York Posts: 2,736	I've shot several deer with Powerbelts and my opinion of them is very poor. I've had several totally disintegrate inside the animal, finding only very small particles of lead and plating material. I had one hit the side of the deer at 50 yds and not even penetrate the hide! It left a large crater in the deers hide on the ribs. This was a follow-up shot and the deer didn't get up when I shot. I reloaded and the next one went completely through the animal. The fragment most of the time and once in a while perform as they should. I've been hunting with muzzle loaders for over 40 years and have shot a LOT of deer with various side locks and in-lines. In all my experience, these are by far the worst bullets I've ever used. I now use Hornady XTP bullets which have performed very well on around the last dozen or so I've shot with the muzzle loader. They work very well in a handgun also. I'd strongly recommend using the Hornady XTP and an appropriate sabot in your gun.

December 3, 2013, 01:11 PM	#6
Sea Buck Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: New England,Florida Snow Bird Posts: 312	Thanks for all the response. The shockwave sure does appear to be a SST, just a yellow tip and a black sabot difference. Thanks for the info.