I just bought a new CVA optima V2 .50 caliber muzzle loader. I bought 245 grain powerbelts to shoot in it. Haven't zeroed the rifle in yet. Was reading reviews on the bullets and found all kinds of horror stories on them. I normally have a hard time trusting random internet forum reviews so I though I would ask the members on here what experiences they have had with them. Both good and bad. Will be using 777 loose powder with 209 shotgun primers. I have shot patched round balls since I was young but have no experience with bullets. Thanks to all
I used to use Powerbelts but switched to Federal BorLocks but can't say how good they are yet.
I will say one thing you should do is try Blackhorn 209 blackpowder.
Way better than any other powder. It doesn't degrade over time like most blackpowders (one reason I stopped using Triple 7) and it makes cleaning your muzzleloader like cleaning a regular gun.......no more hotwater, foam, or anything else. You just use whatever cleaner you normally use on a gun and you can shoot apprx. 29 shots before needing to clean the gun to shoot, with regular muzzleloaders you may need to clean every 2-3 shots.
To clean my T/C Encore .50 cal after using Blackhorn 209 you can clean it and lube with with just a patch or two of CLP, RemOil, or whatever else you use. I actually use 2 wet patches of Montana Extreme cleaner, 2 dry patches, and then 1 patch of Montana Extreme gun oil for a total of just 5 patches.