about 6months ago, I email hornady about the samething. on a number of forums I posted there reply. than ask from people to email them about it. I don't know if it was in there plans or not at that time. but they need to speed that up.

I have shot the 50 cal version in 2 knights. on loved them to 50yrds. the other I had to pre size them. that is one problem I do see with them. if you did not have a QLA, they are not right for second shots. lost an deer because of them

This is just an fyi...

I'm always looking on the new technology market for state-of-the-art .45 cal. smokegun bullets that will prove to be both accurate on the bench and effective on game. After all, isn't that what we all want?

I like the simplicity of Powerbelts, and do not use sabots in my .45's. Out of curiosity, I recently inquired to the HORNADY people about their relatively new "Hornady FPB's", which are now trying to capture a share of the Powerbelt market. They are essentially full bore(not sabots) bullets like the Powerbelts, but currently are only available in one .50 caliber size, 350 grains. The Hornady spokeperson told me that they plan to make a lighter .50 caliber bullet soon, and are considering offering a .45 caliber Hornady FPB bullet in 2011. The main difference between Powerbelts and the Hornady FPB is that the Hornady does not have a plastic skirt. Instead, the Hornady FPB bullet is designed with a concave butt to capture the powder energy. This particular design (in theory) is suppose to eliminate occasional problems or inconsistencies with the Powerbelt plastic skirts, namely 1.) deforming under some magnum loads using particular Powerbelt Bullets in certain or different brand smokeguns, 2.) simply falling-off, 3.) cracking, or 4.) deforming while seating(hammering) the PB. My only question to Hornady is whether the FPB's solid construction, or its solid base, will expand enough in the barrel to create a good gas seal.

Since the FPB's are full bore, it is very likely that CVA's and the Hornady FPB will evetually come to like one another. My research tells me that whether Hornady FPB's work may be dependent on not only particular brand muzzleloaders, but perhaps even certain model muzzleloaders of a particular brand, or possibly even specific muzzleloaders of the same make and model, not to mention the enormous variabilty in powder charges avaiable for each.

Therefore my suggestion is, should Hornady come out with a .45 caliber FPB, give it a try ( I will ) in your particular muzzloader before you buy into the opinions and results of others. Each shooter has their own form or style of shooting, and every muzzleloader has its own seasoned bore, and/or unique micro-rifling fingerprint. What does or does not work in one may in another for one reason or another. But for now, I'll stick with my Powerbelts which have worked very well for me...at least until 2011.


MARTY (opinions/replys welcome)