Today we're testing the Hornady Bore Driver FTX, Hornady XTP, Hornady Great Plains, T/C Maxi Hunter, Traditions Smackdown Carnivore, a 500 Grain Paper Patched all lead bullet and we're giving the Powerbelt ELR another shot to see if its performance in the last test can be repeated.

Every year as hunting season comes around, facebook groups and forums are swarmed with hunters with their first or a new muzzleloader wanting to find the holy grail of bullets, a bullet that will stop their dream buck in it’s tracks. Everyone has their favorites for their rifles and it’s really hard to tell if a bullet in one person’s muzzleloader will work in yours.

The best thing any of us can do is buy a variety of bullets and spend a few days at the range testing them out, but that can be hard to do, and expensive. Now, you still need to go to the range and sight in your rifle to make sure you are taking the most ethical shot possible, but this new series may help you pick the kind of bullet you’ll like, without breaking the bank.

This is my second test of this nature, I had some weather related issues this round which ended up resulting in a 2 part test. Bullets 4-7 were shot on a much colder day (15F) than Bullets 1-3 (30F).

Full disclosure, Muzzle-Loaders.com sent me the Hornady and Traditions Smackdown Bullets to try in this test. I am not being compensated by anyone for this video and the sending in of these bullets does not influence the test.

Test Parameters

The Gear

I’m using my CVA Accura LR V2 with a Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 scope. The Rifle does have the CVA Blackhorn 209 rated breechplug.

For a charge I’m using 80 grains (measured by weight) of blackhorn 209

My primers are Federal Premium 209 Shotgun Primers - notably not the best for Blackhorn but they have been working for me.

I’m shooting from the bench using a Caldwell shooting rest

The Bullets

• Hornady Bore Driver XTP 290 GR

• Traditions Smackdown Carnivore 250GR

• PowerBelt ELR 330 GR

• Hornady XTP 240GR

• T/C Maxi Hunter 275GR

• Custom Paper Patch 500 Grain Bullets from Lead Hunting Correspondent Rod Scobee

• Hornady Great Plains 385 GR

The Targets

To test our bullet penetration, I’ve lined up 15 1 gallon jugs, filled with water at 100 yards. It’s important to note that these targets don’t perfectly replicate or even get close to emulating a deer, elk, hog, bear, or other muzzleloader hunting target, but we do get to see the expansion in a controlled environment.

Bullet 1: Hornady Bore Driver FTX 290 GR

This is a popular bullet right now with many hunters getting tight groups. I found the bullet to be a tight fit in the CVA Accura LR v2 and was accurate in going down range.

The Bore Driver FTX Penetrated 4 one gallon jugs of water.

The Chronograph read 1773 FPS for the Bore Driver FTX

Above you’ll find several stills of the impact, taken at 240 frames per second. Take note of how the jugs behind the penetrated jugs flex and distort with the force.

Bullet 2: Traditions Smackdown Carnivore 250GR

The Traditions Smackdown Carnivore Penetrated 4 one gallon jugs of water.

The Chronograph read 1938 FPS for the Smackdown Carnivore

Below you’ll find several stills of the impact, taken at 240 frames per second.

Bullet 3: Thompson Center Maxi Hunter 275 GR

The Thompson Center Maxi Hunter penetrated 4 one gallon jugs of water.

The Chronograph read 1854 FPS for the Maxi Hunter

Below you’ll find several stills of the impact, taken at 240 frames per second.

Bullet 4: Rod Scobee’s 500 Grain Paper Patched Bullet

The 500gr Paper Patched Bullet penetrated 9 one gallon jugs of water.

The Chronograph read 1665 FPS

Below you’ll find several stills of the impact, taken at 240 frames per second.

This 500 grain bullet is a bit much for this rifle in my opinion. The rifle can handle it fine, but the recoil can be abusive to the marksman. I found myself resting my face father back on the stock to help with recoil. This large bullet is what I would call a “Hog Stomper”.

Bullet 5: Hornady Great Plains 385 Grain Bullet

Hornady Great Plains 385 Grain Bullet penetrated 3 one gallon jugs of water.

The Chronograph read 933 for this shot, but I believe this was in error due to the sun and shadows from the woods. I’ll be testing this bullet again.

Below you’ll find several stills of the impact, taken at 240 frames per second.

Bullet 6: Hornady XTP 240 Grain Bullet

Hornady STP 250 GR penetrated 4 one gallon jugs of water.

The Chronograph read 933 for this shot, but I believe this was in error due to the sun and shadows from the woods. I’ll be testing this bullet again.

Below you’ll find several stills of the impact, taken at 240 frames per second.

Bullet 6: PowerBelt ELR 330 GR

PowerBelt ELR 330 GrainBullet penetrated 5 one gallon jugs of water.

The Chronograph read 2140fps for this shot.

Below you’ll find several stills of the impact, taken at 240 frames per second.

Penetration Scoreboard

Hornady Bore Driver XTP 290 GR

• 4 Jugs

• 1773 FPS

• 25.6 GR Recovered Weight

Traditions Smackdown Carnivore 250GR

• 4 Jugs

• 1938 FPS

• 236.8 GR Recovered Weight

PowerBelt ELR 330 GR

• 4 Jugs

• 1773 FPS

• Recovered Weight

Hornady XTP 240GR

• 4 Jugs

• X FPS

• 207.2 GR Recovered Weight

T/C Maxi Hunter 275GR

• 4 Jugs

• 1854 FPS

• 274.1 GR Recovered Weight

Custom Paper Patch 500 Grain Bullets from Rod Scobee

• 9 Jugs

• 1665 FPS

• 445 GR Recovered Weight

Hornady Great Plains 385 GR

• 3 Jugs

• X FPS

• 78.9 GR Recovered Weight

I’ll be ordering some more bullets here soon, from some of the smaller manufacturers to test out in this same format. If you have any ideas, tips, or critiques about this test feel free to let me know via email. I’m happy to learn and do better with the next video.