Powerbelt ELR in .45 encore with 1:20 barrel twist

[Kyote911]

This past month I went to purchase more of the .45 195 grain powerbelts that have shot so well from my TC SS Encore super 209x45 I bought new approximately 20 years ago. I quickly realized they were discontinued and CVA/Powerbelt was pushing their 285 grain .45 bullets designed for the new Paramount rifle (.45 and .40) with a 1:22 barrel twist. I honestly had no clue what my Encores barrel twist was. After some research, found out my gun was first made with a 1:20 twist but after customers complained of poor performance with sabot’s, changed the twist to the traditional 1:28 twist. I was pretty certain mine had the 1:20 twist by looking down barrel but confirmed it by calling TC and giving my serial number.

So, my question is,does anyone else out there have the Encore super 209x45 with the original 1:20 twist and shot the new .45 285 grain ELR Powerbelt bullets through it yet?? If so, what were the results?? If bullet was designed for a gun with a 1:22 twist, I’d reason that a faster 1:20 twist would shoot them as well or better.

 

[michiganmuzzy]

Ive got an older Omega .45 1:20 but never shot the ELRs from it. I have some of the 195PBs that i shot a few times in it. Pretty good accuracy. But i opted for bigger lead bullets.

 

[GM54-120]

I can think of NO reason why the 1-20 CANT shoot them well. LOTs of guys shoot Parker 275 BEs just fine including me. They shoot exceptionally well in my 1-20 actually.

The issue you might have is them being too tight to load easily in yours. Ive got like 50-60 of the old PB Plat 300s and they are tighter than i want to risk forcing down my barrel. If they load ok they certainly have a good chance to shoot ok. The 1-20 twist is not a problem.

 

[retrieverman]

I’ve never gotten consistent accuracy out of PowerBelts in my 50 cal Encore or Knight DISC rifle.

 

[Woodrow512]

Kyoto,
I have the same 209x45 super barrel on my encore. I am showing decent accuracy with the 285 elr bullets from mine with 65 grains weighed blackthorn 209. Actually the most consistent load I’ve had since owning this barrel. I have not taken any game with it yet, hopefully can comment on that in the next few weekends.

 

[52Bore]

I sold my TC super 209x45 to a friend as he was going Elk hunting last fall and he shot 2x at 400yds with a 540gr HP conical over 80grV BH209.
TC as well as Knight tried the 45 1:20 around 2000 toting light bullets and all about Velocity - only to have many disappointed customers.
It wasn’t until about a decade ago that the NMLRA hosted matches showing the 45 1:20’s true ability (heavy conicals, Paper Patch) suggestions to thin the copper jacket for expansion - which has become what we see today.
Length of bullet in important- ELR should do well.

 

[Woodrow512]

So I got to try this bullet out this last weekend finally. First was a coyote at 60 yds of course it worked fine. Then I got a doe shot was quartering hard to me. Bullet impacted chest where shoulder and rib cage meet, broke the shoulder tore up a lung and traveled completely through length of deer and stopped in back ham. The shot was approximately 80 yds. Found projectile still weighed 172 grains. Deer ran approximately 150 yds to where she was found.

 

[Woodrow512]

Update. I got another doe Friday, shot was approximately 100 yds broadside. Doe was recovered 30 yds from impact sight .45 cal entrance 1” exit decent blood trail. Both lungs destroyed.