Selecting a muzzle loader bullet/powder charge combination

[kckndrgn]

This was my first year hunting with a ML, and coincidentally my first ever deer taken :).  While my shot was good, I was not please with the results of the bullet, basically a clean through shot with little to no expansion.

 

I'm shooting a Traditions Buckstalker inline ML and I was using 100 grains of powder (IMR White Hots, pellets) with a 245 grain PowerBelt copper hollow point bullet.

 

After getting the rifle and shooting it for the first time this is the combination I started with and was getting good 2.5" - 3" grouping at 50 yards.  

 

My question is should I increase the powder charge or select a different bullet or both?  

 

Any suggestions on a preferred bullet for a .50 cal ML?

 

Thanks in advance.

[GKar]

Been pretty pleased with 250 gr Barnes Expander MZ over 100 grains BlackHorn 209 in my CVA Acura.  Nice groupings out to 200yds, unbelievably easy cleanup.  Never shot PBs (had too many friends talk about lack of expansion with  them), but also had good results with Hornady SSTs and Barnes Split-Fires over that load, too.

[kckndrgn]

Thanks GKar, I will definitely check out those bullets.

[gregintenn]

Sometime chit happens, but I've killed a LOT of deer with a 295 grain Powerbelt. Sometimes they don't really act like they've been hit, but I've yet to lose one.

 

My father killed the largest Tennessee whitetail I've ever seen this year with a 45 cal Powerbelt. It was dead right there.

[10-Ring]

I killed two this year with the powerbelts. I too was not impressed with bullet performance. One deer dropped in ours tracks, the other one ran over 300 yards. Both were lung shot. I will be switching to the Hornady (FTX?) next year.