I agree that there are better constructed and higher performance bullets out there. But for the ease of loading and good accuracy I get out of my gun, I still like the powerbelts. Last year, my dad and I drew muzzleloader elk and I was also concerned about the reported softness and fragmentation of the powerbelts. My best resolution to that was to use the 444 gr flatnose w/ 100 gr of pyrodex. I didn't take any shots, but my dad got to try the setup out on his bull. The first shot was about 110 yds and the bullet entered near the left kidney and traveled forward and was stuck underneath the skin between his front shoulders above the brisket. This bullet had nearly no deformation, but had excellent penetration (probably 36" at least). A follow up shot was needed to put the bull out for good due to the first shot's placement and angle. The follow up shot was from a couple of yards and straight into the chest as the bull lay on his side. This bullet was found just under the skin between the shoulder blades (went through ribs and through the spine) and was significantly mushroomed and had about 85% wt retention. What this demonstrated to me by this was that the heavy 444 gr bullet will likely expand very little at normal shooting ranges, but will definitely hold together and penetrate well. The point blank follow up shot was an extreme example for this bullet, but shows that at higher velocities, fragmentation will occur on even the heaviest powerbelt bullet, but not enough that a kill will be sacrificed IMO. However, having seen how the second bullet perfomed, I would not use anything much lighter. Possibly the 348 gr aero tip would be okay most of the time if you don't push it too fast, but I am still sticking w/ the 444 gr which is a beast of a bullet. My two cents...