I am asking this question for the more experienced in this group. I don't have the data, and likely never will handle enough guns to answer this.My understanding is that a given barrel tends to have "pellet preferences" I also read that harmonics are considered a likely determinant of that pellet preference. But harmonics would depend of the whole mechanical system, not just the barrel: every little change, especially to the spring and piston characteristics, would change vibrations, frequencies, and harmonics wouldn't they?So my question is, how much of the gun's pellet preference is barrel driven vs system driven?And the reason behind my question is the following:When I am playing with different configurations of a gun (different springs, kits, lubes) I am always trying to get a cycle I like and the accuracy I hope for. Will the gun have different pellet preferences for every configuration, or will it stay with the same?In other words, should I find the shot cycle I want then pellet test,Or can I pellet test then adjust the cycle of the gun for the best pellet I find?Thank you for bearing with me...CheersA.
I am more on the opposite site.(have been shooting over the last 37 years, incl HFT competition for the last 8yrs)The barrel / pellet combo is a bit overrated imho.My conclusion is that JSB is the top brand, shortly followed by H&N and on some distance, RWS has good pellets as well. Depends on the shape as well. I am talking domed pellets here.I have never ever experienced (and I have owned and still own a lot, as in a LOT of airguns) that for instance a JSB Exact 4,52 did not work in a barrel. Of course there can be very small differences in accuracy. But often these are neglectable in my experience once you practise to shoot a certain pellet enough. And there is more than accuracy. There is balistics as well. And that is where JSB wins too. So when you look at the combined package accuracy/balistics, JSB is the winner. What I also have noticed is that quality barrels like BSA, Lothar Walther and CZ are not any different on this compared with more mainstream barrels like Weihrauch or cheaper barrels like Hatsan or Crosman.If there is even system harmonics influence vs the pellet, then it might be because of the particular pellet weight. But that's it regarding system influence.So pellets and barrels, don't make it any bigger than it is. Just buy good pellets. You know that a domed pellet is always good and a wadcutter does well in low powered springers. And btw 90% of the accuracy is the person that pulls the trigger anyway...