BB Dimensional and Weight Testing

[TorqueMaster]

There really isn't a gate for BBs, so into generic "Projectiles" this goes.  I realize for the most part, BBs are regarded as the copper-coated step-children of the airgunning world, but I got an itch, and scratched it, and this data is the result.

I recently got a bug to try the new-ish Daisy Powerline Model 35, a multi-pump smoothbore that claims to shoot BBs up to 625 fps with 10 pumps.  Mostly I want to use it at 100 feet or less, hoping it'll have minute-of-soupcan accuracy at those distances...

That got me reading about the Daisy 499B super accurate 5 meter gun and the precision barrels and special ammo they use...

That got me here, wanting to know just how good, or crappy, the available BB ammo is nowadays.  Back in the day I'd just fill up with whatever I had, Daisy, Crosman, didn't matter, and pepper away.  Looking to do better now...  So, while I'm looking forward to warmer weather and bench testing different ammos, for now, I've been taking somewhat controlled measurements of most of the commonly available BBs.  No BBs were harmed during these tests.  Three tried to escape my rigorously controlled lab, only one remains at large.  Pretty sure the vacuum will find that bugger...

I measured and weighed about 25 each of these type of BBs, recorded value ranges, and averages, and calculated standard deviations, and extreme spreads as a percentage of the averages.  I also measured 1 or 2 samples of each type, at least 10 times at random orientations, to gage roundness.  I was sort of surprised by the results, I did not expect as good as I saw.

View spreadsheet image below.

Notes:
My scale measures to the 0.02 grain, but is only repeatable to about + / - 0.04 grains.  As I only weighed each BB once, the range and ES numbers could be off by a bit.  Odds are, they would get a little BETTER with a better scale, but I think these results are good enough to trust.  On everything else, those errors should mostly average out. 

Conclusions:
All the steel BBs are pretty consistent.  They all hold very close to their average diameter, and reasonably close to their average weights. 

Daisy Precision Max Zinc, while not terrible, falls way behind all the others in the roundness category, though.  I expect that, and their generally smallest size, will put them last in good group sizes. Time will tell.

Anyone wondering if Crosman Black Widow and Umarex/Hornady Black BBs are the same thing...I'm going to say YES.  The numbers are ALL so close, there "has to be" a common source.  The Crosman Copperheads are also so close, they are probably from the same source, too.  AND...Umarex has further stated on their web page that "Hornady BBs have the same characteristics [as the Umarex silver steel BBs] but are black in color."  I did not test the Umarex silver BBs, but expect they would be statistically "identical" to the Hornady.  Therefore all four of these BBs appear to be effectively the same product.  Same source, or just an amazing coincidence, I don't know.  All of them rival the Daisy Avanti Match BBs for consistency, so I expect them to perform very well.

Daisy Avanti Match BBs are larger than the rest, but statistically offer no consistency or roundness advantage over the previous four BB types. It does beat the standard Daisy Zinc BBs on roundness.

Finally, the Gamo "Roundball" .177 lead BBs are -- pretty pathetic in the roundness category.  Visibly lumpy and dented.  And since I only measured each one once, they appear to be terrible in the diameter consistency as well. They are just about as consistent as the steel BBs in weight categories, though, so maybe there is some hope for grouping consistency.

I should say that the last two -- the Daisy Avanti Match, and The Gamo Roundball -- are signifintly larger than the rest, so care should be taken before assuming they will not jam up in your barrel. The Gamo especially, since the diameter is so inconsistent -- almost up to .180" on some!  Probably best to save the Gamos for pellet guns.   

I may test the Air Venturi BBs at some point.  There are a few other brands out there, but they are overpriced and/or somewhat rare.  If you know of any common type I missed, please let me know.  I did read about one more precsion BB, Marksman Premium Grade steel BBs.  They appear to be discontinued? since I only saw them overpriced in a few places, and underpriced on a few sketchy wholesale sites.  Given they are reported to be oversized for BBs (.175" - .177") and can get jammed in some barrels, and their rarity, I'm avoiding them and don't see a need to test them.

I do wonder if steel BBs from decades ago would have measured as consistently as all of these did -- I suspect not.  No matter -- we have very high quality BBs available to us now, so grab some and pepper away!  I tried the Daisy Model 35 at 3 pumps with the basic Daisy Zinc BBs, and it did very well.  It did even better with the Daisy Avantis.  When I add a scope, from 100 feet or less, I don't expect those soup cans will have much of a chance.