Lead BBs in the P17

[oldnamvet]

I recently purchased a tin of lead BBs to compare with the Avanti BBs.  I haven't done too mcu with that yet but noticed that the lead BBs did not just roll down the barrel like the steel ones do.  They must be ever so slightly larger.  So I thought I would try them in my P17.  Upon loading I found I needed to press them into the breech using the flat side of a screwdriver.  My finger pressure was not enough.  They fit very tight and did not roll down the barrel.  Upon shooting them i found them to be as accurate for me as the best pellets I have used in that pistol.  5 shots would fit under a penny at 20 feet (2 hands leaning back against a wall).  I'll have to dig out a mic and see if I can measure a difference in diameter.

[oldnamvet]

I tried the same lead BBs in my 880 and found them very accurate.  After measuring the lead BBs and comparing it to steel BBs I could see why.  the steel BBs mic'd out at 0.175 while the lead ones came in at 0.180.  That extra 0.005 made them a friction tight fit into the barrel.  This lilkely would have allowed the rifling to impart spin to the balls which leads, as any round ball shooter in black powder know, to accuracy.  You can also feed the lead BBs through the BB port on the rifle and with a little care have a repeater.

[UCChris]

Not bad at all! What is the cost of these lead bb's compared to the best pellets for your P17?

[Chako]

Not bad at all! What is the cost of these lead bb's compared to the best pellets for your P17?

+1

[Charles Outdoors]

I have a Gamo P-23 pistol that shoots those. Been putting off buying some forever. Never thought about trying them in my other .177 guns. Looks like they will be on my next order.

[oldnamvet]

Not bad at all! What is the cost of these lead bb's compared to the best pellets for your P17?

+1

These are what I am using -- not particularly cheap.
But you pay for quality.

https://www.pyramydair.com/product/h-n-rundkugel-177-4-50mm-dia-7-70-grains-round-ball-500ct?p=851

[happymecanic]

Do you know if they come in .22 caliber?

[oldnamvet]

Do you know if they come in .22 caliber?

https://www.pyramydair.com/ammo

[happymecanic]

Thanks for the link, Oldnamvet. I'll check that for sure!