FP are equal; give me speed of a light pellet; give me a heavier slower pellet?

[45flint]

Here is my comparison of two pellets in my Sterioded Benjamin-Sheridan Silver Streak in 20 cal.  The H&N 11.42 grain and the Benjamin 14.3 grain.  The test showed basic physics works: energy is about equally but speed changes.  If accuracy is the same what would you prefer?  My assumption would be target shooter wants the speed and hunters want the heavier pellet?  But energy is the same? 
 

Pumps.           FPS H&N 11.42.                   FPS  Benjamin 14.3
3.                  523.                                    471
4.                  592.                                    528
5.                  648.                                    583
6.                  697.      12.32 FP.                 610.     11.84 FP
7.                  736.      13.74.                     660.     13.84
8.                  776.      15.27.                     686.     14.95
10.                829.                                    735
12.                876.      19.46 FP.                 794.      20.02 FP

[Airnut]

All things being equal I may be wrong but I would want a heavier pellet for hunting. More bullet mass means more kinetic energy and that equals to more damage.
But on the other hand a lighter pellet you will have more range I would think. So their you have it! I don’t have a clue. This will be interesting!!

[bandg]

I don't think you would have more "range" with a lighter pellet.  I think you would have a flatter trajectory out to some distance but then the lighter pellet would lose velocity (and energy) more rapidly than the heavier pellet.  Seems "range" in this context would have to be defined as usable trajectory or required energy.  That said, I don't hunt anymore and I prefer pellets on the lighter end of the scale for my lower powered springers and the more heavy for the higher powered PCP's.  I really like flat trajectory.

[rsterne]

If the muzzle energy is the same, the lighter pellet will have less of that energy retained downrange than the heavier pellet, because it has a poorer BC and slows down faster.... That will also make it drift more in a crosswind.... However, the lighter pellet will have a flatter trajectory....

Other than having to deal with the greater drop downrange, the advantages lie with the heavier pellet, for target shooting or hunting.... However, eventually that increased drop makes it harder to hit your target....

Bob

[Motorhead]

If you can get the benji pellets to equal the accuracy of the H&N ... use them !
Sadly i doubt that will be the case because not a .20 cal i own ( 5 in total ) shoot the benji's worth a da mn 
Now get some JSB's and these other two will sit unused 

Accuracy TRUMPS energy or speed or trajectory.

[45flint]

If you can get the benji pellets to equal the accuracy of the H&N ... use them !
Sadly i doubt that will be the case because not a .20 cal i own ( 5 in total ) shoot the benji's worth a da mn 
Now get some JSB's and these other two will sit unused 

Accuracy TRUMPS energy or speed or trajectory.

Standard wisdom is the JSBs but my gun loves the H&Ns?  Got to go back with the JSBs to make sure it wasn’t a fluke. 

[45flint]

I hear you on heavier weight down range but I wonder how much of that is Macho Hype. Seems to me Physics would carry down range and make them pretty equal?   My gut is with the speed especially since my range in the backyard isn’t that great?  Energy is Energy? At the mussel the squirrel gets the same killing power?

[Motorhead]

I hear you on heavier weight down range but I wonder how much of that is Macho BS. Seems to me Physics would carry down range and make them pretty equal?   My gut is with the speed especially since my range in the backyard isn’t that great?  Energy is Energy?

In the .20's, weight differences between light and heavy is so nominal it's really a secondary consideration.  hardness of the lead, nose shape relate to penetration, and cost to how much lead you plan on sending down range.
Personally in hunting small critters prefer SOFT lead that easily deforms upon impact, is slipperier within the bore and generally more velocity stable over harder lead.

Understand we're not talking Match Grade gun or accuracy here  out of a brass barrel sheridan ... so don't overthink this and keep it at basic best accuracy and be done with it. 
Practicing your shooting technique will pay higher dividends 

[Bryan Heimann]

Energy about the same but a lot more momentum amd better cross secrional density with the 14.3.  But both hit hard enough, the more accurate of the two would be my first choice to hunt.

[DanD]

Here's some interesting data from straightshooters that shows the FTT have a higher BC than the heavier JSB and Benji pellets; at least through their particular test gun.
http://www.straightshooters.com/beeman-r9-.20-beech.html#product-tabs-ourtake
I might choose the least expensive, easiest to obtain pellets, all other things being equal.
Have fun!

[Bryan Heimann]

Here's some interesting data from straightshooters that shows the FTT has a higher BC than the heavier JSB and Benji pellets; at least through their particular test gun.
http://www.straightshooters.com/beeman-r9-.20-beech.html#product-tabs-ourtake
I might choose the least expensive, easiest to obtain pellets, all other things being equal.
Have fun!

I agree!  I'll go with something on the store shelf, or is usually in stock online, over something I have to order online or regularly is out of stock. As long as it performs adequately, even if the stuff i have to order or wait for performs better and costs less. 

[justinp61]

It would be interesting to repeat the test at 30 and 50 yards to see the differences. I also think it would be more revealing as to which pellet to choose.

[45flint]

It would be interesting to repeat the test at 30 and 50 yards to see the differences. I also think it would be more revealing as to which pellet to choose.

At that distance your in my neighbors yard! Lol

Actually look at the study above it is quite revealing.  Has both pellets in the study. At 50 yards the two pellets have the identical energy.  Physics is physics?  I really believe it’s a macho thing that says a heavier pellets got to be better.

http://www.straightshooters.com/beeman-r9-.20-beech.html#product-tabs-ourtake

[justinp61]

Using your highest velocity's I entered the info in Chairgun Pro this is what it came up with. You didn't specify which Benjamin pellet and there are two that weigh 14.3 so I used both. The heavier pellet has less drop and more energy. Accuracy being equal which one would you choose?

H&N 11.42                              25yrd 0, drop at 50yrds.
Muzzle: 19.46                                      3.09"
25 yrds:11.62
30yrds:10.49
50yrds: 6.96

Benj. Diablo
Muzzle: 20.1                                        2.84"
25yrds: 15.11
30yrds" 14.28
50yrds: 11.41

Benj. Cyl.                                           
Muzzle: 20.1                                        2.96"
25trds: 14.74
30yrds: 13.87
50yrds: 10.87

[45flint]

Using your highest velocity's I entered the info in Chairgun Pro this is what it came up with. You didn't specify which Benjamin pellet and there are two that weigh 14.3 so I used both. The heavier pellet has less drop and more energy. Accuracy being equal which one would you choose?

H&N 11.42                              25yrd 0, drop at 50yrds.
Muzzle: 19.46                                      3.09"
25 yrds:11.62
30yrds:10.49
50yrds: 6.96

Benj. Diablo
Muzzle: 20.1                                        2.84"
25yrds: 15.11
30yrds" 14.28
50yrds: 11.41

Benj. Cyl.                                           
Muzzle: 20.1                                        2.96"
25trds: 14.74
30yrds: 13.87
50yrds: 10.87

Interesting may be better if you didn’t take the extreme but maybe 8 pumps?  Your calculations from the program are at odds with the chart above which shows the energy the same at 25 yards and 50 yards? The Benjamins were the 20 cal. cyl. only ones made.

I think the very small difference in drop is that in my table the Benjamin at 12 pumps had a little more energy.  At 8 pumps it would be the opposite?

[Bryan Heimann]

Different pellets behave differently from different barrels.  Say that 5 time, fast!  Also, the heavuer pellet from a springer may be starting off with less energy.

[Bryan Heimann]

Anyway, that is why I quit obsessing over ballistic coefficients.  With pellets, especially in a spring gun, it can vary a great deal.

[45flint]

Different pellets behave differently from different barrels.  Say that 5 time, fast!  Also, the heavuer pellet from a springer may be starting off with less energy.

But speed at the muzzle is speed at the muzzle?  No matter what mechanisms got it there?  Now where it’s headed is a different story?

[Bryan Heimann]

I checked the chart, looks like the benji cylindrical started off with 1 less fpe than the ftt in their r9.  The ftt lost that 1 fpe advantage by the time they reached 50 yards.

Springers usually make a little more power with mid weight pellets, vs heavier ones.

[Bryan Heimann]

Anyway, it really does not matter.  They will both kill pretty much the same, deoending on whether you can hit the kill zone.