Trail NP AW Pellet Testing

[SciGuy]

Had a nice surprise waiting for me when I got home from work.  My 4 tins of pellets from PA showed up a day early.  I received 1 each of HN Baracuda Match, HN FTT, JSB Diablo Match Jumbo Heavy, and JSB Diablo Match Jumbo Express. 

First on the plate were the Baracuda Match.  Big, heavy, good-looking pellet.  5 shots at 20 yards could be covered with a quarter.  Next 5 shots in the same hole.

Next up were the JSB Jumbo Heavy.  Pellets look pretty good, but the skirts look rougher than the HN.  But how they shoot is what matters.  Well, the point of impact is a good 4 inches lower and 3 inches to the left of the Baracudas.  And the group is easily twice the size.  Not good.

Time to try the JSB Jumbo Express.  Again, the pellet looks pretty good, but the skirts still look rough.  Point of impact is same as the Jumbo Heavy, hmmm.  Grouping is about the same as the Jumbo Heavy as well.

On to the last.  Could the best be saved for last??  The HN FTT look excellent.  Smooth skirt and very uniform.  First shot, missed the target all together.  Point of impact was way low and right.  Switch to a new point of aim.  Good back on the target.  Now how does it group.  Not bad, a little bigger than the Baracuda, but acceptable.

Was running out of light, so decided for one more string of Cudas.  This time 10 shots covered by a dime.  The gun just seems so smooth with the heavy Cudas and they have less drop than the other 3 pellets.  On checking things over I notice that the Cudas actually fit the loosest in the breach.  While the FTTs fit the tightest.  This could account for the way different points of impact. 

So, after day 1 of testing the Cudas are in the lead and appear to be pulling away.  The FTTs are in second place, and the two JSBs are tied for last.  I have the next four days off from work and will continue the testing and will update this thread as things progress.

[PA1911]

So far the H&N Baracuda Match are the best in my XL1500 (.177)

Very nice quality.  I want to try the FTT's but they are on the light side for my 1500.  Might try them anyway

Shawn

[SciGuy]

I had seen several posts where the FTT were the best in the Trail NP.  They just fit so tight in my breech that I think that is affecting accuracy some.  The Cudas are about the best looking diablo pellet I've seen.  If you want to try some FTT, PM me and I can send you 50 or so.

I'd love to startup a pellet swap.  I remember 10 years or so ago during the previous height of my airgun addiction and 10M pistol days, we had a pellet swap on the Delphi Forum.  I'd love it if something like that was still going on.

[bradyman1]

I think a pellet swap would be a great idea! That could help eliminate some stock of pellets that don't work in your gun, and it would also allow us to try new pellets without investing in an entire tin of them.

[SciGuy]

I'll start a new thread in the general section.  This thread will continue and I will update it as I do more testing over the next few days.

[SciGuy]

Pellet testing continued.  So I awoke this morning and after running some errands I was ready to continue my pellet testing.  Unfortunately, the wind was really whipping and made it impossible to do any real testing.  So I took the time to setup a real 30 yard benchrest range, and watch college football. 

Around 6 PM the wind had gone dead calm and it was time for the testing.  First up 10 rounds of the Cudas.  Grouping was good but a little low right.  Adjusted the scope and fired of 10 more.  Still needs adjustment but the group was under an inch at 30 yards.

Now for the FTT.  10 shots and YA GOTTA BE KIDDING ME.  About a 3 inch group.  Actually it looks like 10 flyers with no 2 pellets closer than 0.5 inch to another. 

Back to the Cudas.  Another 10 shot sub 1 inch group.

Back to the FTT.  Still all over the place.  So I'm done with these FTTs.  Not sure what it is about them, but they are really really tight in the breech.

Lost the light, so I'll continue the testing tomorrow.  Hoping the JSBs will start to group, but not holding my breath. 

I really need to get things locked down and the scoped zeroed as there is Field Target shoot next weekend that I plan on attending.  Guess I need to get a Cuda order in as I only have around 100 of them left.

[SciGuy]

Not a great morning for pellet testing, but how often are conditions ideal.  Had a gusty crosswind and tried to shoot during the lulls, but groups were certainly opened up compared to last night.

First candidate this morning were the JSB Jumbo Heavies.  Let me just say that I won't be wasting any more time on these.

Next up, JSB Jumbo Express.  These fit the breech about like the FTTs do and performance is even worse, a new last place pellet.

Time to test the Crosman Premier Ultra Magnum (man it would be nice if the gun liked these).  A new second place contender and a good plinker pellet.  Groups about 1.5 inches in a breeze at 30 yards.

And finally the Cudas.  Groups are opened up thanks to the breeze, but still around an inch.  I djust my scope and put 8 shots in the 9 ring on a Gamo target (about an inch), had 2 flyers that were completely my fault.

So 5 pellets tested and the Cudas are still the best with Crosman Premier UltraMag second.  I'll retest the FTT later today when the breeze calms down.  I also have some Kodiaks and Beeman FTS coming as part of the pellet swap going.  Guess I better get some Cudas ordered for the Field Target Shoot coming this Saturday.

[SciGuy]

Last update here until some of my pellet swap pellets arrive.

Hit the magic hour with no wind.  Picked up some Crosman Premier hollow points.  Results not up to snuff.

Back to Cudas and scope zero is still right on.  7 shots covered by a dime, and 3 flyers that I called.  Got my Cudas ordered from PA and hope that they make it before the FT shoot on Saturday.  Also hoping my JM seal and moly make it in time to do a tune before then.

Post back here when I have something new to share.