Pellet selection - the "dark science" of airgunning?

[limbwalker]

I'm beginning to believe that finding the right pellet for a particular gun is just as, if not more, important than finding the right airgun...

In my short airgunning career, I've amassed no fewer than 14 types of .22 caliber pellets to feed through my guns.  It's just astounding to me how poorly some pellets will group compared to others, regardless of price. 

I'm starting to believe that brands and price mean nothing when it comes to pellet selection.

In my last two airguns (a Titan GP that I've since sold, and a TF99 that I will be keeping) I have found one or two specific pellets that would give me sub-1/2" groups at 25 yards.  For the Titan, they were the RWS Superdome and the Gamo pointed pellets (one fat hole groups).  For the TF99, they are RWS Super H-point (one fat hole groups) and the Stoeger/H&N pointed (spitzkulgen) - again, one fat hole groups at 25 yards. 

I have three types of Gamo pellets, Five types of RWS, Two Beeman, one Napier, two Crosman and one or two others that were so poor I can't even remember them.

You would think that there would be a "bell curve" of performance, but I'm not finding that at all.  What I'm seeing is either 1.5-2" groups at 25 yards (from most pellets) OR one-big-hole groups from the particular gun's "magic pellets". 

This is leading me to believe that many people's opinion of an air rifle's accuracy means very little unless they have tried a wide range of pellets through that particular gun.  In other words, probably 80-90% of accuracy (or lack thereof) claims are just not very reliable.  Unless a reviewer just happened across the one or two out of 14 pellets that work for either of my guns, they would be reporting that those guns are no better than 1.5" at 25 yards, which simply isn't the case.

YMMV, of course, but I'm just shocked at what a difference the right pellet can make.  If all I had were one or two pellets to choose from, there is a very good chance I'd have completely given up on airgunning weeks ago.

However, after finding my gun's "magic pellet(s)" I am looking forward to putting shot after shot into a nice black hole each time I shoulder my gun.

I am very curious to see how my new-to-me RWS 34 will treat the same menu of pellets.

John

[limbwalker]

Sorry, double post...

[thekid]

You would not believe the amount of pellets I have had.
At times, you would have thought, I was stocking up for the end of the world scenario!
Once you find the one it likes, or few, stick to them and stock up. A well broken in rifle will keep its diet, where as a rifle that is breaking in, is like a pregnant women....wierd cravings!

[nervoustrigger]

Just wanted to say my experience totally agrees with yours.  I have 3 rifles in .22 cal...one springer, one nitro piston, and one PCP.  The springer and nitro piston were my first two rifles and they both shot RWS Superdomes and H-points really well whereas JSB 15.9gr and 13.4gr sprayed everywhere (3" at 25 yards). 

Then I got a B51 a couple of weeks ago.  It shoots the RWS Super H-points well but the RWS Superdomes are all over the place so that came as a surprise.  I had all but written off JSB but the B51 shoots the 15.9's like a laser.  I mean crazy accurate.

All 3 rifles like the H&N FTT's in the 5.53mm head size.  What I've noticed about them is that they have the most consistent fit when I push them into the breech.  The ubiquitous CPHP also shoot well in all 3 but "less well" than the FTT's.  The only make of pellets I've had zero success with is Gamo.

The old saying "variety is the spice of life" really applies to pellets.

[limbwalker]

It shoots the RWS Super H-points well but the RWS Superdomes are all over the place so that came as a surprise.

Same as my TF99, which was really surprising to me too.   I was hoping that since it liked the Super H-points, it would shoot the Superdomes just as well, if not better.  NOPE!

So, I'm wishing we had a way to at least narrow down the search for acceptable pellets based on measureable criteria such as head size, skirt size, weight, etc.  But finding that information is pretty tough too.  I would have thought all the field line RWS pellets would be the same dimensions, but they are not.  That's just dumb.  I mean, it takes away options for those who might want to use a hollow point for hunting and a domed pellet for field target, for example. 

UGH!

After seeing all this with my own eyes, I've not looked at a single review the same way since.  I mean, I love the reviews that Rick Eustler does, as well as some others, but if they only try one or two pellets in their review gun, and the gun isn't even broken in yet, what are really to conclude from the accuracy testing?  Not much, I don't think.  Is it really better than nothing if all we see are a few types of pellets from guns that aren't yet broken in?  I mean, it could be very misleading.

John

[Nod]

I bought the SS sampler for my RWS 34  .22 and did 4-5shot groupings with each of the 18 pellets. The results were pretty consistent with the Crosman Premier Hunting, RWS Superdome and the JBS Express all doing the best in that weight range (14.30-14.50). And in the heavier weights (15.90-17.13) the JBS Exact and the Beeman Silver Arrow gave great groups. In the heavy weights both the Beeman Kodiak and the H&N Baracuda Match (21.14) gave super groups.  I saved the last 5 of each of these pellets and did a very slow, really relaxed test and all of them came through again.  I'm going to stick with these pellets and hopefully the groupings will get better as the rifle breaks in some more.

[ezman604]

And what makes it even MORE interesting is that the same ammo in your TF99 may not shoot as well in another persons SAME gun. But this is the adventure (or frustration to some) of modern airgunning. The whole sequence is finding the gun you like and feel comfortable operating. Learn how it likes to be handled. Then find the diet that gun likes best. Once all the planets align, you just shoot and shoot. THAT is the airgun adventure.
The airgun addiction sets in once everything comes together with an airgun, ammo and operator. Then you get the urge to try it again, so the process begins again. SOME strong willed folks just settle for the one accurate shooter while others just get discouraged in the lack of accuracy (due to not wanting to complete the adventure) and give up. But it's the main driving force in the modern airgunning sport. I'm always on the lookout for a new airgun adventure.
Finding THE right ammo for a particular airgun is a major step in the adventure.

SAFE & Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave
 

[limbwalker]

nd what makes it even MORE interesting is that the same ammo in your TF99 may not shoot as well in another persons SAME gun.

Indeed!  Calling the accuracy tests even further into question...

But yes, it is a journey of discovery, and it is fun.  I have to admit that.  Just kinda frustrating that I can't get the "magic" pellets locally, at a reasonable price, that's all!

Bass Pro is selling the RWS pellets for $15/tin.  That's highway robbery!

John

[Bullit]

I've emailed, phoned, talked with our local BPS mgr, and discussed with them, thru various phonecoms to purchasing and marketing, the wasted pellets they're selling...and the better offerings they could sell by the same manufacturer...so as to honor their agreements with the manufacturer.   They even acknowledged poor sellers I pointed out.  All in All, it's been a 5 year waste of time (except for boxed CPs).  I really like BPS, but in this dept...not so much.

[J.J.]

To me it still seems that I haven't truly found my correct pellet.  I'm pretty stuck on the "you get what you pay for" adage.  There had been plenty of times i wanted to try cheaper no name type of pellets but from what i have been reading, they could be the "ones" for me.

[Ed333]

I think the A/B process is fun, but the expense can be daunting.  Someone offered me a sampler when i posed a similar question, and I have a bunch of different brands, types and head diameters on hand.  Maybe we could offer to exchange little ten-packs to each other, to save the expense of full tin purchases?  Ten pellets ought to be enough to sort things out a bit for one gun, especially if you believe in the efficiency of three-shot groups (we could make it a 12-pack).
Just a thought.....

[fortyshooter]

For a particular gun,I'll read these forums,and start with what others had good results from.
Seems all my guns from .177-.25 like the H&N FTT's, and then on some,the Crosman's come in a good 2nd.
I just stay with the ones that give me best FPS at same weight. Then I adjust for the Point of Impact.

[limbwalker]

Honestly, after trying the 14 or so types of pellets I have on hand, I can't imagine learning a new gun with any less than that.  Not since I've now seen the difference between a good pellet, and the "right" pellet. 

There had been plenty of times i wanted to try cheaper no name type of pellets but from what i have been reading, they could be the "ones" for me.

I would have thought the same thing, but the Titan GP I just sold absolutely LOVED all pellets GAMO, and really wasn't fond of the higher end pellets I have.  Go figure.  And the Gamo pellets didn't even look all that good.  But man did they shoot great from that particular gun.

You gotta try them all - except the stupid Daisy pointed pellets.  Don't even waste your time with those.

John

[Ed333]

Have you also noticed the variation in sound from one pellet to another in the same gun?  That surprised me as a 'newbie'.  I have been working with about 12 different brands /weights/diameters, all wadcutters, four different diameters in the H& N Finale line, which does seem to be better for me than their standard Match line, 3 diameters of Vogels, and some odds and ends of RWS.  For me, it is one pistol, one rifle, both .177 at this point, shooting 10 meter matches.  I can get it down to a 'top three' for each pretty quickly, and then it becomes less conclusive.  For the rifle, it seems neck and neck between H&N Finale Match Pistol 4.49 and Vogel Green 4.49, with Vogel Orange not far behind and a lot less expensive.  The Baikal pistol seems to like the Finale Match Pistol, but still A/B'ing between 4.49 and 4.51 diameter.  Should probably reach out for a little more variety for each before making final decision, but I am thinking to shoot what I have, it is all better than I am.

[blind dog]

It shoots the RWS Super H-points well but the RWS Superdomes are all over the place so that came as a surprise.

Same as my TF99, which was really surprising to me too.   I was hoping that since it liked the Super H-points, it would shoot the Superdomes just as well, if not better.  NOPE!

+2. I was about to give away my SDs for H-Points until I got a Benji Trail that likes the domes and doesn't shoot the H-Points. It likes tight fitting pellets, and the tighter the better, almost. The H-Points are looser than the SDs in that Trail. Go figure.

[blind dog]

You gotta try them all - except the stupid Daisy pointed pellets.  Don't even waste your time with those.

John

I melt them down into useful items.

[limbwalker]

You gotta try them all - except the stupid Daisy pointed pellets.  Don't even waste your time with those.

John

I melt them down into useful items.

LOL!  Good idea.

[Bullit]

Have you also noticed the variation in sound from one pellet to another in the same gun?  That surprised me as a 'newbie'.  I have been working with about 12 different brands /weights/diameters, all wadcutters, four different diameters in the H& N Finale line, which does seem to be better for me than their standard Match line, 3 diameters of Vogels, and some odds and ends of RWS.  For me, it is one pistol, one rifle, both .177 at this point, shooting 10 meter matches.  I can get it down to a 'top three' for each pretty quickly, and then it becomes less conclusive.  For the rifle, it seems neck and neck between H&N Finale Match Pistol 4.49 and Vogel Green 4.49, with Vogel Orange not far behind and a lot less expensive.  The Baikal pistol seems to like the Finale Match Pistol, but still A/B'ing between 4.49 and 4.51 diameter.  Should probably reach out for a little more variety for each before making final decision, but I am thinking to shoot what I have, it is all better than I am.

Ed333,  I don't know if you've tried them or not.  But the Daisy domes are in that size.  I couldn't use them at that size, but passed them on, and he said they shot them just fine.  Might give them a look as they're in the 4.49 diameter range. Inexpensive.

[limbwalker]

Yea, I notice a sound difference between pellets too. 

So what do folks think makes the biggest difference?  Head size?  Skirt size? Weight? Shape?

[nervoustrigger]

I've only studied head size and weight.  I definitely see a correlation to head size and many others have found the same.  I see very little effect from the variation in weight in the typical tin of pellets.

My understanding is that head profile mainly affects ballistic coefficent but in that sense it definitely affects accuracy particularly at longer ranges.  For example, in general a wadcutter will be less accurate than a dome beyond 20 or 30 yards. 

Regarding skirt size, the thin lead expands and seals against the barrel under the high air pressure so it's probably not as important but I have no data to back it up.