Dynamic Non-lead pellets

[daved]

Decided I needed to test some non-lead pellets for various reasons.  Did my research, the ONLY one's that got consistently good reviews were the Dynamic pellets by Prometheus.  They have various versions depending on power plant and caliber, since I was going to be shooting .177 springers, I ordered a box of the Sn-1's.  These weigh 7.95 gr., or about the same as a CPL or JSB Express, but are much longer, about the same as a Crow Magnum for length.  In shape, they remind me of the old Logun Penetrators.

I had 3 rifles on hand to try these in, a TX 200, a Beeman R9, and a Diana 34.  Of the 3, only the Diana showed promising results, but I'll admit to a flaw in my testing.  One of the things I found out in my research is that you really need to start out with a squeaky clean barrel before using these pellets, and I bypassed that step.  Too many other things going on.  Still, the Diana looked promising, so I set them aside until I had time to at least clean the barrel.

Finally had the time (and had everything in one place!) to do a serious cleaning of the Diana's barrel.  Flying in the face of all that we air gunners hold holy, I used a (GASP!) brass brush loaded with JB Bore Cleaner.  Gave it 20 strokes and then switched to patches.  A couple of dry patches to clear out the JB residue, then another 7 or 8 soaked in Goo Gone, followed up by another 4 or 5 dry patches.  I will say that after using the JB, I could definitely feel the difference in the bore pulling a patch through, it was noticeably smoother.  The barrel was certainly clean enough, time to start shooting.

This particular Diana has always shown a preference for longer pellets, it's about the only rifle I've ever had that likes Crow Magnums.  Well, it likes the tin pellets just fine, too.  Shooting at 25 yards, the first 10 shots after cleaning were all inside 1/2".  The second 10 were even better, with several going through the same hole.  It was consistent enough that I decided to try some paint balls, something I usually don't do with springers as I don't shoot them as well as PCP's.  As it was late in the day and I knew I was getting tired, I only put out 5 at the same 25 yard range.  Long story short, it took me 8 shots to nail all 5, which may not sound all that good, but I'm okay with it.  The first shot was a little high, the POA from target to paint ball was a good 2' higher, so no big surprise.  Had one that I knew I pulled, and one that might have been a legitimate flyer, but could have been another pull.  All in all, a good showing, I think, especially as I consider myself pretty rusty right now, I haven't had much trigger time in recent months. 

I still need to chrony these pellets, the Diana was shooting CPL's right at 900 fps.  These feel like they're shooting in similar territory, they get to the target in a hurry, and make a pretty wicked smack when they hit :-).  I can see only a couple of down sides to using these.  First, you either shoot tin pellets or lead, switching back and forth would mean lots of cleaning, and that's kind of a PITA.  Second is cost, these things run twice as expensive as premium lead pellets.  But for killing starlings in my chicken yard, it looks like they'll get the job done nicely, and I won't have to worry about one of my "girls" sucking up a lead pellet.  I'll post an update when I get around to running them through the chrony.  Later.

Dave 

[Nathan]

Brass is softer than steel, so with careful use you'll be fine. It's improper use of brushes and/or cleaning rods that can damage rifling, breeches or crowns.

Nathan

[daved]

you used a brass brush in an airgun barrel? thats suppose to be a big no no.

You're absolutely right, Tom, and the only other time I've done it was on a barrel that didn't shoot worth a "dang" anyway.  Not the case here, but I was very conservative in how much I used it, and like Nathan said, careful and rarely used is the name of the game here.  This rifle is a test bed, once I've established an accuracy and velocity baseline, I'm going to chop the barrel, among other things.  If it all goes to *(&^, I'll just buy a new barrel for it :-).  Will post more in the Shop when I get to it.  Later.

Dave

[daved]

Not that bad, you can get a match grade barrel for less than $100, and I have a lathe now, so can do the needed machining to make it fit.  In fact, I intend to do exactly that with my old Gamo CFX, when I get the time.  It has a really loose bore, nothing I've done will get the velocity out of the 700's, and it's a .177.  There are a couple of other things I'll try first, but I'm pretty sure replacing the barrel is going to be the ultimate answer.  Later.

Dave 

[coopieclan]

      I tried the Enjun tin pellets (.22) they jammed in my guns and flew higher and weirder than the Gamo or Crosman pellets I had been using. I found them to be evil and threw them out.
     So I just bought some Skenko .22 Cal non lead pellets... they have a plastic sabot (I suppose you would call it) around a pointed steel pellet.
     To look at them they will not work in my Crosman 38c.

[bart the fart]

intresting write up....i didnt know they made non lead pellets that heavy...i always thought they non leaders would break my springs at 4gr...

[coopieclan]

The Skenko .22 cal pellets will not work with my Crosman 38c.
When I load them into my 2240 they hit higher than my Gamo (lead) match wadcutters.
Also they seem to fly all over the place and hit the paper sideways sometimes.

[yote300wsm]

Nothing beats pure lead. In my PB's, Barnes all copper"X bullets" shoot like &^^& out of most every rifle I own. As for steel shot, it just plain not worthy. In 10 yrs there will be no more lead. We better get ready for it.

[coopieclan]

I fish in the ocean and I can't get a god non lead sinker.
These Eco sinkers won't hold bottom.


I have better luck with big nuts from construction leftovers


I haven't found a good non lead pellet yet either.

[STi]

Ordered SN 2 And XP 2..Can't wait to try these!

[pindog2000]

Same here bart i never knew they made non lead pellets that heavy,might be the ticket for some co2 pistols .

[STi]

They shoot really good out my guns..they're deff not soft..Can these ruin a barrel over time or? These buggers are long...

Left is beeman FTS copper coated ,Sn2,xp2..

[Joshua A.]

those seem like good pellets, i have read a LOT of good reviews and lots of positive comments on them. also if you watch AofA review videos, he uses them a lot out of his fx, daystate and brocock high end pcp's and the are usually one holers every time. I would imagine most would be though if you were paying 2000-3000 for the gun. j/k

hey daved. funny you mention the crow mags shooting well from the 34, that is pretty much all i feed my 34. sub 1/2 in groups at 25-30 yds. its the only gun i have that shoots them well too. most of my others spray shotgun patterns on targets with them. lol

Joshua A.

[RWSshooter]

I shoot the .22 skenco Heavy long range pellets outta my RWS 350 with no problems.  No supersonic shots.  Pretty accurate too. Man these things penetrate!