350 vs XL1100

[peterdulux]

Here is something interesting for those who may know what the answer may be.

I was shooting my Diana 350 and my xl100, both in .22, into a hard back book to see what kinds of penetration and pellet deformation I could get. No surprise that Predators went the deepest with both guns. Lighter pellets went deepest with the 350. Here is the surprise, heavier pellets went deepest with the xl1100. 28 grain Enjuins. Best expansion believe it or not, was RWS Super Points. I do have pics, but are rather large and will not upload on this site. I'll have to make them smaller.

So, any theories?

[patton1]

This has been brought up many of times. Unfortunately using a book or yellow pages isn't going to work. One must shoot over a chrony to get a accurate reading for FPE.

Sorry

[peterdulux]

Not trying to figure out fpe, just a comparison of depth and expansion. And was wondering why the XL1100 shoots heavy pellets deeper than the 350?

[pindog2000]

350 IS A SUPER MAG THE XL100 IS A ULTRA MAG.

[peterdulux]

Ok, I'll try again. The 350 shoots deeper into the book with lighter pellets. The XL1100 shoots heavier pellets deeper into the book.

My conclusion goes something like this. Less resistance when gas ram propels forward and it is more consistent.

Spring has some resistance, and creates a little more force as it uncoils and pushes a lighter pellet out quicker with more energy. More resistance with a heavier pellet so it's not pushed out with as much force as with the gas ram.

So if you read my first query, the answers here may be different.

Maybe another way of putting it would be: 10 different pellets shot from both guns, which would have less spread between them assuming things were pretty equal: distance, weight, temp, etc.

Does anyone see what I'm trying to ask here?

[t165]

The only way I know of to prove or disprove your theory is to do what patton1 suggested and purchase a chrony. Check the numbers and see if the RWS 350 is shooting the lighter pellets at a higher velocity than the XL 1100 and vice versa. Once the pellet leaves the barrel it doesn't matter if it was fired from a spring or gas rammed air gun. Despite what you might hear these two air rifles are quite similar in power. Experienced air gunners know that manufacturers and excited owners have a habit of boasting velocity/energy numbers until they reach the point of being ridiculous and decidedly untrustworthy. Many people are still fooled into taking the manufacturers claims to heart and buying hype. Simply purchase a chrony and the truth will reveal itself. I recently sold a .25 caliber B28 that would shoot the light 17.7 grain Beeman laser pellets at the 17-18 fpe level. But if I used EunJin 35.8 grain pellets the fpe would average 24.5 fpe. That's an amazing fpe spread. Without a chrony I would have never known. And the book you are using will have certain areas where the pages are less dense than other areas of its' surface. And penetration is not a reliable indicator of energy. In many cases the air rifle which shoots harder will have less penetration due to expansion. Your XL 1100 may very well be shooting the lighter pellets with just enough more velocity than the RWS 350 so that more energy is absorbed faster hence less penetration due to increased expansion. Books have been written on this subject by individuals far more knowledgeable than I. Still, a chrony will give you a better understanding of what is going on between your two air rifles. BTW, I regret selling my .22 RWS 350. It was the finest "magnum" air rifle I ever owned...I wish I had placed a vortek it it and kept it.     

[peterdulux]

 Sorry to hear you sold the 350. I do have a Vortek for it but have not installed it. Haven't pulled a gun apart myself.

 As for the chrony idea you suggest to get numbers, I do have a chrony, but lent it to a friend who is playing with my 850. I see what you and the others are saying, it just seemed a little surprising to come up with the results. I guess this subject has been beat to death anyway. Also found it completely surprising to see the RWS super point expanded more than all the others. I guess thats why they are so devastating on gophers fired from my 850.

[Joshua A.]

rws pellets are known to be made of pretty soft lead so they have a tendancy to expand better than many others. also depending on what lighter weight pellet you are using, some of those are made of poly materials that are a lot harder than lead, and are cause for good penetration in a lot of testing results.

Joshua A.

[peterdulux]

Thank you Josh and Straightshooter, I appreciate your answers. Things make a little more sense.

[RWSshooter]

Those 28 Grain Eun Jin pellets shouldn't be shot outta that 350 Mag. From what I understand, it's a quick way to destroy your spring.  I'm sure somebody will correct me if I'm wrong. 
Best of luck!

[twh731]

Also keep in mind that as far as penetration go it makes a difference on where you are hitting the book.  Near the spine of the book may be harder or more densely compacted than in the middle of the book or at the outer edge of the book.  I'm glad that your XL1100 is hitting hard as I just bought one and am waiting (patiently?) for it to arrive.  Tom

[oldpink]

Just for what it's worth, phone book shooting is a very poor method for checking energy, penetration, and expansion.
Better off with a more uniform medium such as duct seal or what the experts use, ballistics gelatin.
Even then, excessive or very low temps can cause some unwanted variances in consistency.