Author Topic: HW95L Pellet Tests (Read 20331 times))

TWBryan · « **Reply #20 on:** May 17, 2015, 06:00:46 PM »

Hoffy43,The HW77 and HW95 are just about apples and oranges. The HW77 is solid and shootas well from a rest,but it is heavy. I'd swear it weighs 50 lbs going out to shoot and 150 lbs coming back. HW95 is lighter and easier to handle. I'd say HW77 from the bench,and the HW95 for hunting.

Grauhanen,I am shooting from a bench,believe it or not.

I'm not trying any more JSB's their performance in this gun is pretty appalling. The scope adjustment with the barracudas is mid range,where it should be.With lighter pellets ,it requires a good deal of adjustment to stay on target.

If the Barracudas don't suit the gun I'll be looking at getting some AA Diabolo field heavies,H&N Magnum Snipers, and maybe even some PDG pellets.

Hopefully tomorrow I can test 5.52 Barracudas.

hoffy43 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 17, 2015, 06:08:09 PM »

Also might want to consider feeding her pellets that don't exceed 15 grains. according to CDT 15 grains is the max he recommends @ .22cal in a springer before spring damage would be a concern. Also you would Gain some significant Fps back into the equation. I know a lot of shooters disregard pellet weight concerns as they are willing to replace springs as needed in order to gain their desired shot. Its all up to the individual shooter:)

grauhanen · « **Reply #22 on:** May 17, 2015, 07:41:47 PM »

Quote from: TWBryan on May 17, 2015, 06:00:46 PM

The scope adjustment with the barracudas is mid range,where it should be.With lighter pellets ,it requires a good deal of adjustment to stay on target.

I'm not sure what you mean by the scope adjustment being "mid range" with the BM pellets, "where it should be". I'll take a guess that by this you mean that the scope needs little adjustment to be close between POA and POI. If the guess is correct, it would be an unorthodox method of finding the most accurate pellet for your rifle.

I had an HW97 in .22 as one of my first air rifles since returning to airguns a few years ago. I had read on forums about how the JSB pellets were the cat's meow but discovered that they wouldn't shoot out of my gun with anything approaching accuracy at all. I shot some H&N FTT 5.53 pellets that I happened to have and the groups tightened considerably, but still not sufficiently. I tried the larger head sizes and found that the 5.55mm were the pellet for my gun. I had a new HW 95 last year and it shot the 5.54mm best. Weihrauch springers in .22 have often shown a preference for larger head sizes in recent years.

TWBryan · « **Reply #23 on:** May 18, 2015, 02:30:01 PM »

Hoffy43,the lighter pellets tend to produce 'shotgun patterns" in this gun.

Grauhanen,I've tried the lighter pellets and run out of adjustment on my scope trying to get POA and POI to match up. Yes that's strange,but it's the case so I choose to use pellets that are easier to zero,rather than impossible. I suspect I could find an adjustable scope mount and try to compensate for it,but I would still be making shotgun patterns.

I've tried H&N FTT 5.55 ,kindly provided for me by RatRacer, and they were the same as the rest. Only the Barracudas come close to producing groups. Hoping for better results using the 5.52 or 5.53.

The #4 target on the 5.51 test has a 3/4" group,which isn't bad for what I've seen the rifle do so far. If the Barracudas fail to give tighter groups then I will be trying AA diabolo Field heavies,H&N Magnum Snipers,and maybe some PDG dome pellets.

Not feeling that great today so I am holding off pellet testing for a day or so.

TWBryan · « **Reply #24 on:** May 19, 2015, 01:07:13 PM »

Latest pellet test with H&N Barracudas in 5.52 ,I can't say I'm not a little disappointed. I was hoping for more consistant results. Next and last test this month will be H&N Barracudas in 5.53 .

dtdtdtdt · « **Reply #25 on:** May 19, 2015, 01:16:19 PM »

If you want a whole series of pellets to compare at a reasonable cost, Straightshooters.com sells sampler kits that have 25 each of many different pellets and weights in most calibers. I used the .177 version and ended up with about 45 different pellets to test by combining my own stock of earlier pellet samplers and Straightshooters' new sampler kits. There are 18 different pellets in each kit that sells for around $25.

Other pellet manufacturers have kits too but they are limited to their own brand so a bit less flexible.

Other comment: weather conditions? You mentioned hot&sweaty early on. Temperature variations might affect poi/poa issues from session to session. WIND even at 30yds could be a serious issue for windage adjustments. All air rifles are sensitive to scope mounting issues. The funky recoil of the springer can damage scopes and move them around a little bit without letting you know about it. I suggest a pin punch mark on the scope tube next to the ring and on the rifle next to the mount to be sure they aren't moving around for you. I use a Wheeler FAT Torque Wrench to ensure that the screws are properly torqued and are tight.

Another terrible word in the air rifle world is "droop" that makes adjustment of scopes a bugger. The best interpretation is that air rifles are zeroed so close to the rifle that elevation adjustment can run out. Windage adjustment is usually less of a problem unless your scope isn't exactly centered in the vertical plane above the bore with the rifle held with the sights perfectly perpendicular to the ground and the scope crosshairs are in the same plane.

Velocity can also be a problem. Too high is bad! I am currently testing pellets from 4gr to 16 in my .177. The 4 gr (the ones that GAMO likes to claim give 1400f/s) shoot about 4" high and 4" left at 50' with a group size of 3" compared to the favorite pellet at 865f/s and 10.6 gr and group size of .4" dead on. I can track velocity change with group center movement. Also, the high velocities give poor group size and accuracy. Air rifle pellets are not designed for supersonic flight. Visualize a badminton shuttlecock gently tapped versus the same shuttlecock smashed as hard as possible - the flight paths are much different. Air gun pellets are much more like shuttlecocks rather than bullets.

To LOST: Yes, individual rifles will shoot the same pellet differently regardless of brand. It can be far worse in that lot-to-lot variation can also be significant enough to mess you up.

The further you get into this sport the more you find it is much more complex than you thought. The video at the following url and some of his other ones are instructive. He tests 3 batches of the "same" pellet with grossly different results.

TWBryan · « **Reply #26 on:** May 19, 2015, 02:09:42 PM »

Thanks DT,so far as I know I'm looking for a pellet somewhere in the neighborhood of 18 grs,that narrows the field considerably,especially since JSBs aren't in consideration. As to weather ,I'm in Florida in May it's hot,most of the time when shooting there is no wind. A few times there has been mild wind and I usually wait for a lull before shooting.

Yes too many people buy into the 1200-1400 fps BS,faster is better isn't when when it comes to air rifles.

The only way I know of to change what my air rifle prefers is to change the firing cycle,which means a new spring or a kit install. Not real interested in doing either to a brand new gun.

dtdtdtdt · « **Reply #27 on:** May 19, 2015, 03:09:01 PM »

Take a look at Straightshooters.com website. They have a host of information shown on their website to help you understand your toys... I learned a WHOLE BUNCH from them. Their first page has a column of articles that are well worth looking at.

Where I live in Ohio it isn't too hot or too windy most of the time. It's just enough to provide all the excuses I need. GRIN

I lived in Oklahoma and Kansas earlier where it was both too hot and too windy for most air rifles. 22rimfire was barely enough... Centerfire was necessary for high accuracy.

TWBryan · « **Reply #28 on:** May 19, 2015, 06:14:19 PM »

I'll check out Straightshooters,thanks. I spent a few months in Columbus ,Oh years ago,but I missed sunlight so I moved back to Fl.

Flipping a coin on whether the HW95 will be tested tomorrow or if I'll play with the HW77 instead.

TWBryan · « **Reply #29 on:** May 20, 2015, 03:24:10 PM »

Ran pellet test for H&N Barracudas in 5.53,sadly there wasn't an appreciable difference between those and the 5.52. I shot four groups and gave it up as a bad job. Far too hot out there anyway. That will conclude HW95 pellet tests until next month when I order some pellets.

dtdtdtdt · « **Reply #30 on:** May 20, 2015, 10:31:49 PM »

Here is the list of pellets in the 22 cal Straightshooters test kit. I don't have any connection to Straightshooters except to believe they are a good source and as helpful a company as you can get.

Neat thing they do is to shoot each rifle they sell with a bunch of pellets and report the results in their website under "Our Take" They tell the good and bad on most rifles and pellets. My personal tests show that the copper plated pellets (Double Gold is one name) have stiff skirts don't seal well and generally don't shoot well.

Worth digging around in their stuff before you invest in a bunch of pellets and work.

* RWS Meisterkuglen 14.00 gr
* Crosman Premier 14.30 gr
* JSB Exact Express 14.35 gr
* RWS SuperDome 14.50 gr
* RWS SuperPoint 14.50 gr
* RWS Supr-H-Point 14.20 gr
* H&N Field Target Trophy 14.66 gr
* Vortex Supreme 14.66 gr
* Beeman FTS Double Gold 14.72 gr
* Napier Power Hunter 15.42 gr
* JSB Predator 16.20 gr
* Beeman Silver Arrow 17.13 gr
* JSB Exact Heavy 18.03 gr
* H&N Crow Magnum 18.21 gr
* H&N Baracuda Hunter Extreme 19.09 gr
* Beeman Kodiak Double Gold 21.12 gr
* Beeman Kodiak 21.10 gr
* H&N Baracuda Match 21.14 gr

mbouchpcp · « **Reply #31 on:** May 21, 2015, 03:21:34 PM »

If your are truly looking for the "best" pellet for your gun you need IMHO to test JSB Exact Express at 14.35 gr and JSB Exact Jumbo RS at 13.43 gr. To not test them is to limit your search by a bias based upon a pellet (JSB Jumbo) that may just be too heavy for your particular rifle.

Both pellets may be horrible in your gun, but then IMHO you will know based upon your own testing.

Best wishes in your search.

Petey · « **Reply #32 on:** May 21, 2015, 04:01:08 PM »

All the HW .22s are known for loose fitting leads....... as a result most will find a H&N Ftt of one head diameter or another will do the trick.
That being said , the last R9 I had wouldn't shoot anything but AA falcons 14.3.....Not even the JSB 14.3....... So down the road it went.
I would have sent it back buy now , not being able to get a greater degree of accuracy from that 95.

JMTCW.
Petey

Let me add, I view an AG that only shoots one pellet well as a liability... Most AG's will shoot at least two pellets very well and plus one that yields exceptional accuracy. So , if run out of that number one pellet, you have one or two more you can use ....An AG that only shoots one pellet is dead in the water if that pellet isn't available or you run out.

TWBryan · « **Reply #33 on:** May 21, 2015, 05:27:44 PM »

DT, The majority of the pellets in the SS pack are a waste of time. Sorry to say that,but when's the last time you heard of an air rifle liking a pointed or wad-cutter pellet?

Mbouchpcp, btdt.

Petey, you think I should send it back? You think AOA would exchange it?

Petey · « **Reply #34 on:** May 21, 2015, 07:24:15 PM »

I think it's worth considering... at least give the vendor a call.
One thing you may wish to try first , is come up too twenty yards and see what happens....if you're instantly drilling a single hole I'd say it's your technique or lack of.

Not much change--- I would send send it back and get another one. Things happen. That's why they have a warranty.

Happy Shootin!
Petey

dtdtdtdt · « **Reply #35 on:** May 21, 2015, 07:46:28 PM »

RE: pellet head shape. The rifle will tell you that it doesn't like the pellet. I generally end up with a wadcutter for target type stuff and a round head for higher power.

I honestly didn't go through the 22 list with that in mind. I just pointed you to the source. What to do with the information is your job.

I shoot .177's and have only 1 22 that is the old multi-pump Benjamin Sheridan. I have had good accuracy with pointy heads in my RWS54.

The deal breakers for me are: loose pellet skirts that don't seal well, copper coating (makes the pellets too hard to conform to the bore) and too HIGH velocity. I have yet to have a pellet that left the bore supersonic to shoot better groups than my shotgun.

Cheers!

TWBryan · « **Reply #36 on:** May 21, 2015, 08:11:19 PM »

Petey,I might send them an email regarding the matter. Though given the struggle over the front sight I'm probably not their favorite customer. What do think of the chances of it improving if I install a tune kit? I know it won't fix a bad barrel,but it will improve the firing cycle.

DT, you are right on the money in your observations.Sorry if I seemed short. I've tried all the JSBs, the H&N FTTs,and Barracudas. The only RWS I would think might work is the Superdomes,and their qc seems a bit inconsistent.

I'm not entirely discounting the loose nut behind the trigger. I still suspect the scope,but I've tried it against a known good scope. Technique could be &^^&,but I've been working on it for a while. I'll try what Petey recommended and shoot it at 20 yds tomorrow ,If I feel up to it...

TWBryan · « **Reply #37 on:** May 22, 2015, 01:48:48 PM »

Set up target at 20 yds and dragged out gun and JSB test tin. Target was an old manila folder on a metal target frame. Started with JSB Exacts,average group size was 6-8 inches,head size did not seem to be a factor.

JSB Monster Jumbos (25 grs) gave better groups,but not substantial better than H&N Barracudas.

Gun hates light to medium weight pellets.

Stacker · « **Reply #38 on:** May 22, 2015, 02:53:22 PM »

I wish you luck in trying to exchange or return your HW 95 to A of A! I tried to return my new FX Royale 400 to them because of a trigger problem. They refused to accept it because "Its a used gun." Never bought anything more from them .... and I live just down the road from them in Tucson!

Joe in AZ

TWBryan · « **Reply #39 on:** May 22, 2015, 05:51:09 PM »

Stacker,I kindof figure that would be the response I get. I know if you email Weihrauch they tell tell you to take it to their chief importer in America. They never say who that is though.

If all else fails I'll stick a tune kit in it and maybe get the barrel re-crowned.

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HW95L Pellet Tests

Author Topic: HW95L Pellet Tests (Read 20331 times))