(This article) Accuracy in different airguns using three different sizes of pellets. Lately I noticed a trend of sorts to order a particular
size-of pellet. Not weight but the head diameter and it seems to be 4.52. For
the longest time; I do not even remember knowing the diameter of my pellets
other than it is a .177.' In fact the mention, of diameter was not being
discussed on the ranges either. It used to be the simple question "what make of
pellet do you use?" Now shooters want to know the make and the diameter. This
was pushed even further by some English publications where they shot a
particular rifle with three diameters of hunting/field pellets. The 4.52 in that
rifle shot the best so I presume that people order that diameter of pellet the
most. But I have to repeat myself again, that the same two rifles from the same
manufacturer will not like the same diameter or the brand of pellet for that
matter the same. However they will pick one diameter over the other. Since I
have access to three diameters of Excell by JSB a field target type or round
nose pellet, I thought I would try the test myself but with a different twist. I
wanted to see how many other brands of rifles and pistols prefer which diameter
of pellet.
For this test I tried to get as many rifles and pistols as anyone
could loan me. I used some from my collection some from Top Gun Airgun's
collection, simply anyone willing to loan a . 177 rifle or pistol. I will cover
each rifle and pistol separately since there is information I think is worth
noting for each specific one. Than at the end I will list how they all grouped.
There is no particular order with which I started I simply shot the rifles or
pistols as they became available.
Method of testing is the same as I used before. Sandbag'rest for pre
charged and CO rifles and pistols. For the spring rifles! had the fore-end
resting on my hand, Range to target was 25 yards for the rifles and 10 meters
for the pistols. I used the scope that were already on the rifles and the
settings also. Since they were on loan I did not change anything. All were shot
for familiarity and to see where the zero was. If a group was spread because of
my shooting it was shot over. I allowed myself that since I can not be familiar
with the trigger or the characteristics of all the rifles and pistols. In any
case it cut down on my excuses for bad groups. For the pistols I used orange
dots quarter inch in diameter and the same color for all the pistols. Velocity
is approximate for the airguns since this test does not take it into account.
However, the range is anywhere from 410 feet per second to over 1000 fps.
(TO VIEW A PICTURE)
Of the gun, that is talked about; Click on the Red name of the gun or the Thumbnail.
S 410 E;
This could be the one with the highest velocity of
the rifles tested at 1080 feet per second for this weight of pellet. Amazingly
it does very well with them. When I first purchased it I had to run almost 20
separate groups between the 4.51 and 4.52. It did pick the 4.51 as the group
indicates but there is normally a much smaller margin than the listed groups.
Scope is a B&L 3000 6-15x40.
Huntsman;I am told this rifle will average 16.5 foot pounds with
a l0.5 pellet. This rifle did definitely like the largest diameter of pellet.
However, I have no idea why the 4.50 would be more accurate than the 4.51, and
the 4.52 would have the best group by far. One of those interesting quirks that
make air guns so interesting. Scope is a Tasco 6-24x40.
Weblev Vulcan;This
one has a rather large chamber before the pellet enters the rifling, The 4.50
needs' attention so they do not fall out of the chamber before the barrel is
closed. 4.52 has a nice tight fit and I am sure that group is the result of it.
I do not understand how the group can be so small with the trigger being so bad.
The group size is not that much better than what I experienced before. This
rifle is the 12 foot pound English version. Scope is a Meopta 4x32.
Slavia 631:Another rifle that has a rather large barrel but not as
pronounced as the Vulcan. But the pellet is pushed directly into the rifling,
not into a chamber. Even the smaller diameter pellets do not fall out. Again
like the Huntsman the smaller pellet shot better than the middle one. And it is
interesting that the smaller size pellet is very close to the large pellet in
group diameter. This rifle may have the lowest velocity at 550 fps. Scope is a
Meopta 4.32.
Tau-200;This is a target rifle that surprise me with the small size
of the groups at that distance and field type pellets. The 4.52 pellets shot a
full half inch bellow the 4.50 and the group was much larger. This I believe is
due to excessive friction in the barrel due to the diameter of the pellet. At
first I thought I may be low on CO 2 but I left the whole 7oz bottle attached
since I was shooting from the bench. Scope is a Meopta 4x32.
TX-200;
Just like the Pro Target the smallest diameter pellet did the best but in this
case by far. And yet again the middle did the worst, as you can see. This rifle
has the Bazmek tune installed by T.G.A.G and is one sweet rifle to shoot. In
fact there are times I shoot for the staples holding the target. And actually
hit them on a regular basis. Scope is a Bushnell 6-18x40.
Pro-Target;
I have to start with just saying WOW! Groups that ere smaller than the pellet
itself. But don't forget groups were measured how far the centers were from each
other or c.t.c. If you compare the groups the largest is only a minute fraction
larger that the pellet itself. Again the middle size pellet did the worst. At
this point I tried another lot number of the middle diameter pellet with the
same results. Scope is a Simmons 6.5-20x44.
Pro-Elite;This rifle seemed to like all the pellets almost
equally. I do not think I would feel bad if I grabbed the wrong diameter than
the one it prefers. This rifle also has the Bazmek tune by T.G.A.G. making it
very accurate simply because it tames the vibration and the torque of the rifle.
I shot this model extensively with and without the tune and I can tell the
difference right off. The P.E. is also the fastest springer tested out of these
rifles at 1025fps. Scope is a Tasco 6-24x40.
FWB-124;I am glad I was able to shoot this classic.
Groups indicate this rifle is still one to content with on the range, as long as
the right diameter of pellet is used. Shooting several diameters of pellet is
definitely to the shooters advantage. As long as the right diameter pellet is
used. Velocity came to just over 800 fps. Scope Meopta 4x32,
R-l;This rifle was interesting to compare with the FWB-124 and
the P.E. Groups were slightly larger but they were not an extreme. Larger groups
could be attributed to the trigger hat was much heavier than the other two.
Velocity was 860 fps range. Scope a 6-20x40 Simmons.
S 310:The predecessor to the fairly recent 400 series, and a
good comparison with the S410. However, the 310 has a screw on the right side of
the chamber. When properly adjusted the rifle can be tuned to the pellet on
hand. This rifle was tuned for the Barracuda and since it was on loan I did not
adjust it for the JSB pellets. Velocity was about 950 fps. Scope 6-12x40
Simmons.
I included some target pistols to see what bearing the three
diameters would have on them. And so see how field target pellets shoot out of
classic 10 meter pistols. Luckily I managed to borrow some interesting examples,
all except for one being 10 meter pistols. The exception was an Aeron B-96 a
five shot pistol, but with 10 meter type accuracy. In the accuracy department I
was not impressed with any except the Tau-7 and the B-96. It is obvious that the
pistols just do not like round hose pellets. I could have borrowed more pistols
but decided against it, the ones represented were a good enough assortment. All
shooting was done at 10 meter range.
Aeron B-96:A five shot C02 pistol with a scope, velocity about 470 fos.
I thought I could really get some small groups because of the scope but that did
not prove to be true. There was such a huge difference between the diameter and
the group they shot, I even seated the pellets into the magazine with a pellet
seat. That did not help at all. The 4.50 diameter pellet is usable on the
silhouette course but I would also have to test it at the ram line (18yd) if I
were to actually use it. Scope is a Meopta 4X32.
IZH-46M:This was the slowest velocity pistol at about 430 fps.
Groups did get larger as the pellet diameter grew. The groups were rather large
however, that is not indicative of the pistol's potential.
TAU-7M:
This particular version has the M behind the number indicating match as the
production models. But this is one of the rare Tau with a polygonal rifling. I
shot this before with a scope and was amazed at the accuracy at 10 meters. This
time it was shot with iron sights. Velocity is set at 500 fos with the
compensator attached.
Aeron Chameleon:The aeron and the pistol listed above were the only ones
that did like the largest diameter of pellets. But with this pistol I was
amazed. Normally I shoot the 4.50 match type pellet and found anything larger
shoots lot worse.
FAS-609:
With some modifications, like an Aeron compensator and barrel weights this
pistol is hardly out of the box. By moving the compensator forward or back I am
sure I could have made the groups smaller. Again there was a huge difference
between the diameters. Velocity is brisk 540+.
Skanaker:Size of the groups is very consistent but large compared to
what it can do with match pellets. Velocity is rather high at 530 fps with this
pellet. This pistol is interesting to say the least.
Conclusion is hard to come up with regarding the rifles. There is an
even split between the 4.50 and 4.51 pellets. I did notice that couple other
rifles if I shot several groups would prefer the 4.52. The very general nod
would have to go to the 4.52 diameter. It is also very interesting to see when
an air rifle does not like a particular diameter how large the groups become.
Something I am sure the veteran shooter knows but this may be a good example for
those newcomers to airguns.
As for pistols, I would recommend sticking with flat head pellets.
All the groups from the pistols are smaller when using match pellets, about half
the size of the groups shot with domed points. Almost all of them shot the best
with the diameter closest to the match pellets. Only couple exceptions liked the
largest, and none middle of the road. The Chameleon was a surprise, and a big
surprise. I own that particular one and used larger diameter match pellets with
horrible results. If asked to predict I would say it will do the best with the
smallest diameter pellets. As for the Tau-7M, I have not come up with a pellet
it will not shoot well. Sometime I have to adjust the compensator but it likes
all pellets. Bottom line is; try all diameters if possible, if not'4.52 could be
the one to go with for rifles. T.G.A.G. has them at a great price, $5.00 per tin
and I understand they give case discounts. If some of you readers would like to
see a similar article comparing .22 please let me, or Robert the web master
know.
CHART OF PELLETS CENTER TO CENTERFIVE SHOOTS GROPES.
RIFLES AT 25 YDS. PISTOL AT 10 METERS.
üis
the best group for that airgun with that pellet size.
