Best pellet for use
Printed From: Kiwi Airgunners
Category: General
Forum Name: Flub's General Discussion
Forum Description: General discussion goes in here.
URL: www.kiwiairgunners.co.nz/forum_posts.asp?TID=1271
Printed Date: 20 Dec 2025 at 9:07am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 10.14 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Best pellet for use
Posted By: kruzaroad
Subject: Best pellet for use
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2025 at 10:24am
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So it turns out i have 4 pellets that shoot well out of hw97. H&n field target Exact 16gain Aa deablo field Jbs jumbo heavy. All four are suitable for hunting. I can zero on one and then use dial to to zero the other pellets. So essentially i can run a pull though through fire half a dozen shots before hunting and be zeroed for that pellet. Yet common air gun lore is stick to one pellet when you find the most accurate. I've found this absolutely wrong and see it as a target shooting practice that has broached over into general air gun law. You can cast more than one vote but have to do it one at a time |
Replies:
Posted By: J-S
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2025 at 12:38pm
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generally id say test as many as you can in each gun and find the one that shoots the smallest groups. Stick to that one unless you come across a pellet that you haven't tried that shoots better groups... then stick to that one.. I shoot targets, so smallest group is the highest score. I dont want variances or to dial between different pellets - only dialing is a good group shot when i get a new tin / batch to check zero is still the same If i was a hunter, id still want the same, but tested at varying ranges to find the one that's the most consistent at all ranges... ------------- https://www.instagram.com/js_airguns/" rel="nofollow - J S Airguns Air Arms TX200('s) Theoben Sirocco HW77 FWB 300s Webley Patriot One or two others... Current projects: Too many.. |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2025 at 12:54pm
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Fair enough too. The accuracy of target shooting it makes sense. For accuracy in hunting it sounds sensible, something I've always done. But as sit here in the wind a 18gr is going to do better than 14.66gr apparently for drift. If an 18gr is comparable to the 14gr for accuracy, wouldn't the 18gr then be a more accurate choice for wind bucking. If that is the case why wouldn't you change for target shooting depending on conditions. Mind you i guess there are pellet and weight restrictions on target shooting? Thanks for replying to survey appreciated 👍 |
Posted By: Myson
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2025 at 1:23pm
I'd say: Keep it simple !  Once you've found the projectile that consistently gives you the tightest groups (and therefore best accuracy) in your particular barrel over all distances, use it! Again and again and again...... for targets, hunting, everything.... If you find another type that improves your best groups, then change and use that one, again and again and again... Ad Infinitum... "Accuracy" is the key factor for airgunning! For hunting. For targets. Etc... If you have more than one type of projectile that are equally accurate in your barrel (quite rare), then choose the one that best suits your favourite style of shooting - eg: hunting or targeting or plinking, etc..... and use that again and again and again.... ------------- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq7jVyBfFqE" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq7jVyBfFqE Air Arms S510 US .22 Air Arms S410 .22 Weihrauch HW97KT .177 Weihrauch HW95 .177 |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2025 at 2:24pm
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Cheers, i don't find it all that rare myself. Every gun ive had has had at least two pellets it shoots well with. This has 4! They all hold good groups over the distance shot. (Not hole on hole target shooting accuracy, kill zone accurate.) But then again ive thrown a lot of tins away now that dont make grade in any rifle ive had. Cheers Myson. Good to have your view on board. I'll be interested to see what way it leans at the end. |
Posted By: Myson
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2025 at 3:39pm
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Try this Kruza: Calculate your average group size for each of the 4 candidate pellet over distances 20yds, 40yds, 60yds, 80yds and 100yds (say). For example, shoot 7-pellet groups at each of the 5 distances for each of your 4 candidates. Calculate each pellet type's average group size - eg: Candidate Pellet 1: (10mm (@20yds) + 15mm (@40yds) +25mm (@60yds) +40mm (@80yds) +60mm (@100yds)) divided by 5 = 30mm average group size. I bet you'll find one of the four candidate pellets will come out on top with the lowest (smallest) average group size. Then get to know that one (best) pellet's characteristics at different distances in different winds. Let us know if that works?! I used this technique to determine the best pellets for all my rifles and it seems to work well, especially if you like longer range shooting (as I do). It'll be interesting to see how your 4 candidates perform in this little trial... my HW97KT .177 ended up liking the AA Field 8.4gr best (out of two candidates). ------------- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq7jVyBfFqE" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq7jVyBfFqE Air Arms S510 US .22 Air Arms S410 .22 Weihrauch HW97KT .177 Weihrauch HW95 .177 |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2025 at 4:38pm
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Been there done that. My limit is one inch group for hunting at distance. Can't do that? Your a short distance rifle. Thats inch if i place the crosshairs central to vitals in body. Allows me a degree of movement of pellet and still hit a lethal shot at distance. The 14.66 shoot a bit tighter in that one inch circle but of course does lose more fpe. Heavy, hit within the zone with more fpe. Supposedly better wind bucking ability. So am i better off with a 14.66gr when a 18gr do the job just as well? But wait! 14.66gr is way better for birds at distance flatter and faster, less fpe. So now what? I use an inferior pellet because the heavy works better on rabbits, possums etc due to fpe, and hope its accurate enough? The amount of kill zone on a hare/rabbit possum is more than the width of a startling or sparrow strait on. Or switch to a pellet that the rifle shoots with that tad more accuracy but doesn't carry the fpe which most birds dont need. Why only use one pellet? You dont wear the same shoes for everything you change to what suits the environment best. I can see the practical advantage for target shooting. Im not so sure its of any advantage to hunting being trapped to one pellet if you and your rifle can actually use different pellets/ slug effectively. But thats just me and im by no means the experienced shooter on site. And think the general consensus will be stick to one pellet. But then again i supect that the stick to one pellet, is because ppl dont change pellets because "once you found the one that shoots most accurate stick to it" is the air gun mantra. Why? |
Posted By: Pauly5
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2025 at 9:58pm
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I went through the whole having a couple of different pellets and having drop charts, but then I found my brain just went bllarrrgh! So I just stuck to one pellet, but had a high powered gun and a low powered gun rather than different pellets for one gun. low powered for pigeon work around buildings and high powered for rabbits.
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Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2025 at 10:57pm
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That would be completely different set of numbers with two guns. The difference i find with the same rifle, is your using the same same firing system and i find that makes the relationship of pellet drop much more relatable than a seperate gun with differnt power all together and different scope. I can understand the figures being a bit annoying but reality is most of us shoot more than one rifle and rember where the guns are shooting. Though i think a couple of you probly have to many air guns to rember them all, i bet your favorite couple of rifles you can pick up and go shooting with knowing where they hit. Cheers pauly that is actually the first answer that i have heard that steps away from find a pellet and stick with it, because its accurate. Also a totally legit reason and totally unarguable because its personal reason. Cheers paul great to get your input appresiated |
Posted By: KiwiTR6
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2025 at 3:24pm
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J-S is correct, sometimes you try something else and it shoots well. Today is a good example. My HW30 is back together and I was putting some of the usual good candidates through it to measure MV and check that all was as it should be. Having done that I still wanted to put a bit more lead through in preparation for shooting tomorrow so I grabbed a partly used tin of 8.3gr RWS Superdomes. I've never had any success with these in the past. Yes, a nice looking pellet for sure - but that's been about it so they've not been in my regular stash. However in the 30 they grouped better than those I'd tried initially (I know it's early days) so that's what I'll be using until such time as further testing throws up a better option. ------------- Daystate Red Wolf .22 FX Dreamline .22 Diana Outlaw .22 AA S410 .22 HW98 .177 HW30 .177 Diana 340 E-Tec .177 FWB Sport 124 .177 Gamo 900 .22 Baikal IJ-22 .177 Crosman 2240 Custom .22 Brocock GP .22 |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2025 at 6:41pm
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So you change pellets to one more accurate. Searching for the right pellet. Ive got that. And a few more that are good too. Your target shooting i assume over a set distance. What do you do if you want to shoot further and it turns out the new pellet actually doesn't do distance as well as the first. Still its a way better pellet over shorter distance. Your entered in a comp and the first pellet will work better at that range What do you do tr6? Shoot with the second pellet cause ya found "the pellet", or switch back to the first pellet you were using for the comp, then switch back to second pellet for usual distance after comp? Rember at no stage have I suggested changing pellet mid hunt/ target shoot but assessing the situation and prior to hunt or target shooting event and making the call and getting it set up before hand. Clean, adjust scope turrets, and relead the barrel. Changing half way through would be a bit insane and cause accuracy issues due to leading. I put money on you switch for the comp.🙂 |
Posted By: KiwiTR6
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2025 at 8:58pm
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I do my initial testing at home in my shed over 11m. This is a bit of a trap as what works well at that short distance may prove to be hopeless at 25yds which is the distance I'll generally be shooting my springers. I have to start somewhere though. At the range I'll start with the 11m star performer and if it doesn't work over the longer distance then I'll swap to something else for the next round - something that also performed reasonably well at the shorter distance. This will most likely require some turret adjustments but that's part of the enjoyment for me. On our outdoor 50m range I generally shoot a PCP but if I'm using a springer then I'll stick with what worked at 25yds unless I decide to trial something completely new e.g. I recently trialled some quite heavy JSBs. They were rubbish unfortunately. ------------- Daystate Red Wolf .22 FX Dreamline .22 Diana Outlaw .22 AA S410 .22 HW98 .177 HW30 .177 Diana 340 E-Tec .177 FWB Sport 124 .177 Gamo 900 .22 Baikal IJ-22 .177 Crosman 2240 Custom .22 Brocock GP .22 |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2025 at 10:54pm
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So you would change pellets. This is what im on about. The best pellet/slug for one condition, may not the best for another. Guess im playing devils advocate, but i really don't see the value in sticking to a pellet because thats the mantra. I went off on a bit of a web search earlier and it seems in pcp its not uncommon for ppl to be using two pellets. One heavy one light. The joys of a regulator. |
Posted By: JasonEdward
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2025 at 3:50pm
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I cheated and voted twice for one pellet and a few. Guys like Kruza has trained himself to carry his range finder and mildots mostly in his head and can adapt himself - OR the rifle scope - to suit the ballistics. A target shooter wants 1000% consistency so it's always going to be that one pellet - also because mind games are critical to competitive sports so all variables must be eliminated where possible. Hell if I wanted to win the World Champs why WOULDN'T I weigh and measure and carefully select my projectiles? A hunter puts up with sh*t conditions of all kinds and I tend to go that way - best advice (for ME) is from both Kruza and Pete. Shoot at bottle tops and if you can't het them almost every time you shouldn't shoot animals at that range. Me, I'd add an almost to the "every time" because I ain't that good and I guess I am more willing to risk a miss or much worse, wounded animal dying in misery. But hey such deaths are sadly very very common in game bird shooting with scatter guns and I was brought up with that - why we had very well field trained dogs - and later mostly NZ Field Trial Champs in our kennels. Now here's digression: The Champs came to us after Dad began to be given the Champs when their trialing career was over at a time the generous Dr Leon Mortenson was usually holder of Pointer and Setter wins - except for a while one dog, Flynn, beat his trainer. Flynn likely still has lots of his genes flowing in today's English Setter gundog stock in NZ I'm guessing but he was a hard AF dog and a bit of a nutter and if he would play ball he was unbeatable in a contest or in the field. But he could also head for the hills or just ignore his master. Flynn had so much energy Leon tried an electric collar for the first time but Flynn ignored that so he tied one front leg to his collar to try and slow him down hunting quail and pheasants. Also with limited success. I loved Flynn and only a month after I named my Springer Finn did I realise I had most likely subconsciously named him after Flynn:-) And Finn was a cracker I trained exactly as I was to train from watching the experts do it. The first time in the field near Gisborne Finn retrieved the first pheasant of the day straight to me. "He's a beaut!" said Roger, my much better skilled shooting mate and he should know because he shot that first pheasant. I had only heard the shot from the other side of the bushy gully but Finn got there before Roger's dog. It was proud Dad time! Anyway my real and third vote goes to another option: Pauly5's wisdom. Two pellets in an ideal world = two rifles, whether hunting or target shooting. Anything else is a compromise and I prefer heavier pellets for some jobs. Or the same pellet in both .177 and .22 to give the option. |
Posted By: KiwiTR6
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2025 at 9:13pm
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Following up on my earlier comments I managed some pretty reasonable results today at the range using the RWS Superdomes that had impressed in my initial testing. The gun was my new HW30 with 80 shots through it prior to today. It's putting out a consistent 7ftlbs. Targets are 48mm OD, ten targets per card with two shots per target over 25yds - indoors. Here's images of the best portions of each of the two cards shot. The single holes contain two shots. I've since tweaked the trigger a bit more to reduce trigger pull so hopefully I'll be able to do a bit better than this at Saturday's shoot.   ------------- Daystate Red Wolf .22 FX Dreamline .22 Diana Outlaw .22 AA S410 .22 HW98 .177 HW30 .177 Diana 340 E-Tec .177 FWB Sport 124 .177 Gamo 900 .22 Baikal IJ-22 .177 Crosman 2240 Custom .22 Brocock GP .22 |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2025 at 9:28pm
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Nice 👍 You'll be happy they proved out at 25m. You gonna keep trying new pellets see if you can find tighter grouping? Or you happy with that. |