Sida1 .177 and .

22 CalibreHunting Pellets review | Airgun Ammunition and Accessories Reviews | Gunmart

2014-09-16 23:41:04 http://www.gunmart.net/accessories_review/.177_and_.22_calibre_hunting_pellets
.177 and .22 Calibre Hunting Pellets
Hunting with an air rifleis an art and aworthypursuit whendone properly. With rumours
currentlydoing the rounds that the rabbit populationis backto full strength, there has
never been a bettertimeto get out intothe countryside (having obtained the necessary
permissionof course!) and do our bit in the name of pestcontrol .
Hunting is greatsport as long as we showthe proper respect for the quarry!Preparation
and researchare the names of the game, andno self respecting hunter go out without
first having taken every stepto familiarize themselves with their equipment, so
maximisingtheir success potential .
For success read cleankills and with anair-rifle, running at the legal limit, the shot
needs to be well placedto stand anychance of instantlydespatching the quarry. Anyone
whohas shot squirrels and rats for example, will recount whattough little critters theyare,
and nothingshort of accurate head shots shouldbe contemplated.
Ballistics, energy and penetration
What equates to aclean kill is basically the coming together of several key factors, not
the least of which is the pellet connecting with the animals headThe ballistics involved
are fascinating, and avital consideration. Obviouslyaccuracy and trajectoryplay a
fundamental part, but where hunting is concerned, energy retentionand penetration of the
projectile are of equal importance.
The ageold question of .177versus .22will inevitably arisehere, and there are pros and
cons to support both sides. Take a look at the head-on viewof a.177 pellet alongside its
larger calibre stable mate, and the surface area partly illustrates just why the larger
projectile imparts significantly moreshock to the target onits arrival. With conventional
.22 designs beingon average, twice the weightof the comparable .177, they reallydo
pack a relativelyheftypunch on impact. Yet with the lighter .177, at sub 12ft/lbs, the
significantlyflatter trajectory means that hitting the target accuratelyinthe first place, is
somewhateasier.
Take the ever popular J SB brand(which can be labelled J SB, Daystate FT, Air Arms
Diabolo Field, etc.) just forexample. A.177 J SB zeroed at 35yds woulddrop around
1.25at 45yds, whereas the .22version woulddo around3 at the same range. So
alreadya significant disparity, anda hugeopportunity for abadly placedshot if the range
is incorrectly judged. In these days of laser range- finding equipment, technology can be
on our side, but whenthe adrenalin rushtakes hold, and againstthe elements, many
huntingscenarios can still be extremely demanding. Bear in mindthat realistic kill areas
on live quarrycan amount to around one inchin diameter or less, and there is little
marginfor error. The old adagethat effective rangeis basically the rangeat which you
can confidentlyand consistentlyplace your pellets within such anarea, still holds true,
and practice and morepractice is the order of the day,
Shape shifting
Virtuallyevery airgun expert will tell you to use
the traditional dome- headed waisted designof
pellet, as it is has proved to be the most
accurateshape foraccuracy, but what other
choices are there?
Pointed designs, such as H&N Pointed; H&N
Coppa Point, andBeeman SilverJ et, are all
consistently well made, with above average
penetration. One drawback with this style,
however, is that the point on the head can
become deformed and pushed out of
alignment, underminingthe pellets gyrationin
the process. Unstable projectiles =
inaccuracies that we canill affordagainstlive
quarry, so, as always, lookingafter the pellets with padded tins and pouches to prevent
damage, makes sense. You alsoneed to watchout forover penetration youwant to
deliver as muchof the pellets kinetic energy andmass to the targetas possible.
Hollowpoints suchas H&N and Crosman, shouldin theoryat least impartmore energyto
the target, as the hollow is supposed to cause the pellet to deformand spread on
impact. In my experience, accuracy can suffer down range, whilst deformationcan be
less than dramatic.
Flat headedwadcutters can be very effectiveat relativelyclosequarters onrats for
example, where shock valueis paramount, and the long rangelimitations become
irrelevant.
Heavyweight designs such as Bisley Magnum and Barracuda Match, whilstrelatively
conventional, are bestsuited to pneumatics, with their inherentlyslow build up of air in
the barrel. These highly popular pellets canbe extremely accuratein the right barrel, but
the more pronounced trajectorywill need to be mastered before anyfield trip.
Something different - Prometheus
One British- based manufacturer, Prometheus Pellets, has certainly keptbusy, being
responsiblefor some of the most radical designs on the market. Withsuch brands as
LogunPenetrator and Rangemaster in its line-up, this go-ahead companyhas certainly
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Sida2 .177 and .22 CalibreHunting Pellets review | Airgun Ammunition and Accessories Reviews | Gunmart
2014-09-16 23:41:04 http://www.gunmart.net/accessories_review/.177_and_.22_calibre_hunting_pellets
Coldsteel Leatherneck
Air Arms pellets
Daystate Rangemaster Pellets Revisited
Case History
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[ Wimborne ]
19.95 GBP
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[ Exeter ]
60.00 GBP
Refl ex T8 Standard .308
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[ Exeter ]
75. 00 GBP
Refl ex T8 Standard
[ Gwent]
175.00 GBP
Hats and Caps
[ Yalding ]
3.00 GBP
Ri dgel i ne El and Jeans
[ east peckham]
24. 95 GBP
Gerber Vi se and Spl i ce Kryl on Camoufl age Pai nt Kryl on Camoufl age Pai nt
around17.99 for 500, this mustbe
one of the costliestrounds out there.
Yet takea closer look at the spec,
and its not so easyto dismiss
them. Whilst similar inweight to J SB
(8.5gr against 8.44gr in .177), the
stubbydesigncan reallyhold its
owndown range, recording greater
consistency, tighter groups, greater energyretention, and less wind deflection thanits
rivals. The downside is that inmy experience, the still air groups are, more often thannot,
slightlyless impressive. As always, performance and expectations have to be viewedwith
compromise in mind. Playingto the strengths of the pellet, and matching this with the
task in hand. (i.e. If most of the proposed huntingis to be closerangework, then
optimum accuracy has to be born inmind.) Where longer range shots in moreexposed
areas are on the cards, the Rangemaster can reallyshine.
Piledriver
One further radical design fromthe Prometheus stable is the Piledriver. I was lucky
enoughto visit their factory awhile back, to witness some testingof this radical super-
heavy hunting round- and theres no doubtingthe sheer efficiency of the design.
The Piledriverweighs 21grains in.177and a whopping30 grains in .22, and whilst the
smaller calibre can be shot at legal power limits, the .22 is strictly for FAC rifles. Whats
termeda boat- tail design, sees a domed head, and a long, straight-sided bodycovered
intiny ribs or splines, which connect with the rifling. The keyselling point is energy
retention, and the test results shot over 25yds were rather impressive.
Atlegal limit velocities, the .177 Piledriverlost just2.4%of its initial velocity, againstnearly
10%for the J SB brand. At FAC 30ft/lbs, the .22 Piledriver lostamere 1.3%, which is fairly
staggering. Equally intriguing was the demonstrated down- rangeconsistency. At the
muzzle, the Piledriveragainst J SB, registered 8fps and 9fps respectively. Yet at 25yds,
consistencywas 12fps for Piledriver, whilstthe J SB had stretched to 25fps. Foodfor
thought indeed, yet as always, theres no substitute for conducting your own research as
to howtheseand other pellets suit your particular rifle/barrel.
Are .177 best?
Havingmainly shot .177 over the years, I have hadsomewhat mixedresults whenhunting.
RecentlyIve had a stringof rabbits that have still managedto move a short distance,
evenafter aregistered head shot, which has mademe re-evaluate myapproach, and
consider further experiments with larger calibres and pellet designs. As aresult, I seem to
be moving towards sticking with .22 for hunting, and have certainly had far moreclean
kills with this calibre (Daystate FT incidentally) of late.
One thing is for sure- there is no shortage of options out there in todays vibrantairgun
market justremember to do your homework!
Al l Pri ces Are Gui des Due to the Changes i n US & European Exchange Rates
This review has 5 comments
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Sida3 .177 and .22 CalibreHunting Pellets review | Airgun Ammunition and Accessories Reviews | Gunmart
2014-09-16 23:41:04 http://www.gunmart.net/accessories_review/.177_and_.22_calibre_hunting_pellets
I have also noticedalot of runners after clean head shots with aa 4.52/jsb/
gaystate andit is annoyingwhen theymake it backto the burrow.
I still favour the 177 overthe 22 thoughas a allrounder as youcan not compare
the accuracy of the 22 to the 177 in all conditions,weather/lamping or whatever.
Saying that,I do agree(I thinkit was youin oneof the books or the magazines)
you do need atleast3 Rifle combos and that is what I do.
177 springerwith fixed 4xscope for everything,lamping,day time shooting,every
thing.
I have 22pre charged with variable scopefor closerangework or sniping at fixed
distances.
And thenI have the same pre charged (BSA super10) in 177 with variablehi
mag scope (6.5- 20x50 px adjustable) for long range work.
I undeniableyfavour the 177 as I like to shoot aminimumof 50 yardbut I can't
agree morethat,evenat these distances,a head shot dontequal ainstant kill and I
have hadmany runners,fallenintothe warren,into bush's during lamping but hey,I
guess thats just the way in goes some times,It is a bitdisapointing whenyou see
the pellet clearly come out the other sideof its head and hear the whack.
Hey guys,keep the site updated and keep the videos coming,this makes for one
of the best onlinegun reviewsites and I think youshould put a bitmoreeffort in,I
knowits free but hey,I still buythe mags for whenI'm onthe looLOL.
ATBand have ahappy newyear,fingers crossed the manufacturers bringus
some newdesigns this year,sick of seeingthe same action in adifferent stock or
differentstyle.
Comment by: ricky Posted on: 30 Dec 2009 at 04:25 PM
J ust thought I wouldadd.
The prices are getting sillywith pellets, Air arms are around 10 atin which has
doubledin price over the last year.
I highlyrecommendpeople to test other pellets as there is deffinitly pellets that
are justas accurateout there.
Ivefound 22 wasps loveBSA barrels,the prices are goingup onthemtoo by the
way.
I thinkthis maybe another reason Mark the reporter was looking into pellets as it
is clearlyrobbery.
I' mnot goingto giveawaywhat I'm nowusingin 177 as everyone maystart
buying them andthis is when the manufacturer decides to up the prices.
Look for well established names,if the tin aintsealed,open it and takea look at
the pellets,arguablydomed are the wayto go for accuracy but RWS Hollowpoint
for closerangework are stunning forthe money.
Mark,put a budgetpellet,compared to expensive pellet reviewinthe mags on
here and I think people may be changing pellet brands veryquickly and popular
manufacturers will soondrop there prices.
How can one companys charge10for 500 177pellets andthe next company
charge 3.50for 500?
Its obviously not down to price of ledor the cheaper company wouldnt be able to
produce the pellets?
Foodfor thought,justbecause some pellets are cheaper,don'tmean there
crapper.
What your Barrel likes is another thing I guess,as I say all Bsa barrels in22 (I
have had) LOVE wasps (not the 5.6!! the get stuck).
ATBand happy newyear.
Comment by: ricky Posted on: 30 Dec 2009 at 04:36 PM
The priceof lead does obviouslygo some way to explaining risingprices, but also
the current exchange rate doesn'thelp as many of these pellets are imported.
Comment by: Pat Farey Posted on: 02 J an 2010 at 10:46 AM
think i will stick with 22 head shot =clean kill no runners
Comment by: kev Posted on: 11 Mar 2010 at 12:40AM
Pats explanation goes some way as to why pellets are going throughthe
roof,price wise!
If some of the gun companys caredto investin british pellet
manufacturers,instead of foreign companys.
They wouldbe able to call themselves British arms companys insteadof
sourceing elsewhere.
And guarantee,these guncompanys wontbe making 100% on these pellets,it'll
be morethanthat,and will include shipping.
Greed is the driving force!
I wouldbe using bsa elite in myUltra .22 but cant source them.
Tried RWS superfield good weightshocking skirt finish.
Having to use superdome for the timebeing,BSA Elite Twinpack off a certain
website will be the only wayi can get these pellets reasonably.
User Comments
Sida4 .177 and .22 CalibreHunting Pellets review | Airgun Ammunition and Accessories Reviews | Gunmart
2014-09-16 23:41:04 http://www.gunmart.net/accessories_review/.177_and_.22_calibre_hunting_pellets
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