JSB HADES vs FX atomic... A WTF for me.

$p00kygH0ST

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Apr 25, 2024
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I've used .22 JSB Hades.. now 4 tins of 500 thru my notos. Absolutely pinpoint accurate. This last go around fx atomic were $2 cheaper. And in my experience with .25 the FX 25.4s shoot just as well as the JSB exact kings. Same with the heavy mk1 s.

These atomics are ALL OVER THE PLACE. And it's driving me insane. Even as much as 2" at 10y. What in God's name is going on? It's not the gun because it shoots the JSB EXACT JUMBO, JUMBO HEAVY and JTS dead center 16.08s LIGHTS out. what on earth could be going on?

Has anyone else had this experience? I thought they were the exact same thing
 
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@$p00kygH0ST
You have just discovered that not all pellets are the same, and not all pellets will shoot well in your gun at all times. In my experience the barrel might need to be cleaned with a soft pull-through patch and Ballistol to remove built-up lead after 2000 shots, or the new pellets are going too fast and becoming unstable, or the new pellets are too small for your barrel and don't fit the rifling well which leads to the inaccuracy.

You might try:
1. cleaning the barrel until the patches come out clean.
2. comparing the fit of the JSB pellets with the FX pellets in the breech by inserting them with your fingers (not a magazine) If the new FX pellets slide easily into the breech and the previous JSB pellets fit tightly in the breech, then the new pellets have a smaller head size than the previous ones. Loose fitting pellets lead to poor group sizes in some cases.
3. measuring the muzzle velocity of the new pellets to compare their speed with the previous ones. If they are faster (or slower) you might try increasing/decreasing the velocity to be the same as the previous pellets.
4. purchasing more of the pellets you know your rifle shoots accurately instead of saving a little money on an untried pellet.

Hope you figure it out.
Jeff
 
@$p00kygH0ST
You have just discovered that not all pellets are the same, and not all pellets will shoot well in your gun at all times. In my experience the barrel might need to be cleaned with a soft pull-through patch and Ballistol to remove built-up lead after 2000 shots, or the new pellets are going too fast and becoming unstable, or the new pellets are too small for your barrel and don't fit the rifling well which leads to the inaccuracy.

You might try:
1. cleaning the barrel until the patches come out clean.
2. comparing the fit of the JSB pellets with the FX pellets in the breech by inserting them with your fingers (not a magazine) If the new FX pellets slide easily into the breech and the previous JSB pellets fit tightly in the breech, then the new pellets have a smaller head size than the previous ones. Loose fitting pellets lead to poor group sizes in some cases.
3. measuring the muzzle velocity of the new pellets to compare their speed with the previous ones. If they are faster (or slower) you might try increasing/decreasing the velocity to be the same as the previous pellets.
4. purchasing more of the pellets you know your rifle shoots accurately instead of saving a little money on an untried pellet.

Hope you figure it out.
Jeff
1. Yes. Very clearly not all pellets are the same.
2. I've cleaned it. I've checked the breech and liner receiving receptacle oring. All good.
3. I chrono everything. Same neighborhood.
4. Jts 16.08, JSB 15.89,FX 15.89, baracuda 15. Shooting lights out. Not the barrel.

I'm asking if others have similar experience. Actually, kind of insulted.
 
Could be the differences in production runs. I have experienced similar results with both the JSB Hades/ FX Atomic in both .22 and .177. Pulling out some calipers for a quick measurement I discovered the Hades & Atomic to be undersized for my rifles.
The issue im having is Hades have shot absolute better than any other pellet in this particular gun. The atomics are acting like there are 4 distinct impact points. Exactly where it should be at 10y e-8.5 w0.0 , E: -12 W L5., E-10 w5 or e -12 w0.0. The worst variation I've ever had before this is with baracuda 15s being .5" slightly left at 25. This is insane.
 
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From my perspective as a third party, I think Jeff was just trying to be helpful.
I'm aware. Already feel like a douche.
my one major petpeeve is not getting the benefit of the doubt that I'm not a total mouth breathing invalid. Despite often being proven to the contrary, I never assume someone hasn't done their due diligence, nor possess a decent level of experience before they take to asking if others experiences comport with the conclusions they've arrived at. OR have exhausted all of their hypotheses and found no answer. Clearly I listed multiple brands, makes and weights... So clearly the understanding the one pellet isn't the same as the other is present.

And I react to it. I always assume the implication of "this clueless moron' when that petpeeve is tripped l.
 
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From my perspective as a third party, I think Jeff was just trying to be helpful.
I think the "What in god's name is going on?" was intended as humorous, but comes across as flummoxed and not knowing where to start or being unaware of the variables involved... which makes it seem like a basic answer is called for.

Anyway I'm here reading these things and learning from the experience of others this is a great place
 
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I think the "What in god's name is going on?" was intended as humorous, but comes across as flummoxed and not knowing where to start or being unaware of the variables involved... which makes it seem like a basic answer is called for.

Anyway I'm here reading these things and learning from the experience of others this is a great place.
It was intended to over emphasize the frustration. When you automatically assume it's a problem with your gun. I've seen complaints about QC issues between batches of Hades.. but this is unacceptable. If it were 2" impact inconsistencies at 50m. Id shrug it off to minor issues.. but for this to happen at 10m is unfathomable to me.
 
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I certainly understand that frustration. I had one case where there was a slightly damaged moderator must've been loose at one point and a baffle was damaged.
I picked up the gun and the pellets were scattering sort of like what you describe. I wasn't thinking clearly so I didn't even think about the moderator until I put a whole bunch of time scratching my head wondering what the hell was going on, and messing with the wrong things (at a time when I had expected just to be relaxing and doing some distressing).
 
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Yeah, sorry wasn't trying to insult, but seeing that you joined in April this year and that you're shooting a basic PCP, I assumed you are inexperienced in the ways of air rifles. Apologies if you are more experienced than i assumed.

All that said, I would still suggest to check those four things. Your answer on number 2 makes me wonder if I was unclear in my statement. To be more clear, have you measured the head sizes of your "accurate" pellets and these new "inaccurate" pellets? I have seen smaller head size pellets have drastic POI shifts.

Also, does your rifle have a moderator, and if so have you checked if the "inaccurate" pellets are clipping the moderator?
 
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My issue was solved just a few minutes ago. I sort my pellets by Make and weight in a padded organizer. I was shooting this weekend at my friend and hunting partners house. I was outside and he ran in to fill off the compressor. And he knocked the organizer I had brought off the table. He picked them up and saw that there appeared to be 2 different pellets only. So he placed them in their respective spots. So he thought. I had JSB 15.9s, Hades 15.9s separated by higher and lower weight,, and FX atomic, done the same. He had no idea. So. I spent time weighting and could also differentiate by what I assume is the equivalent of the sprue... The marking inside the bottom of the skirt,, the flat part inside. The Hades shared the mark all 22 JSB exacts seem to have. A small slightly grey dot in the center. What I assume are the atomics have a much less distinct "sprue''. I separated.. lo and behold 2 distinct groups.

(Edit: I learned of this today during a phone call while informing him that his younger brother can still come, but will have to take turns with the gun I loan him because I was having accuracy issues with the gun I planned on letting him take on our squirrel hunt this weekend)
 
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Yeah, sorry wasn't trying to insult, but seeing that you joined in April this year and that you're shooting a basic PCP, I assumed you are inexperienced in the ways of air rifles. Apologies if you are more experienced than i assumed.

All that said, I would still suggest to check those four things. Your answer on number 2 makes me wonder if I was unclear in my statement. To be more clear, have you measured the head sizes of your "accurate" pellets and these new "inaccurate" pellets? I have seen smaller head size pellets have drastic POI shifts.

Also, does your rifle have a moderator, and if so have you checked if the "inaccurate" pellets are clipping the moderator?
Yes, I checked. The moderator, I checked to make sure the liner was seated firmly, made sure the rings and rails were to spec, checked the barrel grub, checked the tank mount, checked the hammer, checked the bolt, the probe, the valve seat. Every single possible thing. That's why I asked.. first I assume a problem is me. When I rule out user error, I then assume gun. Rule that out, assume scope, rule that out... Only the ammo.

I've been shooting unknown distance powder burners, and surplus matches since I was 17, I'm 39. I may be a neophyte with airguns, but the basic tenets of marksmanship remain the same. Gun, sights, shooter, load, projectile, harmonics, consistency. User error is always first on the list. You have no way of knowing this, as I'm not going to advertise my bona fides.
 
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i have no clue other than my Crown MKII .22 compact 380mm w/superior liner
cant tell the difference from the hades to the atomics.
both put holes perfect in the critters i hunt...... :sneaky:
In .25 I've never shot atomics. Just Hades but agreed. In .22 as well. Just so happens in the 380mm superior on my notos, these two particular pellets shoot several minutes apart. Even at 10m
 
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My issue was solved just a few minutes ago. I sort my pellets by Make and weight in a padded organizer. I was shooting this weekend at my friend and hunting partners house. I was outside and he ran in to fill off the compressor. And he knocked the organizer I had brought off the table. He picked them up and saw that there appeared to be 2 different pellets only. So he placed them in their respective spots. So he thought. I had JSB 15.9s, Hades 15.9s separated by higher and lower weight,, and FX atomic, done the same. He had no idea. So. I spent time weighting and could also differentiate by what I assume is the equivalent of the sprue... The marking inside the bottom of the skirt,, the flat part inside. The Hades shared the mark all 22 JSB exacts seem to have. A small slightly grey dot in the center. What I assume are the atomics have a much less distinct "sprue''. I separated.. lo and behold 2 distinct groups.

(Edit: I learned of this today during a phone call while informing him that his younger brother can still come, but will have to take turns with the gun I loan him because I was having accuracy issues with the gun I planned on letting him take on our squirrel hunt this weekend)
Glad to hear you figured it out it was the pellets after all.
 
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Glad to hear you figured it out it was the pellets after all.
I left the evidence of my butthurt wailing up. I apologize. But yes. There is not much I hate more than issues with a gun I built, which performed perfect, up until it absolute sh+t the bed. I can sleep now.
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Not finished yet. Still have to decide whether I want to take of this rail again and replace with a dove to pic and back to the cantilever mount. The buckrail pp750 ar grip and stock mod, 1913 mount and folding AK74 triangle paratrooper stock and I will call it done.
 
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