Alloy .177

[Smacker57]

Greetings,
Wondering if there is a lead free alternative for a .49g / 7.56gr .177 pellet?
Trying not to draw attention to the reduction of the mega squirrel population surrounding the house.
Attempted using an alloy pellet today that is .34g / 5.20gr and the crack sounded like a .22
Suggestions and recommendations appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[Twiceshy]

What are you shooting? Type of rifle? I have a Umarex Ruger Blackhawk break barrel in .177 . It too sounds like a 22-rim fire with light pellets. I moved up to 10.5gr lead, and that has helped. I too don't want to alarm nosey neighbors. Now trying to find a pellet/slug that has the best accuracy. By the way, why not lead?

 

[Smacker57]

What are you shooting? Type of rifle? I have a Umarex Ruger Blackhawk break barrel in .177 . It too sounds like a 22-rim fire with light pellets. I moved up to 10.5gr lead, and that has helped. I too don't want to alarm nosey neighbors. Now trying to find a pellet/slug that has the best accuracy. By the way, why not lead?

I'm shooting with a Gamo Wildcat Whisper. Currently using their Hunter Impact County. They shoot great and very accurate. I tried a RWS Hypermax "tin" today and it is too loud.
We are surrounded by woods and even have hawks that love dining on the downed squirrels.
Just hoping to find an more environmentaly friendly alternative to lead.

 

[dgeesaman]

I've had good accuracy results with an H&N "Power" copper-coated lead pellet. Not sure if coated lead meets your requirements vs. non-lead alloy.

Non-lead pellets certainly can go supersonic and that's not subtle. There is a minimum weight you'll need to stay subsonic. Pyramyd has a nice filter feature to show only non-lead pellets.

 

[HN Sport]

Our H&N Baracuda Green in .177 weights 0.43 gram / 6.64 grain. Could be enough to bring the speed back below the sound barrier.

 

[Smacker57]

Our H&N Baracuda Green in .177 weights 0.43 gram / 6.64 grain. Could be enough to bring the speed back below the sound barrier.

Gotta tin ordered! Not cheap but, hey, if they keep the noise down

 

[Twiceshy]

Gotta tin ordered! Not cheap but, hey, if they keep the noise down

If you ordered the H&N Baracuda Green in .177 6.64 grain, you realize they are lighter than what you said that you are using? You said you were shooting a 7.56 pellet.

 

[sonnysan]

I tried the lead free zan 8.5gr. thinking that slugs had a chance in break barrels. Tried in R-1 and RX. Turned the guns into a shotgun.

 

[Smacker57]

If you ordered the H&N Baracuda Green in .177 6.64 grain, you realize they are lighter than what you said that you are using? You said you were shooting a 7.56 pellet.

Yes indeed they are lighter than my original leads but heavier than the alloys. Hoping to find sweet spot that doesn't break the sound barrier

 

[Berserkeley Mike]

If the Baracuda Greens solve the supersonic problem but are not accurate enough, try the Predator GTOs. They are around 0.44 gram, 6.8 grains, and have a different shape than the 'Cudas, so they may be more accurate, maybe less. And they are twice as expensive :-(
Another trick to lower the velocity a little is to seat the pellets deeper in the breech, maybe 0.5cm, ~1/4". Use some sort of tool so that the depth is consistent.