Are .22 Monster RD pellets dead?

[Centercut]

I ask this not to be a smart ass, but due to the emergence of other options that seem to outperform the JSB (and variants) Monster Redesign 25.4 grain pellets.
I have shot the AEA 21.9 grain and JTS 22.07 grain, and both these pellets significantly outperform the Monster RDs. Yes, the other two are lighter in weight, but they both have a better BC than the MRDs, are just as if not more accurate, and don't throw the occasional flyer as the MRDs have been known to do.

With the MRDs, I get about 0.053 to 0.055 GA BC at about 950 to 960 fps. I've shot these for years from numerous gun/barrel combinations, and when they are good, they are very good, but it seems that none of the variants are free from the flyer(s) that seem inevitable.

The AEA/JTS are very similar and shoot about the same, but I think the AEA are slightly better. I can shoot them accurately at 995 and 1020 fps, but they come into their own at 970 - 975 fps. I've been shooting them through the 700mm FX STX Pellet liner and get a BC of 0.060 to 0.063 GA. Very accurate without the inevitable flyer. Just messing around yesterday in light breezes and shot a 229-4x at 100Y with the AEA 21.9.
FYI, the AEA/JTS version of the MRD 25.4 grain are not even as good as the JSB (and variant) version...

 

[Revoman]

Mike!

While I haven't shot the MRD's for quite some time, I DO shoot the same pellet in FX brand 24.4gr and have had decent luck with them at ± 890-900 in .25 caliber. While there are occasional fliers as you stated, in general these are my go to pellets.
When we went out about a month ago (Gerry and Mike M), they performed admirably at 100 yards, squirrel noggin size groups (all I need!).
I have a decent stock of these, so have not ventured out in other brands, at least until I run out, or close to it anyway.
JSB has been getting a deserved bad rep from all of the forum feedback, you'd think that they would up their game, sadly not.
A good question tho!

mike

 

[Centercut]

Mike!

While I haven't shot the MRD's for quite some time, I DO shoot the same pellet in FX brand 24.4gr and have had decent luck with them at ± 890-900 in .25 caliber. While there are occasional fliers as you stated, in general these are my go to pellets.
When we went out about a month ago (Gerry and Mike M), they performed admirably at 100 yards, squirrel noggin size groups (all I need!).
I have a decent stock of these, so have not ventured out in other brands, at least until I run out, or close to it anyway.
JSB has been getting a deserved bad rep from all of the forum feedback, you'd think that they would up their game, sadly not.
A good question tho!

mike

Hi Mike. I’m talking .22 caliber not .25. But you are correct with the bad rep.

 

[manabeknives]

I have been using the 22.07 JTS for a few months now, I love their performance.
I have not compared the 21.9 AEA to the 22.07 JTS, but i do have a supply of both coming in a few days, and will be able to take a closer look.
The preferrence of the 2 will probably come down to the barrel.

in current testings, the lighter JTS/AEA are just better than JSB
Will the average shooter notice any difference between the 2 ... possibly not
I believe that the competition shooter will see JSB's as their 2nd/3rd choice for .22 pellets in the coming year
RIP Monster Redesigns

 

[Scotty1]

Hi Mike. I’m talking .22 caliber not .25. But you are correct with the bad rep.

I, like you, have been using the 22.07’s. I have a bunch of tins of the MRD’s sorted and weighed that just sit there. I wish the AEA and JTS were made of JSB lead, but then I would be complaining about damaged skirts. I’ll have to try them even faster than I have been…

 

[lbc_PSI]

Another thumbs for the JTS 22.07gr. My RTI 20” CZ just loves them..even at the “slow” 895fps tune.

 

[EPG]

First 31 shots I ever took with the JTS 22.07g. Yesterday - breezy.

40 and 47 yards. 875-885fps with a 700mm Crown barrel.

I’m impressed with JTS so far.

-Ed

 

[$p00kygH0ST]

Absolutely. Every caliber gun I own now all fire AEA or JTS pellets. Absolutely never a flyer.
Recently fired my first shoots of .177 13.7gr AEA at 860 and 950 they just go through the same holes.

In 22 from my crown, my notos, Zelos, DRS all of them AEA out performs the JSB counterpart by quite a margin. None so as vast as 15.89 JSB vs jts16.08 or AEA 15.89.

In 25, same results.

 

[dgeesaman]

I haven't compiled BC numbers, but my higher-powered .22 was doing its best on MRDs in 2023. Then in 2024 the 22gr class came out and they shoot even better. I think it's because the 25gr design is just a bit too chunky (presumably to remain compatible with available magazines) and less stable ballistically. The 22gr seem to hit a real sweet spot.

 

[vmaxpro]

Centercut thanks for the insight/tip. Just ordered some different weight jts’s. My biggest issue with the mrd’s is they are ALWAYS damaged.

 

[Centercut]

Centercut thanks for the insight/tip. Just ordered some different weight jts’s. My biggest issue with the mrd’s is they are ALWAYS damaged.

You’re welcome. For other calibers… AEA and JTS.

.177. - haven’t tried them

.22 - as above with heavier pellets. With the 15.9 AEA is comparable performance to JSB.

.25 - in this case in my guns (.25 Red Wolf, .25 Pulsar, and in 700mm FX Superior 1:24 twist) - the JSB variants are better than the AEA or JTS. Although the 29.5 AEA would be good on lower powered .25 PCPs that don’t have the power to shoot 34 grain pellets, like my .25 Pulsar HP.

.30 - accuracy wise the 44.75 JSB are the same as AEA 45 and 50.5 from FX 700mm Superior 1:40 twist. However, the 44.75 JSB has BC of 0.043 GA. The 45 AEA is 0.055 GA, and the 50.5 is 0.072 GA. All three also shoot well in my .30 Delta Wolf and my old .30 Bobcat MK2.

One thing about ALL JTS and AEA pellets is they require more frequent and more vigorous cleaning than the JSB and variants.

 

[JungleShooter]

The 44.75 JSB has BC of 0.043 GA.
The 45 AEA is 0.055 GA, and
the 50.5 is 0.072 GA.

Just to check if this wasn't a typo:
Going up 5 grain in weight —
moves BC up by 0.017...?

I really appreciate you measuring and publishing all those numbers, Mike!

Matthias

 

[dens228]

In my experience .25 cal JSB's perform great and are extremely consistent.
.22 cal JSB's were horrible. Very inconsistent, so I tried the JTS and find them to be much better.

 

[Centercut]

Just to check if this wasn't a typo:
Going up 5 grain in weight —
moves BC up by 0.017...?

I really appreciate you measuring and publishing all those numbers, Mike!

Matthias

Yes. Not a misprint.

 

[JungleShooter]

Yes. Not a misprint.

Wow. WOW!
That BC is slug territory....

➧➧ .30cal AEA 50.50gr — 0.072BC ■


Everybody who is forced by competition regulations to shoot pellets instead of slugs should be shooting this pellet...! (if it's got the precision, of course).

Matthias

 

[Bramezy]

First 31 shots I ever took with the JTS 22.07g. Yesterday - breezy.

40 and 47 yards. 875-885fps with a 700mm Crown barrel.

I’m impressed with JTS so far.

-Ed

View attachment 519140

Yup, the 22gr have been amazing my FX as well, even out to 100yds.

 

[Ezana4CE]

@Centercut I'm not sure if that was a loaded question, but it depends upon a shooter's use. For example, in the Huben line finding projectiles that fit the mags securely and shoot well are a "W" for me. The MRDs shoot good enough out of my Huben. If you've seen my targets you know that I wouldn't be winning any competitions if I opted to compete, BUT they're good enough for killing so that works for me. I generally am not shooting far enough to be concerned with BC. More often I have problems with animals appearing too close me while on the move where they're outside of the PB range for my zero.

 

[$p00kygH0ST]

You’re welcome. For other calibers… AEA and JTS.

.177. - haven’t tried them

.22 - as above with heavier pellets. With the 15.9 AEA is comparable performance to JSB.

.25 - in this case in my guns (.25 Red Wolf, .25 Pulsar, and in 700mm FX Superior 1:24 twist) - the JSB variants are better than the AEA or JTS. Although the 29.5 AEA would be good on lower powered .25 PCPs that don’t have the power to shoot 34 grain pellets, like my .25 Pulsar HP.

.30 - accuracy wise the 44.75 JSB are the same as AEA 45 and 50.5 from FX 700mm Superior 1:40 twist. However, the 44.75 JSB has BC of 0.043 GA. The 45 AEA is 0.055 GA, and the 50.5 is 0.072 GA. All three also shoot well in my .30 Delta Wolf and my old .30 Bobcat MK2.

One thing about ALL JTS and AEA pellets is they require more frequent and more vigorous cleaning than the JSB and variants.

.25 specifically. I'm getting a BC off of the JSBS of .036 to .039. With AEA 25.3 I'm getting .040-.042(.0417). When I can get an undamaged JSB. They dont perform poor, AEA just performs marginally better. 29.5 is the standard diet of my dreamtac. FX 25.4 And aea both shoot moa or better. Knowing that your hard earned money isn't going to be a waste when you open the tin isnt something I can ignore, haven't seen a damaged AEA pellet in .25. not once.

.22 is where the game isn't even close. At least for me.

.177. The 13.7s are killer. Definitely dethroned heavies.

 

[Centercut]

@Centercut I'm not sure if that was a loaded question, but it depends upon a shooter's use. For example, in the Huben line finding projectiles that fit the mags securely and shoot well are a "W" for me. The MRDs shoot good enough out of my Huben. If you've seen my targets you know that I wouldn't be winning any competitions if I opted to compete, BUT they're good enough for killing so that works for me. I generally am not shooting far enough to be concerned with BC. More often I have problems with animals appearing too close me while on the move where they're outside of the PB range for my zero.

I see your point. What I meant was “dead” for precision shooting at greater than 50Y. Now I know some of the top N50 shooters use the Monster RD, and shoot incredible scores with them. I’m mainly talking 75 to 100 yard EBR/RMAC/PAC type competitions.
It seems somewhere past 50 yards things tend to go wrong and a flyer results. No explanation. But I can tell you I’ve been burned on a very good card more than once by a flyer at 100Y. When you’re in contention and a “4” shows up for no good reason, it’s disheartening. As close as competitions have become, one flyer can knock you out of contention.

 

[Ezana4CE]

I see your point. What I meant was “dead” for precision shooting at greater than 50Y. Now I know some of the top N50 shooters use the Monster RD, and shoot incredible scores with them. I’m mainly talking 75 to 100 yard EBR/RMAC/PAC type competitions.
It seems somewhere past 50 yards things tend to go wrong and a flyer results. No explanation. But I can tell you I’ve been burned on a very good card more than once by a flyer at 100Y. When you’re in contention and a “4” shows up for no good reason, it’s disheartening. As close as competitions have become, one flyer can knock you out of contention.

@Centercut I've seen that on paper at home. I'm sure it wasn't just with MRDs, but when something is awry whether it be smaller head size, low velocity, excessively leaded barrel, bur in the barrel, or just the wrong projectile for a barrel I've seen projectiles veer off inexplicably while shooting. The flyers are particularly annoying when you've already shot an awesome group then one drops down to an outer ring. From a competitive standpoint I can see how that would make one run to another product. In that context they could very well be dead due to flyers.

I haven't shot any of the new offerings that I see benchrest guys working with. I have a tin of JTS .30 pellets just sitting. If the original MRDs are dead, have you had any better results from the deep or shallow skirt MRDs? Does the skirt depth change the BC for the better or make them shoot better at a distance?