I bought some pellets to test in my new to me Marauder. Most of the pellets were not too bad, some better than others, but the FX 10.3gr looked like I was shooting a shotgun, even at 10 yards in my basement. I measured the head diameter to see how they compared to the ones shooting better and found they were consistently between 4.45-4.46mm. I verified my micrometer is reading accurately by using a 4.46mm gage pin, so I am confident in my measurement. Did I get a bad tin, or is it normal to have the head diameter so much under the nominal diameter? The other brands I have on hand are all 4.5-4.52mm.
FX 10.3gr head diameter
- Thread starter Ischgl99
- Start date
Thanks, I think they would perform better if they were in that size range. I emailed FX to see what the tolerance is on the head diameter to see if these are out of spec. I mentioned to my 15 year old daughter that I emailed them about this and she said I am one of the few she knows that actually expects a response to an email, so we’ll see if I get a response.
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You might want to contact JSB as they make the FX brand of pellets. That is unacceptable to be so far under diameter but unfortunately JSB quality has been going down hill it seems.
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That’s a good idea, I’ll contact JSB if I don’t hear back from FX.
This is what I was getting at 25 meters, first picture FX pellets, second pic Crosman boxed Premiers. I was doing ten shot groups from 2800 psi down to when velocity dropped by about 5% or so to see how many shots I could get and if accuracy changed as the tank pressure and velocity decreased, but even at the lower pressure and velocity of group 5, it was still pretty bad for that range. As much as Crosmans are considered average quality pellets by many, they shoot just as good as the FX 13.4 grain pellets I have been testing as well. Some of the Crosman groups might have been affected by the wind, it wasn’t windy per say, but it was a bit variable as the sun came in and out of the clouds. Just for reference, the dots are 3/4” diameter.
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FX responded today that they don’t know what the head diameter tolerance is and I should contact JSB since they make them. When I was a product manager, I would never dream of telling my customer to contact the manufacturer of a product I private labeled. I guess times have changed…
In the meantime, I decided to check the 8.4 grain pellets I got in the same order, for some reason I never got around to testing them earlier, those are under size at 4.44-4.46mm and shoot even worse than the 10.3 gr pellets. My first experience with FX has been a disappointment.
I sent an email to JSB and will see what they say. If head diameters this small are within spec, then I will have to look elsewhere.
In the meantime, I decided to check the 8.4 grain pellets I got in the same order, for some reason I never got around to testing them earlier, those are under size at 4.44-4.46mm and shoot even worse than the 10.3 gr pellets. My first experience with FX has been a disappointment.
I sent an email to JSB and will see what they say. If head diameters this small are within spec, then I will have to look elsewhere.
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I was curious so I also put 10 from a tin of FX 10.3s through my Pelletgage and got the same results as davecole. 9 were 4.49 and one was 4.50.
I've noticed they chamber easier than the H&N Baracuda Match 4.52s my gun prefers so I checked 5 of them and found 1 at 4.53 and 4 at 4.54. I've checked the H&Ns previously so I was not surprised to find other than 4.52s. But I find them to be consistent within the tin in both head size and weight. The head size difference is consistent with my easy chambering observation and probably also the lower velocity of the FX (despite their lighter weight). The FX shoot OK in my P35-177, however. Just not as well as the H&N Match (in either 4.51 or 4.52 head size). The H&N Baracudas probably shoot closer to the FXs in accuracy. They vary more in head diameter, however. But they're a little cheaper than the "match".
I had a tin of Crosmans that was similar in head size to the Baracudas and shot similarly too. But then the next two tins I bought had hugely varying head size. I checked the whole tin of 500 and there were some at every hole size of the pellet gage. I think that's 10 different head sizes in one tin. Pretty much useless in my gun. I'd be surprised to find any gun tolerant enough to shoot 10 different head sizes well. At least the FXs seem to be pretty consistent.
I've noticed they chamber easier than the H&N Baracuda Match 4.52s my gun prefers so I checked 5 of them and found 1 at 4.53 and 4 at 4.54. I've checked the H&Ns previously so I was not surprised to find other than 4.52s. But I find them to be consistent within the tin in both head size and weight. The head size difference is consistent with my easy chambering observation and probably also the lower velocity of the FX (despite their lighter weight). The FX shoot OK in my P35-177, however. Just not as well as the H&N Match (in either 4.51 or 4.52 head size). The H&N Baracudas probably shoot closer to the FXs in accuracy. They vary more in head diameter, however. But they're a little cheaper than the "match".
I had a tin of Crosmans that was similar in head size to the Baracudas and shot similarly too. But then the next two tins I bought had hugely varying head size. I checked the whole tin of 500 and there were some at every hole size of the pellet gage. I think that's 10 different head sizes in one tin. Pretty much useless in my gun. I'd be surprised to find any gun tolerant enough to shoot 10 different head sizes well. At least the FXs seem to be pretty consistent.
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Thanks for posting, I got a quick reply from JSB, but forgot to update this post.
Your results are interesting, and about what I would expect. I also tested some H&N FTT from the 4.51mm tin, and they were consistently all right around 4.50-4.51 and shot well out of my rifle.
Back to JSB, Pavel was very interested in hearing about my problem, he said 4.45 was out of spec, but did not say what the specs are. He asked for pictures of my tins and address to ship replacements. I did not hear back after I sent the pictures, so not sure if the replacements are on the way. I should probably follow up with him on that before I forget about it. It’s been so rainy and windy here lately that I haven’t been able to do much shooting, so haven’t shot the H&N at longer ranges to see how they do.
wow, 10 different head sizes in one tin sounds like they would be better for fishing weights than for shooting!
Your results are interesting, and about what I would expect. I also tested some H&N FTT from the 4.51mm tin, and they were consistently all right around 4.50-4.51 and shot well out of my rifle.
Back to JSB, Pavel was very interested in hearing about my problem, he said 4.45 was out of spec, but did not say what the specs are. He asked for pictures of my tins and address to ship replacements. I did not hear back after I sent the pictures, so not sure if the replacements are on the way. I should probably follow up with him on that before I forget about it. It’s been so rainy and windy here lately that I haven’t been able to do much shooting, so haven’t shot the H&N at longer ranges to see how they do.
wow, 10 different head sizes in one tin sounds like they would be better for fishing weights than for shooting!
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