Shortly before the weekend I would like to send you an update concerning the H&N Slug HP in caliber .22.
The slugs have been in mass production since mid-October and now the first delivery has finished its journey over the Atlantic. Our friends at Pyramyd Air are the first ones to have them in stock but others will follow soon.
Why should you try this new H&N “pellet”?
For decades pellets have been made in the diabolo-shape. This shape has prevailed because its light weight and low friction resistance in the barrel are the best choice for "normal" air rifles. The precision up to 50m can be excellent.
Pellets in bullet shape are due to their weight and their increased frictional resistance in the barrel only suitable for strong air rifles. However, they offer a decisive advantage: the air drag is significantly lower than with a projectile in diabolo-shape which leads to a flatter trajectory and better energy retension on longer distances. In addition, they are less prone to side deviation by cross winds - a clear advantage when shooting over long distances.
Due to the development towards ever stronger air rifles and the wish to shoot precisely beyond 50m this shape becomes more and more interesting - if not even absolutely mandatory.
The idea of making a pellet in the shape of a bullet is not really new. The H&N Rabbit Magnum or the H&N Piledriver have been around for years. Especially the Piledriver with its boat-tail is characterized by an already extremely favorable BC of 0.095 (caliber .22, 30 grain). In 2014, we developed the Grizzly from the hollowpoint lead bullets that we make for powder burners since decades.
However, all three products have a decisive disadvantage: they are only available in one diameter and one weight per caliber.
The weapon manufacturers use different barrel diameters, barrel profiles, twist rates and power setups for their air rifles. Therefore, there must be a choice of diameters and weights.
Like the Grizzly, the HP Slug HP has been developed from our hollowpoint bullets. The diameters, the lead alloy, the shape of the hollow point and the base have, however, been adapted to the special requirements for using in air rifles. Diameter variants are .217 and .218, the weight options are 21, 23, 25, 27 and 30 grain. Count per box is 200.
We calculated the BCs as follows:
Please keep in mind that a BC is not a static value.
Who can shoot H&N Slug HP?
The H&N Slug HP will work fine in a broad variety of air guns but your gun should have at least 30ft/lbs of muzzle energy. So far I can definitely say that rifles from FX (like the Impact) with slugliner prefer the diameter .218, while the ones from Daystate (Red Wolf, Huntsman, Wolverine, etc.) and the Weihrauch HW 100/110 series shoot better with .217. All the above mentioned brands/models give excellent results at 110 yards (our standard testing range). If you are not sure about the best diameter and weight for your gun then you should try the H&N Slug Sampler.
Currently in development is the .25 and .30 H&N Slug HP. And we are also testing variants in shape (round nose and truncated cone) and material.
By the way: We have updated our logo. This will be found on the labels in the future.
The slugs have been in mass production since mid-October and now the first delivery has finished its journey over the Atlantic. Our friends at Pyramyd Air are the first ones to have them in stock but others will follow soon.
Why should you try this new H&N “pellet”?
For decades pellets have been made in the diabolo-shape. This shape has prevailed because its light weight and low friction resistance in the barrel are the best choice for "normal" air rifles. The precision up to 50m can be excellent.
Pellets in bullet shape are due to their weight and their increased frictional resistance in the barrel only suitable for strong air rifles. However, they offer a decisive advantage: the air drag is significantly lower than with a projectile in diabolo-shape which leads to a flatter trajectory and better energy retension on longer distances. In addition, they are less prone to side deviation by cross winds - a clear advantage when shooting over long distances.
Due to the development towards ever stronger air rifles and the wish to shoot precisely beyond 50m this shape becomes more and more interesting - if not even absolutely mandatory.
The idea of making a pellet in the shape of a bullet is not really new. The H&N Rabbit Magnum or the H&N Piledriver have been around for years. Especially the Piledriver with its boat-tail is characterized by an already extremely favorable BC of 0.095 (caliber .22, 30 grain). In 2014, we developed the Grizzly from the hollowpoint lead bullets that we make for powder burners since decades.
However, all three products have a decisive disadvantage: they are only available in one diameter and one weight per caliber.
The weapon manufacturers use different barrel diameters, barrel profiles, twist rates and power setups for their air rifles. Therefore, there must be a choice of diameters and weights.
Like the Grizzly, the HP Slug HP has been developed from our hollowpoint bullets. The diameters, the lead alloy, the shape of the hollow point and the base have, however, been adapted to the special requirements for using in air rifles. Diameter variants are .217 and .218, the weight options are 21, 23, 25, 27 and 30 grain. Count per box is 200.
We calculated the BCs as follows:
Please keep in mind that a BC is not a static value.
Who can shoot H&N Slug HP?
The H&N Slug HP will work fine in a broad variety of air guns but your gun should have at least 30ft/lbs of muzzle energy. So far I can definitely say that rifles from FX (like the Impact) with slugliner prefer the diameter .218, while the ones from Daystate (Red Wolf, Huntsman, Wolverine, etc.) and the Weihrauch HW 100/110 series shoot better with .217. All the above mentioned brands/models give excellent results at 110 yards (our standard testing range). If you are not sure about the best diameter and weight for your gun then you should try the H&N Slug Sampler.
Currently in development is the .25 and .30 H&N Slug HP. And we are also testing variants in shape (round nose and truncated cone) and material.
By the way: We have updated our logo. This will be found on the labels in the future.
