My low power pellet design MK1

[stinkajames]

Having had both a Royale and an Impact, I found myself with a Wildcat which lacks the power adjuster which I love for low power pesting inside sheds or in the backyard. It got me thinking that there are probably a lot of people out there that only have one gun or have a favorite gun that they wish they could use for those close range pest control moments, but dont want to destroy anything in the yard or building. Enter the Hollowgut Pellet MK1! 

I had been pondering the issue for a fair while and I figured if you could allow a certain amount of the air go past a pellet in a controlled manner, both the weight and velocity should be reduced. Resulting in a low energy pellet without having to buy another low power or adjustable gun. (Of course wasting some air in the process, but not sure how much) 

I started with 18.13gr JSB pellets and drilled the holes in three sizes, using three pellets for each. Awfully hard job but if a mold was to be made it would be a lot more accurate. (It would also stop a lot of lead shavings from landing on my kitchen bench. (My wife is a saint) I drilled the holes and then weighed each pellet to see what the resulting weight was before shooting them over the chrony and recording speed and energy out of my MK1 Wildcat 22. Here are the results.

Standard 18.13 : 912fps-33.5fpe

2mm hole 15 grains : 808 fps-21.8fpe

2.5mm hole 13.1 grains : 750fps-16.4fpe

3mm hole 11.4 grains : 645fps-10.5fpe

I was extremely happy with the results but not sure if the current market warrants any pellet manufacturers mass producing them. Also they were very inaccurate but I put that down to the off centre holes that I drilled. (I did my best) Thought I might see if anyone else was interested in a low powered "Hollowgut" pellet design.

James. 

 

[2manyAirGunz]

Very interesting. Not to mention ingenious.

 

[Darren]

You’re a smart man Stinka!!

How about melting a hole through? Heat up a steel 3mm rod red hot and poke it through? 

 

[Yrrah]

In 2010 I experimented with what I termed "Tube pellets" hand drilled in similar manner to what you are trying.

Here is a report I wrote at the time. Note that I used felt cleaning pellets to seal the air in the passage up the barrel. But the pellets did shoot very well to 15 to 20 yards without the cleaning pellet seal. They didn't expand in birds any better than best hollow points; the hole tended to fill with tissue and recovered pellets had the tube plugged with meat. But there was a deal of variability.

Anyway, you might find the experiment of interest inthe light of your objective. I'm sorryif the pics don't open as I have allowed my subscriptionto lapse.

Please enjoy the read: 

Quote: " Pellet design...What would happen if."... The question was asked (bottom of page)http://www.network54.com/Forum/79537/me ... +happen+if..... First question: Will a tube pellet shoot and group? I have last night returned home from the bush, read this this morning, and as LD and I had discussed this some years ago, I did a pilot study for Ron. Only had 15 yards here today but here is the result. Three .22 cal Predator pellets had their polymer tips removes and then they were hand drilled thus: Predator pellet and with tip removed - [/IMG] Pellet drilled with felt cleaning pellet wad for sealing the bore to drive the pellet through the barrel - [/IMG] A group of three de-tipped Predators were shot into the lower group one hole and one drilled pellet with wad follower was shot - top hole in the POA - [/IMG] A second drilled "tube" pellet was shot touching the first - [/IMG] A third drilled pellet was shot to form a 3 shot "group of "tube" pellets - [/IMG] The group formed a tad higher than the untreated pellets which may or may not be because of diminished weight. The hand drilling was not perfectly centred so some improvement could be anticipated. But there is little indication of yaw. Shot from sitting on the ground with a rest on a chair. BSA Hornet (Bowkett) .22 cal shooting at around 890 fps when last tested with JSB 15.9 gr Exacts. MV would be similar with the untreated de-pointed Predators but unknown with the drilled "tube" pellets + felt chaser. The felt cleaning pellets landed on the ground about half way to the target. So, the first answer is that a pellet with a hole through it can be shot to a tight group at 15 yards from a less than "benched" shooting position. They appear to stabilize well. These were the only shots taken and are not selected from a number. Make of it what you will Ron and all, but it is interesting and I shall extend the test range when possible. ... I may even do a "Myna bird damage comparison test" when opportunity prevails. Will they cut a neat hole? Turn sideways? Expand? Only testing will tell. Hope this is of some interest ... Kind regards, Yrrah. Harry, "

End quote.

Best regards, Harry. YRRAH.

Edit: the result of the bird test showed no advantage over a good hollow point or the Predator with tip. The tube hole filled with flesh and the pellet did not expand any better. But that may be quite variable. ... H.

 

[stinkajames]

Thanks guys. Very interesting read YRRAH. Am I correct in assuming your experiment was more to do with stability and expansion and less to do with deliberately reducing airgun energy output? It would seem from your testing that a well molded or drilled pellet of this design would be sufficiently accurate for the ranges intended for a "low power" pellet. Thanks! 

 

[sonny]

Good looking dog.

 

[Yrrah]

Thanks guys. Very interesting read YRRAH. Am I correct in assuming your experiment was more to do with stability and expansion and less to do with deliberately reducing airgun energy output? It would seem from your testing that a well molded or drilled pellet of this design would be sufficiently accurate for the ranges intended for a "low power" pellet. Thanks!

Yes, apart from accuracy, which was surprising, the question related to the possibilities of stability and expansion. I have added a short edit. Your purpose is different. Press on because I did enough to show very practical accuracy to indoor barn ranges. Kind regards, Harry.

 

[pinballjon]

Take a piece of steel about a half inch thick. Drill a little shorter than the length of your pellet with a pellet size drill. Then drill thru the rest of the way with your hollow point diameter. It should follow center from the larger diameter point and be close to center when you turn it over and use it as a guide bushing. Using a drill press would be preferable. I used to make hollow point bullets like this.

 

[Wiseguy]

Interesting idea...but gotta love the dog, he looks super comfty!