Registered for 1st Pyramid Air Cup in GunSlynger (FT was full) and want to give a good showing. Using my FWB 124D with Hawke 4x12 50 mm scope. The distances are 10, 25, 40 and 55 yards. I have 7-8 types of premium JSB and H&N pellets diablo pellets to try. I want to test all the pellets and pick the best one but do it in a common sense way. My backyard is about 20 yards at the max. I was going to shoot 10 shot groups at a 20 yard target in my backyard with each of the different types of pellets. I would then eliminate 2 of the flyers and then measure the group. The top 3 I would take to the rifle range and shoot 10 shot groups with each at 10, 25, 40 and 55 yards. Eliminate two of the flyers, measure the groups and pick the winner. Hopefully one will stand out. If not clear on a particular distance, would have to do a shoot out between the two to get to the winner. Any advise. I want to get thru the pellet selection as fast as I can and get to practicing to learn the pellets trajectory. I guess I would have to do the same for my backup gun (RWS 350 or HW 35E). Thanks in advance for any replies.
Selecting right pellet for competition
- Thread starter JDR
- Start date
Don't eliminate flyers. Fliers are not "a normal part of the game" like some people seem to think they are. Take them into account!
Shoot 20+ shot groups which each pellet and go from there. From there if you want to eliminate flyers, weigh the pellets. You'll be suprised how many pellets in a tin are waaaay off but you'll start to understand where they come from. From there its as simple as inspecting skirts for damage. Normally I just seperate these pellets into second tins but you could get a padded case to store your match pellets in. They typically hold 200 pellets each which is more than enough. Champions Choice sells them for like $14 or you can just buy match pellets from Pyramydair that ship in a case already.
Edit: For some reason my picture didn't load. Here you go:
Shoot 20+ shot groups which each pellet and go from there. From there if you want to eliminate flyers, weigh the pellets. You'll be suprised how many pellets in a tin are waaaay off but you'll start to understand where they come from. From there its as simple as inspecting skirts for damage. Normally I just seperate these pellets into second tins but you could get a padded case to store your match pellets in. They typically hold 200 pellets each which is more than enough. Champions Choice sells them for like $14 or you can just buy match pellets from Pyramydair that ship in a case already.
Edit: For some reason my picture didn't load. Here you go:
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Test them all, and when you find a pellet that your gun likes, start weighing them and weed out the bad ones. Only shoot groups of pellets of the same weight. Following is a picture I've posted many times showing the difference between weighed and sorted pellets vs out of the tin.
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Yes, Weight and Head Size differences will affect POI - it depends on how critical you want to be.
However, before you do that, narrow the field down to a few pellets using a consistent methodology.
However, before you do that, narrow the field down to a few pellets using a consistent methodology.
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Thanks for the good advice. I ordered 3 Champion Choice Pellet Holders and a Gemini scale. Bought a pellet sizer from AOA. I did see an article from BB Pelliter that said no difference with a pellet sizer. He did recommend to size slugs so they fit in the barrel and that need to engage the rifling. However saw several articles recommending them. Can't do any harm so going to use it.
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I tried sizers. What I found is that pellets from the factory have skirts larger in diameter than the head. That makes sense since the skirt seals the air behind the pellet. If you push them through a sizing die, then both the head and the skirt comes out the same. IMO, I don't think that's the way to go. If you could just size the head, that would be better. Using a head diameter gage and separating them by size would be a better approach. Actually, I got lazy and only sort pettlets by weight. That seemed to be the most effective thing for me.
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Correction, it was a pellet gage not a sizer. Ok, when weighing, what deviation do you allow? Let us say the manf. pellet weight is 10.34 grams. What range would go to group pellets? Example would be .04 g deviation or 10.30 to 1.038. I guess you could create a lot of work and frustration if your tolerance is to tight. The pellet would be used to 55 yards maybe at a 1 - 1.5" target. Please advise.
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I just do 0.1gr increments and test from there. Its fast and keeps it simple. My main goal is really just to weed out the outliers that are 0.5gr or more out of spec
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You can go thru all the scientific steps or just shoot at the actual distances. As a retired FT competitor and serious spring gun shooter, I only use hard evidence, actual practice at required distance!! Some pellets actually shoot more accurate at certain distances...however some folks enjoy going thru all the charts and science to estimate where there shot is going to go. Guess I am old school, need solid proof and actual experience to decide what is really accurate. Have fun, hope you get it figured out..
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There's really no hard science behind it. Even as a retired FT competitor and serious springer shooter (I think most of us here are) I can still promise you that you missed many, many, many times due to inconsistencies in your ammo. Sorting out the obvious problems will do absolutely nothing to hurt your scores.
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Having tested over 700 airguns of all kinds over the last 60 years, competed very successfully in airgun Silhouette and Field Target competitions for the last half of that time, and owned at least six FWB 124s, I'm not only confident 8.4 grain JSB Exacts are the best choice for your purposes, but if you actually follow through on your testing protocols with more than very few candidates, you'll be lucky to retain any semblance of sanity.
In my opinion FWB 124s will outshoot ANY human hands holding them, with 8.4 Exacts straight from the tin.
In my opinion FWB 124s will outshoot ANY human hands holding them, with 8.4 Exacts straight from the tin.
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A very capable rifle in very capable hands, sir. But I am taking from a standpoint of BR competition where a minute deviation in POI means winning or losing a match. An FWB 124 could not be used in that venue.
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I had thought that the JSB 8.44 grain pellets were as good as it gets from my 1979 FWB 124D. Then I got some tins of the Air Arms Falcon 7.33 grain pellets. They outshoot the 8.44 JSB by a good margin. I got them for my Beeman R7, and they do well from that rifle.
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Yes Sir, I realize all that.
But also know if the OP attempts as exhaustive testing of MANY pellet models with a springer he will lose his mind. Just trying to save the man a lifelong endeavor that would likely prove inconclusive anyway, and any way.
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I'm curious at what range 7.33's outshot the 8.4s. Reminder, the OPs quest is to find the best pellet in his 124 for shooting to 55 yards... likely in substantial winds.
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When I was competing, I went thru the sorting, sizing, weighing stuff...I was refering to the charts and tables telling me where the shot is supposed to go !! Had to prove it to myself with actual shooting, not trusting a chart or graph.
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I don't know. Sorting a tin of pellets simply
I'm not denying that actual shooting is the most important factor. What I am saying is that spending 30 minutes weighing 100 pellets for a match to make sure there isn't a pellet thats 0.5gr heavier than the rest is absolutely worth the effort. That pellet will be a flyer and as luck usually has it, it won't be a 10yd shot. It'll be 50 and it will matter.
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You bet! Relatively low power .22 springers= 13.43 or 14.3 grain JSBs. Lowish to mid-power .22 springers= 14.3 or 15.9 JSBs. Mid to high power= 15.9 or 18.1s. All weights mentioned are rounded off to the closest tenth grain. You have my permission to substitute the FX or Air Arms branded JSBs in those weights; as other than quality variance in any given can of any of the aforementioned JSBs, I've found no real accuracy differences.Might I pick your brain real quick?
Do you have a go to weight for .22 springers?
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