What are the rules on using both of these in the same rifle? Are these able to be fired interchangeably from the same barrel or is a different barrel required? Why would one choose a slug over a regular pellet and vice versa? Upsides/downsides?
Slugs VS regular pellets
- Thread starter BeeGee11
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Some rifles will shoot several slugs and pellets well. My .25 Impact with an stx slug A liner shoots several of the NSA slugs and JSB pellets very well. I have done some MOA groups with both slugs and pellets with the gun at 100 yards on the same tune. The new FX superior liner is known to be friendly to some of both projectiles also. With the variety of pellets and slugs out there these days more and more are able to shoot at least one or two slugs as well as some pellets. But it really depends on the barrel as some just will not shoot the slugs well.
To limit ones power, range and to be safe and not shoot holes in barns and buildings pellets werq very well. For greater power, more penetration and longer ranges like over 75 to 100 yards slugs will usually do better in a gun tuned for them.
To limit ones power, range and to be safe and not shoot holes in barns and buildings pellets werq very well. For greater power, more penetration and longer ranges like over 75 to 100 yards slugs will usually do better in a gun tuned for them.
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You didn't mention what kind of rifle and you're asking in the springer gate soooo.....what kinda rifle...lol.
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Springers don't have enough power to shoot slugs. The reasons for choosing slugs in a PCP is they are easier to cast in heavy weights for hunting with big bores, and they have a much higher ballistic coefficient for long range shooting with "mid bore" pcps.
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Thanks for the info. Even the magnum springers aren't powerful enough?
This really wasn't a question about my rifle specifically, just a question in general. I'm new to the adult air rifle scene, trying to soak up all the knowledge that I can, not only to learn but to avoid as many mistakes as possible.
I think I found the right forums, there are so many here that have been at this for a while.
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One big difference between slugs and pellets is their behavior at higher velocities. It is fairly well accepted that narrow waisted, diabolo pellets lose stability as they approach sonic speeds. Most of the experts seem to recommend staying below 900 fps with pellets. Slugs will handle the higher velocities and they have a better ballistic coefficient to retain that velocity. They came into more widespread use when people started looking for better long range performance from higher powered air rifles.
You could conceivably be able to shoot both in any given air rifle. But your best bet is to match the performance of the air rifle to the performance of the projectile.
You could conceivably be able to shoot both in any given air rifle. But your best bet is to match the performance of the air rifle to the performance of the projectile.
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I shoot both. Slugs have a higher BC than pellets, so they buck the wind better for long-range shooting, and get on target quicker because of this. Slugs are spin stabilized, so they need a faster twist rate barrel for stabilization. Pellets are not spin stabilized, so they benefit from slower twist rates. Slugs typically need to be shot much faster than pellets to be accurate, but not always, just typically.
Slugs are very picky compared to pellets with skirts that will expand to the bore upon being fired. Slugs have to fit the bore much more precisely for accuracy, and slugs have more bearing surface and drag through the bore requiring some sort of lube to break the tension or barrel lead fouling will take place very quick compared to pellets with hardly any friction through the bore.
If you are planning to shoot past 100 yards, slugs will be the better setup. Pellets do just fine under 100 yards given the wind is not real bad. Pellets get pushed around in the wind much more than slugs.
Most slugs typically have hollow points. These will expand much more than pellets given the proper speed needed for slugs.
Pellets are cheaper and typically will give tighter groups than slugs overall. Unless you are after big game or long distance shooting, pellets would be the better, less frustrating and cheaper route, but slugs hit hard and make a rimfire type sound on impact. There's no hiding the impact sound on critters with slugs. They hit hard and it is loud.
Slugs are very picky compared to pellets with skirts that will expand to the bore upon being fired. Slugs have to fit the bore much more precisely for accuracy, and slugs have more bearing surface and drag through the bore requiring some sort of lube to break the tension or barrel lead fouling will take place very quick compared to pellets with hardly any friction through the bore.
If you are planning to shoot past 100 yards, slugs will be the better setup. Pellets do just fine under 100 yards given the wind is not real bad. Pellets get pushed around in the wind much more than slugs.
Most slugs typically have hollow points. These will expand much more than pellets given the proper speed needed for slugs.
Pellets are cheaper and typically will give tighter groups than slugs overall. Unless you are after big game or long distance shooting, pellets would be the better, less frustrating and cheaper route, but slugs hit hard and make a rimfire type sound on impact. There's no hiding the impact sound on critters with slugs. They hit hard and it is loud.
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Not at all universally true that piston guns are not powerful enough, like pellets you have to test and see what works in each gun. My friend has a de-tuned RWS 56 that shoots very well them at sub 15fpe. My RX2 had fair results @40 yards with 2 custom slugs I tried (~18-19fpe), both are .177
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I bought a box of the NSA .177 12.5gr slugs just being curious and while fairly accurate in the Turkish built Webley Tomahawk I tried them in.
First and 2nd 10 shot chrony passes for a rifle that shoots 10ish gr pellets in the 850-875 range:
1st: Average 658, ES 26 SD 9
2nd group the average fps dropped but the ES and SD tightened up: Average 646, ES 6, SD 2
Accuracy wasn't totally bad but since I know the kind of groups I get shooting regular pellets in the rifle, it's not one I'd switch to slugs in.
Your mileage my vary but I've only got 2 .177 rifles and the 2nd is a Diana 34 that I know won't come close to the power the Tomahawk has so no sense trying.
First and 2nd 10 shot chrony passes for a rifle that shoots 10ish gr pellets in the 850-875 range:
1st: Average 658, ES 26 SD 9
2nd group the average fps dropped but the ES and SD tightened up: Average 646, ES 6, SD 2
Accuracy wasn't totally bad but since I know the kind of groups I get shooting regular pellets in the rifle, it's not one I'd switch to slugs in.
Your mileage my vary but I've only got 2 .177 rifles and the 2nd is a Diana 34 that I know won't come close to the power the Tomahawk has so no sense trying.
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If your barrel is choked there might be disappointing results with slugs. My Uragan compact is shortened and now without the choke. It shoots both HN and NSA 21gr slugs very accurately.
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