Testing 14 different pellets with my Brocock Sniper XR

[ThomasT]

Hello everyone,

What a surprise and a bunch of information gathered today. Conditions near perfect and after shooting another paper target I decided to Test Shoot every .22 cal pellet that I have except for Slugs. The list contains, Domed, Hollow Point, Pointed Tip, and even Wadcutters. Weights from 11.9gr up to 25.4gr, See attached List below.

Range: Outdoor 25-Yards
Rifle: Brocock Sniper XR .22 caliber
Scope: Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 10-40x56
Wind: 0 to 3 mph

I am impressed how well the Sniper shoots such a wide variety of pellets. True, not all shot well enough for competition but other than #1 and #5 good enough to hunt with in general. The number above each target is the same for the Pellet shown on the List. I did re-shoot number 12 and number 8 to confirm their accuracy. I shot five pellets at each target. I will now do more testing on a select group.

ThomasT

Number Weight Brand
1 11.9 RWS Hobby Sport Line
2 13.43 JSB Exact RS
3 14 RWS Professional Line Wadcutter
4 14.3 Crosman Domed Ultra Magnum
5 14.5 RWS Superpoint Extra Field Line
6 15.89 JSB Match Diabolo Exact Jumbo
7 16.08 JTS Dead Center
8 18 Air Arms Diabolo Field Heavy
9 18.1 JTS Dead Center
10 18.13 JSB Jumbo Heavy
11 18.13 H&N Baracuda 18
12 21.53 JTS Dead Center
13 25.39 JSB Jumbo Monster Diabolo
14 25.4 FX

 

[longdog]

Good shootin'! Thanks for sharing!
I'd be interested to know the velocities of #8, #9 and #12.
I have a Pathfinder that I'm working on "favorite pellets" for.
I know it's a shorter barrel, but still interested.

 

[ThomasT]

Good shootin'! Thanks for sharing!
I'd be interested to know the velocities of #8, #9 and #12.
I have a Pathfinder that I'm working on "favorite pellets" for.
I know it's a shorter barrel, but still interested.

Hello @longdog

My barrel is 17-inches long for a reference.
FPS for #8 and #9 = 800
FPS for #12 = 758

ThomasT

 

[boscoebrea]

That is great info,I have the Concept XR,but it is .25. Thanks for sharing.

 

[ThomasT]

Hello @longdog and @boscoebrea

I just ordered more Air Arms Diabolo Field Heavy 18gr ( #8 ) after shooting a lot more paper targets. These out shot #9, #10, #12. When they come in I will shoot my daily Competition targets using them and see if my overall score get better.

ThomasT

 

[Struckat]

My Walther barrels love AA 18s.

Good shooting Thomas.

 

[ThomasT]

My Walther barrels love AA 18s.

Good shooting Thomas.

Hello @Struckat

I know shooting 5-shot groups of one pellet and then another is not the best test, but I have learned that it does give me a very good start to eliminate some. I have now shot a bunch ( almost out now ) of the AA's and was putting 3 and sometimes 4 pellets in one hole and the rest touching. I ordered 4 Tins and I believe this will be the final test.

ThomasT

 

[Privateer]

I'm gonna have to get me some of those AA's for my RainStorm 1 .22 when I finish the work on it.

 

[longdog]

I've not tried the AA 18s but I can't get the AA 16s to group well in any of my rifles.

 

[pan60]

i have th concept i got for the wife so far i have only run the
15.89 JSB Match Diabolo Exact Jumbo
14.3 Crosman Domed
i have notice a fair number of flyers with the 15.89 JSB and the 14.3 Crosman fall out of the magazine to easy.
i plan to try some 18 gr somethings soon. probably the jsb's and some jts.

 

[Ranchibi]

Thomas, nice work, that's a lot of shooting! There are definitely some beautiful groups there .

 

[bigHUN]

I did elimination testings since last summer at distances 30-40 but mostly 50 meters (gun club range) same .22 pellets, all brands and weights I could get to my hands, I think over twenty different tins.
Looking back to my results, 5 shots groups full 4x5 cards and picked only the best performing tins. These below shot from random/documented liners, the speed varied according to TR too much to list. The overall best performers I keep buying, the rest was disposed like a drunken soldier :
- AADF 15.90 gn
- H&N Baracuda 15.85 gn
- AADH 18.0 gn
- H&N Baracuda 18.0 gn
- H&N Baracuda 21.14 gn
- JSB MRD 25.8 gn

 

[ThomasT]

I did elimination testings since last summer at distances 30-40 but mostly 50 meters (gun club range) same .22 pellets, all brands and weights I could get to my hands, I think over twenty different tins.
Looking back to my results, 5 shots groups full 4x5 cards and picked only the best performing tins. These below shot from random/documented liners, the speed varied according to TR too much to list. The overall best performers I keep buying, the rest was disposed like a drunken soldier :
- AADF 15.90 gn
- H&N Baracuda 15.85 gn
- AADH 18.0 gn
- H&N Baracuda 18.0 gn
- H&N Baracuda 21.14 gn
- JSB MRD 25.8 gn

Hello @bigHUN

Yep I will have a lot of "extra" Tins of pellets, but I normally use them for shooting metal and spinners and for shooting squirrels. Save all the good stuff for target shooting.

ThomasT

 

[elh0102]

My Walther barrels love AA 18s.

Good shooting Thomas.

I've had good luck with AA 18s in .22, and the AA 10s in .177. They are marked Czech Republic, so I assume they are JSB. I suppose they could be made on different dedicated dies, but I doubt it. I notice my .177 AA and JSB are both marked as 4.52 head size, but the AA measure .175" and the JSB .172". So the AA are closer to the indicated size.

 

[ThomasT]

I've had good luck with AA 18s in .22, and the AA 10s in .177. They are marked Czech Republic, so I assume they are JSB. I suppose they could be made on different dedicated dies, but I doubt it. I notice my .177 AA and JSB are both marked as 4.52 head size, but the AA measure .175" and the JSB .172". So the AA are closer to the indicated size.

Hello @elh0102

I noticed that when chambering the AA that the side lever required just a touch more push and I could actually feel the pellet entering the chamber. A good snug fit may improve on the accuracy.

ThomasT

 

[L.Leon]

Thanks for sharing your results…

 

[elh0102]

Hello @elh0102

I noticed that when chambering the AA that the side lever required just a touch more push and I could actually feel the pellet entering the chamber. A good snug fit may improve on the accuracy.

ThomasT

Could be. There are just so many variables involved in accuracy evaluation it's very challenging to make definitive conclusions. Die wear will cause variation in pellet specs, and I have no idea how closely any of the pellet makers monitor die measurements. The best ammo in any discipline is the most consistent in weight and dimensions. Culling through bullets or pellets is a laborious task, one I used to do when involved in BR competition, and something I am glad to have left behind. For casual target shooting, hunting or plinking, it just doesn't matter unless the inconsistencies are egregiously bad. If you are competing in the top 10%, everything matters.

 

[boscoebrea]

I can say most of my AA branded pellets outshot my JSB pellets, though they are the same weight made by the same company
,so said...It has to be different dies used,if not so be it,I will take AA branded one any day.....also some heavier H&N pellets work great for me.
Story, brought my girlfriend carnations because I think they smell better and last longer than roses, she told me,"I do not care what you think, when you get me something, you get something I like, Got It"!Yes Darling, whatever you say. She is of course right.

 

[Revoman]

I too have had excellent results from using AA 25.39gr in .25 caliber pellets. Got a bunch of tins in doing so.

 

[bchannell]

Those Brocock are great rifles. I have an HR and it's a laser. I at one time thought of selling it but am sure Glas I didn't. Every time I shoot it I wonder how I could get anything better!