Wow, the 5.53 mm 18 gr JSB's made a difference 4/8/15

[CampFussell]

Got a new FX 400 a month or so back and hadn't been impressed with the groups at all. Tried the 13.43 grain, the 15.89 grain, and the 18.13 grain originally with the 18 gr holding the tightest but always had a flyer and couldn't get a one hole group at 25 yds to save my life?
By one hole group, I mean not being able to see paper between two pellet holes. I'm happy with a clover leaf , but couldn't even get that at 25 yds?

Talked to Mike Manabe and he mentioned trying the 5.53 mm head size. I got 3 tins from Jim at Precision just this afternoon. Slipped out on the back porch with my tack driver bag and my flimsy bench rest and proceeded to try them out at 25 yds. Was pressed for time and in a hurry, but at least I wasn't embarrassed to post these groups.

Number 33, through 37 were 3 shot groups with 33 and 37 being the best of those groups.
Then number 38 and 39 with 4 shot groups, and finally number 40 with a 6 shot group.
Wow, no crazy flyers like I had with the regular 18 gr JSB's?
Shot off my bag with no rear bag for the butt to rest on. Lots of room for improvement, but at least I know it will shoot now!

 

[manabeknives]

It's hard to believe how going from a 5.52 to a 5.53 would make such a difference. Yet I see it 2 of my rifles. My FX400 and my HM1000X both prefer 5.53 heads over 5.52.
Your groups are awesome and they're are only going to get better. That 6 shot group is something to be happy about! That's a pretty tight cluster!
Can't wait to see what your groups will look like when you take your time!
Glad I could Help
Mike

 

[CampFussell]

Thanks Mike. Jim said he had some 5.54 mm too, but figured I would try the 5.53 's first. I might try a tin of the 5.54's on the next purchase?

 

[manabeknives]

I have some 5.54.... i'll include some with the package I'm sending you
P&CG
Mike

 

[CampFussell]

Wooooohooo, you da man Mike. Thanks amigo!

 

[travels4fun]

The 5.53mm 18 gr Jumbo Heavies didn't do so well in my Air Wolf. For some reason, it prefers the 5.52mm. It's crazy how .01mm can make a difference.

Have you tried the 21 gr H&N Barracuda Match pellets yet? They come in 5.51, 5.52, and 5.53. Your FX on the high power setting should do well with them.

Scott

 

[Ted]

I bought 5 tins of 5.53's last year. I tried them in my Royale, Bobcat, Revolution, and Wolverine. Strike one; strike two; strike three......strike four?!?
All of those pellets have since all been passed over a chronograph. Just goes to show you that you need to try a few different flavors.

 

[CampFussell]

Scott, I haven't tried the 21 gr Barracudas yet. Last I checked it was only pushing the 18 gr JSB's at 865 FPS on high, so i figured the 21 gr cudas would be even slower?
But 30 ft pounds is 30 ft pounds no matter the speed right ;-)

Ted
So your's likes the 5.52 the best? I dunno?....maybe I had a bad tin of pellets the first go around with my 5.52's

 

[Ben10]

My bobcat gives me 3/8th groups at 50 with the 5.52's which is handy seeing as we can't get any other head size here in the UK on the 18.1's! So I can't even test it to see if they are better. im just glad mine Is a shooter with the 5.52's! 

 

[Ben10]

"travels4fun"The 5.53mm 18 gr Jumbo Heavies didn't do so well in my Air Wolf. For some reason, it prefers the 5.52mm. It's crazy how .01mm can make a difference.

Have you tried the 21 gr H&N Barracuda Match pellets yet? They come in 5.51, 5.52, and 5.53. Your FX on the high power setting should do well with them.

Scott

Scott, can you get the daystate range master sovereign pellets in the US? They are a 15.9 gr JSB but daystate have had them specifically made in the correct head size to suit their barrels (I know every barrel is different but this is what they say) and somewhere I read that they are put through another test process at the factory, some have hinted that it may be a roll test.

 

[travels4fun]

Ben

Other than the .303 Emperors, DayState pellets are hard to come by here in the States. AOA is only a 15 min drive from my house so I'll check with them tomorrow. Coincidently, I bought the last tin of .22 DayState Monsters (25 gr) which had been collecting dust in one of AOA's display cases. I haven't tried them out yet. I have an idea, I'll send you a tin of JSB 18 gr in 5.53 if you send me a tin of the Sovereigns in 5.52. Hit me up with a PM if interested.

Scott

 

[Ben10]

Certainly worth a try Scott. I will have a look into postage costs today and see what it come back like. And PM you the results. 

Thanks for for the offer and let me know if AOA has the sovereigns in stock too

 

[travels4fun]

"Ben10"Certainly worth a try Scott. I will have a look into postage costs today and see what it come back like. And PM you the results. 

Thanks for for the offer and let me know if AOA has the sovereigns in stock too

Sounds like a plan. I'll let you know what I find out from AOA tomorrow.

 

[snakedoctor9]

While I don't have the top of the line air guns that you fellers have, I have found that hn field target 14.66gr with the 5.55mm head size work great out of my Benjamin trail .22.

 

[chasdicapua]

I've been trying to get batch sizes of JSB for a while now. Good to hear Precision Air has them. Any where else? I'm looking for 5.51. Any info. on that would be appreciated. That's what my FX Royale 200 likes the best by a long shot.

 

[manabeknives]

You can try Top-gun Airguns in Arizona....Talk to Bori and tell he what you need
here's a link
http://www.topgun-airguns.com/

Also I have a stash of Jumbo Heavy Stratons in 5.51 if you are interested in a heavy pellet.
Mike

 

[Crutcherro1]

I'm a newbie but I do not see pellet head size when ordering pellets. How do you get specific sizes.

 

[CampFussell]

Crutch
I've ordered specific JSB pellet head sizes from Jim at Precision Air, and Bori at Top-Gun
Just send them an email or call them, they will be glad to help you out.

I'm not sure if you can order specific head sizes through Pyramyd with JSB, although they do have several head sizes with H&N pellets!

 

[chasdicapua]

I called Bori and he said that he's never gotten and JSB pellets in 5.51 head diameter. Spoke with Jim at PA and he's heard of them but doesn't have any at the moment. Thank God for the Air Arms 16gr 5.51's! What's the weight of those Jumbo heavy stratons? I'm always interested in something 5.51! Thanks Mike

 

[Biagio26]

Interesting, my FX 400 loves the 5.52 18.13 JSB pellets. But like some of my .177 rifles hate 4.52 or even 4.51. Seems like it all depends how big your chamber and your barrel is made. Like my AA EV2 loves 4.53 pellets.

Like Ted said, you have to try all the flavors and see what your rifle likes, and what it shoots best. Sometimes it only takes a little time.

Biagio