Nice post ... thanks.
I know what you mean.
In my 77s I'm thumbing in the pellets. I can basically tell you if that pellet is going to be good or a flyer by the way it goes in ( from a known decent batch ). The ones that go in with a certain snugness will shoot well. If one just goes in with no resistance then it will fly, and, if on a course, I shoot those into the ground, after informing my colleagues.
The pellets are probed in with the S10. I measured some Prems and tested them and found that the bigger the better.
I've also done similar re pushing through and noting the rifling marks.