Pellet selection in spring pistols

[ptdunk]

What is it that makes some spring pistols so pellet fussy?
I’m guessing it’s something to do with different weights sizes and shapes exiting the barrel at different points in the shot cycle?

I’ve been pellet testing quite a few pistols at home, prior to then zeroing at 10 yds (length of my hallway)

I usually test Bisley practice, AA Field and JSB express and one will always group tighter than the others. Recently been adding Accuracy plus to the test for some very low powered pistols.

You have to be a half decent shot in the first place to get decent enough groups to tell which pellet is best.
It’s quite knackering doing that with a two handed standing hold for long periods, and often I’ll narrow it down to two pellets and then have to come back to it later as arms and eyes get a bit tired and it’s diminishing returns to carry on.

It’s worth the effort though and I always enjoy the moment when you’ve got used to them, they are finally zeroed in, with the right pellet and what seemed like an inaccurate and untameable little beast suddenly starts behaving itself putting the pellets in a nice little group.

Cheers,
Matt

[45flint]

What is it that makes some spring pistols so pellet fussy?
I’m guessing it’s something to do with different weights sizes and shapes exiting the barrel at different points in the shot cycle?

I’ve been pellet testing quite a few pistols at home, prior to then zeroing at 10 yds (length of my hallway)

I usually test Bisley practice, AA Field and JSB express and one will always group tighter than the others. Recently been adding Accuracy plus to the test for some very low powered pistols.

You have to be a half decent shot in the first place to get decent enough groups to tell which pellet is best.
It’s quite knackering doing that with a two handed standing hold for long periods, and often I’ll narrow it down to two pellets and then have to come back to it later as arms and eyes get a bit tired and it’s diminishing returns to carry on.

It’s worth the effort though and I always enjoy the moment when you’ve got used to them, they are finally zeroed in, with the right pellet and what seemed like an inaccurate and untameable little beast suddenly starts behaving itself putting the pellets in a nice little group.

Cheers,
Matt

So much truth, I have been wrestling with my Webley Seniors having a shoot out. So many viables you can’t test these pistols in a couple days. Still can’t decide my favorite.

[Abasmajor]

It has been my experience that lighter pellets seem to work best in older spring powered air guns, especially in rifles. H&N Final (Light) Match are my favourite, although RWS Hobby are a cheaper alternative that also seem to work quite well.

Brian

[ptdunk]

It has been my experience that lighter pellets seem to work best in older spring powered air guns, especially in rifles. H&N Final (Light) Match are my favourite, although RWS Hobby are a cheaper alternative that also seem to work quite well.

Brian

I agree, I find JSB Express 7.87’s always do better in my old rifles than any 8.44’s.

Pistols seem to be different though, I’ve been through the pellet check/zero process with about 25 vintage pistols so far and looking down the list they are nearly 50/50 Bisley Practice 8.2gr and Express 7.87. Only a few AA 8.44gr and one Hobby and one Match when nothing else worked.

Matt

[PhatMan]

Hello to All,

I usually use RWS R10 Pistol (7 gr.), JSB Match Green (7.3 gr.) for flat-heads, and JSB RS (7.3 gr.), JSB Express (7.9 gr.) for round-heads.

They give the best results in my vintage springer pistols.

Have fun

Best regards

Russ

[Josie & John]

I'm not sure if anyone else has noticed but when shooting older 'British' .22 air rifles or pistols with a 5.6mm bore, I still find that Hobbys or FTT work better than dare I say it, the old Eley Wasp. I appreciate I will probably be called out as a Heretic for suggesting this

John M