Pellet Advice ?

[PhatMan]

Rapidnick,

I should have said 'measured average wt', but thought that was a bit cumbersome.

The actual weights I have cited are the average of the weighing of three hundred (300) individual pellets on a 5dp (0.01 mg) lab balance (Sartorius Quintix).

In addition, you can get a good estimate for the average weight of a pellet on a 2 dp scale - if you weigh say 100 to 200 pellets, and divide the measured weight by the number of the pellets. You just need to make the weight of the item being weighed to be huge in relation to the scale uncertainty. This method will not give you any of the variance in individual pellet weights, but will give you a good estimate of the average weight.

Have fun

regards

Russ

[Blackrider]

Rapidnick,

I should have said 'measured average wt', but thought that was a bit cumbersome.

The actual weights I have cited are the average of the weighing of three hundred (300) individual pellets on a 5dp (0.01 mg) lab balance (Sartorius Quintix).

In addition, you can get a good estimate for the average weight of a pellet on a 2 dp scale - if you weigh say 100 to 200 pellets, and divide the measured weight by the number of the pellets. You just need to make the weight of the item being weighed to be huge in relation to the scale uncertainty. This method will not give you any of the variance in individual pellet weights, but will give you a good estimate of the average weight.

Have fun

regards

Russ

Thanks Russ and to Nick for his valued input !

[zooma]

When we used to shoot these rifles back in the early 1970's they were the "top choice" and were by far the most popular "serious" match rifles in use around the UK clubs and at the open meetings. They far out-numbered the challenge from the rival Walther LGR, LGR Match and LGR Match Universal types at the open meetings but were seriously challenged in outright popularity around the clubs by the excellent Original Model 66 and Model 75's.

There was not a big choice of diablo pellets for target shooting back then and the RWS Meisterkugeln was by far the most popular type to be used in the 300S and 300SU match rifles around the clubs and at the open matches, but the less expensive RWS Hobby pellet was also used a fair bit in the clubs for practice and by newcomers to "save a few pennies".

H&N also had a good pellet back in those days, but for what ever reason it was not used as often as the Meisterkugeln although the white oblong metal tins of 200 "H&N selected" pellets (held in two foam layers) were popular as were the yellow plastic snap case of x100 Meisterkugeln "selected" pellets for match competitors .

Also available at that time was the Eley Match pellet that became popular - and was a "compulsory" pellet to use if you entered the "Eley Competition" - as I enjoyed doing several times with my 300S during that same time period.

I like the idea of using "classic" pellets in "classic" match rifles such as the FWB 300S and 300SU but with so many other options (and weights) now available it would be good to know your findings with so many more types to chose from.

There is also the possibility that even those classic pellets mentioned above are not exactly the same as they were back in the 70's - and a popular theory (often heard) is that the H&N pellets are nothing like those of the same name that were used at the time (!) so all you can really test is those that can be bought now!

[JLB]

Both my 300s & 300su seem to favour the heavier 8.2g RWS meisterkugeln over the 8.2g R10's. Tried the lighter 7g in both and again not as good.

John

[Cutsngrazes]

I recently bought my 300S and put new seals in. As my local shop was out of R10 rifle, I tried R10 pistol and they were very consistent. I then got some R10 rifle and although needed to adjust sights slightly for difference, the consistency is still excellent, so in mine I have left it with R10 rifle but it would be just as good on R10 pistol.
I have not tested other pellets as these in my 300S are far more consistent than my wobbly aim and I have managed a 58/60 score by wobbling on to the target at the right time.
Enjoy shooting your 300's whatever pellet you choose - from what I have read, they will not be far off.

[PhatMan]

Hello to All,

As an aside, the RWS R10 Rifle pellets that I have measured, are a bit lighter than the nominal weight.

Nominal wt 8.2 gr.

Measured average weight 7.77 gr.

(Again from weighing one hundred (100) individual pellets on 5 dp lab balance).

As Zooma says, there is just something 'right' about using 'period correct' pellets in these vintage springers - mind you the RWS Meisterkuglen are excellent pellets in their own right.

I use the RWS R10 Pistol a lot in my vintage springers : I bought 40000 of them - the sleeve price I paid was not far off what I would have paid for a sleeve of Meisterkugeln

I still have some of the Eley Match pellets - I bought a lot of them, 20 or 30 thousand, from a chap in Birmingham back in the day for a very good price - looking back, almost too good to be true !!

IIRC, the Eley Match were made by H&N for Eley.

Have fun & a good weekend

Best regards

Russ

[Rapidnick]

Rapidnick,

I should have said 'measured average wt', but thought that was a bit cumbersome.

The actual weights I have cited are the average of the weighing of three hundred (300) individual pellets on a 5dp (0.01 mg) lab balance (Sartorius Quintix).

In addition, you can get a good estimate for the average weight of a pellet on a 2 dp scale - if you weigh say 100 to 200 pellets, and divide the measured weight by the number of the pellets. You just need to make the weight of the item being weighed to be huge in relation to the scale uncertainty. This method will not give you any of the variance in individual pellet weights, but will give you a good estimate of the average weight.

Have fun

regards

Russ

I should've realised Russ that you were using laboratory scales for weighing your pellets but as I'm sure you will accept, most on here don't! It still doesn't stop them displaying ft lb figures to 2 places of decimals which is, as I wrote earlier , spurious accuracy.

[PhatMan]

Nick,

I should have mentioned initially what the pellets were weighed on.

I don't have access to the Sartorious scales anymore - bugger

I do have a 5 dp balance at home, but it is an old Stanton SM12 two (2) pan :

http://stanton-instruments.co.uk/page18.html

and it would take a very long time to measure one (1) hundred pellets

(It took almost three (3) hours using the Sartorious !)

WRT reporting spurious accuracy in measurements, I agree - it seems to have taken a serious hold now that everything has a digital read-out !

Have fun & a good weekend

Best regards

Russ

[Cutsngrazes]

Interesting to see Zooma and Phatman commenting on period pellets.
Having returned recently to current match shooting with an old 300S, I have some 'period' match pellets from about 30 years ago and they are in the original packaging, some tins, some card boxes. They look dull grey now but ...... are they still good for use or does the lead deteriorate or get hard over the years? They look like a drop of pellet lube would bring them back to new?
It is unlikely I would use them for competition but just curious whether or not they would be suitable.

[bullbarrel]

Eley have launched Tenex pellets and I see a number of top shooters have already moved over to them.

No idea of cost but worth a try. Three different sizes so hopefully one will suit.

They also have a lower priced pellet, again in three different sizes. I've not found anywhere that seems to stock them and nothing online

[zooma]

Interesting to see Zooma and Phatman commenting on period pellets.
Having returned recently to current match shooting with an old 300S, I have some 'period' match pellets from about 30 years ago and they are in the original packaging, some tins, some card boxes. They look dull grey now but ...... are they still good for use or does the lead deteriorate or get hard over the years? They look like a drop of pellet lube would bring them back to new?
It is unlikely I would use them for competition but just curious whether or not they would be suitable.

Hi Dennis,

I also have some pellets from an even older time period ( 1971 -72). I have kept them in an old ex WD ammunition box (the sort that had the clamp down sealed lid with a lever fastening on the end).

The pellets that are still in unopened tins are in an unknown condition (I have not opened them to look inside) but some that have not benefited from this closed storage system are dull like yours - but they shoot just as good as the brighter coloured newer pellets.

I have not done a clamped accuracy test but my scoring looks about the same with both new and old pellets - but like you I had some reluctance to use them - in my case, I was concerned that they could leave a residue in the barrel.

My guess would be that lubricating the pellets could be likely to cause a less accurate result unless they are all lubricated very precisely (after very careful cleaning).

This type of individual pellet attention is sometimes practised by some bench rest and other long distance shooters who demand extreme accuracy and it is often done with fanatical attention to detail for each pellet (and includes careful weighing).

I have no idea if adding lubricant to an old oxidised pellet would give a new lease of improved accuracy !

Let me know how you get on - but I will just keep shooting my dull pellets until they are all gone!

Bob.

[Cutsngrazes]

Hi Bob,

I hadn't thought about potential fowling from the old pellets. Luckily I only have a few different brands all opened but nearly full. I discovered them whilst digging out my old shooting jacket and they were in with my spotting scope and other long forgotten accessories.

I have never 'lubed' my pellets and will just dust them off and perhaps test them in another springer rather than my 300S to start with, but for now I will stick with the R10's that it is set up with.

Intrigued to find some of the new Eley 10x pellets to try. I used to use Eley 10x .22LR Match bullets for 25 yard prone many years ago. The Eley Club version were much less expensive for practise though and at our level were accurate enough. I wonder if they will bring out an Eley Club pellet? Bet they hadn't thought of that. Perhaps they will call them Eley Hobby - or is that name already Copyright.

Dennis

[Rickenbacker]

Back in the day, Eley Match Eley-Match-pellet-tin.jpg

Finale Match Anschuetz_FinaleMatch_177_PelletContainer.jpg