HFT Pellets for Springers

[RobF]

Forget the head size, just find a pellet that works. Starting out with springers just get a benchmark group size. Once you're comfortable with that you can then see if batch variation will have any effect, but to be honest once you have a fairly consistent pellet then batches are probably lower down on springer shooting woes than they are on a pcp.

JSB & their rebadged clones like AA etc is the make predominantly used by HFT/FT shooters, almost exclusively. You may see the odd person trying something different but if you look down the lists from results where pellet is stated it will be JSB or AA (made by JSB).

[cooper_dan]

Forget the head size, just find a pellet that works. Starting out with springers just get a benchmark group size. Once you're comfortable with that you can then see if batch variation will have any effect, but to be honest once you have a fairly consistent pellet then batches are probably lower down on springer shooting woes than they are on a pcp.

JSB & their rebadged clones like AA etc is the make predominantly used by HFT/FT shooters, almost exclusively. You may see the odd person trying something different but if you look down the lists from results where pellet is stated it will be JSB or AA (made by JSB).

Pretty much exactly what Rob has said above. Probably 90% of HFT shooters are using JSB Exact 8.44's or Air Arms Field equivalent. The head size printed on the tin is almost meaningless as every tin has quite a large range of actual measured sizes. What you are really interested in is the die number which is either the first 1 or 2 digits of the 7 or 8 digit code on the sticker on the back of the tin. Comparing different die numbers you can see variations in pellet length, shape of waist, shape of dome etc.

For my springer (TX200) almost any die number group the same to 35 yards. Very slight changes at 40 yards. And a noticeable change at 45 yards (+/- 20% group size). However I have to shoot a load of groups and take the averages over time because shooting consistent groups at 45 yards with a springer is HARD.

I would suggest the following to people new to HFT:
- Pick up any die number for now
- As you shoot more comps, ask around for known 'good dies' (for example #4, #8, #54 are known to be good at the moment)
- When you get a chance, get some of these known good pellets (half the time people at your club will give you some to try)
- Experiment at longer ranges
- practice practice practice

In my springer, die 54 are my current choice, with die 4 close behind. But to be honest at 45 yards its still more down to me than the pellet. Having the right pellet is maybe worth 1 in 20 of the 45 yard shots for me

[PhatMan]

Bob,

JSB Express (and Air Arms Field Express) shoot superbly for me.

Have fun

Best regards

Russ

[zooma]

Bob,

JSB Express (and Air Arms Field Express) shoot superbly for me.

Have fun

Best regards

Russ

Thanks Russ,

I have not acquired a great section of "suitable" .177 round headed pellets to test as yet as I have never had a use for any, but I do have :-

x1 tin of JSB Exact . 8.44 gr size 4.52. There is a number 4 stamped on the label just in front of the size - is this where they show the die number?

x1 tin of Air Arms Diablo Field. 8.4gr size 4.52. Just in front of the 27.5.2013 date is the number 18 and after the size is stamped S0 00.

I think both tins come from 2013 so they may not even make these types any more ?

I also have a part tin of Crossman Accu Pell and plenty of RWS Superdomes.

We have a good supply of RWS pellets for the club so the Superdome are easy to come by, but the other types will require a visit to a (non-local) gun shop or a good online supplier.

Once I know what to use I guess the best way to buy them is in "sleeves" of 10 tins - to get the best price and to keep the same batch (die) number to keep continuity until they are all used - and by then there may be something new to try instead!

[zooma]

Forget the head size, just find a pellet that works. Starting out with springers just get a benchmark group size. Once you're comfortable with that you can then see if batch variation will have any effect, but to be honest once you have a fairly consistent pellet then batches are probably lower down on springer shooting woes than they are on a pcp.

JSB & their rebadged clones like AA etc is the make predominantly used by HFT/FT shooters, almost exclusively. You may see the odd person trying something different but if you look down the lists from results where pellet is stated it will be JSB or AA (made by JSB).

Thanks for the info and advice.

I will look to find the best place to buy some JSB or AA pellets online (if possible).

My tin of JSB Exact were probably bought in 2013 and were opened at the club for the first time last week - likewise the AA Diablo Field, and they both worked well enough - but they did not group any better than the RWS Superdomes at 10 meters on our indoor range - in fact the tightest single group of any 10 shot string was achieved with RWS Superdomes - but not by much - all of the pellets that were tested grouped very well on our indoor range.

I took five 10 shot groups from rest with each pellet type (150 shots) and then did the same with another HW97KT (total 300 shots together from both rifles) over a 3 hour concentrated period.

Cocking the two HW97 rifles was was very good exercise (probably over 350 times including setting the zero's and making sure the rest position was repeatable enough for a good meaningful test!). I might just sell the weights and try cocking the HW97K and HW97K for a few hours instead!!

I suspect the slightly greater weight and choice of size (to get the best barrel fit) offered by the JSB made pellets will show the advantage during further testing at greater ranges - and outdoors when the wind comes into play etc - so I am keen to get a few more to test before committing to a sleeve of any type - but from the contributions so far it is looking like the favourites to add to my testing to start with are the other JSB and AA types.