I have found the higher up the rifle food chain you go, the fussier the barrel is, regarding the pellets it prefers. I have three rifles, and they each prefer different pellets. Having said that, you can’t go far wrong with the two brands you mentioned… JSB and H&N, as a starting point. It is very much a case of trial and error though. 😊
Very good in-depth information my friend. I have a powder shooter for many years and now getting into and loving air guns at age 70 and having so much fun with it. I look forward to catching up on all the content that you have posted in the past and for the future.
Ha, yes and no. Google "why are .22 pellets better for shooting birds" and you'll get the other side of the story. The real answer is that it depends, and what it mostly depends on is range and velocity. So, you select the calibre that suits the range you are hunting at. The ballistics works like this: Lighter .177 pellets will have higher velocity so will maintain stability and have smaller drop out to medium range Lighter .177 pellets have a minuscule BC (ballistic coefficient) so lose velocity very quickly and a bit of wind will blow them all over the place. Heavier .22 pellets have lower velocity so have more drop at medium range. Heavier .22 pellets have a better BC so don't lose velocity as fast, so get to a target at range with much more retained energy, and are also less susceptible to wind drift. This is a particularly important point in the UK, which has a 12 f/lb limit for unlicensed shooters regardless of calibre which negates much of the advantages for the .22. In places where you don't have to limit the power it's possible to get a .22 air rifle that shoots at 950 fps (or possibly higher for some PCP rifles with lighter pellets). If you're shooting steeply up or down hill bullet drop is less for a given line of sight distance so might lend itself to using .22. You can also get lighter and heavier pellets in all calibres, so you can make some adjustments with that as well. Given UK limits and other limits imposed by cost, .177 is probably the best choice for a beginner because the bullet drop is a lot easier to deal with at typical distances, and that will also translate to better hunting ability out to medium range regardless of what your prey is. If you are not limited in power/muzzle velocity and can afford something quite powerful (a few thousand $$) then .22 would seem to be the obvious choice, also regardless of prey. There's also .20 calibre which kind of has the best of both worlds, but it's much less common and is very much just another can of worms for air rifle shooters to argue over. Once again, it depends on application.
My take on the pellet choice is that generally a break barrel will prefer a lighter pellet and a PCP will prefer a heavier pellet and i emphasize GENERALLY. I have done a somewhat in depth testing of pellets in my air rifle (BSA R10 SE in .177) and i have settled on Bisley Magnums in 10.65 grains. My findings are over many years of airgun shooting. I get a more consistent result with these and they are very accurate up to 50 yards, i have no interest in shooting at greater distances with an air rifle. Oh, and i only shoot targets these days. Anything further i use one of my .22 rimfires. Your presentation will be very helpful for the new shooter.
I have a tin of Bisley Magnums so I always give them ago in my pellet testing and I don't have a rifle, either springer or PCP, that seems to like them ( I don't have an R10). I guess it always comes down to every barrel being different so testing as widely as possible is important. Thanks for watching and commenting. 🙂👍
the diabolo pellet was invented for the smooth bore airguns, they are drag stabilised , thats also the reason that pellets dont like a fast draw in the barrel or fast speeds , it most max 285 ms some super heavy 300 ms ,and then the spinning begins , the skirt will expand not in the weaker airguns , and in high power springer they expand to much . . i tested in a d 52 fac the eley wasp diabolo turnt out to hollow slugs , then you need diabolo with no hollow body like some JSB and theH&N heavy barucuda could hold its shape . in 5,5 mm you can find also 5,51 5,52 5.53 head sizes
@@hftshooterhi, very informative video, I’m just starting out on air pistols, could you give any advice around “dominant eye” ? I’m right handed but I believe I’m left eye dominant which makes it awkward to shoot left handed.. I’m trying to re learn my brain but I still feel more comfortable holding gun in right hand…🤷🏻♂️
@@dingnextstop Thanks for commenting. Unfortunately I know very little on the subject of 'dominant eyes'. However, I would refer you to another video channel called TGS Outdoors. Although it's mainly about shooting clays with shotguns they have produced some interesting content about dominant eyes that you may find useful. hope that helps.
Haven't heard that one Martin. I've always used 8.44 in my springer for HFT. Don't know anyone who uses the lighter ones, but some do use the heavier QYS. I'm aware of a discussion amongst PCP HFT shooters about using the 10 grain JSBs in the wind.
a springer works with a short high pressure air puls and heat and low volume of air ,thats why they have a higher Energy output with the lighter variants , a pcp use more air and its pushes more and longer in the barrel
Some sub 12 rifles simply work better in .22 so don’t dismiss this cal. Also, H&N FTT usually come in 5.53 14.66 grains in .22 cal. I really don’t see where you get this size limitation of 5.5 mm from?
Hi, sorry if you felt I was dismissing .22 calibre that wasn't my intention. I'm currently planning on switching to .22 for all my hunting. Just a small point but doesn't 5.53 round to 5.5 when using 2 decimal places? All the best.
.177 looses energy far quicker than a .22 once past 10yds generally, due to lower BC and lower inertia. Target to 10yds, .177 every time. Hunting, .22 every time. One grain is 1/7000 lb.
@@hftshooter Indeed it does. Pellet placement and the amount of retained energy are key considerations and whereas 22 may retain more energy further out, 177 at medium ranges offers better penetration, so horses for courses depending on quarry. Both are equally effective on rabbit to 40 yds with an accurately placed shot.
I have found the higher up the rifle food chain you go, the fussier the barrel is, regarding the pellets it prefers. I have three rifles, and they each prefer different pellets. Having said that, you can’t go far wrong with the two brands you mentioned… JSB and H&N, as a starting point. It is very much a case of trial and error though. 😊
Thanks Steve, certainly is! 😄👍
Very good in-depth information my friend. I have a powder shooter for many years and now getting into and loving air guns at age 70 and having so much fun with it. I look forward to catching up on all the content that you have posted in the past and for the future.
Thanks for watching! 😀👍
Thankyou for the great video. As a novice to the the hobby, this video is very highly appreciated.
You're welcome! 🙂👍
Maybe I'm wrong, but I googled this and its on another UA-cam video. I think you got that that wrong way round.177 for feather and 22 for fur.
Ha, yes and no. Google "why are .22 pellets better for shooting birds" and you'll get the other side of the story. The real answer is that it depends, and what it mostly depends on is range and velocity. So, you select the calibre that suits the range you are hunting at.
The ballistics works like this:
Lighter .177 pellets will have higher velocity so will maintain stability and have smaller drop out to medium range
Lighter .177 pellets have a minuscule BC (ballistic coefficient) so lose velocity very quickly and a bit of wind will blow them all over the place.
Heavier .22 pellets have lower velocity so have more drop at medium range.
Heavier .22 pellets have a better BC so don't lose velocity as fast, so get to a target at range with much more retained energy, and are also less susceptible to wind drift.
This is a particularly important point in the UK, which has a 12 f/lb limit for unlicensed shooters regardless of calibre which negates much of the advantages for the .22. In places where you don't have to limit the power it's possible to get a .22 air rifle that shoots at 950 fps (or possibly higher for some PCP rifles with lighter pellets).
If you're shooting steeply up or down hill bullet drop is less for a given line of sight distance so might lend itself to using .22. You can also get lighter and heavier pellets in all calibres, so you can make some adjustments with that as well.
Given UK limits and other limits imposed by cost, .177 is probably the best choice for a beginner because the bullet drop is a lot easier to deal with at typical distances, and that will also translate to better hunting ability out to medium range regardless of what your prey is. If you are not limited in power/muzzle velocity and can afford something quite powerful (a few thousand $$) then .22 would seem to be the obvious choice, also regardless of prey.
There's also .20 calibre which kind of has the best of both worlds, but it's much less common and is very much just another can of worms for air rifle shooters to argue over. Once again, it depends on application.
My take on the pellet choice is that generally a break barrel will prefer a lighter pellet and a PCP will prefer a heavier pellet and i emphasize GENERALLY.
I have done a somewhat in depth testing of pellets in my air rifle (BSA R10 SE in .177) and i have settled on Bisley Magnums in 10.65 grains. My findings are over many years of airgun shooting.
I get a more consistent result with these and they are very accurate up to 50 yards, i have no interest in shooting at greater distances with an air rifle. Oh, and i only shoot targets these days.
Anything further i use one of my .22 rimfires.
Your presentation will be very helpful for the new shooter.
I have a tin of Bisley Magnums so I always give them ago in my pellet testing and I don't have a rifle, either springer or PCP, that seems to like them ( I don't have an R10). I guess it always comes down to every barrel being different so testing as widely as possible is important. Thanks for watching and commenting. 🙂👍
the diabolo pellet was invented for the smooth bore airguns, they are drag stabilised , thats also the reason that pellets dont like a fast draw in the barrel or fast speeds , it most max 285 ms some super heavy 300 ms ,and then the spinning begins , the skirt will expand not in the weaker airguns , and in high power springer they expand to much . . i tested in a d 52 fac the eley wasp diabolo turnt out to hollow slugs ,
then you need diabolo with no hollow body like some JSB and theH&N heavy barucuda could hold its shape .
in 5,5 mm you can find also 5,51 5,52 5.53 head sizes
Thanks for sharing.
@@hftshooterhi, very informative video, I’m just starting out on air pistols, could you give any advice around “dominant eye” ? I’m right handed but I believe I’m left eye dominant which makes it awkward to shoot left handed.. I’m trying to re learn my brain but I still feel more comfortable holding gun in right hand…🤷🏻♂️
@@dingnextstop Thanks for commenting. Unfortunately I know very little on the subject of 'dominant eyes'. However, I would refer you to another video channel called TGS Outdoors. Although it's mainly about shooting clays with shotguns they have produced some interesting content about dominant eyes that you may find useful. hope that helps.
there is also the japanese waisted pellet , a kind of pointed diabolo with 2 or more bands
Ok, never seen one of those.
double headed pellets?
@@Lynaes-lb4kc pointed .2 bands and a skirt
Thanks for your time and info Sir
My pleasure! 🙂👍
Neither of my rifles (HW98 & S400,
Good information, thanks. Do you have a view on the argument for light pellets in a springer and heavy in PCP?
Haven't heard that one Martin. I've always used 8.44 in my springer for HFT. Don't know anyone who uses the lighter ones, but some do use the heavier QYS. I'm aware of a discussion amongst PCP HFT shooters about using the 10 grain JSBs in the wind.
a springer works with a short high pressure air puls and heat and low volume of air ,thats why they have a higher Energy output with the lighter variants , a pcp use more air and its pushes more and longer in the barrel
Interesting stuff ..
Thanks Mark, good to hear. 😃
Maybe aluminum bronze would be a good pellet it's not as hard as steel but it's pretty hard still
I have no idea!
Thank you
You're welcome. 🙂
Thanks sir
You're welcome! 🙂👍
I think it's •177 for feathers and •22 for fur.
Apologies if I got it wrong.
Did I see a video recently where Tilly (?) demonstrated that a deformed skirt had little effect on accuracy?
Maybe? I did one too. Check out my video #21. 👍
It might have been yours then. Some good stuff on here. Keep it up.@@hftshooter
Yup. It was yours. Interesting.
Some sub 12 rifles simply work better in .22 so don’t dismiss this cal.
Also, H&N FTT usually come in 5.53 14.66 grains in .22 cal.
I really don’t see where you get this size limitation of 5.5 mm from?
Hi, sorry if you felt I was dismissing .22 calibre that wasn't my intention. I'm currently planning on switching to .22 for all my hunting. Just a small point but doesn't 5.53 round to 5.5 when using 2 decimal places? All the best.
.177 looses energy far quicker than a .22 once past 10yds generally, due to lower BC and lower inertia. Target to 10yds, .177 every time. Hunting, .22 every time. One grain is 1/7000 lb.
All comes down to choice at the end of the day. I've always hunted with .177 and never had a problem with clean kills. 🙂👍
@@hftshooter Indeed it does. Pellet placement and the amount of retained energy are key considerations and whereas 22 may retain more energy further out, 177 at medium ranges offers better penetration, so horses for courses depending on quarry. Both are equally effective on rabbit to 40 yds with an accurately placed shot.
22 has just a wide a range of head sizes as 177
Thanks Derek. Haven't done much .22 shooting so not as familiar. 👍
👍😉
7,000 grains equate to 1 lb.
👍
QYS is best
If they work for you then great. 👍