Different ammo extremely inaccurate

The type of pellet and the weight of the pellet can make a big difference in accuracy. Find the type and weight your gun likes and the gun will work great. 

Pellets, that should be a four letter word!

Not only will different types/brands of pellets perform differently in the same gun, pellets in the same lot number and even pellets in the same tin can and very often do perform radically different. They are in great demand, there are often shortages of specific brands/types/sizes, and the pellet makers are turning them out as fast as they can, likely at the cost of the highest quality.

Weights can vary by as much as 20% of total pellet weight. It's not uncommon to have deformed skirts, concentric shape problems, different head sizes, etc, etc, etc. All of which will effect a group size and general accuracy.This is why the target shooters jump through flaming hoops to get "perfect" pellets to shot through paper. 

Find the pellets that shoot the best group size . Where the pellets all shoot in a nice cluster . When you do , then make the scope adjustment to make that group zeroed .
It's rare that two different pellet types shoot to same point of impact . Just figure out which one your gun likes best . Playing with the different pellets out there is part of the fun/agony of Airgunners. Lol

Unfortunately, for best (consistent) results, yes. Stick with one pellet....
if you shoot with others and they have their favorite pellet, feel free to try them, but once you've found the magic pellet, at the correct weight, stock up!
If you look at videos of known airgun experts, you'll see 20-50 tins of the same pellet in their bench or shelf. They know from experience that bad lots can be produced, so it's better to have a known good one available.
It's not like fishing where a different lure may be the lucky difference- take out the conditions that are variable where you can, so you can focus on improving your shooting.
Good luck out there!

"JoeWayneRhea"Find the pellets that shoot the best group size . Where the pellets all shoot in a nice cluster . When you do , then make the scope adjustment to make that group zeroed .
It's rare that two different pellet types shoot to same point of impact . Just figure out which one your gun likes best . Playing with the different pellets out there is part of the fun/agony of Airgunners. Lol

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I zero a scope and set the power for a specific pellet. If I change pellet, I have to do it again.

I often wonder if people that post about comparing a bunch of pellets before declaring one to be the most accurate for a specific air rifle, are properly adjusting their gun and scope for each one, or if they are declaring pellets innacurate when they don't hit the same poi as the first one.

Heavier pellets need more power to achieve the same poi. 

A pellet is causing inaccuracy if the same pellet has a different poi for each shot.

It's normal for different brands of pellets to have different points of impact, especially in springers. I found that H&N and JSB shot to different points of impact, though both shot tight groups.

Angelk - Listen to these guys. They all have been doing this for a long time, and most probably have asked the same question. As for me, I am not a seasoned air gunner, and have only been involved in air guns for the last year and a half or so. My experience is solely with spring piston, gas piston, and C02 air rifles and pistols. Because this is just a hobby for me, I will never be able to justify the cost of purchasing a PCP and the required charging equipment.

Like you, I have been dumbfounded over this same topic, and have asked my fair share of questions. For me, seeing is believing, but I also like to understand why. I have yet to be able to "fully" understand why different pellets shoot to different POI's from the same gun, but they certainly do.

I've seen this before, but below is my recent experience on this topic:

Recently, I purchased a used Browning Leverage in .22 caliber. The person I bought it from recently rebuilt (tuned) it, and stated he had the best luck with Ruger Superpoint pellets he bought at Walmart. He also stated that he is someone who will only purchase pellets that are locally available. In the Southern part of the United States, that usually limits the selection to 2-3 types of Crosman pellets, a few Gamo pellets, maybe some RWS pellets, etc.

To complete the break in of the rifle, I shot about 500 rounds of the Ruger Superpoints, since they are locally available. After the break in, I proceed with the my first stage of pellet testing. My testing procedure is pretty simple:

1. All shooting is done from the bench. Rifle resting on open hand, hand resting on bag.
2. Setup target at 10 yards.
3. Zero the scope with the pellet used for break in. In this case, the Ruger Superpoint.
4. I do NOT adjust the scope during testing.
5. Gather all pellets I have in the correct caliber.
6. Shoot one 10 shot group with each pellet type.
7. Evaluate.

Here are the results of the 10 pellets I tested with this rifle:

Ruger SuperPoint (17.00 gr) - Scattered 3/4" group. Centered on bulls-eye.
Crosman Hollow Point (14.30 gr) - Scattered 1.25" group. 2 distinct groups 1" to the right of bull.
Crosman Ultra Magnum (14.30 gr) - Scattered 3/4" group. 1" up and right of the bull.
JSB Exact Express (14.35 gr) - Loose 3/4" group. 2" low and to the right of bull.
JSB Exact (15.89 gr) - Tight 1/4" group. 2.5" low and to the right of bull.
JSB Exact Heavy (18.13 gr) - 2.2" total group size. Two distinct groups 1" apart. One was 2" right of bull. 2nd was 2.25" low and right of bull.
H&N Field Target Trophy (14.66 gr) - Very loose 2" group. Shotgun blast around the bull.
H&N Sniper Light (14.04 gr) - Loose 3/4" group. 1.5" low and right of bull.
H&N Sniper Magnum (18.06 gr) - 2" total group size. Two distinct groups 1.25" apart. One was 1/2" high and left of bull. 2nd was 1" high and right of bull.
Air Arms Falcon (13.43 gr) - Tight 3/8" group. 3" low and right of bull.

Through the course of this testing, I had different brand pellets land as much as 5" apart from each other. And this is at 10 yards. Who can explain that!

It was interesting to note that all 4 of the different weight JSB pellets (that includes the Air Arms Falcon), landed in the same general location (low and right of bull), but produced different group sizes.

As a result of this test, I have an easy choice of pellets for further testing:

(#1)JSB Exact (15.89 gr)
(#2)Air Arms Falcon (13.43 gr)

My next step in the process is to zero the scope at 10 yards, using the pellet that produced the tightest group. In this case, it was the JSB 15.89 gr pellet. I then shoot another 10 shot group with each of the pellets I chose to test further, and record the results.

I then move to 20 yards, then 30 yards, and make my final choice from there. For me, pellet testing is the most fun and frustrating part of owning an air rifle.

Thanks for listening,

Lou

Why don't you guys tell him the rest of the story?
Pretty soon he will be reading and learning about grains, ballistics, polishing barrels, recrowning,
He will be buying another gun. Which will lead to another and another.
Then 3 or 4 scopes.
Then a chrongraph.
Then all kinds of apps for his iphone to figure out stuff related to pellets and shooting.
Then a special shelf with dividers to keep his many kinds of pellets on.
Then spending a couple hours each day watching utube videos on airgunning.
Then wondering just how many tools does he need to work on his FX that he is making CC payments on.
Then why he will be rambling on airgun forums with more and more questions.
Then trying to find other addicted airgunners in his local to shoot with.
Then buying resettable targets 4 or 5 at a time..
Then all at once he has a whole filing cabinet full or used range cards for guns that he doesn't even own any more.
Geez. Durned obsession anyway.

Lou, I think you would enjoy a QB78 or Crosman 2400kt. Great CO2s that are accurate and priced right. More accurate than springers.

Sprocket - Holy cow. You just described my airgun addiction to the letter! In the last year and a half, I have aquired a total 9 air guns, 2 scopes, and a chronograph. Not to mention the 16 different makes and model of pellets I've tried.

This airgunning thing can be an addiction for some (me).

Birdo - Your comment certainly re-enforces what I said about the members of this board being experienced and knowledgeable.

Guess what? I own a QB78 in .177 and a Crosman 2240. They are both excellent shooting guns. By the way, my QB78 loves the JSB Exact 8.44 grain, and my 2240 loves the JSB 15.89 grain. They both shoot lights out at 25 yards

Lou

"Sprocket"Why don't you guys tell him the rest of the story?
Pretty soon he will be reading and learning about grains, ballistics, polishing barrels, recrowning,
He will be buying another gun. Which will lead to another and another.
Then 3 or 4 scopes.
Then a chrongraph.
Then all kinds of apps for his iphone to figure out stuff related to pellets and shooting.
Then a special shelf with dividers to keep his many kinds of pellets on.
Then spending a couple hours each day watching utube videos on airgunning.
Then wondering just how many tools does he need to work on his FX that he is making CC payments on.
Then why he will be rambling on airgun forums with more and more questions.
Then trying to find other addicted airgunners in his local to shoot with.
Then buying resettable targets 4 or 5 at a time..
Then all at once he has a whole filing cabinet full or used range cards for guns that he doesn't even own any more.
Geez. Durned obsession anyway.

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Don't forget the extra gun safe to keep all those new guns in!