Head size, loose, tight or just right?

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FishNChips

FishNChips

Member
Mar 11, 2017
57
2
Northern California
I have been testing my H&N FFT in 5.53 and 5.54 head sizes. I have put probably 150 pellets down range today trying to get one to stand out, but they are simply too close to call. I will shoot one and see a better group, then switch it up after a break and the other gives a better group. They both are giving me less than 1/8" groups at 30 yards, the variance being me, and group together right out to 60 yards. What I notice is the 5.53 seems to generally load a bit looser, with an occasional loose pellet. The 5.54 seems to generally load tighter with an occasional tight pellet, but neither are uncomfortable to load.

My JSB and Crosman tins are marked 5.55 head size, but the H&N definitely fit the bore better and I am getting better velocities based upon pellet drop at 60 yards; and slightly better accuracy.

I want to order some pellets in bulk but do not know which tins to order! The 5.53s are a bit cheaper, but not enough to make much of a difference. My question is it better to have the pellets more snug, or more loose? I notice I got one or two more flyers from the 5.54mm tin, but that may be the quality control as the others are pretty expensive Keiser branded pellets.

No doubt I am over thinking this........
 
In my rifles, it is skirt fit, length, and wall thicknes/hardness that affects pellet accuracy. As long as the head isn't loose enough to rattle down the bore on the way out of the tube, I find the tiny increments in head size to be of no consequence - FOR THE TYPE OF SHOOTING I DO.

If I were a better shooter, perhaps pellet head size would enter into my POI equation. So far - for me - skirt fit and engagement with the rifling is what matters most.

My $.02/YMMV
 
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Pelletgage, sizing dies, scale, micrometer, chronometer, sigh, I am trying to fight back the coming addiction but find it very hard, lol. I am already tempted by PCP guns! I will likely end up with a gauge later, but want to keep it simple for now. I am a geek and love the technical size of hobbies, but as long as it is accurate enough for metal targets, birds and squirrels to 50 yards, I am happy....for now.

I will probably stay with the 5.53 and call it good, they seem very accurate for my needs, easy to load and a bit cheaper. I actually ordered 5.53 but was sent these larger head diameter pellets by mistake, I figured I would try them out and see how they did rather than returning them. I am sure the little bit more resistance is the head of the 5.54 pellet swaging although I do not notice that in the supposedly larger head sizes of the JSB and Crosman, maybe they are softer lead than the H&N. I read about the variance in the tins of pellets, but the 5.53 seem to provide a good enough range for me with very few fliers.

I will run through the tin of 5.54 for hunting and targets, and order more 5.53 pellets to replace them with when I run out.

Thanks!
 
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"FishNChips"Pelletgage, sizing dies, scale, micrometer, chronometer, sigh, I am trying to fight back the coming addiction but find it very hard, lol. I am already tempted by PCP guns! I will likely end up with a gauge later, but want to keep it simple for now. I am a geek and love the technical size of hobbies, but as long as it is accurate enough for metal targets, birds and squirrels to 50 yards, I am happy....for now.
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lol! This is from today.....


I'm finally starting to feel better after being sick for 2 weeks. So, sorting ended up being one of my accomplishments for today. It takes me 4 steps to get them this far and I've still got another 2-3 steps to go!
Tom
 
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I will probably get a little scale to try to start with. I was watching Vermin Hunters TV and he was showing the actual weights of the H&N FTT were quiet a bit off, simply sorting them by weight really increased his accuracy. It probably gives better results in Chairgun as well, although I map my pellets by 5 yard increments, it is nice to see they match in chairgun.

I might as well start my shopping list for pellet sorting supplies and just get it over with :)
 
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FishNChips I have found that my springer likes pellets in the 4.51 - 4.53mm head size. Don't count on ordering H&N FTT pellets and getting the size you ordered. I ordered two different size tins of FTT and the spread in head sizes was from 4.47mm - 4.55mm in both tins. I ordered 4.51 and 4.52mm and found more other sizes than the size marked on tins. I have found this true with other brands too. Get a "pelletgage" I got a decent digital scale off of amazon for $25 American Weigh Scales GEMINI-20 Portable MilliGram Scale, 20 by 0.001 G it does weigh in grains too and I have found mine to be very accurate, have several other airgunner buddies who use this one too. I also found the H&N FTT to have quit a few not within the 8.64gr weight, I allow mine to weigh from 8.54g to 8.74g. I have been doing a bit of testing that shows how different size head pellets perform. I am just getting started but here is Post Link: http://www.airgunnation.com/topic/size-does-matter/#post-172845 Soon as I get my .22 pelletgage I will be doing same test with .22 pellets.
 
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