Looking for recent info on pellet sample paks - 22 caliber

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Toymaker

Toymaker

Member
Sep 22, 2022
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Winterville, Georgia, USA
First time, and I just joined the forum. Other people are often the best sources for inside information that new to me.

Of all things I won a drawing for a Gamo Swarm Magnum 10X Gen3i in 22 caliber. I'm no stranger to air rifles, I've had a Beeman R7 for years. But it is in .177 and .22 is a new thing to me.
I got the Gamo Sample Pak, but at 50 meters (54.67 yards) I'm not impressed with the performance of any of the 4 types provided. At 25 meters (27.34 yards) the PBA Platinum pellets did fairly well. My thought is that the lighter pellets, moving faster than a heavier pellet, is destabilizing in the transonic turbulence. Just my theory as I haven't had my chrony out to check velocities yet.
Past posts on sample pak sources are dated so I'm looking for more recent information on 22 caliber pellets, especially the traditional lead, i.e. heavier, pellets.

Thank you in advance. Also, while there seems to be a consensus of opinion against Gamo, any information, hints, ideas in general or on the Swarm Magnum specifically would be interesting to read. I already know it is a BEAST to cock.
 
The only place that sold a true sampler pack was a company called Straight Shooters. Sadly, the owner is retiring and after checking no longer has any left.
Hopefully some owners of your rifle can chime in with what's worked well for them in theirs and can give you an idea of what to consider trying, them make use of Pyramyd Air's Buy 3, Get the 4th tin free deal and buy a tin each of the top 4 mentioned.
 
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Gerry52 and SteveP-52, Thank you for responding and for the information. Too bad about Straight Shooters as it sounded like a good source. I believe I have seen a H&N and a JSB sampler someplace other than Amazon. I'll have to go back through my searches and check. An 18+ grain pellet sounds much better than a PBA that weighs half that. A 7 grain lead pellet is .177 size!!!
I'll tell you, tuning a muzzle loader is a lot easier!!!
 
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Love your bulldog, Ezana4CE. My dad raised them for years when I was a kid. Thanks for the link.
SteveP-52 thanks for the H&N and JSB information.
In searching around I found Seneca air rifle pellets. They're monsters!! They weigh over 30 grains. I'm not sure if I'm lucky or unlucky that they're too long to fit in the Gamo magazine.
In my Beeman R 7 the best performing pellets are the Beeman wadcutters and the RSW domed. So I'm thinking that if I am getting transonic turbulence a heavier pellet will slow things down and stabilize better. While I'm at it I may as well stick with proven ballistic designs and stay away, for now, from pellets with imbedded steel BB's, plastic points, fancy cross cuts and hollow points.

Thanks again. Appreciate your input and information.
 
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@Toymaker Thanks and no problem. I wish there was a wider variety of sample packs. If you find a JSB pellet that you like that is a similar weight in the same caliber under the “FX” brand, they should work very similarly to JSBs. In my guns across a few calibers that has been the case. Other members have said the same. Something to keep in mind.
 
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Calbarry said:
Have you thought of posting and asking if anyone has a variety of pellets they're willing to send you a few of each? I know there's people on this forum who have a lifetime supply of pellets and might not mind helping you out. You could offer to pay shipping
Click to expand...
@Calbarry Doesn’t look like he has enough posts to PM yet. Posting about it isn’t a bad idea, just don’t know if violates the rules.
 
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It's a good idea. I'll wait a bit. First, I have Ian messing up any time I'd have to go test. Second, I did find a "sample pak" of heavier pellets. I keep a book on every firearm, including the Beeman R-7. I went back and read my notes from when I was testing pellets for it. There were notes from articles I'd read that recommended heavier pellets for stability and bucking any wind. Also strongly suggested traditional styles for proven ballistics like domed and pointed pellets. Alternatives were wad cutters and hollow points. So I have domed and pointed pellets at 15.43 and 21.7 grains each. Range day next week.
 
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I choose pellets partially based on how fast my gun shoots them. My P35-22 shoots JSB 18s not much under 900 fps. So I did not test 14.? grain pellets in it. I also did not test JSB 25.4s because it really likes H&N Baracuda Match (21 grains) but pushes them at 835 fps. I would rather not go slower and I doubt the JSBs will shoot better in this gun. Similarly, my P35-177 pushes 10.5 or 10.65 grain pellets at almost 900 fps so I did not test lighter ones. These are PCPs so I can adjust the regulator but I found pellets at these weights that they shoot very well so I haven't changed the tune.

I would chrony at least a few to help in the decision making process. I use an inexpensive Chinese Chrony that does not attach to the barrel so I can shoot groups through it. That makes it possible to check both velocity and accuracy at the same time.
 
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