Hades Vs. The Dome

I admit I don’t know the science of expansion or how far down range they will actually expand. I do know that especially if you buy the fx ones the price is about the same as domes and they kill the chit out of whatever they hit. They are plenty accurate. At least 10 shots at 57 yards. Muzzle velocity 890-895.

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I love the hades/fx atomics. I agree that domed pellets are more accurate the majority of the time. I’ve done quite a bit of testing with the hades/atomics in both .22 and .25 cals at different velocities and ranges into a ballistic gel block. At 30 yards they seem to expand in the gel pretty well, at 55 yards they didn’t seem to expand at all or very minimal. However, change targets to apples and oranges and there is a big difference between domed and hades/atomics. Shooting these at 55 yards with domed pellets in both calibers just leave small pin holes. Shooting them with the hades/atomics at 55 yards blows them apart.

I will say for me in hunting situations, the hades/atomics have not disappointed me one bit
 
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I love the hades/fx atomics. I agree that domed pellets are more accurate the majority of the time. I’ve done quite a bit of testing with the hades/atomics in both .22 and .25 cals at different velocities and ranges into a ballistic gel block. At 30 yards they seem to expand in the gel pretty well, at 55 yards they didn’t seem to expand at all or very minimal. However, change targets to apples and oranges and there is a big difference between domed and hades/atomics. Shooting these at 55 yards with domed pellets in both calibers just leave small pin holes. Shooting them with the hades/atomics at 55 yards blows them apart.

I will say for me in hunting situations, the hades/atomics have not disappointed me one bit


Scott,

that is very helpful info you just wrote up there for us. (And spent many hours to find out!)
Thank you.

(1) Would you say what ballistic gel that was?
DIY? | 10% | 20%


(2) Do you have any theory why the apples and oranges reacted as they did — though there was no HP expansion in the gel?


👍🏼 Matthias
 
I've noticed something interesting with Hades and velocity. When I used to shoot .22's at 765 from a Dream Pup it was rare to have pass through in a pigeon shot in the gullet or heart / lung areas. Now I am using a .22 Atomic shooting Hades at 700 and I am seeing a lot of pass through so this tells me that perhaps at a lower velocity there isn't any expansion. Its only a hunch because I have not recovered any pellets to examine or measure the expansion. I also see a lot of tissue splatter behind the birds with my Atomic so the head and spin rate cut right through them like a buzz saw.

@Scott.t Have you or anyone else done any jell or apple testing at 700 and 765 with .22s that coincides with my experience?
 
I shoved some Hades in my .22 Maverick Compact, never could get them to group for beans. Well I'd tuned my gun for 22gr FX/RMR, I tried the Hades at 25 yards HSA #4, they were going fast, I forgot to turn my FX radar on again, but I know it's darn fast. I got 5 in one hole, NEVER had that happen before. Tried some Crosman HP's , on HSA #3, just absolutely drilled it. Put in some AA 16.0's bumped up the HSA a touch things just drilled again.
 
I think the best advice regarding the JSB Hades is the same advice that applies to most any pellet. Use them if they are accurate. Don’t use them in hopes they will expand to create a more devastating wound channel because the ones I’ve recovered from actual game have exhibited no meaningful expansion. Not even when sent out at 900fps, let alone the 700s and 800s. Now, does that picture change at 1000fps? I don’t know.

Just as their head geometry would suggest, they act like something in between a dome and a wadcutter. Therefore the effect is somewhere between an ice pick and a frying pan, which is indeed a useful blend of characteristics for many pest control situations. The H&N Baracuda Hunter Extremes are in the same category.

For something that actually expands, try the Daisy HPs in 22.
For something that deforms and fragments, try the Polymags or RWS Super H-points.
For something that hits hard, use a wadcutter.
For something that penetrates, use a dome.
 
The [Hades] I’ve recovered from actual game have exhibited no meaningful expansion. Not even when sent out at 900fps.


Thanks for the input, excellent. 👍🏼


Question: The 900fps above was MV I assume.
So, what where typical ranges where you've had the chance to recover pellets?
Would you also comment what caliber you used?


Thank you! 😊

Matthias
 
Yes, I recall now, Jason, thanks for the reminder! 👍🏼

And yes, the impact velocity is the most decisive factor if and how much expansion a hollow point will have. (That's why I was asking those questions.)
Yupp, 770fps on impact isn't slow, so the lack of any significant expansion at that velocity is unfortunate. ➠ Polymags, here I come!! 😆

Matthias


Projectile Test. PT102.  nervoustrigger (2020). -Squirrel.- 21,15FPE. Hades @762fps + Daisy HP...jpg
 
I'm shooting Hades because they are accurate. My speed with them is 880 for both.25 and.22 cal. Faster than that and I noticed a lost in accuracy. At this speed they are going through the head of the Iguana like a banana.

My best experience with expansion was with the barracuda hunter. Those pack a punch, but they are not accurate pass 50 yards, hmmm now I'm wondering if they will become accurate if I fill the cavity with rtv silicone. Time to test I guess
 
I set my wildcat up to shoot these .25 cal hades at 930 fps. I shot these into a 10% ballistic gel block at 55 yards. They did expand some, 6 inches of penetration. Unshot pellet on the left for comparison. These pellets are very accurate for me out to 100 yards so far. Next time I get a coon or possum I’ll see if I can recover the pellet and see how it looks

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