Pure Lead: The Unspoken Advantage in Airgun Slugs
By Corbin Manufacturing – 50+ Years of Precision in Projectile EngineeringIn the airgun world, the debate over slug composition is often overshadowed by discussions of barrel twist rates, pellet weights, and velocity. Yet, one of the most overlooked factors in accuracy, repeatability, and barrel longevity comes down to the metal inside the slug itself.
At Corbin Manufacturing, after more than half a century designing and producing precision swaging equipment for the largest ammunition companies in the world, we’ve learned something that many in the airgun industry still underestimate: pure lead is king.
Why Pure Lead Outperforms Harder Alloys
Most slug manufacturers use lead alloys containing antimony and tin. These metals harden the slug, making them easier to mass-produce on high-speed punch presses. But hardness comes at a cost:- Density & Ballistic Coefficient
- Pure lead is denser than alloyed lead. At the same length, it will weigh more, which means a higher ballistic coefficient (BC).
- Higher BC equals better retained velocity, less wind drift, and superior downrange energy—critical for long-range precision and ethical hunting.
- Barrel Preservation
- Harder alloyed slugs don’t fully conform to the rifling and can cause excessive wear. Over time, this can open up groups, shorten barrel life, and in some cases, require a complete replacement.
- We’ve seen barrels destroyed prematurely because manufacturers prioritized ease of production over barrel compatibility.
- Fouling Control
- Proper fouling helps a barrel maintain consistent point of impact.
- Alloyed slugs can leave behind uneven deposits that either over-foul or strip away in patches, creating flyers. Pure lead lays down a smoother, more consistent layer, which keeps accuracy stable over more shots.
Why Many Don’t Use Pure Lead—And Why We Do
Pure lead is difficult to work with on automated production lines unless you use precision swaging equipment. Most airgun slug makers rely on stamping or casting processes that don’t handle pure lead well.At Corbin, we’ve spent decades engineering swaging systems specifically for pure lead, allowing us to produce slugs with unmatched concentricity, uniformity, and surface finish.
The Corbin, AirMarksman, and Dead Lead Air Standard
We’re proud to supply swaged slugs not only under our own name but also through partnerships with brands like AirMarksman and Dead Lead Air—all committed to the pure-lead standard.Whether it’s winning matches at the Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge, dropping game cleanly at distance, or extending barrel life, our slugs are designed with one principle in mind: the softest, densest lead for the hardest-hitting, most accurate shots.
Independent Proof from Applied Ballistics
Don’t just take our word for it. Applied Ballistics, the most respected third-party ballistics testing organization in the industry, put Corbin’s slugs through extensive testing alongside top competitors.The results?
- Best-in-class BC
- Highest consistency in shot-to-shot velocity
- Tightest downrange group sizes
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