I realize that in different guns at different ranges results will vary but I'm really just looking for a 'yes' or 'no' on whether the 21 showed significant accuracy improvement for those who have gone through testing both of these in any given setup. Trying to see if there's a consensus before I purchase several tins of 21 just to find out they aren't much or any better. I don't know if I want to sacrifice shot count to push the heavier pellet at the same speed. The 18s have treated me very well so far but if the Match 21 is significantly more accurate for most people then I can justify buying at least 4 tins to find out if they are much better in my own guns.
Baracuda 18 VS. Baracuda "Match" 21
- Thread starter GenXer
- Start date
I believe you have to try them in your own guns to know anything . Like you said pellets perform differently and peoples opinion's are deferent also .
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I was waiting for someone else to break your ”yes” or “no” request before making a suggestion. Get four tins. Two 5.51 and two 5.52. Then test.
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OK so this raises another question for which there may be no definitive answer but I will ask anyway...
I already know that my target rifle likes 5.52 better in the 18. Doesn't that mean it would like the 5.52 better in 21 as well?
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Then I would definitely gamble on the 5.52 with the 21. If your gun can shoot them great, it will be fun for you to see what your gun is now capable of. I think it’s worth the gamble.
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Why do you need two tins per pellet? H&N tins are not huge but I usually use a few 5 shot groups to tell me if my gun seems to like a pellet then maybe a 30 yard challenge target or two or three if it looks promising. But one tin should do that.
I don't have a head size gauge in 22 yet but in 177 I found the Baracuda Match pellets were more consistent in head size than the Baracudas. That doesn't guarantee better accuracy but I also shoot better 30 yard challenge targets with the "Match". But less than 5 points better.
In my 22 I shoot the Baracuda Match 21s because it came tuned to shoot them about 835 fps and the JSB 18s were screaming out closer to 900. H&N did not offer 18s at that time. At 30 yards they seemed similar but at 35 the 21s shot better. Again the Match shoot a little better than the "plain" baracudas. I also got impressed by the fact that the 21s twice went into one pellet size 3 shot groups at 25 yards. I've tweaked the hammer spring setting but haven't touched the regulator, yet. The 21 grain Baracuda Match pellets gave me the one 200 I've shot in the 30 yard challenge. I used them straight from the tin through a magazine in my P35-22.
I'd buy a tin of the large head size and see how they shoot. I wouldn't mess with the regulator or even HS setting until you see if your gun likes them. I don't know of any reliable way to predict it's reaction.
I don't have a head size gauge in 22 yet but in 177 I found the Baracuda Match pellets were more consistent in head size than the Baracudas. That doesn't guarantee better accuracy but I also shoot better 30 yard challenge targets with the "Match". But less than 5 points better.
In my 22 I shoot the Baracuda Match 21s because it came tuned to shoot them about 835 fps and the JSB 18s were screaming out closer to 900. H&N did not offer 18s at that time. At 30 yards they seemed similar but at 35 the 21s shot better. Again the Match shoot a little better than the "plain" baracudas. I also got impressed by the fact that the 21s twice went into one pellet size 3 shot groups at 25 yards. I've tweaked the hammer spring setting but haven't touched the regulator, yet. The 21 grain Baracuda Match pellets gave me the one 200 I've shot in the 30 yard challenge. I used them straight from the tin through a magazine in my P35-22.
I'd buy a tin of the large head size and see how they shoot. I wouldn't mess with the regulator or even HS setting until you see if your gun likes them. I don't know of any reliable way to predict it's reaction.
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While I have shot both through the same rifle, and both shot well, the 18's were slightly better.
I assume that this is because I purchased the 18's right after they were available and measured the head sizes via a Pellet Gage. The variance was excellent with an 89%, 5.53mm out of 500 measured. If you have measured head diameters before, you'll know that this is a great ratio.
My assumption is that since these 18's were brand new on the market, the machines producing them were also brand new, thus the excellent consistencies.
It's rare to buy a tin that is the printed diameter on the tin, it just doesn't happen. They are always off in my experience anyway, usually on the larger side, rarely on the smaller side.
Of course, as others have stated, that's my experience, yours could very well vary.
mike
I assume that this is because I purchased the 18's right after they were available and measured the head sizes via a Pellet Gage. The variance was excellent with an 89%, 5.53mm out of 500 measured. If you have measured head diameters before, you'll know that this is a great ratio.
My assumption is that since these 18's were brand new on the market, the machines producing them were also brand new, thus the excellent consistencies.
It's rare to buy a tin that is the printed diameter on the tin, it just doesn't happen. They are always off in my experience anyway, usually on the larger side, rarely on the smaller side.
Of course, as others have stated, that's my experience, yours could very well vary.
mike
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Crazy news to me. I thought barracuda 18’s were barracuda 18’s and 21’s were 21’s. I didn’t know there were different options in them. Maybe I will have to experiment with that. Like others have said you just have to try. I have very limited experience with both. Only in an FX streamline with the original smooth twist barrel. The barracuda 18 I have (no idea on size) shoot very well. The 21’s I have (no idea size) shoot ok but not as well. I wish jsb would produce a tweener weight 22 pellet. They seem to outperform H&N. I see AEA is making pellets and has an offering. Might be worth a try too.
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B aracuda 18 and the 21 (not Match21) performed pretty well for me @ 50 meters, I think I like the 18 grainer more.
When stretching the distance the groups start opening up about 70 M and never tried 100M.
When stretching the distance the groups start opening up about 70 M and never tried 100M.
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This is 100% a good idea. One of my guns will shotgun the 5.51, but loves the 5.52
The 5.53 used to be around in the 21s, but I haven't seen them since pre covid. Those were awesome in my disco.
As for the 18s, they did okay in a few of my guns, but JSB still took the edge.
If you're feeling frisky, which I know you are, try out some terminators and the field target trophy. The FTTs come in 5.5 mm thru 5.55 mm head size.
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Dr. Kralenstein
"The 5.53 used to be around in the 21s, but I haven't seen them since pre covid. Those were awesome in my disco."They also were available in 5.50, 5.54 and 5.55 (IIRC), but no longer.
If I'm not mistaken, I believe that H&N has cut back on the sizes to reduce inventory. I'm sure that H&N while perusing this site will chime in on that for confirmation....or not.
Mike
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Not.
We used to manufacture the Baracuda Match .22 in head sizes 5.51, 5.52 and 5.53 mm, way back also in 5.54 and 5.55 mm, but never in 5.50 mm.
5.53 mm was discontinued in 2021 due to lack of demand.
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➠ And here we go again....
H&N
despite being one of the largest pellet and slug manufacturers worldwide —cares enough about us to be present at important forums (like AGN) —
and RESPONDS to us!
On the other hand:
Has anybody ever seen JSB around here?
Matthias
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I avoid real work by hanging out in airgun forums...➠ And here we go again....
H&N
despite being one of the largest pellet and slug manufacturers worldwide —
care enough about us to be present at important forums (like AGN) —
and RESPONDS to us!
On the other hand:
Has anybody ever seen JSB around here?
Matthias
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This how I managed what pellet-head sizes are available and what not available at my place
https://www.trrobb.com/product/adjustable-pellet-seaterv1
Not perfect solution, but works pretty well with some effort.
https://www.trrobb.com/product/adjustable-pellet-seaterv1
Not perfect solution, but works pretty well with some effort.
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I sold that rifle because it only shot those worthy out to 50 lol. It didnt like much else. Guess I could've rebarreled the gun, but I had other toys to buy.Not.
We used to manufacture the Baracuda Match .22 in head sizes 5.51, 5.52 and 5.53 mm, way back also in 5.54 and 5.55 mm, but never in 5.50 mm.
5.53 mm was discontinued in 2021 due to lack of demand.
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Glad that I was corrected by H&N on the 5.50mm size never being manufactured.
I knew that H&N would respond, glad that they peruse this site for they're valuable input.
Mike
I knew that H&N would respond, glad that they peruse this site for they're valuable input.
Mike
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