.22 same weight pellets for target and pesting

You dont need two different pellets. Use the most accurate pellet for both.

I agree with LDP.
Why the need to use different pellets. Especially for birds. Dead is dead.
I sometimes switch between pellets and slugs, but not for any specific reason for my needs.

One common practice in self defense is
practice with what you carry. There are many reasons for that, including testing reliability, accuracy, and feel for the ammo.

I have always used the same theory with all firearms (and air guns). Having a scope on it also means no poi change.

I think you only need one pellet. The one that works best at long range is the one to use.

I just tried some JTS 21.5 semi-domes in my AA 500. Shot very well at 50 and killed a woodchuck real dead.

As far as safety, well you need to treat them all the same. The 21 passed through the chuck noggin and rattled through the trees 50 to 100 down range. A 16 would have done the same.

The only time I see a need for 2 different pellets would be if your target shooting was competitive, and 1 really made a difference at the 50 yard mark, but other ammo was equal or adequate for pesting at 20 with substantial cost savings.

If my .22 rig was only powerful enough with its stubby barrel — I'd pair
■ the MRD's for rings
with
■ the JSB Ulta Shock Heavy's for pests — basically an extra heavy WADCUTTER!!

Same weight — each a killer with extreme prejudice.

Matthias

I like my P35-177 for backyard duty. It carries only about half as far as my more powerful 22s.

But I use the same pellet for target and pesting in all my guns. It matters a lot more where you put it than if it expands. My P35-22 prefers 21 grain Baracuda Match pellets and has taken 10 squirrels and one raccoon for me so far, for instance. The squirrels were all DRT. The P35-177 has also take 10 and all the ones I hit right (there was one I didn't) dropped after a step or two at most. I've also shot them with two different 25s and they work great but I think they are overkill for backyard use (but will be the gun of choice if another raccoon shows up). 22s really are too but still get pulled out occasionally.

JTS 18.1GR domes are plenty fine for target and pesting.

Like others say, choose a pellet that shoots the most accurate and stay with it. If you change pellets, do a complete re-tune on the rifle. Just adjusting the hammer spring will also not give you the required consistency and accuracy.

bigHUN said:

Like I said, 15 gn works well up to 50M, but only if no air movement at all.
Ones the grass or leafs starts moving better to jump to heavier pellets but a bare minimum is 18 gn, the HN Baracuda Hunter I don't see it accurate enough.

Click to expand...

I am convinced that people think pellet's and slugs are doing something they just are not which is beating the wind. Lets take a .30 cal 44 gr. JSb @ 890 fps as an example. At 50 yds a mere 1 mph wind at 90 degrees will move that pellet .3 inches. A 2 mph wind same direction will be .6 worth of movement, thats not much you say well think of it like this. How good are you at reading the wind? can you read the wind good enough to know the difference between 1 or 2 mph? Most likely not. How often do you shoot in wind thats only 1 mph? probably not often depending on your location so thats best case scenario. Throw in variable wind from 3 - 5 mph and you get the picture. It doesnt matter which pellet you use from the list you have because they are all going to get pushed a decent amount at 50 yds in the slightest of wind. Ultimately you will do best using the most accurate pellet. If you cant use the heavier pellets for pesting because you are worried about damage from pass thru use the 18 gr. if its just as accurate or more so. None of those pellets will have enough advantage over the others to pick solely on shooting in wind. Its going to boil down to being close with wind calls and a little luck between those three pellets at 50 yds.

Atilla!
I agree that a single pellet is likely the best answer.
What I can tell you is that the H&N 18.13gr pellets are very consistent head diameter-wise.
I measured 2 tins with my Pellet Gage and had an 89% head size of 5.52mm. That was right after the release for sale. I'm sure that the dies have changed somewhat, but that initial consistency sold me on those pellets.
I also like the 21.14gr Match Baracuda pellets, they just work,
Mike

I also found H&N 18 to be the most consistent head size, no matter the batch. And it shoots best from my rifle.