I ordered some JSB Exact Jumbo Heavy.22 from Trenier Airguns, Jeff asked me about the sizing and I of course went HUH? so I got the standard 5.52 and one 5.53, so besides .0004" what in the heck is the difference?
5.52 vs 5.53 does it matter?
- Thread starter HogKiller
- Start date
Maybe, maybe not. Results can also vary on the batch as well. Your best bet is to try both but chances are one size will only be a bit better than the other. Unless you plan on competing with them or getting every last bit of accuracy you can get, it may or may not matter to you.
That being said, my .22 97K really likes the FTTs. 5.53 is ok but 5.54 is substantially better and 5.55 is great too. My .177 97K likes the JSB 8.44s and shoots the 4.52 and 4.53 pretty equally.
That being said, my .22 97K really likes the FTTs. 5.53 is ok but 5.54 is substantially better and 5.55 is great too. My .177 97K likes the JSB 8.44s and shoots the 4.52 and 4.53 pretty equally.
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I have never measured the head size of JSBs but I have measured several types of H&Ns and what they put on the tin is not the real head size according to my pellet gauge. As an example, I recently measured a bunch of Baracuda Power 177s and the most common head size was 4.54mm. The tin or description says they are 4.50. I find the range of head sizes is lower with Baracuda Match than with Baracuda or Baracuda Power but the most common head size is not what is on the tin.
Whether it matters seems to be gun specific. My P35-22 shoots Baracuda Match in either head size very well. I don't have a pellet gauge for 22s yet so I don't know what their real head size is but presumably there is a difference. But my P35-177 does not like Baracuda Match in the 4.52 head size very much and I got even worse accuracy from two tins of Crosman 10.5s that had wildly divergent head size. Like 10 different head sizes in a tin of 500. But it shot as accurate with an earlier tin of Crosmans as it does with the Baracuda Power pellets. But that earlier tin had head sizes pretty similar to the H&Ns. So for the 177, head size seems to matter but for the 22, not so much if at all. At first I thought the P35-177 really liked the copper coating of the Power pellets but then I tried the Match in the 4.50 head size and it was obvious it was the head size, not the copper coating. I bought the pellet gauge to figure out why the two more recent tins of Crosmans shot so poorly and am now convinced it is their "all over the map" head sizes in a gun that cares about head size.
It can seem like a large expenditure in ammo but I don't know of another way to find out if it makes a difference in your gun other than trying some. Sometimes you can find an assortment and test more types at less cost. Or ask around and swap some with a friend.
Whether it matters seems to be gun specific. My P35-22 shoots Baracuda Match in either head size very well. I don't have a pellet gauge for 22s yet so I don't know what their real head size is but presumably there is a difference. But my P35-177 does not like Baracuda Match in the 4.52 head size very much and I got even worse accuracy from two tins of Crosman 10.5s that had wildly divergent head size. Like 10 different head sizes in a tin of 500. But it shot as accurate with an earlier tin of Crosmans as it does with the Baracuda Power pellets. But that earlier tin had head sizes pretty similar to the H&Ns. So for the 177, head size seems to matter but for the 22, not so much if at all. At first I thought the P35-177 really liked the copper coating of the Power pellets but then I tried the Match in the 4.50 head size and it was obvious it was the head size, not the copper coating. I bought the pellet gauge to figure out why the two more recent tins of Crosmans shot so poorly and am now convinced it is their "all over the map" head sizes in a gun that cares about head size.
It can seem like a large expenditure in ammo but I don't know of another way to find out if it makes a difference in your gun other than trying some. Sometimes you can find an assortment and test more types at less cost. Or ask around and swap some with a friend.
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its gonna depend on your barrel .. ive found very generally with pellets theres better chance theyll perform well erring on the tight/larger side, and if theyre too large the barrel easily smashes them down and they shoot just fine with little loss of velocity, leading the barrel etc .. if theyre too loose though they can cant down the barrel .. slugs are id say a different ball game and probably need to be sized more carefully ..
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Well I gave the 5.53's a shot, no pun intended, and they literally were all over the place, now in fairness the gun was COLD and a bit of a wind blowing from my back but I'm talking, for 20 shots, like a shotgun at 15 yards, switched to 5.52 and it tightened right up, literally 5 in the same hole at 30 yards. This is with my .22 Sapsan, I had the same thing with my Maverick .22 compact. Obviously not the golden pellet for those two guns.
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I've been thinking about it, it's not as if they are expensive.Purchase a 5.52 pellet sizer...lI have one for sizing over sized pellet heads.
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I'm gunna be the one to ask; I've seen .216, .217, .218, up to .22.
Which is the middle one? Lol it sounds dumb but I can get a .22 in But the straight .22 is a bear to shove in.
I bout a digital caliper but it doesn't go .000 just .00
Suggestions?
Which is the middle one? Lol it sounds dumb but I can get a .22 in But the straight .22 is a bear to shove in.
I bout a digital caliper but it doesn't go .000 just .00
Suggestions?
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I'm going to guess that .217, 5.52 is .21735", 5.53 is .21774 or .00039" larger. I know that for me 5.53 isn't todays golden pellet. I'm going to order one size lower and see that happens.I'm gunna be the one to ask; I've seen .216, .217, .218, up to .22.
Which is the middle one? Lol it sounds dumb but I can get a .22 in But the straight .22 is a bear to shove in.
I bout a digital caliper but it doesn't go .000 just .00
Suggestions?
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Trying to measure one ten thousands of an inch (.0001) with calipers is close to impossible, you CAN do it with quality micrometers but it takes a lot of practice and I doubt the pellets are forming a true circle and being soft lead, it's an extra challenge.I'm gunna be the one to ask; I've seen .216, .217, .218, up to .22.
Which is the middle one? Lol it sounds dumb but I can get a .22 in But the straight .22 is a bear to shove in.
I bout a digital caliper but it doesn't go .000 just .00
Suggestions?
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You already discovered for yourself what my answer was going to be. The difference could be between a poor group and an excellent group. Looks like you found out exactly what size your particular rifle likes. Amazing how such a small change can make such a huge difference. It takes experimentation, and sometimes it seems like magic when you find just the right pellet and head size!
Feinwerk
Feinwerk
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Yep, and what even funnier is, my 1st Sapsan LOVED AA 16 gr, this one hates them with a passion but my Maverick Compact loves them zinging along at 930, along with the JSB Exact Heavies 18.13 5.52. Darn airguns are fickle beasts, reminds me of the Mrs.
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