Accuracy testing new pellet brands and weights

[kwaping]

I got a new PCP rifle recently and am interested in finding out which specific pellet it likes the most. But I'm not sure about the technique to test them, given that this rifle (Blackwolf) has adjustable power.

Do I try to keep the speeds in the same range across the different weights, or "waste" more pellets trying to find the right speed for each type I'm testing? I bought a few sample packs from Pyramid and I'm not sure I have enough of each type to figure out the preferred speed for each.

 

[boscoebrea]

Oh Yea,you are mind tricking yourself ,what I mean is people can make things a lot more difficult than it is.....forget speeds and weight and all that,see what other pellets others use in the same gun,then choice the ones most accurate for yours ;then do the the other stuff as you choose.Like speed ,weight and whatever.....keep it simple.....another thing I have found is same weight ,same shape ,differnt brand pellets shot differently....so you see you can get all caught up in a what the best thing.....Some guns do not care about what you feed them as long as you feed them,A good dog loves you the same.....oh ,it does not take many pellets to figure what works and what does not work,should be less than 10 pellets.That is another reason to see what others are using with good results......I sure others have a better idea and have it down to a science.

 

[kwaping]

Thanks, I agree that I'm probably overthinking this. But this gun is new to the market so there doesn't seem to be an established "best pellet" for it yet. I was recommended the JSB shallow redesigns, but they weren't working out as I had hoped. That's why I'm experimenting around.

 

[trapdoor2]

As a retired engineer...

Testing can go on forever. It just depends on how far you want to get out into the weeds.

However, you can shortcut the job by doing a bit of research on the pellets you've chosen. There are many posts here that talk about various pellets and the results people have gotten. I don't think you can characterize a "best pellet" for any given rifle, even within the same model.

You need to decide if you want accuracy or speed or a particular energy level (fpe). Typical diabolo type pellets prefer 700fps-900fps for accuracy. You need to also look at your typical range. Accuracy at short range (>25yds) may cause you to search in the low power zone. Accuracy at longer ranges my drive you to heavier pellets and higher velocities.

It helps to document your testing. Chronograph and group size, etc. I'm doing it for my .25 cal EQ. It didn't take long to eliminate one brand of pellets...but as I narrow things down, it will take more and more testing to determine the right pellet for the job at hand.

Enjoy the ride!

 

[AirNGasman]

BTW, FYI, FWIW, and assuming the Blackwolf is an airgun, my half-century plus of testing over a thousand airguns suggests my description of them as "every bit as quirky, idiosyncratic and temperamental as Humans" might be the mostest profoundestest description of airguns (in general) in Human history. Furthermore, my statement "high-dollar PCPs share much in common with high-dollar divas, as pertains personality traits" might be the mostest wisestest description of PCP airguns (specifically) in Human history; in that just when a man starts thinking he's got women figured out... correction- ANY WOMAN figured out, it... correction- SHE goes psycho on you!

The ammo is just the coke in that equation; considering, like coke, ammo varies with each batch (lot number). Happy testing!

Correction- Happy testing?

.

 

[Treefrog]

^ That.

It's been my experience that velocity doesn't make a huge difference in how accurate a pellet will be unless serious cross-winds are involved.

Bolting the (PCP or Co2) gun securely to a bench, then shooting five five-shot groups at a given distance will give you a very good idea of what a particular gun prefers. That's been my method since the mid-nineties.

Attempting to 'tune' a PCP strikes me as very similar to tuning a motorcycle's suspension for a particular track. You can get it mostly right for most turns, but never for all turns. And that's if you didn't get lost in preloading springs and turning the damping dials. Take good notes.

Cheers,

J~

 

[Redtailhawk]

The barrel chooses the pellet as a mate says i have four daystates Redwolf, two Alpha wolfs and a pulsar all sub 12 and in .177. They all like QYS Streamlined light and heavy also JSB exact heavy pellets. I have found all four are not pellet fussy at all

 

[JimD]

I agree with Treefrog. It is hard to generalize without risking being wrong on a particular gun but I think velocity is much less important than whatever subtle factors make a gun like a pellet. So when I get a new airgun I clean the barrel and then pull out tins of pellets in that caliber that I have accumulated, generally because my other guns in that caliber didn't like them. I also use some that other guns I own like. I shoot groups with the ones that will fly at roughly 800-900 fps with the tune the gun came with. I change the hammer spring to a little less than the peak velocity for the regulator setting but I don't change the regulator at this stage. I do not change the hammer spring for different pellets I'm testing I just try to get a decent "generic" tune. You may not need to mess with a Daystate this way. It should have a decent "generic" tune.

I do not shoot lots of groups with all pellets. If I get a bad group or two at 30 yards, my normal test distance I may set that pellet aside. My shooting is not super great but it is pretty consistent. I do not want a pellet that gives me the occasional good group. I want a pellet which consistently gives good groups. After I narrow the candidates down I like to shoot a 30 yard challenge target with them. I think this is a better test than shooting groups. At that point I am not working from a sample pack, I've bought a tin or two (or I already have a tin). If there still is not a clear winner I may change the velocity to see if it helps. I've been surprised recently with different guns and pellets giving good (`195 30 yard challenge targets) at >900 fps. My P35-177 has done that with all the pellets it likes but my 22s and 25s have generally been shot at under 900 fps. But not any more. If they want speed and the gun will do it they get speed. But still nothing over 930 fps (although a new-to-me bullshark will shoot plain old Crosman Domed pretty well at 950 fps).

If I really wanted to shoot a particular pellet or weight range of pellet and the gun did not arrive with a tune that would send them in the 800-900 fps range (or a little more) I would change the tune. But I think it is generally not a great idea to try and make a gun like a particular pellet or brand of pellets. I have several guns that like JSBs but I have others that definitely do not. Same with H&Ns. I haven't found a pellet I think is great in my P35-177 so I have a sampler set of JTSs to try next.

I will also echo the others. If you don't already have a notebook get one and take notes. A little more hammer spring or a little less can make a significant difference. But I am not convinced that is a speed preference as much as it is getting things harmonically balanced. But the initial effort is to find a pellet the gun wants to shoot.

 

[Chukar60]

Don’t discount tuning. Few guns leave the factory “tuned” and if they are tuned, what pellet were they tuned to shoot.
Usually tuning at the factory is more of a function test than a tune.
However, pick a pellet weight you want to shoot and DON’T buy 4 tins of different pellet. Buy one and try it then another if you dont get satisfactory results.
Use a chronograph and I would shoot for a speed of around 880 fps to start at. You will see a brand, style and weight will stand out as the most consistent. Once you have established that you can fine tune for utmost accuracy

 

[Vana2]

All good advice above, pick your level of commitment/interest/frustration/fun

Suggestions: clean the barrel, buy a couple of tins of recommend (by the manufacturer or by popular concensus... it's not critical) pellets and shoot the gun with the factory tune.

I say this because the airgun needs to be broken-in before it can be fine tuned to shoot consistently and it takes a bunch of shooting to get to know the rifle.

After the "Honeymoon" period, you can search for the pellet/tune that suits your needs. You don't "need" laser, bench rest competition 100 yard MOA accuracy for casual shooting, it's nice to have but don't let the pursuit of perfection spoil your enjoyment of the hobby.

Have fun!

Cheers!