I understand what you’re saying. It can be a long, frustrating process to tune for slugs. You certainly know what you’re doing though and can get your guns shooting them great, maybe you just need to give it another shot? Once you get it all figured out, slugs can be extremely effective at shorter ranges but really shine out past 75 yards or so. Contrary to what some think, I still give pellets the accuracy nod inside 75yds and even out to 100yds if there’s no wind. Slugs are becoming more and more accurate and are capable of phenomenal groups but more often than not, pellets are more accurate. The difference we’re talking about when comparing pellet and slug accuracy is minuscule. Sometimes it can be pellets by 1/4”, sometimes slugs by 1/16”. The point is both are very accurate!
Slugs, barrels and air guns are improving so fast, it’s getting easier and easier to shoot them without getting frustrated. I’ve tested almost every slug I can get my hands on from 25gr to 55gr. and it’s true, some don’t shoot nearly as well as others. However, you can usually find at least a few that will shoot great out of every barrel if the air gun is set up correctly and you’re shooting them at the right velocity. I don’t know which calibers you tested and can’t help you with .22 cal because I’ve done much less testing with the .22 than .25. I have shot a lot of .25 slugs, this might help if you do want to give it another shot. Other’s will probably chime in too.
Out of a RAW with polygonal barrel I would shoot the NSA 33.5 or 36.2 grain between 900-960fps
Out of the Slug A liner, I’d shoot the VK 32.8, Zan’s 35.0 or NSA 34.9 grain between 920-980fps.
Out of the Superior liner, I’d shoot the FX Hybrids at between 940-1000fps.
Out of the Superior Heavy liner, I’d shoot the NSA 38.9, 43.5, VK 40 grain between 920-980 fps.
Of course the velocities and accuracy will really vary depending on your gun and the nodes but these slugs will shoot if you get the gun set up right. Where you have the hammer spring pre load, power wheel, valve adjuster and especially the regulator will make a huge difference in how each of the slugs will shoot too. There is some debate about velocities and regulator settings but I’ve always said that slugs shoot best, more often than not, with a higher than normal regulator pressure(a quick blast of higher pressured air) and at pretty fast velocities. Other’s will disagree or say the fast velocities are used to compensate for the wrong twist rate etc… These are just my findings and have been confirmed by many who are in the know or shoot a lot of slugs. If you have success shooting slugs at 750-800fps, great! I’m not knocking other’s results, if something works for you, use it! Accuracy trumps everything else, if shooting at 800fps is most accurate, do it, just kind of defeats the purpose of shooting slugs for their high BC and retained energy. Some will agree with me, some will not. There are many different things that will work and there are also a whole bunch of variables. Test, test, test!
I just thought I’d share my thoughts and some info. in case you want to give them another shot. I have lots of most every slug available too. If you want to give any of them a shot and don’t have something you want to try, I’d be happy to send you some. Many popular slugs are a little hard to come by right now, especially the NSA’s and Zan’s.
I don’t think slugs are a fad at all. Air guns are being made with slugs in mind, barrels and liners are being made with twist rates ideal for various slugs. There are also more slugs being made by a plethora of companies, so it is much easier to find something that will work with your air gun. More information is available now too. When I started testing .25 slugs out of various FX 600 & 700mm liners 3 years ago, there was no info. at all for .25 slugs. All information pertaining to slugs out of FX liners was based on the .22. Now, it’s much easier to find.
Slugs aren’t for everyone and for the most part, pellets still rule at closer distances. For long range shooting and hunting though, slugs can be extremely accurate and pellets can’t touch the BC’s and retained energy of slugs. Altaros just released a .25 slug with a purported BC of over .20 vs. around .115 for most .25 caliber slugs or .47 for the 33.95 King Heavy pellet. I do like shooting slugs and look forward to what the future holds but I do understand it’s not for everyone.
When I started testing slugs, there were times when I literally wanted to throw my gun and never shoot a slug again. All it took was to see a little glimmer of superb accuracy and I was hooked. Now, with all the advancements in technology, I can’t even keep up with testing, there’s always something new to try, or new slugs coming out. There was a time when I quit testing them for a while, there was so many and it became a chore. I took a break, when I resumed my testing it was fun again and the results have been simply amazing. I’m having a blast and that’s why I do it.
I posted some pictures on Instagram yesterday of a few of the remaining .25 slugs I have left after testing. I’ve tested most all of them in .25, like I said, not all shoot well but usually there are at least a few that are exceptional! Give it another try. If you want me to send you some slugs to test, let me know. I’d be happy to send some to you.
Sorry I rambled on for so long, never meant to make such a long post!
Stoti
