Polymags and “nuclear “ pellets vs slugs

[rangur1]

This is a find your need option. Yes, slugs carry extra power at longer ranges, great expansion. But too much at short distances or weak backdrops. I love them, but, I also love the lack of penetration from the polymags, shoot a squirrel in the moterbox without a backdrop, lights out! The “nuclear pellets are simply hades or atomics. Both have the same head shape, with the lid warning signs. lol! These garner my interest as well, halfway between polymags and standard domes. Major hitting power. Am I wrong?

 

[Florida_Man]

I’ve shot over a hundred squirrels with dome pellets. A couple dozen with hades. 177, 22, and 25 cal. From 15-30 yards. I have observed absolutely no difference in pass through or sustained damage between the two.
I can also say that every rifle I have that shoots hades well, shoots a dome of similar weight better.
Hades are listed at 4.5 and 5.5mm. The same weight domes are 4.52 and 5.52mm. Mine barrels seem to like that larger a little better.

Now a 10gr KO slug I have tested in gel and live squirrel. They are devastating. Expansion huge in a short cross section. And they are only leaving the barrel at a few more FPE than the rifle tuned for pellets. My slug path has been 177 with the goal off delivering maximum energy to the quarry, not long distance. The JSB KnockOuts do that best, the only thing close is Zan 10 gr.

 

[Florida_Man]

^^ that’s a KO 10gr in 20% gel at 18-20y

This is 30 y

JSB KnockOut mk1 10gr 177 wow

Just testing some slugs and wow, these are some energy dumpers! 970 fps from the barrel, 20 FPE. 5mm penetration is 20% gel

www.airgunnation.com

 

[Gerry52]

I've used Hades exclusively in my Royale .25 for 5 or 6 years now. Rarely, if ever, are there pass-throughs & they're simply devastating on prey. Polymags certainly cause a lot of damage but after 50ish yards they don't have the accuracy I require. I get great accuracy from the Hades/Atomic in my .30 Boss too. I'm a believer in keeping those in stock.

 

[N2 Shooter]

I have had great terminal performance with my .30cal Hades on a few groundhogs. The problem is their accuracy falls apart after 50 yards or so. A great substitute is the FX Hybrid Slug. It holds more long range energy, but it has rapid expansion, which quickly sheds energy in prey. This may prevent passthroughs on some game.