Gentlemen:
These are some procedures and actions I have done so far, some weighs, a lot of questions and doubts on the pellet sorting. I encourage anyone to jump here and provide their inputs and experiences:
1 - I took four tins of .22 JSB Exact Heavy 18.13 grains and rolled them using the Yrrah method. It was amazing to see how the pellets in the same tin roll in different curvatures/radius. Consequently different pellet diameters - assuming they all have the same skirt diameters. Some pellets describe a so strange curvature that I imagine they are off center and potentially they are all fliers. I am happy to get rid of them.
2 - I badly want to resize all pellets skirts to single diameter to improve the rolling method accuracy and I couldn't find anything which I really trust. What I found are pellets head sizers (like this one well made here:
http://www.airrifletuning.com/products/tbt-pellet-sizers/). These ones will resize the head and skirts to a same diameter which it does not make any sense for me. Please correct me if I am wrong here. Does anyone know any device that resizes the pellet head and skirts simultaneously in different diameters?
2.1 - I also tried to find the original JSB pellet dimensions (I am focused on JSB 18.13 grains .22). I didn't find anything here on the forum or Google. I emailed JSB but no answer yet. I want to know the original skirt diameter and there is no way I can measure without squeezing and consequently damaging the skirt.
3 - I ordered some pelletgages for different calibers. As soon as they arrive I will be able to separate the pellets by head diameter. I also ordered a scale but I will move to weighting them after I am comfortable with my pellets heads and skirts measurement/calibration process and field tests.
4 - I am concentrating in studying the pellet sorting process specifically for my FX Wildcat so far. ST barrels have no grooves such as a conventional barrel which I could insert a slug and try to measure the head and skirt. Also the ST is choked so I am lost on how would be "scientifically" the method to determine the proper pellet head and skirt diameter. It seems there is no other way other than sort the pellets by diameters & weights and test them all in the range. This is quite frustrating.
5 - Talking on weights I have no idea what would be an accepted weight tolerances. If 0.5 grains or 0.8 or 1 grain, etc, between pellets. Again it seems field test is mandatory.
6 - After reading all the inputs on this post (and certainly respecting your experience and time spent to write which I really thank you) I am still confused on what really improves the accuracy and tightens the groups (in order of priority and assuming all pellets are free of head and skirt damages):
A) Head diameter?
B) Skirt diameter?
C) Weight?
What is really the most important and the one I should concentrate my efforts and time?
7 - During all this inspection and sorting process I opened the tins, exposed pellets to air, I handled pellets with my fingers and sure some oxidation will occur. Do you guys are concerned with this or not? Or am I overly concerned?
8 - I visited JSB internet site and noticed they have premium pellets on .177 calibers ("individually selected pellets only from the best manufacturing batches" and certainly for competition). I wonder why not they don't have for other formats and calibers. Certainly there is a market for that.
9 - After handling, sorting and preparing my pellets I would like to put them in a air tight container and not back on the tin. I believe this will prevent oxidation. I found Pellcan but they don't manufacture it any more. Does anyone have any other container being used these days? Any tips on how to proper storage them after opening the tins?
Well, this is an extensive subject. I have countless of additional questions and doubts popping on my head, such as why all the JSB pellets head diameters (from 5.5 to 5.53mm) have apparently the same skirt diameter? How Ted put 96 pellets in the same hole without a single flier (I know the gun has different set ups but 96 shots without fliers is a lot...), etc, etc, etc.
Last but not least, I also do plinking and hunting. For these I only sort pellets by visual inspection. My quest in sorting pellets in a more technical way are for long distances shots such as 100m and above at my range. I just want to tighten my groups and be a better airgun shooter. Thanks.