Slug consistency

[jps2486]

I've always measured the weight of my pellets used for BR competition and chose to use the ones with the same weight. I have an FX Dreamline on the way in .177 caliber and bought some NSA slugs and JSB KO slugs. Previously, I've found that JSB pellets vary in weight considerably, so I get about half a tin that I can use for competition and the rest for practice. I've been using slugs for 100 yard BR and have tested NSA, JSB KO and FX slugs for accuracy in 22 caliber. The JSB KO is the clear winner, but I've never weighed any 22s. So, just for the halibut, weighed a handful of NSA 15.0 gr and JSB KO 13.34 gr .177 slugs to see which are more consistent. I was astounded to find the NSAs are + or - 0.1 gr and the JSB KO were + or - 0.2 gr. My kudos to NSA for such remarkable consistency. I can't wait to get the rifle and test accuracy at 50 and 100 yd. BTW, JSB pellets can be up to + or - 0.7 gr in weight depending on caliber. A little more than I like.

 

[Corvid_hunter]

Good post. Thanks.

 

[stoti]

I don’t bother weighing any slugs anymore because almost all of the brands of slugs I’ve tested(all that are available) are very consistent. It’s really actually pretty amazing. Have fun with your testing!

Stoti

 

[bandg]

Enquiring minds (might) want to know-would the 44.0 and 45.4 30 cals shoot to the same POI?

 

[jps2486]

Enquiring minds (might) want to know-would the 44.0 and 45.4 30 cals shoot to the same POI?

When shooting a precision event, like benchrest, the difference in POI of a minute amount could make you score a nine or a ten. A couple of points makes a first place or third place, even. Consistent pellet weight just removes one variable. We’re not talking inches here, but a few thousanths of an inch.

 

[bandg]

 "We’re not talking inches here, but a few thousanths of an inch."

Verified with those shown?

 

[jps2486]

"We’re not talking inches here, but a few thousanths of an inch."

Verified with those shown?

Not specifically. But consider that all top shooters sort their ammo. Rimfire shooters weigh each cartridge and measure rim thickness. Centerfire shooters weigh their empty brass sort bullets by weight, even measure and ream primer holes. Top airgun shooters weigh and measure head diameters as well. There's gotta be something to it. I did do some tests with my TM1000 BR gun some years ago to see what the effects of pellet sorting are. This target shows ten shot groups using sorted, rejects, and out of the tin pellets. I think you'll agree that it's worth it even though it's a PITA.

 

[bandg]

"We’re not talking inches here, but a few thousanths of an inch."

Verified with those shown?

Not specifically. But consider that all top shooters sort their ammo. Rimfire shooters weigh each cartridge and measure rim thickness. Centerfire shooters weigh their empty brass sort bullets by weight, even measure and ream primer holes. Top airgun shooters weigh and measure head diameters as well. There's gotta be something to it. I did do some tests with my TM1000 BR gun some years ago to see what the effects of pellet sorting are. This target shows ten shot groups using sorted, rejects, and out of the tin pellets. I think you'll agree that it's worth it even though it's a PITA.

I do agree with the concept that weight sorting is probably helpful (as would be size sorting as well, IMO). It just seems logical to me that after doing such precise sorting work as you did there, a little shooting to verify the difference it could make would be relatively simple.

 

[jps2486]

I do agree with the concept that weight sorting is probably helpful (as would be size sorting as well, IMO). It just seems logical to me that after doing such precise sorting work as you did there, a little shooting to verify the difference it could make would be relatively simple.

I think the picture of the test targets is proof positive that sorted pellets are consistently more accurate than unsorted. My test on the .177 is proof enough for me and I don't need to go back and re-analyze the others. BTW, I just weighed a tin of 30 cal JSB 44.75 gr pellets. Most of them were between 44.7 and 45.1 gr. There were a few outliers from 44.1 to 45.7 gr. Those will always be suspect of giving me fliers. All it takes is one or two bad shots to lose a match. By bad, I'm talking about an 8 instead of a 10.

 

[bandg]

The only one you have to make happy is yourself. Glad it works for you.