As a firearm shooter there were many different forms of bullets—jacketed, wad cutter, hollow point, etc. but they are all bullets. For PCP’s the correct terminology seems to be pellets or slugs. Where did that come from?? An inquiring mind wants to know…
Pellets or slugs
- Thread starter bertman77mk2
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Slugs generally are shaped like bullets, have much larger bearing surface (contact area with barrel), and require a decent amount of power to use. And a cooperative barrel.
Pellets shoot well in most all barrels. Though some pellet desigbs/profiles don't fare well at high speeds (or any speed, lol). Pellets have a very minimal bearing surface, and have a very thin skirt that seals air pressure behind the projectile, and also is used to drag stabilize. Pellets also lose velocity much faster due to this, and have poorer trajectory/energy retention at range. (sometimes this is a desirable trait)
Pellets shoot well in most all barrels. Though some pellet desigbs/profiles don't fare well at high speeds (or any speed, lol). Pellets have a very minimal bearing surface, and have a very thin skirt that seals air pressure behind the projectile, and also is used to drag stabilize. Pellets also lose velocity much faster due to this, and have poorer trajectory/energy retention at range. (sometimes this is a desirable trait)
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I think the 'slug' name sort of stuck naturally. 'Pellet' already has a very specific meaning of waisted/skirted projectile for airguns. When airgun bullets started becoming a thing, well 'airgun bullets' is too long, and 'bullets' is far too tied to firearms and would be confusing. 'Slug' generally means 'bullet' but didn't come with the existing firearms-related baggage.
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