Pellet shape (wad cutter or rounded point, etc)?

Danger Mouse

Danger Mouse

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What's the general wisdom of the forum re the better shape of pellet for target shooting?
In particular 25 yard indoor benchrest.
I have the Anschutz 9015 HP BR50 ordered (it's probably 3 months away still)...but I'm starting to buy a small selection of .177 pellets already.
The HP 9015 runs at 15 Joules (can it be adjusted down if needed?), but assuming I leave it as is what pellet shape is OK at 25 yards for best accuracy.
I know 'it depends' on what my rifle likes (I have a fussy CZ457 too), but is there any inherent advantage to a more rounded pellet shape (Diablo) compared to a wad cutter for actual accuracy?
I know the wad cutter gives a nice clean entry hole for measuring. We don't shoot groups.
Just use a standard 10 target card, 1 shot at each. Pic included as I don't know what you folks shoot at normally.
At 10meters (which we don't shoot for benchrest) the wad cutter would be fine, but at a longer distance..?
I don't want to leave some points on the range when I'm finished because I chose the wrong shape pellet for the 25 yard distance.
So...any likely difference in accuracy between the 2 shapes (assuming my rifle likes both)?
Yes, I will be doing my own testing but not much use me buying wad cutter style to test if they generally don't perform well at 25 yards (or even out to 50 yards if I get into the outdoor range shooting).
Thanks.

25YardsBR.jpg
 
This is the target we shoot on the forum's BR shoot- post 11.

BR20 2023

Welcome to the AGF BR20 2023 competition! There are very few changes to the rules for 2023, the main one being best 9 scores rather than 10 to count over the course of the year to cater for holidays, sickness, lost Mojo etc. Also following comments to my post a little while ago, asking for...
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The favoured pellet type we shoot are domeheads. But you need to test all types as your rifle/barrel will favour one type no doubt. All part of the fun.

You'd be welcome to join in our BR fun competition. Shot monthly over 12 months. No charge and no trophies, we do it for fun and practice :)


AGF BR20 2024 in memory of Tony.T

Well everyone- here it is! The AGF BR20 will be held in 2024! Same rules as 2023 to keep it simple, I will continue to adjudicate if you're happy with that and the spreadsheet maestro's will continue to be the team of Adam (@insertusernamehere ) and Andy (@pelletcaster ) with many thanks from...
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Thanks for that.
I forgot to say that the target I show is usually shot with .22 rimfire rifles.
I use my CZ457 for that...but the ammo is inconsistent (even good quality Eley), and availability is sporadic in NZ.
One year we get a good supply of RWS Rifle Match, next year it can't be found, etc.
So the club is OK with me moving to an air rifle (and a few other members are talking about it too).
I have already bought my own .177 plug gauge that allows my shots to be plugged and measured as a .22 on our targets.
I'm thinking mainly the H&N Barracuda Match 10.6 may be the 'go to' for first testing.
Then the H&N FTT 8.6 pellet for the next test.
 
Danger Mouse said:
Thanks for that.
I forgot to say that the target I show is usually shot with .22 rimfire rifles.
I use my CZ457 for that...but the ammo is inconsistent (even good quality Eley), and availability is sporadic in NZ.
One year we get a good supply of RWS Rifle Match, next year it can't be found, etc.
So the club is OK with me moving to an air rifle (and a few other members are talking about it too).
I have already bought my own .177 plug gauge that allows my shots to be plugged and measured as a .22 on our targets.
I'm thinking mainly the H&N Barracuda Match 10.6 may be the 'go to' for first testing.
Then the H&N FTT 8.6 pellet for the next test.
Click to expand...

Let us know how you get on- we can all learn from each other :)
 
I've been using wadcutters latley for my target cards, I quite like them and don't see a difference in accuracy with them (but you might need to find a brand your rifle likes)
 
weepete said:
I've been using wadcutters latley for my target cards, I quite like them and don't see a difference in accuracy with them (but you might need to find a brand your rifle likes)
Click to expand...
Thanks @weepete what range (distance) do you shoot?
If at 25 yards then that would make me happy.
I bought a tin of these to try.
https://shop.ahg-anschuetz.de/en/cl...boxes/512/ahg-premium-match-pellets-500-piece
My rifle won't get here until about May, and if it misses that shipment then maybe November!
So I have plenty of time to get a wee stock of pellets in.
 
@Danger Mouse I mostly shoot indoor bechrest at 25 yards, and for that I've been using Bisley practise wadcutters, they seem just as accurate as the JSB diablos that my rifle likes at that range. I was suprised just how good they were.

I'll switch it to diablos if I'm shooting longer ranges on our outdoor HFT range (45 yards).
 
For indoor 25m BR, I use .177 QYS 8.48grn domed pellets in my Daystate Redwolf, although AirArms domed Diabolo pellets give good results too.
 
Danger Mouse said:
What's the general wisdom of the forum re the better shape of pellet for target shooting?
In particular 25 yard indoor benchrest.
I have the Anschutz 9015 HP BR50 ordered (it's probably 3 months away still)...but I'm starting to buy a small selection of .177 pellets already.
The HP 9015 runs at 15 Joules (can it be adjusted down if needed?), but assuming I leave it as is what pellet shape is OK at 25 yards for best accuracy.
I know 'it depends' on what my rifle likes (I have a fussy CZ457 too), but is there any inherent advantage to a more rounded pellet shape (Diablo) compared to a wad cutter for actual accuracy?
I know the wad cutter gives a nice clean entry hole for measuring. We don't shoot groups.
Just use a standard 10 target card, 1 shot at each. Pic included as I don't know what you folks shoot at normally.
At 10meters (which we don't shoot for benchrest) the wad cutter would be fine, but at a longer distance..?
I don't want to leave some points on the range when I'm finished because I chose the wrong shape pellet for the 25 yard distance.
So...any likely difference in accuracy between the 2 shapes (assuming my rifle likes both)?
Yes, I will be doing my own testing but not much use me buying wad cutter style to test if they generally don't perform well at 25 yards (or even out to 50 yards if I get into the outdoor range shooting).
Thanks.

View attachment 406915
Click to expand...
Your Anschutz would have come with a test card, showing a 1 hole group at 10m using a given pellet, I'd try using those, both of mine will replicate the factory results, with the pellet from that card... out to 25 yards...mine is 6ft/lb and the test pellet R10, it doesnt seem to matter if they are 4.50 or 4.51, which is a bonus
 
I use cheap £5 for 500 excite econ ll in my mito .177 and they are 5p group at 15 yrds but in my hw97 lucky to get 3" groups but it is great with rws superdome field line.
 
For BR find and use the most accurate pellet - doesn't matter what shape it is (but it's probably not going to be a wadcutter!)
 
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