Is it my imagination

[brouwpa]

Are heavier pellets generically more accurate than lighter ones?
I had a few H&N Baracuda 21.14 grain pellets and over the the short 19 metre range I have in my garden seemed almost pellet on pellet in all my underlevers!

I have just bought 2 more tins (extravagant I know!) Is it just the short range or is this a thing?

 

[P8X]

No

 

[SamG340]

Yes

 

[Trumpetier]

Can be

 

[gunnery]

i am finding the same results using JSB Heavies

 

[number10]

That's why .22 is probably better than .177

 

[ReSyC]

Question asked, 3 x answers:

- No
- Yes
- Can be

Don't you love this hobby!

Personally, I have noticed slightly better groups at longer distances with heavier pellets (JSB Heavy, Baracuda Match and QYS Steamlined Heavy) and I've always put that down to the extra mass resisting movement due to wind or turbulent air but at the price of a lower muzzle velocity and more drop over distance so it's a trade off either way.

I think the main thing though is to find the right pellet for your gun. I've found every gun is different in terms of what brand, size (or die more importantly) or weight pellet they prefer. Some have been quite pellet fussy with all but a select few types, others are more forgiving and perform well with a wider range.

The experimenting to find the best results is part of the experience

 

[SamG340]

Heavier pellets have more momentum so they're less affected by wind

 

[Vinnyp]

That's why .22 is probably better than .177

What do you mean “probably” I think you mean DEFINITELY!

 

[rabbitwrecker]

Heavier pellets have more momentum so they're less affected by wind

Lighter pellets are faster - less time in flight to be effected by wind...

 

[SamG340]

Heavier pellets have more momentum so they're less affected by wind

Edit: after a quick Google I have found out I am a retard ...

Ft/lb is a measurement of momentum.

2 pellets both shot at 12ft/lb , one heavy and slower, one light but faster , both have the same moment (12 ft/lb) !

 

[SamG340]

Lighter pellets are faster - less time in flight to be effected by wind...

Is that the case? I've always found its the skinny girls that are affected by my wind, fat birds don't seem to mind

 

[keithy]

Lighter pellets are faster - less time in flight to be effected by wind...

Agreed BUT it depends how far you are shooting, once they slow down they blow like leaves. Heavy pellets have greater mass which takes more wind to shift off course.

 

[SJC]

No, yes, maybe, sometimes, not very often, at the weekend.....Take your choice..

 

[brouwpa]

Thank you all, really helpful lol.
Experimentation is all part of the fun. I am finding that Superdomes are a great back up pellet in most instances.

 

[Machine a newun]

Thank you all, really helpful lol.
Experimentation is all part of the fun. I am finding that Superdomes are a great back up pellet in most instances.

You keep experimenting bud, you could put pellets from the same tin through a half dozen different guns and get a different result from each of them. The trick is to find a pellet that works for you and stick with it. There are so many variables, even with the same model of gun, you may have a worn seal, badly cut/finished rifling, a tighter choke or no choke (yes air gun barrels have a slight choke to them), poor crown the list is endless.
I try not to over think things and just enjoy the shooting, try all the different pellets that are coming out by getting a sample pack, that way you don't need to fork out a fortune to find out what works for you. You may get a pleasant surprise and find a few brands work.

 

[SHW]

I would imagine you could shoot cleaning pellets through the same hole at 19 meters

 

[SamG340]

Thank you all, really helpful lol.
Experimentation is all part of the fun. I am finding that Superdomes are a great back up pellet in most instances.

Super domes are my go to for my springer