Magazine vs single loader

G

GridNorth

Super member
Joined
Jul 7, 2022
Messages
2,005
Reaction score
2,347
Location
Ross-On-Wye
Why is a single pellet loader considered to be more accurate and consistent than a magazine. I'm not the greatest shot, I tend to get 8 and 9's with the odd 10, but I cannot detect any difference.

Al
 
I can only assume that a poorly made magazine might have the pellet at an angle during loading that might see the head take a bit of damage. but I don't know.

The SSL and magazine for the HW100 operate very similarly so I can't say I have seen any difference.

I use the SSL however as it keeps the shot cycle the same for all 50 shots instead of doing a magazine and then taking a break to reload it.
 
There is less interaction between the pellet getting into the breach with a single loader.
 
Some Magazines have pellet chambers which don't line up with the throat of the barrel very well 100% of the time and then when you put probe forwards, they load inconsistently - possibly shaving pellets or mis-seating them.
I've experienced it on most mag fed guns I've had from one end of the budget to the other.
Single shot loaders can be sloppy too, but tend to be more consistent.
The only mag fed guns I've had which were totally reliable on each chamber were Rapid Mk2, HW100 and Ripley XL9.
The worst was an Airwolf - I just used a single shot tray and forgot about the mags.
 
Less chance of picking up damage, possibly spend more time looking at pellets before loading.

I'm not 100% sure that it isn't a myth, wrapped in folklore. But all the high end target rifles seem to be single shot.
 
Lots of high end target rifles have direct loading, this helps, so you can feel the pellet "fit" in the leade. Some then have a probe which seats the pellet - some don't.
Single shot is also regarded a little safer, as there's less chance of cycling the action and loading up absentmindedly before leaving the firing line. It happens, more often than anyone admits too.
 
If the gun has an option for a single shot "tray" rather than a loader - these are slightly better - because you can see the process and notice if the pellet tips or yaws on the way in to the barrel.
 
My r10 has both ssl and mag no difference in accuracy but i mostly use the ssl.Both are made by bsa.
 
A single shot is not more accurate, only more consistent.
A magazine will have slight differences in the loading point of each pellet, which means each one goes in slightly differently. This may have an effect on trajectory, leading ot apparent inaccuracy.
With a single shot the loading pattern is identical each time (at least with a captive tray). This means each pellet has the same profile in th ebreech, so will fly the same each time. This gives a more consistent shott, and therefore appears more accurate.
If you used a magazine bu tonly shot from 1 slot, chances are you woudl get pretty much the same effect. May well be different for each slot, but each woudl be more consistent.

A bit over simplified, but thats the jist of it.
 
As above, I'll always use when pellet testing.

But recently I've learnt to appreciate its part in the shot routine, slowing you down and concentrating/appreciating each shot.

I do get better results at 40m to 50m.
 
I think SSL’s tend to simplify the pellet insertion into the breach and therefore lessen the chances of skirt damage. They also slow your shooting. Both of which will improve accuracy 👍🤓
 
At my level of general target shooting I've never found a measurable difference between magazine and single shot loading with a good quality air gun such as an AA or Weinrauch
 
As above already stated by others, mags can have slight differences between each pellet hole in the mag and the alignment of each pellet hole in the mag with the breech, you can also put the pellet in the mag slightly different in each hole, eg: insert the pellet more or less, etc, so this can slightly alter how each pellet is loaded, it can in theory slightly damage the pellet and thus how it is shot, so mags can be inconsistent.
A SSL or tray on the other hand should always put the pellet in the breech in the same way, so (in theory) should be more consistent.
Theres a reason why most target rifles have a SSL or tray rather than a mag.
I've certainly noticed at the cheaper end, eg: smk, Kral and Reximex, they have bloody awful mags, and the 1st thing I do is buy or use a SSL/tray.
 
Magazine has the possibility of marginal differences of pellet alignment as each slot will not be exactly the same due to machine tolerances, retaining band wear etc The single shot should be the same each time but I bet is not due to the shape of the pellet itself. Is one more accurate than the other that is something I believe you can only judge for yourself as no two setups will be the same.
I personally always use my guns in the single shot mode, loader or direct feed into the barrel when target shooting Slows me down which I found gives a better result. However if pest controlling will go with a mag, if the gun will take one, to be able to get a second shot away, if needed, that much quicker
 
I personally prefer a single shot loader as it is slower and more measured. It makes you take you time and consider the shot more than if you just rattle the magazine off. Its just personal choice. Oh and you save money because you use far less pellets.:)
 
Some magazines rely on the next pellet to keep tension on the spring in the magazine , soft pellets can get a bit damaged if the magazine has a lot of spring tension then there's the chance of them not lining up properly with the throat of the bore so can get even more damaged .
 
If the magazine does not damage the pellet surely once it's in the breech both are the same and there is a possibility of damaging the pellet by hand as well. I appreciate that a poor quality magazine could cause problems but my AA ones seem to be high quality and produce a consistent feed.
 
Last edited:
I find a single shot loader saves me rattling of a load of pellets as for accuracy single shot for me mag for fun
 
GridNorth said:
If the magazine does not damage the pellet surely once it's in the breech both are the same and there is a possibility of damaging the pellet by hand as well. I appreciate that a poor quality magazine could cause problems but my AA ones seem to be high quality and produce a consistent feed.
Click to expand...
If you have tried a well made single shot loader in your gun and you don't find any difference in your accuracy over your mag feed - all is well and nothing to worry about.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top