Pellet testing methodologies

Greencloud

Greencloud

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With the opportunity of one or two undisturbed range sessions next week and a variety of pellets to compare, I'm looking into testing methods to get the best comparisons possible.

It seems common to find a leading or settling in when switching pellets, which I guess makes sense - deposits from a softer pellet affecting the performance of a harder ones following them for however many shots etc. What do we reckon is a fair crossover allowance? Would eg a 10 shot group for rough indication then a 5 shot group for measurement suffice to eliminate the worst performers? (With further testing of the better ones later obvs)

What sort of range will give a good gauge? I usually just shoot 20yds but thinking 30 or 40 will open the spread to better gauge variances - has to be outdoor but up to around 40yds is at least sheltered at the sides. Or should I stick to what I'm familiar with & just measure presumably smaller variances carefully?

It's primarily for my 2 pcp's - I'll try with my springers too but fear it'll be impossible to differentiate pellet variances from my poor shooting (it's practice anyway though!)

What would you do if you had around 10 pellet varieties each, testing to find favourites for 4 guns?
 
Pellet testing can be a long and tedious process which is made even longer if several rifles need to be explored.

Sadly, there are no short cuts to it. It just requires patience and determination.

Start at 25 yards to get an idea of how they are grouping. Any pellets which don't group at this distance can be dismissed.
When decent pellets are found, push out to greater distances to see how they really perform.

For the ultimate test of patience, try altering the velocity of the shots.... and start again with all those pellets which didn't work properly the first time around. Homer face palm
An alteration of just 10fps muzzle velocity produce a remarkable difference in accuracy.

It's all part of the fun and games in that search for the Holy Grail.
Have fun.
 
Having recently gone down this road I would throw in another aspect. I started with 18 flavours of 177.pellets, and at 25yds there was not a huge amount of difference in any of them. I then had to decide what I was going to use the pellets for. As I settled on HFT SWEFTA, I needed a pellet that was good from 10-55yds. That's when it got a bit awkward. Trying the same pellets at 55yds showed a vast difference. I did think about useing one brand up to 30yds and another to 55, but it started getting complicated. In the end I settled for a pellet that was good across the whole range, but not excellent at any of them. I am planning on entering our 50yd BR comp which will need more testing to find the best pellet at this range only. Another added factor is completing all the testing on days with little or no wind for optimum results.
 
Wing Commander said:
For the ultimate test of patience, try altering the velocity of the shots.... and start again with all those pellets which didn't work properly the first time around. Homer face palm
An alteration of just 10fps muzzle velocity produce a remarkable difference in accuracy.
Click to expand...
I do recall seeing on one of Tillys'' videos a while back about a change in power/velocity making a complete shift in performance.

As a non-tinkerer I had considered my guns power as fixed, so only took note of it as a consideration with regards to the 'sweet spot'. The lyra having a power adjustment knob makes it a whole new variable.

For this exercise, I think I'll keep it excluded - max power for best range shouldn't perform worse over shorter distance. It will definitely be interesting as separate test to go through the 'also ran's again with varying power to see whether there's any surprising performers that'll do well for my usual 20yd plinking with the lad.
 
generally be prepared for the first 3 (always 3 for some strange reason with me??) shots at least to be settling in shots between changing ,but 10 shot groups at 30 yards narrow it down to which have hope , then 10 shot groups at 50 yards to see the boys from the girls 👍
and if you do find some that look good repeat groups over and over to ensure they weren't tricking you 😉
 
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Yes, that's another good tip, we always used to call it "A few warmers into the bank" when on the ranges. Not sure why etc. I notice that the first couple of shots with my HFT 500 are not their normal self either.
 
I advise against going down this rabbit hole at all. I'm presently shooting with someone who is doing this, and what a lot of time and money is being spent.

The post heading is correct. Methodology is the study or science of methods, eg deciding what method of many is best and why.
So methodology is not a method - the 2 words are completely different and the former is often horribly misused.
So how effective are the various methods? How do you compare between the methods? And what is the end result? Is it useable?

First- What is your final objective? Bench rest where 1/2mm is critical. Plinking? Best value? etc.
Next- How good must the pellet be relative to the situation, eg, outdoor / indoor, windy, field, forest?
Then- In the final shooting situation, how much do you and the gun wobble? If you wobble 5mm, there is little point in using pellets capable of better than 3mm. And you will only find said pellets by firing from a clamped rifle.

The final problem is pellet consistency. Having spent months finding the perfect pellet, can you then buy another identical tin?
There are many combinations at the factory of machines and dies- other threads have discussed this.
The lead supply may have changed. Your shooting technique may have improved. The pellets get dropped in handling. etc.....
These factors can and do totally negate the most careful testing methods.

An alternative method can be considered and is used by many. I buy wine using this method....
First, as above, quickly eliminate just the no-hopers. Then:-
Go to your local dealer. Check his stock. Ensure at least 2 weeks of his sales of your choices are available - with the same batch codes on the back of the sleeves.
Buy one tin of each.
Go to the range, shoot at least 100 of each pellet in your environment. Do this so each pellet experiences different range distances and state of gun fill. Decide which is best today.
Rush back to the dealers and buy at least 3 months supply.

Repeat every 3 months.
 
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TimD81 said:
generally be prepared for the first 3 (always 3 for some strange reason with me??) shots at least to be settling in shots between changing ,but 10 shot groups at 30 yards narrow it down to which have hope , then 10 shot groups at 50 yards to see the boys from the girls 👍
and if you do find some that look good repeat groups over and over to ensure they weren't tricking you 😉
Click to expand...

Interesting that you find it to be as little as 3 shots for settling in. Air capacity is also a consideration (don't plan on refilling during the sessions) so reducing my idea of 10 shots to settle & 5 to measure, to 5+5 would let me get through more of the contenders.
 
Greencloud said:
Interesting that you find it to be as little as 3 shots for settling in. Air capacity is also a consideration (don't plan on refilling during the sessions) so reducing my idea of 10 shots to settle & 5 to measure, to 5+5 would let me get through more of the contenders.
Click to expand...
yes its generally about 3 shots,,, really funny thing I commonly find too is the exact opposite first few shots while testing on a new pellet can literally go in the same hole and then every other shot start shotgunning 😂
 
Mike Woody Watkins said:
As above, I always put 3 through before then putting at least 5 through for testing and l always start at 25yards.

Also when pellet testing l always off set the scope ie 10 or so clicks left or right so the aim point stays sharp and clear.
Click to expand...
thats a good point too I normally aim 1 mildot off to retain poa 👍
 
Greencloud said:
Interesting that you find it to be as little as 3 shots for settling in. Air capacity is also a consideration (don't plan on refilling during the sessions) so reducing my idea of 10 shots to settle & 5 to measure, to 5+5 would let me get through more of the contenders.
Click to expand...
In the first 3 the first is the most dubious. You have to add in reg creep, and with a sprung mag the raised chance of skirt deformation due to strongest spring and a greater insertion distance resulting in much higher pressure on the skirt rather than the dome.
Then for a PCP, the gun also cools a bit on the first shots. Some of these factors go if you have multiple mags and swap mags quickly.
 
TimD81 said:
yes its generally about 3 shots,,, really funny thing I commonly find too is the exact opposite first few shots while testing on a new pellet can literally go in the same hole and then every other shot start shotgunning 😂
Click to expand...
I've noticed the same in previous, less considered or organised trials. No records to check but I've seen other hints making me think it was softer JSB exacts leaving the barrel 'lead-lubed' to assist harder h&n's following, then the effect quickly wares off.
 
colinb said:
In the first 3 the first is the most dubious. You have to add in reg creep, and with a sprung mag the raised chance of skirt deformation due to strongest spring and a greater insertion distance resulting in much higher pressure on the skirt rather than the dome.
Then for a PCP, the gun also cools a bit on the first shots. Some of these factors go if you have multiple mags and swap mags quickly.
Click to expand...
reg should be functioning correctly with little to no creep or otherwise your urinating against the wind if the gun isn't consistent to begin with , I have multiple magazines incase I lose one but only use the same magazine which I believe has correct spring tension not to strong but not too soft to ensure consistency. Seating depth is another variation which can be part of finding what suits your gun or if you have a adjustable probe you can go down that rabbit hole too trying different depths.
 
Mike Woody Watkins said:
As above, I always put 3 through before then putting at least 5 through for testing and l always start at 25yards.

Also when pellet testing l always off set the scope ie 10 or so clicks left or right so the aim point stays sharp and clear.
Click to expand...

Good call on offsetting the aim, thanks - I didn't think of that.

They're currently zeroed at 20yd, so I'll leave them at that or adjust elevation not-enough to hopefully group below my marks.
 
Go straight out to the max distance you think you will be shooting at most Cheaper pellets will group at short distances my guns will shot baracuda 8's quite well but I found the baracuda ft's far superior and 5p groups at 55 yards is achievable and to be honest I find pellet testing a pain in the backside
 
I'm a bit set in my ways and don't think I could even name 10 pellets suitable for a rifle

I'd start with quality pellets from JSB and H&N, shoot 50 of each to fully lead in, between makes and pick the most accurate

If there's a possibility you'd shoot further than 20 yards, then accuracy / dispersion needs to be qualified at greater distances
 
Trev-h said:
Go straight out to the max distance you think you will be shooting at most Cheaper pellets will group at short distances my guns will shot baracuda 8's quite well but I found the baracuda ft's far superior and 5p groups at 55 yards is achievable and to be honest I find pellet testing a pain in the backside
Click to expand...
That's what got me started - plinking with the recently acquired .177 lyra k at 20yds with the few I had to hand, the JSB's and H&N's were showing similar grouping to cheapies from the bottom of the bag. My .22 gx40 seems to like jsb exact 18.33 while not being too fussy.

I ordered 1 each of 5 or 6 cheap-ish tins in each calibre from JSR to try out along with some popular jsb and h&n models adding to the bits & pieces I already have. The hope is that I can get this out of the way in one swoop, find a decent performer for each gun and stock up. I'll keep track of the head sizes where available but I can't be dealing with batch or die variance - if that makes a bigger difference than brand/model I think my head might explode!
 
This depends on what you shoot & what is an acceptable group size for you.
If you shoot BR, every mm counts.
The bull is 2mm, so accuracy is everything.
Other form of shooting such tight accuracy isn't so important.

I shoot BR.
I've tested loads of pellets across 5x different rifles, PCP & springers.
What I've found across all rifles is.

PCP indoors 25m = JSB shorts (extremely accurate) but outside hopeless in the wind
PCP outdoors 25m = H & N Baracuda FT

Springers 25m indoors & outdoors
Either Baracuda 8's or H & N Field Target Trophy

That's what I've settled on
That's what gives me the best results.
 
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