Pellet Recommendations

sdsteil-IA · Fri Jun 19, 2015 11:17 am

My PCP pelllet gun just arrived today and I will be spending this weekend getting it sighted in. Please provide recommendations for what pellets to use for the best accuracy (i.e. types & brands).

I am really looking forward to taking the battle with the starling/sparrows to the next level. I currently have a break barrel pellet gun; but sometimes the pellets didn't hit where I was expecting. After reading posts about PCP pellet guns, I decided I needed to save my money and buy one. That day has finally come and I am looking forward this Father's day weekend at getting it sighted. I plan to shoot multiple kinds of pellets to find the best accuracy.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

I am still hoping for the ultimate Father's Day gift - 'my first nesting pair'.

Cheers David

Emil Pampell-Tx · Fri Jun 19, 2015 11:33 am

Purchase a pellet sampler kit (about 20 different brand and differently shaped pellets). Get a good place to rest the rifle, like a sand bag and try all of the samples. The sand bag assures you that your aim is consistent. You will see that some are accurate, and some styles and shapes are not accurate in your air rifle.

It is money well spent, as you will greatly decrease your missed shots. It also will save you a lot of time because sparrows and starlings are very evasive after you miss them. If you are consistently able to hit your target, you will enjoy your new rifle so much more.

I often wish that my first air rifle would be exactly what you have. I am slightly jealous....good luck!

sdsteil-IA · Fri Jun 19, 2015 1:51 pm

Emil,

Thanks for the reply. I didn't know they made such a thing. I found/order a sampler kit with 18 different round end pellets. Looking forward to testing pellets. Thanks again!

Cheers David

Stan · Fri Jun 19, 2015 10:07 pm

Pyramyd Air has a great selection of pellets.

saltair · Sat Jun 20, 2015 7:49 am

I don't have the PCP rifle but I have a .177 Springer and a Nitro Piston break barrel and both are more accurate with a Heavier Round nose pellet at no less than 10 grains weight. Diablo Heavies or Crosman Premier. Go on web sites such as Airgundepot or pyramydair and read the reviews. There may be a review under the rifle you bought. The heavier round nose pellets are best for accuracy.

Emil Pampell-Tx · Sat Jun 20, 2015 7:56 am

One more thing that I forgot to mention, some rifles need to be shot some before you use the sampler kit. The shots should be more consistent after you shoot 200 pellets than the first 5 or 10 pellets. The inside of the barrel may have microscopic changes when its brand new. I would shoot some before using the sampler kit

saltair · Sat Jun 20, 2015 10:30 am

Emil is correct, it takes about 200 rounds before your rifle gets "broke in" so don't be in a hurry to add a scope and don't get discouraged about accuracy. Learn to use the " ARTILLERY HOLD" to shoot the rifle. This means do Not hold the rifle tight to your hands or body. Looking online will help to explain the Artillery Hold which will give you consistent accuracy.

4th Gen Martin Fan · Sat Jun 20, 2015 11:03 am

I had always presumed that the artillery hold was due to the spring action in a break barrel air rifle. Am I making a wrong assumption?
Or is the reason for the artillery hold the slower velocity of a pellet?

Does a PCP air rifle require the artillery hold for accuracy?

Mark.

saltair · Sat Jun 20, 2015 12:37 pm

I have been shooting Springer and Nitro Piston break barrel rifles for years but I am no expert. the Artillery hold was used because the Spring would cause a recoil before the pellet left the barrel and would give better accuracy. I personally feel its "up in the air" if this same method is true for the PCP rifle. I have never had a PCP rifle but what ever method you use use the same hold consistently and your accuracy will be consistent. I almost always shoot with the barrel or hand guard resting on an object unless I'm in a hurry. look at gatewaytoairguns.org and read the forums. Hope this helps and keep us informed. Less Sparrows and Starlings means More Purple Martins. This is why I have pellet rifles. Paper plates are great targets.

tlragsdale · Mon Jun 22, 2015 5:46 pm

I second what Emil suggested. I ordered several different types of pellets, and found one particular type shot more accurately than the others.

Good luck with your new rig. My experience has been really odd; after whacking a dozen-or-so starlings, it seems the others quickly figure out where not to go. Have seen very few starlings this season, and fewer sparrows.

Life is good.

saltair · Tue Jun 23, 2015 5:53 am

tlragsdale, I have also noticed there are fewer sparrows and starlings this year. This is the first year that I didn't have to clean a sparrows nest from my gourds. If you can eliminate the starlings in the winter you'll have less starlings in the Spring trying to take over the PM houses.

tlragsdale · Tue Jun 23, 2015 3:23 pm

Have all kinds of unpleasantries planned for the starlings this fall/winter