Hunter Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 (edited) In a recent topic in the Airgunners section, a topic on weather damaged pellets affect accuracy prompted for some myth busting and a small project. I set of for our indoor barn (its raining, dark, and very windy outside, 12am at night) In order to make this test fair, I used an adjustable shooting bench rest, and I replaced the Co2 cartridge for every test batch I did. Tests: 5 rounds standard good pellets (Webly Lazadome) 5 rounds bent Lazadomes, 5 rounds defect lazadomes with damaged bases (cut with knife to simulate manufacture defects) First target I fired 5 rounds benchrested, but a little quick... should have taken more time like the rest of the shots.. still, to keep it fair, I will post my slightly poor 15 yard group. It is late at night after a long day in the engineering workshop, so I did do my best nice group in the middle, with one flyer. I pulled the trigger at the wrong time.. (far right) still, I am happy with a group like this for squirrel hunting. For the next test, I selected 5 pellets and bent in the bases in random depths and shapes. I then shot 5 rounds into the steel back plate with these. This is were it gets interesting.. not only is the target a lot worse then the original, but the pellets had a lot less power when they hit. As you can see bellow, the pellets that I shot into steel plate, (top row) are less damaged then the bottom row. I think this is because the pellets on the top allow a lot of pressure to escape passed the bent area, thus loosing a lot of potential velocity. So it is clear these pellets have poor accuracy (this is only 15 yards, raise the distance, and the group will be still worse) and the striking power is seriously reduced. Do not use a bent pellet for hunting. I also found the base does not expand again in the barrel. 12ftlbs is no where near enough pressure apon firing to expand the base to fit the barrel again. This would take I estimate around 48ftlbs of power. So a lot of energy is being lost here due to the gap between pellet and bore. (inside of the barrel). To check this, I fired 5 rounds into some soft gun cleaning cloth, and check the bases. I also fired some none dented rounds into the cloth to check if they would get dented. They were untouched apart from markings on the diabolo head. So it is clear the bases stay deformed during firing and after leaving the muzzel. Edited March 31, 2006 by Hunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted March 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2006 (edited) Next where the 'defect' pellets. I have noticed this a lot in accupell tins, that part of the base has been broken away, looks melted, or has become damaged during manufacturing. To experiment this, I cut up several pellet bases, some bad, some mearly chipped a peice off.. and shot these to find an even worse pattern. I think this is because the pellets reduced or increased weight makes the pattern look very inconsistant. Impact seemed fairly standard, though the pellets did not hit head first. Some even ran into a slight tumble.. and hit side first So heres the results, hope they are usefull to you and thats another airgun myth busted. As you can see from the results, its very important that you do not shoot bent pellets at live quarry as its highly likely the pellet will not have enough hitting power, let alone accuracy. Discard damaged ammunition of any kind in a safe manner. Edited March 31, 2006 by Hunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the last engineer Posted March 31, 2006 Report Share Posted March 31, 2006 good post again Hunter, i do think you need a girlfriend though way to much time on your hands son Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted March 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2006 (edited) I have a nice gf.. Pitty shes is studying in another country (about 2000 killometers away) to become a doctor.. but then she will move back here I dont have much time.. but things like this get me working hard, and it keeps my mind off missing the gf Edited March 31, 2006 by Hunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the pelt man Posted March 31, 2006 Report Share Posted March 31, 2006 LETS HOPE YOUR DAD DONT SEE THESE TWO The Pelt Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted March 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2006 lol They are actually from the Stealth, not the rabitstopper. I had just fitted the scope and it was way off zero... oops.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted March 31, 2006 Report Share Posted March 31, 2006 lol They are actually from the Stealth, not the rabitstopper. I had just fitted the scope and it was way off zero... oops.. Hi, Good bit of myth busting, well done. FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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