Indians For Guns

I would first like to thank IFG member mercury for suggesting a good method to measure pellet head and pellet skirt sizes separately and accurately with a Vernier caliper

For this review I took 5 existing popular brands and also the few prototype Precihole pellets I have left. I used five pellets of each type and for each pellet I measured the head diameter and the skirt diameter as the weight and noted them down to see how much variation there would be between pellets of the same brand. In the report below I have noted the range of sizes and weights as well as the average size and weight.

I also tried to check "consistency" - that is to see how many pellets of each type had exactly the same weight and/or size. (If all five pellets of any type were exactly the same size then consistency is 100%. If only two out of five are the same size/weight, then cosistency is 40%)

I also assigned an "accuracy rank" based on my bench rest shooting tests reported in another thread. The test were conducted using 3 rifles, Orion, IHP 35 and SDB 50. (Precihole pellets were tested with only Orion and IHP)

A few comments are there at the end.

1. Gsmith round head (High Impact)
Head diameter: Average: 5.41 mm (Range: 5.4 to 5.45 mm)
Skirt diameter: Average: 5.83 mm (Range: 5.8 to 5.9 mm)
Weight: 1.1 grams (all 5 weighed the same) - 16.97 (Approx 17 grain)
Consistency: 80% of pellets had same size/weight
Accuracy rank: 3

2. AIMCO round head
Head diameter: Average: 5.41 mm (Range 5.4 to 5.45 mm)
Skirt diameter: Average: 5.4 mm (Range: 5.3 to 5.5 mm)
Weight: Average: 0.744 grams (11.48 grain) (Range: 0.74 to 0.76 grams)
Consistency: 73% of pellets were the same size/weight
Accuracy rank: 1

3.Precihole 0.22 prototype pellets
Head diameter: Average 5.48 mm (Range:5.45 to 5.5 mm)
Skirt diameter: Average: 5.72 mm (Range: 5.7 to 5.75 mm)
Weight: Average: 1.02 grams (15.74 grain) (Range: 1 gram to 1.04 grams)
Consistency: 60% of pellets had exactly te same specs
Accuracy rank: 2 (shared with Marshal shot))

4. Mastershot Round head (Export quality)
Head diameter Average: 5.26 mm (Range: 5.2 to 5.35mm)
Skirt diameter Average 5.45 mm (Range: 5.4 to 5.5mm)
Weight Average 1.11 gram (17.13 grain)
Consistency 53% of pellets had the same dimensions/weights
Accuracy rank: 5 (last)

5.Marshal shot Flat head
Head diameter: Average: 5.11 mm (Range 4.9 to 5.3mm)
Skirt diameter: 5.47 mm (Range: 5.45 to 5.5 mm)
Weight: 0.7 grams (10.8 grain) (Range: 0.66 to 0.72)
Consistency: 40% same size/weight
Accuracy Rank: 2 (shared with Precihole)

6. Mastershot Flat head (Wadcutter)
Head diameter: Average: 5.44mm (Range 5.4 to 5.45 mm)
Skirt diameter: Average: 5.64 mm (Range: 5.5 to 5.75 mm)
Weight: Average: 1.084 grams (16.7 grain) (Range: 1.04 to 1.12 grams)
Consistency: 40% same size/weight
Accuracy rank: 4

Tecnically 0.22 inches is 5.588 mm - or just under 5.6 mm

Only Precihole, Gsmith and MS Wadcutter pellets does the size (skirt size) exceed that size, ensuring a snug/airtight fit. In all other pellets it is a loose fit for .22 mm provided the bore is accurate. In most pellets the skirt is larger than the head except AIMCO where they are the same size. In most cases it is the skirt size that approaches 5.5 mm and not head size. Only in Precihole pellets is the head size approaching 5.5 mm

It is interesting to note that "accuracy" roughly correlates with "consistency" of size and weight. But that is not true for Matershot Export quality whose performance was the worst in my accuracy tests alhthough the pellets are more consistent that some others in size and weight.

I will do other pellets in due course.

Bennedose wrote........
It is interesting to note that "accuracy" roughly correlates with "consistency" of size and weight. But that is not true for Matershot Export quality whose performance was the worst in my accuracy tests although the pellets are more consistent that some others in size and weight.

> Correct me if I'm wrong in my assumption.....
> Looks like it has to do with the "Metallurgical Composition" of the pellet....
> While there is consistency in weight & dimension... these pellets perhaps do not expand sufficiently within the barrel when subjected to the pressurized air that propels them (as this helps in giving the pellet the right amount of spin to take advantage of the ballistics that is crucial in providing a straight flight path - resulting in good accuracy)
> Relatively harder pellets cannot provide this - hence may drop & tumble during flight....because they do not engage with the barrel's rifling....
> In my earlier post i have mentioned that RWS & JSB pellets contain maximum lead content....hence provide better accuracy..
> It would be interesting to analyze these pellets for their metallurgical composition to estimate their lead content....
> May be a metallurgical lab could help in this regard...
Briha

I will vouch for Bennedose results ,Aimco roundhead lightweight pellets are snug fit although not of good finish, as pieces of lead jutting out of the pellets ,they are far more accurate then the better finished MS export round .The MS loose fit pellets perform pathetically bad on the Orion.Even the GS smith perform well on the Orion and shoot an inch and a half lower than the aimco round as the scope is sighted in for the aimco pellets ..This was a paradox for me but Brihaji's explanation holds fort !!

jatindra Singh Deo wrote:IThe MS loose fit pellets perform pathetically bad on the Orion.

In fact in my tests five shots of MS Export grouped over a 70 square cm area - which is about 3 inches by 4 inches - at 10 meters - with the rifle on a bench rest. Compare that with a Rupee coin size grouping with Orion using Precihole pellets.

Despite the fact that AIMCO often have a pointy thingy sticking out of the head they performed well with every rifle.

jatindra Singh Deo wrote:I will vouch for Bennedose results ,Aimco roundhead lightweight pellets are snug fit although not of good finish, as pieces of lead jutting out of the pellets ,they are far more accurate then the better finished MS export round .The MS loose fit pellets perform pathetically bad on the Orion.Even the GS smith perform well on the Orion and shoot an inch and a half lower than the aimco round as the scope is sighted in for the aimco pellets ..
This was a paradox for me but Brihaji's explanation holds fort !!

This was a paradox for me but Brihaji's explanation holds fort !!
Thanks Jatin - I appreciate that
Briha

Dear benne,
Thanks for the exhaustive tests.
I will say pellet to pellet consistency is most
important factor for accurate shooting.
AimcoRH has received quite a good rating in your
testing being a cheaper pellet.
Today our member, Harsh happen to test this pellet
in SDB 45 and result is amazing at 10,20 and 40 yds.
Hope Aimco take a note and at least remove the pointy thing on pellets head.

Baru

You know Basu - I think that "pointy thing" actually ensures that the weight is consistent. It is nice to note that AIMCO hardly has any variation in feel when you stick it in the breech - it feels the same every time, unlike other brands inclusing surprisingly some varieties of GSmith - which I will review in due course. I am on a pellet reviewing jihad and need to go out and find and buy some more brands that take me out of my comfort zone.

After a little prodding form a forum member I weighed and measured another 4 brands of commonly used pellets

1. Gsmith Flat head (high Force)
Head diameter: Average:5.48 mm
Skirt diameter: Average: 5.72 mm
Weight: Average: 1.06 grams (16.3 grain)
Comments: Very tight fit in IHP. Moderate "plinker level' accuracy. GSmith should discontinue this useless line


2.Mastershot Triple head
Head diameter: Average 5.08 mm
Skirt diameter: Average: 5.5 mm
Weight: Average: 1.24 grams (19 grain)
Comment: Very heavy pellets - heaviest Indian pellets AFAIK. Surprisingly, excellent accuracy with IHP 35 only. Punches a hole in 0.5 mm signage steel sheet at 25 meters


3. Mastershot Hunt
Head diameter Average: 5.04 mm
Skirt diameter Average: 5.5 mm
Weight Average 1.12 gram (17.2 grain)
Comment: Cylindrical pellets. No waist. Hopelessly inaccurate. The worst pellets i have ever used - to be used only with a useless air rifle like SISCO 90 that I reviewed elsewhere


4.Diana Shot pointed
Head diameter: Average: 5.07
Skirt diameter: Average: 5.57
Weight:Average: 0.74 grams (11.5 grain)
Comment: Moderately accurate. Not good enough for plinking, let alone target shooting. I will never buy them again. GSmith and Marshal shot are far better.

All in all it appears that Mastershot pellets (various types0 are the most common and most well known but also overall the worst performing pellets./ No wonder Indian shooters are unhappy. If air rifles in India are generally sub-par - the pellets outdo themselves in being generally useless. It is impossible to enocurage shooting as a sport with people being forced to buy and use such shit and imports being expensive.

We need to make a sticky that says "Buy only the following brands of air rile and pellets if you are buying Indian"

[quote="bennedose"]
I also tried to check "consistency" - that is to see how many pellets of each type had exactly the same weight and/or size. (If all five pellets of any type were exactly the same size & consistency.

A few comments are there at the end.
1. Gsmith round head (High Impact)
Weight: 1.1 grams (all 5 weighed the same) - 16.97 (Approx 17 grain)

2. Mastershot Round head (Export quality)
Weight Average 1.11 gram (17.13 grain)

Hi bennedose,

> Pursuant to a doubt expressed by fellow IFGian Basu I had the above 2 pellets assessed by weighing them on an highly sensitive "Electronic Balance" at a friendly neighborhood Jeweler & the results are....

1. GSmith Round Heads
10 pellets weighed = 12.290gms
1 pellet weight = 1.23gms ie: 19gr

2. Mastershot Round Heads (Export)
10 pellets weighed = 8.42gms
1 pellet weight = 0.842gms ie: 12.9gr

The calculations were based on BSI standard ie: 1gr = 64.8mg or 0.065gms
As you observe there is a slight variation in the weight estimation....your comments please!
Briha

hello can you people add pictures of the pellets also if possible...

brihacharan wrote: The calculations were based on BSI standard ie: 1gr = 64.8mg or 0.065gms
As you observe there is a slight variation in the weight estimation....your comments please!
Briha

Brihaji, this is how I checked the accuracy of my scale. I used an international standard 10 gram gold piece - from Johnson Mathey. The weight is marked on the item It showed exactly 10 grams. I have another photo of that which I have not posted. In addition I put 10 GSmith round head pellets. As you can see, the scale is showing 21 g - making the weight of 10 GSmith Round heads to be 1.1 grams each - 16.97 grain

surajshuresh wrote:hello can you people add pictures of the pellets also if possible...

Here is an image I had uploaded a few months ago
http://indiansforguns.com/download/file ... &mode=view

Dear benne & Briha,
My understanding so far is ,the MSRH in .22 weigh 14-14.3 grains.
I am confused.

Basu

Basu wrote:Dear benne & Briha,
My understanding so far is ,the MSRH in .22 weigh 14-14.3 grains.
I am confused.

Basu

Basu - we need to make sure that we are talking about the same thing. Can you exactly expand the acronym "MSRH". The reason I ask is that when I dedicated restarted plinking about 7-8 months ago I had some old stocks of Master Shot Round Head that I expended. But after that in Bangalore I have not found that particular type of pellet. Whenever I ask for Mastershot Round head - I get the new (and slightly more expensive, and useless to me) "export quality" pellets. These are 1.1 grams each - or about 17 grain.

Please see the image linked below. It has the "export quality" pellet and the old Mastershot Round head side by side (5th and 6th from left side respectively). The difference is obvious - so if you are asking me for the weight of those old round heads - I don't have any left and they are not available here

http://indiansforguns.com/download/file ... &mode=view

I have noticed that my SDB is really - reeeeally sweet with pellets of about 700-750 mg - i.e 11-13 grain. Heavier than that and I am frustrated.

Pardon my saying this but I absolutely detest this "grain" business. The entire world has shifted out of that except USA and UK and we still seem to follow that.

"Basu" wrote...
Dear benne & Briha,
My understanding so far is ,the MSRH in .22 weigh 14-14.3 grains.
I am confused.

bennedose wrote.........
Please see the image linked below. It has the "export quality" pellet and the old Mastershot Round head side by side (5th and 6th from left side respectively). The difference is obvious - so if you are asking me for the weight of those old round heads - I don't have any left and they are not available here

Pardon my saying this but I absolutely detest this "grain" business. The entire world has shifted out of that except USA and UK and we still seem to follow that.

Basu / Bennedose,
> It appears that there are 2 distinct MSRH (Master Shot Round Heads) pellets....The standard & The export
> May be the manufacturers have changed the specs of late....while probably discontinuing the earlier type....
> Nevertheless I suggest that "Basu" conduct his own assessment & let us know his findings....
> Yes! the 'Grain' terminology is a bit of a pain - in - the neck
> The British had a way of 'fractionalizing' measurements to a painfully mathematical ignominy...we have to "GRAIN" & bear with it
Briha