Difference between Diablo and wad-cutter.
Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 3:11 pm
While searching online I found these definitions of what a diablo and wad cutter pellet really is, so for those of you who didn't know here it is:
a. Diabolo. The most popular pellet design is the hourglass-shaped air rifle pellet, commonly referred to as
the diabolo. The term is derived from the pellet’s resemblance to the spool-shaped device used in an
ancient Greek throwing game called diabolo. The “waisted” design of the pellet minimizes the friction
between the pellet and the rifling. The thin hollow base (or skirt) expands during its travel down the bore
to grip the rifling grooves and to establish an effective air seal. The pellet head is slightly smaller in
diameter than the skirt and simply rides the rifle barrel lands. In a well-designed diabolo pellet, most of the
pellet weight is forward of the skirt in the head of the pellet. This gives the pellet maximum stability in
flight – similar in concept to a badminton shuttle.
b. Wadcutter. There are a number of variations on the basic diabolo design. These variations are based
upon the intended use of the pellet. For marksmanship and competition training, the wadcutter pellet is
used. This flatheaded pellet is designed for cutting neat, clean holes in paper, which allows for accurate,
precise scoring of the target. Only diabolo-design wadcutter pellets supplied by the Canadian Forces (CF)
are authorized for use in cadet air rifles. Despite its non-aerodynamic appearance, the wadcutter pellet’s
ballistics are not affected by its flathead design at distances less than 15 metres. In fact, in many
instances the wadcutter has better accuracy at short ranges, such as ten metres. Since all cadet training
and competitions use a ten-metre range, the flathead pellet design is not a factor in ballistic performance
or accuracy.
a. Diabolo. The most popular pellet design is the hourglass-shaped air rifle pellet, commonly referred to as
the diabolo. The term is derived from the pellet’s resemblance to the spool-shaped device used in an
ancient Greek throwing game called diabolo. The “waisted” design of the pellet minimizes the friction
between the pellet and the rifling. The thin hollow base (or skirt) expands during its travel down the bore
to grip the rifling grooves and to establish an effective air seal. The pellet head is slightly smaller in
diameter than the skirt and simply rides the rifle barrel lands. In a well-designed diabolo pellet, most of the
pellet weight is forward of the skirt in the head of the pellet. This gives the pellet maximum stability in
flight – similar in concept to a badminton shuttle.
b. Wadcutter. There are a number of variations on the basic diabolo design. These variations are based
upon the intended use of the pellet. For marksmanship and competition training, the wadcutter pellet is
used. This flatheaded pellet is designed for cutting neat, clean holes in paper, which allows for accurate,
precise scoring of the target. Only diabolo-design wadcutter pellets supplied by the Canadian Forces (CF)
are authorized for use in cadet air rifles. Despite its non-aerodynamic appearance, the wadcutter pellet’s
ballistics are not affected by its flathead design at distances less than 15 metres. In fact, in many
instances the wadcutter has better accuracy at short ranges, such as ten metres. Since all cadet training
and competitions use a ten-metre range, the flathead pellet design is not a factor in ballistic performance
or accuracy.
