Airgun pellet testing

[GunnyMack]

With some recent airgun discussion I have 7 different pellets on hand and decided to shoot each into modeling clay, 10' just to get an idea as to how they expand, wound channel etc.
So Sage and I shot each in turn, cut the block open and measured depth of penetration.
Crossman pointed wins as it passed through 3¹/⁴" of clay.
My favorite squirrel pellet, the H& N barracuda went 2" and other than a small piece expanded but stayed together.
H&N Crow magnum, Beeman Silverbear and Beeman Crowmag being hollow points all shed nice little doughnuts. The Beeman Crowmag turned inside out and broke in 3.
The 2 match pellets flattened out nicely.
Of the 7 different pellets 4 went 2" deep , then 2¹/⁸ ( h&n CM) and 2⁵/⁸( Beeman CM)

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The ' wound channels ' were kind of revealing, in that all about the same diameter to start but the hollow points did indeed carry a larger diameter deeper- as they should.

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The Barracuda continues to be my favorite as it has taken everything it's hit from chipskunks to a 40 yrd poke at a fox.

[gamekeeper]

Interesting Will, my son and I have been testing some .177 pellets but I discovered my gas ram Norica has lost power after six years of use, so I see a new Springer in my future ….

[GunnyMack]

That's been one thing I always thought bad about the gas guns.
I broke a spring once in my RWS model 45, seems ya can't make a .177 solid mould and shoot 20gr pellets without stuff breaking!
Whatever you do if you break a spring by all means send it back to get it repaired. I got the spring and spent 3 days trying to figure out how to compress it!

[CowboyTutt]

Thanks for the report Gunny! I need to find some clay I guess now for my 30 caliber pellets. I have at least 3 pellets and 4 slugs to try. Still working on accuracy testing first though, and sighting in. -Tutt

[GunnyMack]

Tutt you might need more than the 2lbs of clay I'm using. Window glazing putty also works.
Sure clay and glazing is denser than ballistic gel but it's a whole lot easier!
Be interesting to see what your 30s do as far as upsetting.

[stretch]

Crossman pointed wins as it passed through 3¹/⁴" of clay.

Why I like pointed pellets for hunting.

-Stretch

[GunnyMack]

Yes I get the penetration of a pointed but I'll tell ya those hp pellets will flip the switch on a squirrel in it's tracks INSTANTLY. They don't scamper away.
I've become a fan of bullets using most if not all it's energy inside an animal after seeing many deer hit right with copper solid shotgun slugs. Just in and out with poor blood trails and no energy transfer. One of my best bucks I shot 3 times , all in the heart lung area. At each shot the deer didn't even flinch. With 6 .729 Dia holes in it it kept walking even though it was dead on its feet I was convinced I had missed all 3 times. My buddies all had the same conclusion with many , many deer shot.

[ywaltzucanrknrl]

Nice test Gunny, thanks.

I take it all these were running around the 900-1000fps range at the muzzle?

[GunnyMack]

Nice test Gunny, thanks.

I take it all these were running around the 900-1000fps range at the muzzle?

I haven't run these over a Chrono, I'd say 850 -1000 (for the lightest pellets).

[JB]

I always like the Beman Silver Jet for it's sharp point and excellent (for a pellet gun) penetration, but usually use the Crosman Premier because they've been accurate in most of my rifles and normally easy to find.

[marlinman93]

For my .177 pellet rifle I've found the heavier 10 gr. pellets to be the most accurate. Lighter 7 gr. give higher velocities across my chonograph, but they don't group as well at 25 yds. as the heavier pellets. I'm not too concerned with penetration since squirrels aren't very tough to penetrate. Accuracy means more to me, especially at longer distances, and heavy pellets hold truer for longer distances.

[GunnyMack]

My gun likes those in the 9.7gr range, the Barracuda and Crow Magnum fit the bill !