How to Find the Magic Pellet

The Magic Pellet

A. Finding the Magic Pellet means you are going to have to buy pellets! Just because I state that a given pellet gun gets a certain ft/lbs with a certain fps (usually a manufacturer’s guess) doesn’t really mean anything… in fact, unless you see that I have personally tested a pellet gun (DayState, FX, KalibrGun only) that still doesn’t mean anything because each pellet gun has its own personality and the pellet weight may work for one pellet gun and not for another- even identical twins. So again, you are going to have to buy different weight pellets and go to work– that’s what have on hand and that’s what I do.

B. Why do I keep referring to the caliber and weight of the pellet? Because it is a very important factor in fixed power air gun performance.

C. In all of the testing that I have done, I have noticed a reoccurring phenomenon regardless of the caliber: the lighter the pellet, the larger the groups until you get to the magic pellet. Go heavier and the groups become larger again. For example, a .22 caliber AirForce Condor or an Evanix AR6 filled to 3000 psi will put a 32 grain EunJin pellet practically through the same hole over and over with the most penetration at 10 meters. Start the test sequence by using a light weight pellet weighing 11 grains and the groups will be 52mm with little penetration. Progressively move up to a 28.4 grain pellet and the groups will narrow to 15mm. Move up again to a 32.4 grain pellet and the groups will drop to 4mm. Go past the magic pellet with a heavier 40 grain pellet (don’t do this with the Condor because the pellet will get stuck in the barrel- the AR6 will handle it) and the groups will grow to 10mm again with less penetration. Amazingly, even though the 28.4 grain pellet has a higher velocity and the 40 grain pellet a lower velocity, the groups are within 5mm and so is the penetration about the same; both being less than the magic 32 grain pellet. So much for the illusive velocity butterfly.

D. To win matches, you have to know the magic pellet. To find the magic pellet you will need to have six or seven different weights of wadcutter pellets on hand to test. Once you find the pellet with the most accuracy (the magic pellet) you may want to get a mini weigh scale that weighs in grains. Send me an email and i will send you the link. Just because a tin of pellets states that the pellets weigh for example 7.8 grains, you will find that there are pellets weighing 7.6, 8.0, 8.2 and so on. You will want to then try each one of those weights to dial in your accuracy- winning is that exacting.

E. Before you do anything take the time to clean the barrel. Go to your local friendly gun shop and pick up a cleaning rod, some JB Bore Paste and the right size bore mop, patches or Swab-its. Also pickup some cleaning solvent like DX-330 (available at any auto body paint supply). Saturate the bore mop with the JB Bore Paste and run it in and out of the barrel 25 times (50 passes). Clean the bore mop with the DX-330 and run it in and out 5 or 6 times. Repeat this process until the bore mop comes out clean. Then put a couple of drops of 3-in-One oil on the bore mop and run it in and out 3 or 4 times. While you have the 3-in-One oil in hand, put 3 drops in the tin of pellets, put on the lid and roll the tin around to coat the pellets… that’s what I do.

F. This is an example of all of the pellet weights I used on a Feinwerkbau P44 to find the Magic Pellet. I also used the Mini Weigh Scale to separate the 7.8 grain H&N Match pellets from the 8.2 grain stipulated weight. A lot of work… but it will pay off