question about pellet testing

[gunner chad]

Hey everyone, i ordered the pellet sampler pack from straight shooters. And i want to test what pellet shoots best in my turbo tuned + Trigr CFX. Is there a certain way to see what pellet performs better? do i re zero the scope for each new pellet type? how do you really tell what pellet shoots the best? the main thing ill be looking for is accuracy at 35-50 yards max thanks everyone.

you should not have to re zero the scope for each pellet as you are looking at how each different pellet groups, so if your not on the bull it's ok

[Gene_SC]

When testing accuracy with pellets, I generally start with one brand of pellet and set scope up for bulls eye. Once I establish a consistant group in the bulls eye then I start shooting like 20 shots with each pellet. Normally different weight and brands of pellets will hit around the bulls eye. What you are looking for is the tightest and most consistant groups for each pellet tested. I might add that this takes ours of patients.. And for me it has to be  one of my good days... when I do not have the shakes or feel ill...

Gene

[gunner chad]

ahh, i see Thanks guys.

[TCups]

Also, find a reference pellet, for example, if you have a box of CPL's or whatever.  After you shoot a 5 or 10 shot group with the pellet you are testing, switch back to your reference pellet and shoot another 5 or 10 shot group with the reference pellet.  Then try the next test pellet, etc.  If your groups begin to open up with the reference pellet (as mine sometimes do), then it is the shooter's consistency and not the new pellet that may be the problem with a group that is poor.  But if all the reference groups stay about the same, then you can accurately compare the size of the groups you are shooting with the new pellets you are testing.  Typically, at 20-25 yards, you can put 4 dots on a paper plate and test two new pellets vs two reference groups.  If you find something that shoots well at 20-25 yards, then test again a 50 yards.  Pellets that shoot well at 25 yards may not perform as well at 50; however, pellets that won't group at 25 yards surely won't group at 50 yards.

[gunner chad]

hmmm.. very interesting information. thanks

[gamo2hammerli]

Yep, what others have said.  No need to re-zero the scope.  Just want/hope the new pellets group well even if they`re at a different spot.  But I like TCups suggestion about using a reference pellet every now and then to check if you`re consistant.

[Remo]

CPs are said to lead barrels more heavily than other pellets which works to their advantage.  If using them as  a reference pellet, wouldn't the procedure introduce some inaccuracy in a subsequent group shot with a pellet that performs better in an unleaded or less leaded barrel?

Eric

[TCups]

Don't know.  I do know that the CP's in .177 and .22 cal.  seem to have a dry lubricant on the surface of the pellet.  The .20 cal. CP's do not.  I would expect to some extent, every pellet tends to leave some lead in the barrel and that it is just a matter of degree.  I would be surprised if it were a significant factor.