Beeman Silver-Bears

[tjk]

You know, I'm a big fan of this pellet, but the price is a tad steep too. With this in mind, I've found the same pellet labeled as the Beeman Coated HP's at less than half the cost. I'll be honest and admit I'm not too keen on the idea of using a coated pellet,....just for the fact that I'd rather not have anything left in my barrels besides some leading. Can the coatings be washed off using dish-soap and warm water???? Just thought I'd ask, Thanks, tjk

[tjk]

Has anyone tried doing this?!?!?! Some feed back would be nice. If it's a stupid idea,...go ahead and tell me I'm being an idiot ok??? Don't be shy now!!!! tjk

[3n00n]

Other than needing to wash off my hands after plinking!

[gamo2hammerli]

Never washed any pellets yet....so I wouldn't know.  Maybe someone will chime in later......

[Big_Bill]

Hey Thomas,

Not having any experience with them, I doubt that they use water soluble die to coat them, I would give them a try, you can only save money !

[daved]

CHILL!!  When you don't get a response to a post, consider two things.  One, most of us have a life outside this forum.  And two, maybe no one has tried either the pellets or washing them.  Maybe instead of sounding like a petulant child, you'd be better off buying a tin and reporting back the results.  Later.

Dave

[tjk]

Ouch Daved, That really hurt!!! Contrary to your beliefs, I do have a life. I'm gainfully employed, I've spent my time in the 'trenches" so to speak, and after paying my dues, I was awarded an office job with computer access. When I was asked to become a moderator for the GTA, I was told to ask alot of questions to stimulate thoughts, questions, and comments throughout this site, and I was also told to act as a "hall monitor' to ensure that everyone here on the GTA behaves themselves,....No threats, no slandering,.........name calling etc. So you see, with my job, along with baby-sitting my fello employees, ( heavy equiptment riggers, civil construction workers, project managers, as well a Vendors, suppliers, etc) who do indeed act like 'petulant kids' at times,....I can also perform the duties asked of me by Gene and Bob. I call it multi-tasking!!!! I will follow your advice and do an experimental batch of 'washed pellets' and report my findings to everyone. "Chill" !?!?!? Haven't heard that expression since junior high school. LOL's But seriously Dave, A simple "tjk,...you are and idiot" would have sufficed. Happy Shooting Daved!!, tjk
PS Back to work!!!

[bowbender]

Just some thoughts... How hard is it to wash a pellet? How long would it take and what are the chances of leaving some of the coating or possible sending some forgien residue from washing down the barrel?  I can't say I'm experienced but common sense tells me that once the coating is marred it's easier to peel itself off in the barrel.  I'm not saying it can't be done I just know I wouldn't have the patients for it..  Let us know....Bowbender

[tjk]

Will do Bowbender! Thought of soaking them first, and then putting them in something that would gently aggitate them,....like a cartridge cleaner for brass. Worth a shot though, and at the cost, it wouldn't be too much of a loss either. Thanks again for everyones support! tjk

[daved]

For some reason your post just struck me wrong this morning.  Guess I shouldn't answer posts when I haven't slept well :-).  As to "chill", what can I say, I'm almost officially an old fart, I'll be 50 this year ;-).  Seriously, I was a little over the top in my response, and for that, I apologize.  Later.

Dave

[tjk]

Ahhh forget about it Daved. No need for apologies Bro'. Lord Knows I've had my moments when I was ready to tell the whole world to #$@%-off. Yes I fully understand the "lack of sleep" thing,...been there, still there at times, and I'm positive I'll have many more to come!!!!! LOL's But I love ya man,... you're apart of the GTA Family, and I value your opinions as much as I do anyone else's on this forum. And I genuinely care for you and each and every member on this awesome site,...even if I do make a dumb-@$$ out of myself asking idiotic 'off the wall' crap and expecting instant answers. It's all good,...and it's all alot of fun too! Rest easy Bro',... like another valued member says,...'shoot safe, shoot straight, and shoot often'!!!And it's good for you too,...according to my shrink!???! LMAO  Best Wishes to you Bro' Daved, and everyone else participating in the GTA!, Thomas
PS The GTA is a Great Place To Be!!!!!

[70GTvert]

   Tjk, are these those ones PA have for $2.99 for a tin of 500 and have stamped made in China? I bought 4000 of them and have had excellent luck with them in my B3's but not so much in my Gamo Cat or RS2, but I need to qualify that. I shoot at 60+ yards, where most note less than half that. I suspect that if I used them at 25-30 yards, they would not have the same POI fluctuations I see at that long distance. I think it is either a function of the fit (not as tight as the CPHP's) or the tolerances of the pellet themselves. In low power, it does not show up so much as an issue, but in high power & long distance, anything that is marginal is magnified. That being said, I don't think I will ever pay more than $2.99 a tin for ammo for the B3's< and will use them in the higher power guns at short range;-)

Oh and the coating is nothing more than a graphite, like on a CPHP. Turns the fingers black, but prevents pellet oxidation.

[70GTvert]

Dogone thing timed me out on my edit, only let me do part of it. Darn work interference.

Oh and the coating is nothing more than a graphite, like on a CPHP. Turns the fingers black, but prevents pellet oxidation. Although I have not "washed" these, or intentionaly any others, my CHHP's did via a snowfall, they ended up turning dull overnight (oxide build up, enough MAY hurt performance) BUT, my fingers stayed clean, so I was able to save on soap costs and buy more pellets!!! (i was alot).

[tjk]

That's funny!!! I figured it was some type of graphite after looking at them under a mag lens. I did try the soap and water thing, and they did wash off some. As a matter of fact,...They soaked in a glass of soapy water for about 4 days,...sat on the window sill and forgot about them until last night while doing the dishes. I even though about trying a solvent like kerosene,...but I doubt it's worth the trouble or risk from residual petroleums. Not a good idea!!  I agree, they still shoot as good as the SB's so far,...so I'll stock up on them before the QC starts to wane!!!!! Glad you and the others took interest in my bird-brainned idea,...even if it was a waste of time!!!!  LOL's. Now let's see,....what else can we experiment on next?!?!?!?? HeHeHeHe, tjk

[SDale]

Not sure if you're talking about the gold coated pellets or not, but usually you can't just wash that coating off. You can take it off with a soak in caustic like Drano. But I wouldn't really wanna do it.

If it's just the lubricating coating... Yeah, it can be washed off with no problem. I use brake cleaner on mine. Pour the tin into a jar, shoot in enough brake cleaner to cover em. Swirl around then dump em into an old wire collander and give them another brake cleaner hosing to make sure they're rinsed. Air dry for a half hour or blow dry for 5 minutes. Works great!

I've made batches where I tried plain washed lead, dry lubed with graphite, dry lubed with moly powder, spray on dry lube, silicone grease lubed (VERYsmall amount) and a couple others. And to tell you the truth, there really isn't that much difference in accuracy.  BUT, the plain lead DID work better in a freshly stripped & cleaned barrel.