I had a chance to go to the range alone for the day. I went on a quest to find out which .177 pellet my B-26 likes.
The results were interesting.
I started out using Crossman HP 7.9 gr when I first bought the B-26, and I was happy with them.
After hearing how great other pellets were, I figured I just had to know if anything was better.
I bought 10 different types of pellets this weekend, went to the range and shot all of them at the same outing.
I fired 5 shots of each different pellet at the target.
I repeated the test twice with pretty much the same results.
I set up at 25 yds. because that's were most of my hunting is done. Now that I know what it likes best, I'll go back and plot out different ranges.
I first shot 5 targets with the 5 different pellets. I was totally disappointed with the groups. The best group was 1 3/4". I've shot less than 200 pellets
in this gun since new. I decided to clean the barrel, and it made the world of difference. I reshot, and the best group was less than 3/4".
I never thought that less than 200 pellets would really dirty it up so much.
So...
This was in no way a scientific event. While I'm not the best shot, I am consistent in my firing and hold.
With that said, I found my B-26 not very hold sensitive.
I fired 5 shots using the Crossman HP's (because I already know they shoot good) from each of 4 different hold positions from front edge to just in front of the trigger.
They were all grouped pretty much the same.
I tried shooting from my bench rest and found that no matter which pellet I tried, they all grouped like a shot gun all over the place.
It doesn't like being locked in place. My B-26 likes to be held. I rested my hand on the sand bags and leaned my shoulder against the post.
Every shot was aimed at the bulls eye. I bought a Gamo sample pack. The package had a description of the type of pellet and the weight of each type.
When I opened the package, the pellet weights on the tins were all different than that on the package, so I'm really not sure of the Gamo pellet weights tested.
May we have a drum role please...
The Crossman HP's 7.9 gr were the best; they were nice and tight grouped at 25 yds. I'd say 5/8" by my unseady hands.
They were dramatically better than all the rest. I just got back in tonight, and I didn't measure the other groupings yet.
I will post the target picture tomorrow after I cut-n-paste them into one photo.
From good to worse by C-T-C accuracy :
1. Crossman HP's 7.9 gr
2. Predators 8.0 gr poly tip
3. Gamo Match wad cutter
4. Gamo Hunter dome
5. Crossman Destroyer Pointed HP (very poor attempt at copying a predator...more like a cross between pointed ,HP, match)
6. Gamo Master Point
7. JSB Exact Diabolo 8.4 gr domed
8. Crossman Heavy 10.5 gr domed
9. RWS Superdome 8.3 gr domed
10. Gamo Pointed Magnum ( I thought I was a shotgun)
BUT... If I had to pick which ones I thought performed best, I would have to list them differently below.
My reasoning being that although they were not as accurate C-T-C as some of the other pellets, they were on target
better for point of impact in regard to where the scope was sighted in to. (all hit around the bulls eye)
The other 5 pellets were grouped either to the right, top, upper right in regard to the bulls eye.
Sometimes you have to use what you got until you re-order.
In a pinch, I feel that I could use any of these below and not have to re-sight in the scope each time I changed pellet.
Best performers by point of aim:
1. Crossman HP
2. Predator
3.Crossman Destroyer
4. JSB Exact Diabolo
5. RWS Superdome
This is how it worked for me. Maybe someone has a different or better pick. Remember, your mileage may vary... and
YES, 250 pellets later, my arm is tired.
