My experience with Gamo PBAs

[fisherdude]

Today I tried the PBAs that came with my new .177 CFX.  I had been using 8.2 gr RWS meisterkugeln wad cutters but while they shot accuragely, I wasn't doing well with the starlings.  I shot several, but only got a puff of feathers most of the time.  I saw the video on the Gamo web site of someone shooting a hog with a PBA and I thought I would try them.  They shot into one hole at 10 meters and they penetrated a lot futher into the 2X6 than the meisterkugelns.  They do make a sonic crack when I shoot them that I don't like, but I wll be trying them on a starling or two and see how they work.  If anyone has any suggestions for a good .177 hunting pellet, please reply with your experiences.

Ron,the PBA RAPTORS are gimmick pellets,they are too light & have broken many springs,You should try the PREDATORS/BSA WOLVERINES,JSB DIABLO EXPRESS/EXACT DIABLO............GOOD LUCK!

[vinceb]

Do you mean they are bouncing off?

FYI - a lot of people have had poor experience with Raptor accuracy. Dunno about spring life in Gamo's - after all, there seems to be a lot of guys breaking Gamo springs without dry-fires or light pellets.

BTW, ya might wanna run this one by the guys on 'Hunting Gate'

Vince,if that is the case,what is that telling us about GAMO..........We have heard many complaints about spring breakage,you will be suprized how many have said with less than 250 rounds...........the first thing we ask is what type of pellet do you use.......the most popular answer....PBA RAPTORS....they are not all shooting GAMO RIFLES............I have been told by more experinced airgunners than myself that the RAPTORS are fine with CO2 pistols.....I don't mess with CO2 pistols so I haven't experienced it.......These are facts that I have recieved from airgunners buying into the 180lb hog story.......after two or three complaints regarding this issue,I would really have to question myself as to why I would try to prove it wrong............That was enough info that I needed.....You can use them if you want.......I choose not to from what have I been tought as well as I have seen.........GOOD LUCK!

[longislandhunter]

I'll use the PBA ammon in my Crosman 1377 pistol, they give me pretty good accuracy and don't harm the gun,,,, but I won't use them in any of my springers.....

As for their effectiveness on small game,,,,,,,they are very hard pellets, it's not uncommon for me to find the pellets that bounce off my backstop and even the pellets that stick in my backstop looking almost completely undamaged at all. This being said I doubt you'd get very much, if any, pellet expansion upon impact on a game animal. I have no doubt the pellets would take out a bird or small game animal at close range with a good accurate shot, but other than my 1377 pistol I'm not hunting with them. The predator pellets are my prime hunting pellet, work fantastic on small game.....

As for the "hog tale",,,,, I saw the video also but I personally don't plan on hunting any hogs with those pellets anytime in the near future

Jeff

[Splash]

Ron, wad cutters will work fine on small game, out to 30yrds, as long as you have the right shot placement. Aim for the head, neck, or chest, profile body shots will usually result in a puff of feathers, them wings can be tough.
Mike

[shadow]

Predators. Tomahawks, Hunters, Destroyers, Rocket's. The Predators are my #1 hunting pellet but the rest will work just fine also. Ed

[fisherdude]

You have given me a lot to think about.  I am going to try some of the alternatives suggested.  I wouild also like to hear directly from Gamo their thoughts on such a light pellet that might harm their airguns,  I don't understand why they would send a pellet with a new gun that would result in a warranty return.  There is no profit in that.

You can can ask GAMO about the lighter pellets & most likely they will say it won't do any harm,then ask them about dry firing,that they will tell can harm the gun......The lighter pellets are going to produce greater velocity oppose to the heavier ones,which is how they get the FPS they advertise,I was fooled by that myself,I have THE HUNTER EXTREME,I have no more than 40 shots thru her,I think it is a waste of a gun in .177.......Don't get me wrong it is real nice, but not for a .177..............Ask GAMO why they BS the public with their bogus velocity numbers,I would love to hear that answer........Ron I have seen many complaints regarding spring damage,90% of them were using RAPTORS...........There are so many sales ploys.....look at RWS PANTHER....$187......Now they add a muzzle brake & call it a PANTHER PRO & GET $275........GO FIGURE.....JUST FOOD FOR THOUGHT......

[biscuitg]

Hey all, I second the BSA wolverines 8.4gr (jsb exacts in disguise), I have put down P-dogs with them and they retain their energy at long distances.  Most accurate pellet in my shadow next to Meisterkugelns...

[SGTMEATSAUCE]

"Predators. Tomahawks, Hunters, Destroyers, Rocket's"  and also the Crosman Premier Hollow Points too......avoid the PBA's at all cost, they will go thru birds and ruin your spring....