If a craftsman is only as good as his tools, then an air gun is only as good as its pellets. Getting the right air gun pellets can make a big difference to the performance of your gun, whether you’re hunting, target shooting or anything in between.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to buying air gun pellets. Different guns, and different uses, will call for different ammunition. This guide will hopefully help you understand what to look for in your air gun pellets along with some recommendations to get you started.
Types of Air Gun Pellets
Browse through any collection of air gun pellets and it’s easy to be overwhelmed as a newbie by the amount of choices on offer!
First things first, almost all air gun pellets come in a ‘diablo’ shape with a tapered middle, which offers improved speed and accuracy compared to balls or traditional slugs.
Within diablos, however, there are various styles of heads designed for different effects and outcomes:
- - Round/Domed: A domed head with good aerodynamics; a popular all-round style.
- - Flat: A flattened head that doesn’t travel as far but leaves a clean mark; popular with target shooters.
- - Pointed: Fast and sharp through the air; popular with hunters.
- - Hollow Point: A hollowed-out head, decreasing aerodynamics but causing the pellet to spread on impact; popular for short-range pest control.
As you can guess, what pellet type you choose will depend almost entirely on why you’re using your air gun. For example, while a hollow point pellet might be ideal for pest control, it won’t serve you as well when it comes to target practice.
Other Things to Consider When Buying Air Gun Pellets
Of course, what type of pellet you choose is just the beginning – there are a few more things you’ll want to consider:
Calibre
Pellets are available in various calibres to suit most air guns (such as .177 air rifles or .22 air rifles). Generally, the calibre of your air gun will dictate what calibre pellet suits it best, although some guns allow you to use a slightly smaller calibre of pellet.
Due to physics, lower calibre pellets tend to fly through the air faster while higher calibre pellets transfer more momentum into their target (e.g. they hit harder). There’s not much difference in terms of overall accuracy, which can be more strongly dictated by the pellet’s compatibility with your gun and its weight.
Weight
Alongside their size, pellets are also available in various weights, usually measured in grains (one grain equalling 0.065 grams).
Heavier pellets offer more accuracy as they’re less affected by the wind. However, it can also be difficult for less powerful air guns to fire, resulting in an overall drop in performance if they’re too heavy.
Material
The majority of pellets are made from lead, whose density and relative softness lend themselves to the job. However, some pellets are made from more environmentally friendly materials, such as tin or zinc.
Generally, there’s no marked difference in performance between different materials of pellets. The main thing to consider is the weight difference – lead-free pellets tend to be lighter than their counterparts, which can impact performance as discussed above.
The Best Air Gun Pellets for Different Tasks
As you can hopefully see, what air gun pellets you need will be unique to your gun and how you put it to use. Therefore, it’s easiest to consider the best pellets depending on what kind of shooting you want to do.
The Best Air Gun Pellets for Hunting
Pointed pellets are generally the best choice for mid- and long-distance hunting, providing more accuracy and a sharp impact.
A popular choice with our customers is the .25 SMK Heavy Shock Pellets. These weighty pellets come with a slightly rounded point head, striking a great balance between accuracy and impact.
If you’re looking for a lighter pellet, consider the H&N Spitzkugel .177 Pointed Pellets. These pellets are a good choice for mid-distance, small-game hunting.
The Best Air Gun Pellets for Pest Control
For pest control, you’re usually working at shorter distances and want a clean, clinical shot. In this circumstance, a hollow point pellet is often a good choice, sacrificing a bit of long-distance accuracy for increased impact.
One of our most popular pellets for hunting is the .22 JSB Predator Metalmag Pellets. Combining a hollow-point design with a sharp polymer tip, they’re a reliable choice for pests at a range of distances.
For a slightly cheaper option, the .25 H&N Baracuda Hunter Extreme Pellets come with a flat hollow-point head and are well-renowned for their great accuracy. They’re also heavier than most which can be useful for short-range pest control.
The Best Air Gun Pellets for Target Shooting
If you’re going to be target shooting, you’ll probably want to look out for flat heads, which are often marketed as competitive shooting pellets.
The .177 RWS Hypermatch Pellets are particularly popular amongst target shooters, a lightweight tin pellet from their premium line. If you’re looking for a heavier choice, the .177 JSB Match Diabolo S100 Heavy Weight Pellets are another good option from a reputable name in the world of pellets.
Also, remember the all-rounders. Reliable round-head pellets like the budget-friendly .25 H&N Field Target Trophy Pellets can be a good choice for both targets and mid-distance hunting, perfect for those who are still learning about what they want from their air gun.
If you’re unsure about what pellet weight or style is right for you, it’s worth heading to a range or speaking to an expert and trying a few different styles to see which gives you the shot you need. Many brands also offer test pellets, such as the .22 JSB Jumbo Exact Test Pellets, which provide different weights to experiment with.
