Category: Airguns

Best .177 Hunting Pellet

We put some of the best 177 hunting pellets to the test to find the best airgun ammunition.

The smaller 177 calibre has long been neglected by hunters as an ineffective pest pellet. The reasoning behind this is easy to understand, more mass = more power but this not strictly true as power is actually a relationship between mass and speed. Think about it this way, if I were to throw a tennis ball at a window, chances are it bounces straight off but if I were to launch a steel ball bearing at that same window through a sling shot it would punch a hole clean through despite the BB having much less mass than the tennis ball. This is because of the greater speed.

The UK limit for muzzle energy on an air rifle is 12ft/lb no matter what the mass of the pellet is. This equates to ~500fps in a .22 and ~700 – 750fps in a .177, around 50% higher! This added speed means that under the right conditions a 4.5mm pellet can be just as, if not more effective than a .22.

OK, with that out of the way, what criteria are we actually looking for? What makes an effective hunting pellet? When hunting any live animal, the most important factor to keep in mind is respect for the quarry and to minimise suffering. Therefore, the most important thing we are looking to achieve is a reliable one shot dispatch. This is usually achieved via a head shot but can also be possible via a heart and lung shot with the right pellet. Let’s see if we can find it with some of the options below.

All pellets tested with .177 Zbroia Hortitsia running at between 11.5 – 11.7 ft/lb at ranges between 20m – 35m. (Edit Nov 2024 – unfortunately this rifle is no longer available but click here to see our .177 rifle range)

H&N Barracuda Hunter Extreme

H&N Baracuda Hunter Extreme

Made by H&N, these pellets are some of the most effective one shot pellets that money can buy. Normally in sub 12ft/lb airguns, expansion of hollow points is something that is actually quite hard to achieve as the velocities involved are not high enough to deform the lead, even in the faster .177 calibre. With the H&N Baracuda Hunter Extreme all of this is flipped on it’s head thanks to the cross shaped hollow points that these pellets feature. The ingenuity of this design allows the pellet to mushroom out upon impact as contact with the target creates a pocket of air that, instead of pressing against a thick wall of lead surrounding the hollow point, instead is forced against four thinner walls and allows for rapid expansion even in lower velocities. This leads to a much larger wound channel and more of the pellets energy being transferred into the target. This is what we want and what this translates to is, not only will a head shot be enough to reliably kill vermin in our desired one shot, but also a heart and lung shot will be more than capable.

Hunter Extreme Hollow Point

The sacrifice that is made with this shape is long range & potential accuracy. The hollow point of the pellet whilst perfect for dispatch actually works against the pellet in flight and increases the air resistance, reducing range and causing the pellets to drop sooner than some of the more traditionally shaped diabolos. This has to be factored in whilst aiming as your point of impact might be slightly lower than expected, even if zeroed with domed pellets at the same weight. 

Something else to consider is these pellets are not the cheapest on the market and they also only come in tins of 400 as opposed to the usual 500 for other .177s. Still a potential of 400 pigeons in the pot so I’m not really complaining.

QYS Domed

For this test I am using the lighter 8.18 grain QYS Domed pellets as opposed to the 9.56 version. My reasoning for testing these is to try something with a lot higher velocity in an attempt push the effective range as far as possible in a .177. Again, our main priority is the quick and consistent one-shot dispatch but a lighter pellet should carry more velocity out of the barrel and therefore maintain that power further downrange.

Great uniformity in the tin

The uniformity of these pellets surprised me somewhat. The “Made in China ” slur is a brush that QYS are, I think, unfairly tarred with as the consistency in shape, weight and skirt size is absolutely fantastic. The weight deviation in particular was minimal with a maximum deviation of 0.1 grain either side of the advertised 8.18. This consistency is replicated in your shot placement and I found that these QYS pellets were by far the most consistent when zeroing. Now I am not by any means a professional shooter but whilst zeroing these pellets I was able to achieve just over a 25mm (about the size of a 5p) grouping at 30m. Not Bad.

I found the same thing with the pigeons. The trees I camped up in front of were around 35m from me and, when putting the crosshair of the scope on top of the birds head so that the first mill dot lined up with the eye, I was able to reliably one-hit kill birds with a brain shot. Thanks to the lack of expansion and higher speed, there was a degree of over penetration with these pellets though and I could foresee that, unlike the Hunter Extremes pellets listed above, a chest shot would not be enough to kill a pigeon instantly. If you are not confident of hitting heads then I don’t think these are the pellets for you.

H&N Rabbit Magnum II

On the other end of the spectrum are the H&N Rabbit Magnum II pellets that weigh in at a colossal 15.74 grain. Advertised on the tin as being for guns of around 25J these pellets are recommended for FAC power level guns but I know people that shoot the .22 versions of these pellets in 16J guns and swear by them so I thought they’d be worth a shot. Now, my Zbroia Hortitsia is tuned to around 11.7ft/lbs with 10.6 grain Bisley Magnum pellets so just under the 16J limit and way under the recommended level for these pellets and that issue was clearly thrown up by my testing.

H&N Rabbit Magnum II

These pellets are domed but are shaped more like slugs than traditional diabolo pellets and that added lead at the neck of the pellet is the reason for the increased weight. This design does allow more lead to make contact with the rifling and hopefully increase accuracy, but I was finding that the weight of these pellets was just far too high. I was almost running out of elevation to zero the pellets on my scope (a Hawke Airmax AO 2-7×32) and had to reduce my range to 20m just to reliably hit the target.

The variance between each pellet was OK, the build quality of H&N products is always very good but there was quite a large weight difference between pellets with some being almost half a grain lighter than the advertised 15.74. Now this weight change might not make much of a difference in a high powered gun but when I’m already pushing the limits of my rifle to zero, this variation plays into shot placement quite a lot.

15.5 gr instead of the advertised 15.74 – Weigh your pellets!

Owing to the unreliable point of impact, I didn’t use these pellets on any birds and I cant recommend you do the same unless you are using an FAC rated airgun and I might have to have a word with my friends using the .22 versions as whether those guns are 16J or not…

RWS Hypermax

And now for something completely different…

RWS Hypermax

So there has been a growing movement in ballistics towards going lead-free. Lead is quite harmful to the environment, even excluding the animals being shot, and has a tendency to build up particularly in water animals and cause severe damage to the food chain. As of 2022, lead shot is not allowed when hunting ducks and other birds and I imagine it won’t be long before this legislation affects pellets. Nothing concrete or confirmed, but call it a hunch. Anyway, thanks to this many pellet manufacturers offer “lead free” pellets in a variety of shapes and sizes. These RWS Hypermax are made from tin and moulded into a pointed shape.

Note the lighter colour of Tin

Ok so first thing to say about these pellets is, like most lead alternative pellets, they are extremely light. Weighing in at just 5.2 grain, these pellets are almost half the weight of the Hunter Extreme pellets and through the chronograph the speeds were mind boggling. The hunter extremes were getting about 740fps but some of the Hypermax were getting over 1000fps. Not that far off the speed of sound! I also found that, possibly due to the added hardness of tin compared to lead, the pellets in the tin had low variance in weight and almost no skirt or head deformation, something that can happen to softer lead pellets.

Great Uniformity for the RWS as well

In practice, these perform much like the QYS pellets in that, a head shot is consistent, predictable and effective but the incredible speed and high penetrative power of the pellet means body shots are just going to fly straight through the bird and likely not kill straight away. Also, while testing these pellets the air was relatively still, but lighter pellets tend to be far more affected by the wind which is something to bear in mind.

Tin & alloy pellets are also more expensive than their lead counter parts with this tin costing similar to many others but containing just 200 pellets rather than the usual 500. I understand these tin pellets are relatively new but that’s just not enough for me.

Conclusions

Ok the best performing pellet was the Baracuda Hunter Extreme by H&N but I was surprised by a few, particularly the RWS Hypermax. I do wonder if these lead free pellets become the norm then peoples approach to airgun hunting might change. No longer will you be able to blast a bird or small mammal with a huge lump of lead anywhere in the body and be assured a kill. Instead you will be forced to use a lighter but faster moving projectile that requires a more skilful shot and this would encourage more accuracy and patience when hunting which is always a good thing.

To view our whole range of pellets click here.

Rabbit Shooting with the R10TH and London Armoury Scope

Late one Friday evening in June, Jack, from the Pellpax Sales team, set out with an R10TH .22 calibre PCP, hoping to bring back a few rabbits.

BSA’s R10TH, which was released in 2019, has proved to be a popular airgun for pest control. The 280cc buddy bottle will give you up to 340 shots in .22, and the ergonomic thumbhole stock, with adjustable butt stock, is supremely comfortable. The R10TH is also available in .177 calibre.

Jack’s choice of scope was an FFP (first focal plane) riflescope (6-24×50) from London Armoury’s Resurrection range, attached by a Hawke one-piece mount. His ammunition was JSB Exact Jumbo Diablo pellets – wide-skirted roundheads, well known for their knockdown power.

Jack’s Review

Ergonomic PCP and top-quality scope

The best time to shoot rabbits is probably at dawn, after a rainy night. The rabbits have been in their burrows for hours, sheltering from the rain, so by the morning they’re hungry. They’re so intent on feeding, they’re not so quick to bolt!

With rabbit shooting, though, you don’t have to wait for the perfect time. There are usually plenty of them about, especially at morning or evening twilight. If you know what you’re doing, you’re sure to bag a few.

I spent most of the time in a prone position, which can get pretty uncomfortable. But with its smooth thumbhole design and adjustable cheekpiece, the R10TH is a great gun for prone shooting.

The scope gave me a fantastically clear view, and the adjustable objective focused perfectly at ranges of around 23 to 36 metres. I set the magnification to x12 for a good view of the field, and adjusted the AO as I went.

Missed!

I took my first shot at what looked like a young jack rabbit, about 30 to 35 metres away. I was lying close to the hedge, but facing into the sun, so I used the scope’s sunshade. The sun was dazzling, and I missed the rabbit, sending the pellet low and to the left.

My target fled, but the shot didn’t seem to alarm other rabbits, who were grazing further away. The R10TH is fitted with a customer-configurable shroud (CCS), which makes each shot incredibly quiet. I decided to move to a better position before attempting a second shot.

Result!

This time, I made sure my back was to the sun, and ducked down behind a fallen tree, approximately 25 – maybe 30 – metres from the hedge. I re-zeroed for my next shot (the fine adjustments on the turrets were fantastic) and removed the sunshade.

I don’t think the rabbits were aware of me creeping about on the outskirts of the field. I was wearing Huntsbury camo clothes, which are great not only for keeping you out of sight, but also out of hearing! The few rabbits I could see were too far away to take a shot at, so I lay still for a while and waited.

Eventually, rabbits started wandering closer to me. Fortunately, the little bit of breeze was coming my way, so they couldn’t smell me.

My second shot was spot on – bang in the middle of the crosshairs. The sun was getting lower now, and the light levels were dropping, so I turned on the illuminated reticle to a low-level green setting. A rabbit ran from my right and stopped to feed, less than 10 metres from my hiding place. I hit the rabbit clean in the back of the head.

I loved using the R10TH, and, as always, I was more than happy with the JSB pellets. I found the London Armoury scope to be a great piece of kit – a fantastic all-rounder – but its security and steadiness were totally down to Hawke’s top-quality mount.

Oh yes … and I was very pleased with my three rabbits!

New Dan Wesson Kits at Pellpax

At Pellpax, we’re celebrating the start of the new decade with some fantastic new products. Our Dan Wesson 715 CO2 pistol kits, in particular, are an exciting addition to the Pellpax range of airgun kits. Modelled on the original Dan Wesson 715, which was chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge, these high-quality, realistic pistols by ASG uphold the Dan Wesson reputation for innovative design and first-class construction.

Dan Wesson Firearms

Daniel Baird Wesson II (1916-1978) shared his name with his great-grandfather, the talented gunsmith and inventor, famous for co-founding the Smith & Wesson Company.

The legacy of Daniel Baird Wesson I (1825-1906) lives on, of course, in the ever-popular Smith & Wesson brand. But he’s also remembered at the not-for-profit Baystate Medical Centre in Massachusetts, which incorporates the hospital to which Mr Wesson donated $100,000 in 1904.

Dan Wesson worked for 25 years at Dan & Wesson before establishing his own firearms manufacturing business in 1968. Dan Wesson Firearms, now owned by CZ-USA, operates from Kansas City, Kansas, and Norwich, New York.

Action Sport Games  

Danish company ASG (Action Sport Games), which specialises in 1:1-scale replica guns, is exclusively licensed to produce Dan Wesson replica models.

Dan Wesson 715 Pistol Kits

ASG’s Dan Wesson 715 is made mostly of metal, giving it a realist feel, and a 12g CO2 capsule is concealed in the textured rubber grip. The pistol features a fixed open sight at the muzzle-end of the barrel, and a rear sight that’s adjustable for windage and elevation. It has a two-stage trigger, manual safety, and an underside weaver rail. Pellets are loaded into the rear of the six cartridges that are housed in the easily accessible magazine.

Besides the pistol, this kit includes five CO2 capsules, a tin of .177-calibre pellets, 50 targets, and a hard case.

Dan Wesson 715 2.5” Silver Pistol

£229.99 £199.99

This neat little pistol has an overall length of 203mm and weighs 900g. The rifled barrel is just 63mm long, making the pistol well balanced and easy to manoeuvre.

Dan Wesson 715 4.0” Silver Pistol

£252.99 £229.99

With a total length of 242mm, and weighing 1,100g, this is the medium-sized Dan Wesson pistol. The rifled barrel is 101mm long.

 

Dan Wesson 715 6.0” Grey Pistol

£224.99 £199.99

This six-inch-barrel version of the 715 Dan Wesson pistol is heavier and stronger than the shorter-barrelled models. It weighs 1,225g and has an overall length of 297mm. There’s added realism to this pistol, with the cylinder-releasing mechanism, which is exactly the same mechanism that features on the real 715.

Door-to-Door Delivery Service

As a Registered Firearms Dealer (RFD), Pellpax provides a reliable and secure face-to-face delivery service. Order before 12pm on a Tuesday, and you’ll receive your item the following weekend, subject to availability. We deliver to any address on the mainland of England and Wales. If you require delivery to another part of the UK, arrangements can be made for collection from an RFD near you.

Contact Us

For more information about any of our products, or about Pellpax’s unique delivery service, just give us a call on 01263 731 585 or email [email protected].

Happy New Year!

Best Airgun Pellets for 2020

The range of airgun pellets available to us today is larger than ever before. In each calibre, there’s a massive range of head shape, skirt size, length, material, and weight. There’s a lot of difference in price, too, and it’s easy to make the (sometimes misguided) assumption that the more expensive the pellet, the better quality it will be.

Those shooters who have found the ideal pellet for their gun and purpose will often stick with it, perfecting their shooting performance with the benefit of consistency. Some shooters will have a repertoire of favourite pellets. Others, however, are still experimenting – still searching for the pellet that perfectly suits their gun, purpose, and style.

At Pellpax, we’ve been looking at some of the best airgun pellets on the market, and we’ve picked out what we consider to be the cream of the crop.

Target shooting

For target shooting, a wadcutter (flathead) pellet is ideal, as it will punch a clean hole in the target for clear scoring. This shape of pellet, though, has high air resistance, and will lose speed, causing it to drop. A wadcutter pellet is perfect for shooting over a short distance, for example 10m competition target shooting.

Over longer distances, the wadcutter loses efficacy, and this is where the aerodynamic domed (roundhead) pellet comes in handy. Although heavier than the wadcutter, the domed pellet will maintain a straighter trajectory over distance, thanks to its aerodynamic properties. The domed head and added weight also serve to stabilise the pellet in windy weather.

THREE: H&N Baracuda Power (Domed) .177

The hard copper coating of the Baracuda Power pellet means less deformation during firing and on impact, and less lead fouling in the barrel. Weighing in at 10.65gr (0.69g), this is a heavy pellet for .177 calibre. It’s ideal for target shooting at long range.

Available in .177, .22

TWO: Rifle Premium Series (Flathead) .177

Made from supremely high-grade lead, Rifle’s Premium Series Flathead is an accurate and powerful pellet. The purity of lead and the refined manufacturing processes result in uniformity and consistency among pellets. This wadcutter pellet, which weighs 8.18gr (0.53g) is designed especially for the competitive target shooter.    

Available in .177, .22

ONE: QYS Match Grade (Wadcutter) .177

Zhuhai Qiang Yuan Sports Goods Co. Ltd (QYS) was founded in 1994 by Fu Qiang, who is still very much in the company’s driving seat. QYS operates from Zhuhai City, in the south of China, and exports to more than 50 countries. In the last five Olympic Games, QYS pellets have been used by 19 medal winners.

This flathead match-grade pellet, which weighs just 8.18gr (0.53g), is designed specifically for competition target shooting and high-level training. The pellets are carefully and securely packed, separated by layers of padding and well protected from corrosion and impact.

Available in .177

Hunting

For hunting, a hollow-point pellet is generally considered to be the best option. The hollow-point pellet is designed to mushroom on impact, creating a wider wound channel that’s more likely to result in an instant kill. Alternatively, that jack-of-all-trades of the pellet world, the dome-head, is an effective hunting pellet.

There are conflicting views when it comes to the pointed pellet. Some shooters swear by it, and others won’t touch it.

A wider-skirted pellet will add power to the shot, as the skirt creates a tighter seal in the barrel, meaning that more pressure builds up behind it, increasing the velocity of the pellet.

THREE: Weihrauch Magnum (Domed) .22

In compiling this list of top-performing airgun pellets, I talked to the gunsmiths, sales staff, and shooting enthusiasts who make up the Pellpax team.

One of the gunsmiths, whose work involves zeroing guns before they’re sent out, recommended the Weihrauch Magnum .22. He told me that this pellet is an excellent all-rounder, suitable for most .22 rifles. What my colleague particularly likes about this pellet, though, is that it’s the very best choice for his own Weihrauch HW100 KT.

“It’s brilliant for pest control. But I use it most of all for plinking in the garden with the kids. For my HW100, there just isn’t a better pellet.”

The Weihrauch Magnum .22 weighs 21.14gr (1.37g).

Available in .177, .22

TWO: Daystate Rangemaster Sovereign (Domed) .22

Throughout the manufacturing process, Daystate pellets are carefully checked for quality. Only the very best are selected for packing. This means that there’s excellent consistency in form and performance.

Because the Rangemaster Sovereign is on the heavy side 15.9gr (1.03g), it’s better suited to high-power PCP rifles.

Available in .177, .20, .22

ONE: JSB Hades (Hollow Point) .22

JSB Match Diabolo is based in Bohumín, Czech Republic. The company was established by an experienced shooter and coach, Josef Schulz, whose research into airgun ammunition led to his own developments in the field. Teaming up with some equally knowledgeable colleagues, Mr Schulz began to produce a new line of airgun pellets.

The 15.89gr (1.02g) Hades .22 has a hollow point that’s surrounded by a trio of lead flaps. On impact, the air pressure in the hollow pit forces the three lead flaps to spread outward, creating a wider wound channel. This well-engineered pellet is perfect for hunting and pest control.

Available in .22

Pistol

Pistols often present the problem of jammed pellets. One of the causes for jamming is that the pellet is too long for the magazine, which is then prevented from cycling properly. The other main reason for stuck pellets is that the low power (under 6 ft/lb) of a pistol is not enough to propel a wide or heavy pellet.

So, basically, when you’re choosing a pellet for your pistol, make sure that it isn’t too big in any way: length, weight, or width.

THREE: RWS Superdome (Domed) .177

This pellet is an excellent all-round performer. Whether you’re using it in a PCP-, spring-, or CO2-powered gun, and whether that gun is a pistol or a rifle, the RWS Superdome is a reliable pellet. The pellet weighs 8.3gr (0.54g), and behind the smooth, round head is a ribbed skirt that adds aerodynamic stability and a flat trajectory.

Available in .177, .22

TWO: Air Arms Field (Domed) .177 (4.51)

The Air Arms Field dome-head is recommended by Pellpax gunsmiths for use in pistols.

Air Arms pellets are carefully inspected at each stage of the manufacturing process to ensure that each one is of the highest quality. The perfectly shaped domed head maintains a flat trajectory, adding to the consistency of this super little pellet. Each Air Arms Field Dome .177 pellet weighs 8.4gr (0.547g).

Available in .177 (4.51, 4.52), .22 (5.51, 5.52)

ONE: H&N Field Target Trophy (Domed) .177

Haendler & Natermann Sport GMBH (H&N) have been manufacturing airgun pellets since the 1950s. The business, which started out in the production of lead foil, was founded 100 years earlier by Carl Georg August Natermann. H&N is still based in its original location – the town of Hann. Münden, Germany.

Made of a lead alloy that produces one of the lowest rates of lead fouling, the H&N Field Target Trophy dome-head is lightweight and aerodynamic for a flat trajectory and high velocity. Suitable for air rifle and pistol, this pellet is ideal for competitive shooting and high-level target practice.

Available in .177, .20, .22, .25

Contact us

There are, of course, many other fantastic pellets available, and this list really is a subjective selection of some of the best. Nevertheless, the pellets featured in this article are all excellent products and have been positively reviewed by shooters all over the world.

For more information about airgun pellets or any of the products on the Pellpax website, just give us a call on 01263 731 585 or email [email protected].

South Norfolk Air Rifle and Pistol Club

On Sunday 10th November, Gary Mitchell and I set off to the South Norfolk Air Rifle and Pistol Club in Attleborough. It was the final day of the Norfolk County Rifle Association’s Open 10m Air Rifle and Air Pistol Meeting, incorporating the Norfolk County Championships. This was a three-day event, held on the 8th, 9th, and 10th November.

Carole Darnell

Until 2001, Carole Darnell was a healthy, able-bodied woman. Then, when she was 37 years old – and for no apparent reason – Carole collapsed. She was hospitalised and diagnosed with a progressive neurological disorder.

Now relying on a wheelchair for mobility, and looking for a new hobby, Carole went along with her partner, Chris Cook, to St Michael’s Rifle and Pistol Club in King’s Lynn. Chris was a keen rifle shooter, but when Carole had a go at rifle shooting, she wasn’t inspired.

“Then I tried shooting pistol, and I was hooked. This was the sport for me.”

Just months after Carole bought herself a competition Walther pistol, she became Norfolk Ladies’ Champion – a title she held for several years.

Through her performance in postal competitions, Carole came to the attention of the Eastern Region Training Squad; and at the Welsh Championships, she was picked up as a promising disabled shooter.

Carole began training at Stoke Mandeville, and for two consecutive years held the title of British Disabled Ladies’ Champion. However, at international level, her disability didn’t fit the classification system. She wasn’t disabled enough to compete at international level, yet her disability was severe enough to be a handicap in able-bodied competition.

Having arrived at this barrier to ongoing progress in competitive shooting, Carole had to re-evaluate her situation. She wondered about coaching. The more Carole considered the idea of coaching, the more certain she became that she’d be good at it.

She was right. Chris Dickenson, the club’s Competition Manager, told me, “Carole’s great with working with people and enjoys teaching a sport she is so passionate about.”

After qualifying as a coach, Carole became a national coach for disabled shooters, and she coached able-bodied shooters at county level.

UK’s 1st regional training centre for para-sport shooting 

In 2013, Carole was approached for help.

“I was asked if I’d consider starting up a disabled shooting club. There was nowhere in Norfolk for disabled people to shoot – in fact, there was nowhere that was accessible with a hefty wheelchair.”

Carole, along with her partner, Chris Cook, and mum, Merle Darnell, established the UK’s first regional training centre for para-sport shooting.

“We were two units down from where we are now. There were four firing points, and one of those was a hatch, so people could get through to the loo.”

The club’s first airguns were bought from Pellpax!

Although the new club provided opportunities for many disabled shooters in the area, membership was low. Without a reasonable income, it wasn’t possible to grow the club and to develop. So, five years after founding the club, Carole decided to include able-bodied shooters, transforming the South Norfolk Air Rifle and Pistol Club into a truly inclusive shooting community. 

“We’ll let anyone in,” Carole said cheerfully.

Chris Dickenson

Chris Dickenson, the club’s competition manager, is really keen to increase the number of face-to-face competitive shooting opportunities within the county.

“It’s lovely to see people come out of their shell,” she told me. “Some of our disabled shooters first come to us at the club with low self confidence. It’s amazing to see how powerful sport is in transforming people’s lives.”

The Olympic Charter

The more contact I have with people in the world of target shooting, the more evidence I see of the sport’s innate connection with the fourth fundamental principle of Olympism:

The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practising sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.

In support of this principle, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) launched the Sport for All programme, which was adopted by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF). Shooting Sport for All has introduced the Supported Rest discipline for seniors. This means that anyone over the age of 56 is permitted to rest their rifle barrel or pistol grip whilst taking 30 shots.

Ray Hart, who took the gold medal for Supported Rest Pistol, cheerfully refers to this discipline as “old man shooting”. (I’ll leave you to muse on that concept.)

Results

Air Rifle (60 shots)

Gold                            Olivia Hill                               567

Silver                           Ellie Folkard                           549

Bronze                         Jessy Lodge                            498

Supported Rest Air Rifle (30 shots)

Gold                            Peter Bell                                280

Silver                           Paul Budd                               272

Bronze                         Colin Allison                           252

Bronze                         John Lane                                252

Air Pistol (60 shots)

Gold                            George Mees                           544

Silver                           Tim Fawcett                           540

Bronze                         Janis Purins                             536

Supported Rest Air Pistol (30 shots)

Gold                            Ray Hart                                 273

Silver                           John Lane                                272

Bronze                         Colin Allison                           262

Thank you SNARPC!

It really was a pleasure to meet the members of the South Norfolk Air Rifle and Pistol Club and some of the weekend’s competitors. We were made to feel very welcome and involved.

As if the lovely company wasn’t enough, Gary and I left with a plate of homemade cakes!

Olivia Hill Receives Award for Outstanding Sporting Achievement

The Broadland Community at Heart Awards

The Broadland Community at Heart Awards celebrate the region’s community heroes. Eighteen-year-old Olivia Hill, who is sponsored by Pellpax, was among those nominated for the outstanding sporting achievement award. As you can imagine, the whole Pellpax team is tremendously proud of our protégée for being the winner of that award.

The judging panel included Mick Parker of Parker Communications, who organised the event, and Chairman of Broadland District Council. Also on the panel were two representatives of Price Bailey Chartered Accountants, regular sponsors of the Broadland Community at Heart Awards. Matthew Hector (Business Development Manager) and James Elvin (Manager) were hugely impressed by Olivia’s attitude and achievements.

“The Outstanding Sporting Achievement category was incredibly hard to judge,” Mr Elvin told me. “Olivia was crowned the winner due to her outstanding achievements and commitment at such a young age. To compete at her level must have meant some sacrifices, and to have overcome so many hurdles, whilst continuing her studies, is commendable.”

Mr Hector added, “Well done Olivia. We look forward to watching your continued success”.

South Norfolk Air Rifle and Pistol Club

Having followed Olivia’s shooting career for some time now, we thought it was about time we saw her in action. So, on Sunday 10th November, Gary Mitchell and I set off to the South Norfolk Air Rifle and Pistol Club in Attleborough. It was the final day of the Norfolk County Rifle Association’s Open 10m Air Rifle and Air Pistol Meeting, incorporating the Norfolk County Championships.

In preparation for the competition, Olivia had checked every one of her RWS R10 flathead (wadcutter) pellets for imperfections. Nevertheless, before loading each pellet, Olivia looked it over carefully, paying attention to the skirt, where a nick or an indentation might affect the pellet’s trajectory. Pellets can become corroded as a result of contact with each other in the tin.

“If it doesn’t look right,” Olivia explained, “don’t shoot it.”

Norfolk County Champion

Just a few minutes into the shooting time, Olivia felt that her rifle sight needed to be adjusted. However, even after carrying out work on her kit, Olivia wasn’t totally happy. Other competitors were also struggling with vision, and it soon became apparent that the problem was due to the changing natural light that was coming through the opaque skylights. As nothing could be done about this, they pressed on, adjusting their eyes as well as possible to the fluctuating brightness on the range.

Despite scoring a little below her own expectations, Olivia won Gold in the Open, and Gold in the Confined, meaning that she’s the overall 10m County Champion. 

What’s next for Olivia?

To round off another fantastic year, Olivia will be travelling to Luxembourg, where she’ll compete in the 37th RIAC and IBIS CUP. The competition, which will run from 11th to 14th December, is an annual international event organised by FLTAS (Fédération Luxembourgeoise de Tir aux Armes Sportives). Last year, at this competition, Olivia performed very well in her first mixed doubles event. Her impression of Christmastime in Luxembourg, though, was mostly about the hot chocolate!

Pellpax Gift Ideas: Shooting Bundles

With the non-shooter in mind …

Image courtesy of Thais Araujo (Pexels)

For most of the year, most of our customers are shooters. They know what they’re looking for. At Christmas time, however, non-shooters are shopping for shooting-related gifts.

With non-shooters in mind, Pellpax has created a range of accessory bundles designed for the seasoned shooter. Each bundle contains a selection of shooting accessories and gun-care products tailored to vermin control, target shooting, or pistols. Everything in a Pellpax accessory bundle will be useful to the shooter who opens this gift on Christmas day.

Pest bundle

The Pellpax pest bundle includes:

  • Woody’s prairie dog targets
  • Abbey gun grease
  • Proshot gun & rifle oil
  • Proshot MK3 scope cleaner
  • .177 or .22 pellets
  • Pellpax cloth

This specially selected assortment of accessories includes pellets suitable for vermin control and a set of life-size prairie dog targets from Woody’s.

The bundle also includes ProShot Precision gun and rifle oil. This water-repellent, rust-inhibiting, low-viscosity oil will protect metal surfaces and moving parts. The oil comes in a dropper bottle, so it’s easy to apply tiny amounts to small, fiddly parts of the gun.

ProShot Precision’s Optima Mk3 scope cleaner is designed for all optics. Supplied in an easy-to-use spray pump, this product removes dust and stains, leaving no residue or smears. Besides scopes, sights, and night-vision equipment, Optima Mk3 can also be used for cleaning other glass surfaces such as phone, computer, and television screens.

Abbey gun grease is a superb product for maintaining the condition and performance of a rifle or pistol. Providing protection from corrosion, this gun grease lengthens the life of component parts and reduces wear and tear on the gun. Regular use of Abbey gun grease will improve any gun’s performance and reliability.

The Pellpax cleaning cloth is a marvellous all-rounder for any equipment-cleaning task. Made of a strong, absorbent microfibre material, the cloth can be used and washed again and again over many years.

Target bundle

The Pellpax target bundle includes:

  • Pellpax target holder pellet catcher 17cm x 17cm
  • 50 practice targets
  • 50 match targets
  • advanced optics cleaner
  • .177 or .22 pellets
  • Pellpax cloth

The solidly built steel pellet catcher can be free standing or mounted on a wall. It measures 17cm x 17cm, and the back is specially angled to deflect pellets and prevent ricochet. In the front, there’s a slot for holding paper targets.

For use with the pellet catcher, this bundle contains 50 practice targets and 50 match targets, as well as a tin of pellets in a choice of .177 or .22 calibre.

To finish off a fantastic assortment of shooting accessories, this bundle also includes an optics cleaner and a soft, hard-wearing polishing cloth.

CO2 Pistol bundle

The CO2 pistol bundle includes:

  • pellets or BBs
  • 100 pistol targets
  • 5 CO2 capsules
  • ProShot silicone gun oil
  • ProShot moly lube
  • Pellpax cloth

ProShot Precision silicone gun oil is a top-quality, non-toxic oil, specially formulated to protect the exterior of guns and to lubricate plastic washers and seals. This anti-corrosive, water-repellent oil comes in an easy-to-dispense dropper bottle.

Merry Christmas!

If you would like to know more about any of the products on the Pellpax website, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Email [email protected] or give us a call on 01263 731 585.

Top 5 New PCP Air Rifles of 2019

The year 2019 has been a year for new products. At shooting shows all over the world, dozens of exciting new airguns and firearms have been showcased, along with the latest releases of ammunition, optics, and bush-craft tools. So let’s narrow it down a bit, and take a look at five of the best PCP air rifles that were launched in 2019.

AGT Uragan Compact

Uragan is the Romanian word for ‘hurricane’, and this smooth, sprightly rifle certainly lives up to its name. The Uragan Compact is AGT’s shortest rifle to date, with the 36cm barrel economically positioned right back in the stock, in the true bullpup style.

AGT Uragan Compact

Thanks partly to its small, carbon cylinder, which has a capacity of 210 cubic cm, the Uragan Compact weighs just 2.9kg without attachments. However, this rifle’s top-class PCP system has a working pressure of 300 BAR, and you’ll get an impressive 140 shots per fill.

The Uragan’s synthetic stock is easily adapted for both left- and right-handed shooters. Without a need for tools, the side lever can be positioned on either the left or right, making AGT’s nifty newbie a totally ambidextrous rifle.

GAMO GX-40

Since 1985, the BSA brand has been owned by Spanish manufacturer Gamo, a giant in the shooting trade.

Gamo GX-40

The new GX-40 PCP air rifle, available in .177 and .22 calibres, is manufactured in the UK. With its light and responsive two-stage trigger, 10-shot magazine system, and on-board pressure gauge, this rifle is ideal for both target-shooting and hunting. The lightweight, polymer stock is adjustable for top-notch comfort and ergonomics.

The GX-40 has a strengthened steel air cylinder and mechanical opening valve – a combination that delivers high power and precision.

BSA R10TH

BSA R10TH

The new R10 model from BSA was launched in the spring of 2019. It has a customer-configurable shroud with enhanced silencer capabilities, adjustable soft-touch cheek piece, and adjustable butt pad. The rifle comes with a 280cc buddy bottle and two magazines.

The ‘TH’ in the name refers to the thumbhole design of the gorgeous, ambidextrous walnut stock. However, there’s an additional significance to the ‘TH’. The launch of this model coincides with the tenth anniversary of mass production of BSA’s flagship air rifle, the R10.

“We like to think of the new model’s name as R10th,” says Jon Hatton, UK Sales & Marketing Director for BSA.

When it comes to shot count, the R10TH has gone up a gear from its predecessors, with an increased shot count of 340 (.22 calibre) or 280 (.177 calibre).

UMAREX Walther Reign

Umarex Walther Reign

Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen (or simply, Walther) was acquired by Umarex Sportwaffen GmbH & Co. KG (Umarex) in 1993. For the last quarter of a century, Umarex has continued to produce rifles bearing this well-known and trusted brand name.

The new Walther Reign – the first bullpup rifle developed and built by Umarex in Germany – was released in the spring of 2019. With a good grip texture and a cocking lever that’s very easy to operate without losing sight of your target, the Walther Reign is ideal for pest control and small-game hunting. This ambidextrous rifle – 687mm long and weighing 2.5kg – has a magazine capacity of 11 in .177 calibre, or 10 in .22 calibre.

WEIHRAUCH HW100 BP

A new release for Weihrauch, in spring this year, was the HW100 bullpup, available in .22 and .177 calibre. This rifle has so many great features:

HW100 BP
  • soft-touch wood stock
  • adjustable butt pad
  • picatinny rail
  • 14-shot magazine
  • high-efficiency silencer
  • adjustable, two-stage trigger
  • choice of 410mm or 600mm barrel with air-stripper (moderator available as alternative)

Tested by Pellpax’s own airgun experts, the HW100 came up trumps.

HW100BP
HW100 BP

This is what our testers said about the rifle:

“Laser-straight accuracy.”

“Comfortable in the hands.”

“Ideal for competitive target shooting.”

“Ergonomically sound.”

Contact us

For more information about PCP rifles, or to talk to a member of our knowledgeable sales team about any of the products on the Pellpax website, give us a call on 01263 731 585.

What are Airgun Pellets Made Of?

The diabolo airgun pellet

Airgun pellets are usually made in the diabolo form – a shape named after the traditional juggling game. The game of diabolo – from Latin diabolus (devil) – involves the tossing and manipulation of a two-headed bobbin, using a string stretched between two sticks. An earlier name for the game was “devil on two sticks”.

An airgun pellet takes on the general shape of the two-headed bobbin, with a solid head, wide skirt, and narrow waist. The rim of the skirt engages snugly with the rifled bore, creating a strong spin for a flat trajectory. The pellet’s head is slightly narrower than the skirt, so there’s less friction between the head and the gun’s bore, while the waist portion doesn’t touch the bore at all.

H&N Match Green lead-free pellets

Traditionally, airgun pellets are made of lead (Pb from Latin plumbum) or lead alloy. In recent times, manufacturers have made airgun pellets from alternative metals, such as alloys of bismuth and tin – or iron, zinc, and tin. Some modern pellets are even made of plastic.

Why are airgun pellets made of lead?

Lead is a soft, heavy metal, and it’s cheap.

Lead is softer than the steel of a gun’s barrel. This is important because it means that friction doesn’t cause abrasion to the inside of the barrel. Being the softer of the two metals, it’s the lead that’s worn by friction. Consequently, brushing lead residue from the gun’s bore is a routine part of airgun maintenance.

The softness of lead comes into play again when the pellet makes impact with the target, which is particularly important for hunting or vermin control. When the airgun pellet makes impact, it crumples, unable to retain its shape. The crumpled head of the pellet creates a larger wound and a quick, humane kill.

Lead’s most common alloy partner in airgun pellets is antimony (Sb from Latin stibium), a metalloid that adds hardness to lead.

Crosman Premier domed pellets

The heaviness of lead is also significant. With a density of 11.34g per cm3, a small lead pellet carries a proportionally large amount of momentum. Speed may be top priority when it comes to target shooting, but when you’re shooting live quarry, you need some weight behind your shot. The Crosman Premier domed pellet is an example of a reliable lead airgun pellet.

Copper-coated airgun pellets

Apolo Air Boss Barracuda Copper

Copper (Cu from Latin cuprum) is also quite a soft metal, but it’s harder than lead. A copper-coated pellet engages well with the airgun’s rifled bore, but, being softer than steel, it causes no abrasion to the inside of the barrel. Being harder than lead, copper creates less friction with air, so velocity is maintained.

Lead-free airgun pellets

Gamo Lethal plastic pellets

Bismuth (Bi from Latin bisemutium) is a heavy metal with physical characteristics in common with lead. However, unlike lead, bismuth has a low level of toxicity. Bismuth is commonly alloyed with tin (Sn from Latin stannum).

A lightweight pellet maintains velocity, and consequently keeps a flat trajectory, so for target shooting, a plastic pellet like the Gamo Lethal, which has a copper tip, is ideal for those who are concerned about lead pollution.

Contact Us

For more information about airgun pellets, give us a call on 01263 731 585 or email [email protected].

Pellpax at the Midland Game Fair 2019

Pellpax partners up with Umarex and Rothery

On Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September, Pellpax will be at the Midland Game Fair at Weston-under-Lizard in Shropshire. The event will be held at Weston Park – a beautiful country house built in 1671, which has been home to the Midland Game Fair for more than 30 years. The gorgeous 1,000-acre estate was designed by the celebrated landscape architect, Lancelot (Capability) Brown, who is fondly remembered as England’s greatest gardener.

This is the first time that Pellpax has attended the Midland Game Fair. Pellpax Managing Director, Darren Kirk, is delighted to be joining John Rothery and Umarex at this well-loved event, which has become a mainstay of the shooting community’s calendar.

Darren says, “We’re extremely proud that Umarex and Rothery have chosen the Pellpax team to represent them by hosting their stand this year.”

Umarex 850 Air Magnum – .22 CO2 Air Rifle


Fantastic Weekend Ahead

So, what will Pellpax be showcasing at the Midland Game Fair this year?

“We’ll be selling a wide range of Umarex air rifles and pistols,” Darren says. “We have some very experienced shooters and knowledgeable gunsmiths on the Pellpax team – but there’ll also be a couple of staff from Rothery and Umarex on the stand with us, who’ll be able to answer all sorts of technical questions about the products.”

The Midland Game Fair has become increasingly popular over the years. If you’re planning to visit, you could well find yourself in the company of more than 86,000 fellow enthusiasts of outdoor pursuits! Parking and toilet facilities are plentiful, with special provision for disabled visitors.

For more information about this event, visit the Midland Game Fair website.

Contact Pellpax

If you would like to find out about Pellpax’s delivery service, or any of the products on the website, email [email protected] or phone 01263 731 585.