Field Target Tech Channel Episode #6 Air Arms & JSB 8.44 Pellets

A quick comparison of Air Arms & JSB'S, with a quick touch on H&N Sniper Medium 8.50's, as well as what is in store for future episodes.
Tom Holland
[e-mail]
Assistant Match Director
Eastern Suffolk Competitive Airgunners Association (ESCAA) Long Island NY escaaclub.com
Scott Allen interviews Tom Holland in Episode 12 of the Field Target Podcast
ftpodcast.com

[@huntair]

Nice analysis, Tom! This topic comes up from time to time and it seems to be better understood these days than it was a few years ago. But I just wanted to mention a couple of observations. The differences between the JSB and AA pellets, whether the 7.3gr or 8.4gr or 10.3gr in .177 cal, or the 15.9gr and 18.1gr in .22 cal, the differences tend to wander all over the place when looking at pellets purchased a few months apart. It came as a bit of a shock to me given JSBs quality...I figured their success was due to a very precise geometry but apparently they perturb little details all the time. That's why I sample a few different tins from time to time, and then reorder several tins of the ones my barrels really like. The other thing is I've generally gotten better groups from the Air Arms label in .177 cal across a variety of rifles. I would just chalk it up to chance but I've seem similar comments from others so I think it's worth mentioning.

[@sniperxbow60]

Huntair, you are exactly correct. If I measure these differences between pellets that were made 3 years ago, or pellets made 2 years from now, for each brand, results we be different yet again. The reason for this, are the dies are later cut, they get them close to each other, from die to die, but not exact. When you see a lot# and info on the bottom of a tin, that also tells them what series of dies it's from. That's most likely why there is such a large variance in weight and head size in the same tin. All of the pellets in a tin come from several dies, not just one, even though it's considered for manufacturing purposes, one die. If the manufacturer actually used only 1 die, and 1 die alone, you would see 95% improved consistency.

[@airgunnersc9335]

Really informative video. Thanks for all the info.

[@benquick9633]

Tom, I'm enjoying your videos.

[@sniperxbow60]

I would choose Air Arms, then JSB'S after that. I explain why in my pellet weighing video. Summing it up, I have to go through less Air Arms pellets to get my desired weight.

[@daleweller5193]

Pick the one that shoots best in your rifle.

[@airgunsandsuch9139]

What would it be if not the sniper medium? 4:05

[@Grumpforce13]

My pcp can agree to that.. it does not like the air arms. It will shoot pellet after pellet through the same hole with the JSB 4.52 8.44 grn. It doesn’t even like the 4.53 8.44.

[@sniperxbow60]

Grump Force, Yep, every gun is different. My Thomas FT does not like JSB anything, regardless of head size. Feed it Air Arms, shoots lights out, any size. My RAW TM1000 won't shoot either Air Arms or JSB'S well. Give it an H&N Field Target Trophy, and it won't miss. Every gun has its preferred food....