Unsorted vs sorted pellets
I did a little test with pellets over the past week to see if weight sorted pellets really group better. I shot at 50, 75, and 100 yards with my Talon shooting JSB 15.9g pellets at 880fps. I weighed 20 random pellets from the tin and they had a variation of 15.75-16.05g. They I sorted out a few dozen to within 15.92-16g to use for testing.
The day I shot at 50 yards was windy and the sorted pellets shot a group almost half the size of the unsorted. When I shot at 75 and 100 yards the sorted did not shoot any better than the one’s straight from the tin. 😯 The wind was not nearly as bad as it was the day I shot at 50 yards but still present.
I thought for sure I would see a decrease in group size with the sorted at long range. Has anyone else tried sorting pellets?
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He has some good info.
Thanks
Try the sorteds first next time… 😆
Yeah I know. I did shoot the sorted first I just posted backwards. 🙂 I have shot several groups at all three ranges with sorted and unsorted and the sorted have never really showed a distinct advantage except once at fifty yards. I think that if I used a bench and tried my absolute best they would still only show a small advantage. If my groups only go from 3/4 inch to 5/8 inch it’s not worth my time sorting.
Ah, makes sense now! 😆
Hmmm, if I sort my 22lr I go from an average of around 5/8″-3/4″ to just under 1/2″-3/8″, basically reducing the probability of two slight flyers in a five shot group… This is at 50 yards as well… There are more variables in the lr rounds with lead, brass and powder but it shows about the same accuracy increase…
I would guess your shooting a fairly heavy 22 pellets… 😕
I would venture a guess/theory that with lighter 177 cal pellets sorting makes more of a difference for 10 meters competition (30′). But then again the target lines are only 5mm apart which is roughly 1/8″… I don’t think that these types of competitions even use 22 caliber projectiles… I know most FT guys use 177 and 30-35 yards is the longer of the shooting distances… FT knockdown holes range from 1″ to 1/2″ openings…
Look on the Yellow for the Yrrah Roll
Yeah I guess you’re right. 😆
In order to achieve an increase in accuracy you may want to look at the separating of pellets as only one of the variables. It is more likely that a measurable difference will only be realized when a number of seemingly meaningless changes are made such as removing creep and weight from the trigger, a quality scope with level, shooting from a bench rest and the list goes on. In and of themselves they do not amount to much but in the aggregate a meaningful level of accuracy and repeatability should be realized. Its all part of the fun of the sport. 😀 😀 😀
Try the sorteds first next time… 😆
Yeah I know. I did shoot the sorted first I just posted backwards. 🙂 I have shot several groups at all three ranges with sorted and unsorted and the sorted have never really showed a distinct advantage except once at fifty yards. I think that if I used a bench and tried my absolute best they would still only show a small advantage. If my groups only go from 3/4 inch to 5/8 inch it’s not worth my time sorting.
The physics of ballistics reasons that the sorted pellets should be more consistent…
Try the sorteds first next time… 😆
It was from a sitting position. To have a true test I guess I would have to shoot from a bench to eliminate the human variable as much as possible. The reason I didn’t shoot from a bench is because I wanted to see if it would benifit me in the real shooting conditions. Which from the groups you can see it did not. I don’t care if my rifle shoots half inch groups at 100yards from a bench if I can only achieve 2 inch groups from an unsupported position. The only time use a bench is to sit my rifle’s on or if I am having an accuracy problem. Good call 3DRacer. I will try using a bench and see what results I get.
Unsorted 5 Shots at 75 yards
Sorted 5 Shots at 75 yards
Jeff when you performed this test did you shoot in your sitting position or did you set up a shooting bench with rest?
Most of my experience with sorted pellets is with the big bore slugs so maybe it’s relevant and maybe not… I’ve not found a huge difference between “grade 1” slugs and “match grade.” The grade 1 slugs all look good with no obvious defects and the match grade have all been weighed and are within .4gr of each other (+ or – .2gr of the labled weight) for .25s or within .6gr of each other for .32. I think there is a certain amount of variability that just doesn’t matter because the gun probably has more varience and then there is the element of the shooter.
That’s why we offer a match grade service but I don’t go out and promote it: Most folks probably won’t see any difference except their wallets getting lighter. I trust that the guys with the super consistent rifles and superior skills will know who they are and spend the extra dough if they think it’s worth it.
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Try the sorteds first next time… 😆
Yeah I know. I did shoot the sorted first I just posted backwards. 🙂 I have shot several groups at all three ranges with sorted and unsorted and the sorted have never really showed a distinct advantage except once at fifty yards. I think that if I used a bench and tried my absolute best they would still only show a small advantage. If my groups only go from 3/4 inch to 5/8 inch it’s not worth my time sorting.
Ah, makes sense now! 😆
Hmmm, if I sort my 22lr I go from an average of around 5/8″-3/4″ to just under 1/2″-3/8″, basically reducing the probability of two slight flyers in a five shot group… This is at 50 yards as well… There are more variables in the lr rounds with lead, brass and powder but it shows about the same accuracy increase…
I would guess your shooting a fairly heavy 22 pellets… 😕
I would venture a guess/theory that with lighter 177 cal pellets sorting makes more of a difference for 10 meters competition (30′). But then again the target lines are only 5mm apart which is roughly 1/8″… I don’t think that these types of competitions even use 22 caliber projectiles… I know most FT guys use 177 and 30-35 yards is the longer of the shooting distances… FT knockdown holes range from 1″ to 1/2″ openings…
Once I get some more sorted and time to set up a bench at 100 yards I will do some more testing.