Beer Hunter's Pellet Test - 29/2/2004
After getting my .22 S410K, I've tested more than a dozen pellets and found the AA Field 5.52's to be the most accurate.
Since that test I've received another 3 types and decided to test them today. There are the results:
Pellets tested
AA Field 5.52 15.9 grain
JSB Exact 5.52 16 grain
Exterminator 5.54 16 grain
Dynamic PCP2 5.54 14.5 grain
The pictures above are not exactly to scale and pellets were selected completely at random. As you can see, they are all of excellent quality. The Dynamic's in particular look stunning.
I used a garden bench and bean bag to remove as much of my error as possible. The barrel was thoroughly cleaned and re-leaded with 40 shots before I began. During shooting the rifle was filled to 160 bar shot to 140 bar and then topped up. Targets were then shot from 15, 30 and 40 yards. Each target has a group of 5 shots and each distance was shot 3 times on separate targets. There was a very light breeze from left to right. The best groups at each distance are below:
| 15 yards | 30 yards | 40 yards | |
| AA Field |  |
 |
 |
| JSB |  |
 |
 |
| Exterminator |  |
 |
(only 3 hit the target) |
| Dynamic |  |
 |
 |
So, the AA Fields were best, closely followed by the JSB's (which seemed to give the odd flier). The Exterminators and Dynamics just did not perform in my gun, especially beyond 30 yards.
Scaled comparison of AA Field and JSB's
| AA Field's | JSB's |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Thee JSB's appear to have a marginally higher and thinner waist. There is also a notable difference in diameter of the machined (?) silver disk when looking up the skirt.
Conclusive proof that AA Field's and JSB Exact's are not the same pellet's?
Update 2/3/2004Since the first test, BOB/R has been in touch to explain the neither Dynamic's or Exterminator's work well in a leaded barrel.
To ensure this test was as impartial as possible; I thoroughly cleaned the barrel again and retested the Dynamic's, Exterminator's and AA's without re-leading.
The conditions were near identical to the last test and the same procedure was followed but this time only at 30 yards due to time constraints. First the Dynamics were shot, then Exterminators and lastly the AA's.
As an indication of group size: Bull = ½" 9 = 1.25" 8 = 1.75" 7 = 2 3/8"
Here are the results:
| AA Field | Exterminator's | Dynamic's | |
| 30 Yards |  |
 |
 |
So, in my gun, there seems to be little difference and I stand by my original findings.
However, please don't let my findings put you off testing all of the above brands in your own rifle!