Best Air Gun Pellets

Choosing the best air gun pellets is crucial for achieving the best performance from your air rifle or pistol. Whether you’re target shooting, plinking, pest control, or hunting, the right pellets will provide superior accuracy, consistency, and stopping power. The type of pellet you choose depends on your shooting purpose, the range, and the specific characteristics of your air gun.

Types of Air Gun Pellets

Here are the common types of air gun pellets and their best uses:

• Domed (Round-Nosed) Pellets: Excellent for all-around use. Known for their accuracy and aerodynamic stability, making them great for both target shooting and hunting.
• Hollow Point Pellets: Designed for expansion upon impact. Best for hunting as they deliver maximum shock and energy transfer.
• Pointed Pellets: Offer deeper penetration. Suitable for long-range shooting and hunting larger small game.
• Wadcutter (Flat-Nosed) Pellets: Create clean holes in paper targets. Ideal for short-range target shooting and competitions.
• Heavyweight Pellets: Provide more impact and are less affected by wind drift. Best for high-powered air rifles and hunting.

Best Air Gun Pellets

Below is a list of some of the best air gun pellets available, suitable for different purposes and known for their high quality and performance.

1. JSB Exact Diabolo Pellets

JSB Exact Diabolo Pellets are considered some of the best all-around pellets available due to their precision manufacturing and consistent performance. These domed pellets offer excellent accuracy, stability, and penetration, making them a top choice for both target shooting and hunting.

• Caliber Options: .177, .20, .22, .25
• Weight Range: 7.87 grains (Exact Express .177) to 33.95 grains (Exact King Heavy .25)
• Best For: Target shooting, hunting, and pest control.
• Key Features: Highly consistent weight and shape, smooth skirts, superb aerodynamics, reliable long-range performance.
• Price: Around £10-£15 for 500 pellets (.177 or .22).

2. H&N Baracuda Hunter Extreme Pellets

The H&N Baracuda Hunter Extreme Pellets are designed specifically for hunting. With their unique cross-hollowpoint design, these pellets deliver massive shock and expansion upon impact, ensuring quick, humane kills.

• Caliber Options: .177, .22
• Weight Range: 9.57 grains (.177) to 18.52 grains (.22)
• Best For: Medium to long-range hunting, including small game like rabbits, squirrels, and pigeons.
• Key Features: Cross-hollowpoint design for maximum expansion, high energy transfer, and excellent build quality.
• Price: Around £12-£15 for 400 pellets.

3. RWS Superdome Pellets

RWS Superdome Pellets are a versatile choice known for their quality and consistent performance. These domed pellets provide good penetration and are effective for a variety of uses, from hunting to target shooting.

• Caliber Options: .177, .22
• Weight Range: 8.3 grains (.177) to 14.5 grains (.22)
• Best For: All-purpose use, from plinking and target shooting to small game hunting.
• Key Features: Unique ribbed design for better barrel fit, high impact energy, consistent build.
• Price: Around £7-£10 for 500 pellets.

4. Air Arms Diabolo Field Pellets

Air Arms Diabolo Field Pellets are another excellent option for both target shooting and hunting. Manufactured by JSB for Air Arms, these domed pellets offer a good balance of accuracy, penetration, and energy transfer.

• Caliber Options: .177, .22, .25
• Weight Range: 8.4 grains (.177) to 25.4 grains (.25)
• Best For: All-round use, effective for target shooting and hunting.
• Key Features: High-quality construction, consistent weight, good aerodynamics, reliable accuracy.
• Price: Around £12-£16 for 500 pellets (.177 or .22).

5. H&N Field Target Trophy Pellets

H&N Field Target Trophy Pellets are well-known among competitive shooters for their high accuracy and consistent performance. Their domed shape makes them ideal for field target shooting and long-range hunting.

• Caliber Options: .177, .20, .22, .25
• Weight Range: 8.64 grains (.177) to 20.06 grains (.25)
• Best For: Field target shooting, long-range target shooting, and hunting.
• Key Features: Available in different head sizes for fine-tuning, high-quality control, excellent accuracy.
• Price: Around £10-£14 for 500 pellets.

6. Crosman Premier Hollow Point Pellets

Crosman Premier Hollow Point Pellets are an affordable yet effective choice for hunters looking for good expansion and stopping power. These pellets are known for their reliability and are a great choice for closer-range hunting.

• Caliber Options: .177, .22
• Weight Range: 7.9 grains (.177) to 14.3 grains (.22)
• Best For: Short to medium-range hunting and pest control.
• Key Features: Hollow-point design for expansion, consistent performance, affordable pricing.
• Price: Around £10-£13 for 500 pellets.

Tips for Choosing the Best Air Gun Pellets

1. Match the Pellet to Your Purpose: Choose pellets based on what you intend to do—target shooting, hunting, or plinking. For example, domed pellets are great for general use, while hollow points are best for hunting.
2. Test Different Pellets: Different air guns may perform better with different pellets. Test several types to see which gives you the best accuracy and performance in your specific setup.
3. Consider Pellet Weight and Shape: Heavier pellets are better for hunting and longer-range shooting due to better energy retention and less wind drift. Lighter pellets are ideal for shorter-range target shooting due to their higher velocity.
4. Check for Consistency: High-quality pellets have minimal variation in weight and shape, ensuring consistent accuracy and performance. Look for brands known for quality control.
5. Maintain Your Air Gun: Keep your air gun clean and well-maintained to ensure optimal performance with your chosen pellets.

Conclusion

Selecting the best air gun pellets involves understanding your shooting needs and testing different options to see which works best in your air gun. JSB Exact Diabolo and H&N Baracuda Hunter Extreme are excellent choices for their accuracy and stopping power, making them suitable for a wide range of shooting scenarios. For those focused on target shooting, RWS Superdome and H&N Field Target Trophy pellets offer exceptional precision and performance.

Experiment with different pellets to find the ones that work best for your air gun and shooting style.