Among fans of shooting from pneumatics, shells are usually called bullets, regardless of format and type. A beginner in this business is advised to get used to such names in advance in order to simplify the choice of the desired projectile. Popularly, it is customary to call such bullets bullets, in view of the dimensions of the latter, however, it is better to avoid diminutive terms. The imported name “pellets” or “pellets” is allowed, as the most neutral. Many people call pneumatic shells balls.
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The air ammo market provides the shooting enthusiast with a variety of titles and formats to choose from. As a rule, the shape of the bullet carries a functional task, so it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the specifics of pellet formats in advance in order to avoid confusion when buying. Most popular bullet formats:
Each format has its own specifics. From what the shooter uses pneumatics, it is worth starting when choosing a format.
Flat format bullets are the most suitable option for the sport. Upon hitting the target (paper), the projectile will leave a hole shaped like a perfect circle. If you use such a projectile within the correct speed limits for a hardball, penetration when it hits a person is reduced to a minimum. The disadvantage of this format is that a flat bullet meets with the greatest resistance, so effective shooting is guaranteed only at a short distance.
Bullets in the form of a hemisphere - the most effective when it comes to long range. Among shooting enthusiasts, this format is the most popular. The main advantage of the format lies in the impressive performance of ballistics.
Conical bullets - notable for the highest penetration ability. The downside is not the best accuracy, which is explained by the specifics of the cone shape.
Bullets with expansive properties - popularly nicknamed unfolding cartridges due to specific properties. This format is characterized by a recess in the upper part of the projectile. Hitting the target, the cartridge turns to the side, which provides a large area of destruction of the target. Most popular among hunters. In practical situations, it will be used only at close range, since the bullet quickly loses speed at long distances. In terms of ballistics, it slightly outperforms the previous format of flat shells.On sale there are varieties with plastic inserts, which, as the developers assure, will help to cope with the speed shortcomings of the cartridge.
Bullets of an animated format - in their appearance, a similar format is similar to the format of cartridges for military weapons. Remarkable for speed. It is recommended to use this type of cartridge with more powerful rifles to ensure adequate projectile acceleration.
Bullets of a spherical format - popularly called "balls", in a professional environment "BB". The most popular format among buyers. These bullets perform best when paired with a smoothbore barrel. The number of letters "B" in the name indicates the dimensions of the shot.
Cartridges "BB" are made of steel coated with other metals that prevent corrosion, such as zinc or copper. The weight of the cartridge is small (on average 0.3 g), which does not save cartridges of similar shapes from the laws of aerodynamics. The best performance from bullets "BB" can be achieved in shooting at targets made of glass, since the steel core copes with this purpose better than other metals.
Caliber indicators in spherical bullets, reduced by 10 mm compared to the barrel diameter. The steel filling and copper coating make it impossible to shoot from guns with a rifled barrel. Otherwise, the gun barrel wears out much faster. Special cartridges from Gamo have been developed for barrels of this type, but these bullets are also intended only for certain models of rifles.
Bullets with light-noise properties - notable for the presence of an explosive charge inside the plastic base. Hitting the target, the flash-noise cartridge produces an explosion. The most popular are bullets of light-noise properties from the Russian manufacturer "Blik".Light-noise projectiles are not recommended to be used in conjunction with rapid-fire weapons, otherwise the manufacturer does not guarantee the safety of the plastic base during firing and premature explosion inside the rifle.
Bullets with armor-piercing power - are notable for the strongest main part. Shooting enthusiasts use these cartridges for recreational purposes (bottle shooting at short and medium distances).
Cap format bullets are notable for the reduced weight of the projectile (there are weights up to 0.2 g). Not the best option for sporting or hunting purposes. Professionals use these bullets to define the barrier in powerful guns.
Dart-format bullets are notable for their elongated shape. Made of plastic with a metal head. Used for hunting purposes.
It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with these characteristics of pneumatic bullets in advance before going to the store for a purchase. The cost of packaging cartridges of one format or another depends on the pricing policy of the manufacturer. It is recommended to choose the right name based on personal experience and preferences. A competent choice of projectile guarantees not only better shooting performance, but also a longer gun life.
Bullets from the manufacturer "Stalker" belong to the category of training cartridges. Use in recreational shooting is allowed. The body of the ammunition received a protective layer of copper. Such a coating is necessary in order to minimize friction, as well as to prevent rust. The shape of the bullet is round and monolithic, the recesses and deformations of the cartridge are excluded. Recommended for use exclusively with smoothbore types of guns. A unit of ammunition has dimensions equal to 4.5 mm in diameter.A standard can contains 500 pcs. cartridges.
Review:
“I have been using standard Stalker balls for several years now. Excellent bullets for practice shooting. An acceptable price tag for a pack of 500 bullets makes Stalker balls the most optimal for regular practice shooting. I recommend these bullets to beginners and those who want to practice shooting without spending a lot!”
Cartridges from the brand Asg are made of plastic to achieve greater range. The caliber of the unit is 4.5 mm. If we compare bullets of the plastic category with lead ones, we can note the superiority of the former in terms of speed, accuracy and average accuracy. The main advantages of this form are minimal trauma and the absence of ricochet, in addition, the plastic pellet breaks up into small fractions when it hits a solid object.
Review:
“I use these cartridges for training purposes, as they are less dangerous than lead ones. The absence of ricochet allows the use of bullets of this type at any distance. Would recommend to shooters interested in shooting safety!”
The Energetik Pellets series from the Stalker brand are cartridges made from lead using traditional technologies. The scope of the series includes hunting, since the caliber of such bullets is intended only for high-powered guns.The permissible firing distance is in the range from 15 to 50 m. The Energetik Pellets series belongs to the category of expansive cartridges equipped with a stopping action. The diameter of the unit is 4.5 mm with a weight of 0.85 g. The shape of the cartridge is spherical, the upper part is truncated.
Review:
“I use this series for hunting purposes. The cartridges show themselves perfectly. Long range shooting is impressive. I recommend the Energetik Pellets series to all lovers of hunting and long-range shooting.”
Cartridges from Gamo of the Round series are made of lead, the caliber is 4.5 mm with a unit weight of 0.53 g. The uniqueness of these pellets lies in the possibility of their use in conjunction with a gun with a rifled barrel. Shooters know the rule - cartridges of the “BB” format are unacceptable in conjunction with a rifled barrel, so the Gamo company invented a special subspecies of balls that can be used with such guns. It is allowed to use cartridges of the “Round” series for entertainment and professional purposes. Cartridges of this series cope with those targets that analogues of a flat format and even diabolos cannot cope with. A standard can holds 500 rounds of ammo.
Review:
“I have been using Round cartridges for almost a year. During this time, I have never been disappointed in them - bullets cope even with strong bottles. In addition, pellets from Gamo show excellent results at long distances.Would recommend to anyone involved in professional shooting!”
Fractional cartridges from Glacier are bullets made of steel, designed for use in conjunction with a smoothbore gun. The caliber of the bullet is 4.5 mm with the complete solidity of the unit and the balance of the whole structure in terms of weight and dimensions. Bullets from Glacier are universal in terms of interaction with weapons. These pellets show themselves perfectly both in conjunction with Russian guns, and with foreign ones. The greatest results are seen if you combine these cartridges with a gun from the Gletcher, since the developer designed the ammunition, first of all, for his own guns. The packaging of cartridges is a separate plus, as the manufacturer has thought through many points when loading the gun and equipped the can with a dispenser design for maximum comfort for the shooter. It is strongly not recommended to reload already shot shot, otherwise the manufacturer cannot guarantee the safety of the shooter.
Review:
“I've been using Gletcher shot for a long time and can give a strong recommendation. When choosing from fractional cartridges, you can hardly find anything more convenient than the packaging from Gletcher. The cartridges are suitable for hunting purposes. Would recommend to anyone looking for quality fractional ammo!”
The choice of suitable shells among a variety of names and purposes is not easy even for an experienced shooting enthusiast. The wide range of cartridges offered by today's airgun market has all kinds of cartridges for every occasion.A competent choice of projectile implies an early analysis of the most popular items, in addition, the buyer should firmly decide on the type of shooting before buying pellets.
Airguns are compatible with calibers:
The most popular cartridge format for air guns is "BB". It is worth considering that this format is appropriate for recreational shooting, but not suitable for sporting and hunting purposes. A beginner is advised to pay attention to the Crosman brand, which is famous for the quality of BB bullets.
A similar format of shells is considered by beginners as the cheapest alternative to lead cartridges, which is fundamentally wrong, because when using pellets of this format in guns that are not intended for it, the shooter will definitely encounter problems with the barrel, up to a complete breakdown. It is recommended to study the instructions for using the weapon in detail before loading it with ammunition. There are finicky guns that are compatible with strictly certain pellet formats.
Before purchasing a certain type of cartridges, it is recommended to think ahead about the scope of their application. For example:
There are many tips and instructions on the Internet for choosing the right airgun ammunition. While many of the recommendations are compelling and highly logical, selecting the most suitable bullets involves testing different bullets first hand. It is rarely possible to choose the most optimal type of pellets for a particular implement.Also, it is not recommended to write off misses when shooting with a gun - a well-aimed shooter will show impressive results regardless of the type of bullets.