Types of pellets

Wadcutter
A wadcutter has a flat nose and cuts a perfect circle in target paper. Its used exclusively in 10-meter
competition. It is well-suited for lower-velocity airguns and for hunting at short ranges (out to 25
yards). Beyond 25 yards, a wadcutters accuracy starts falling off. Some other pellet types, such as
the Beeman Ram Point and the RWS Super-H-Point, incorporate the wadcutter shape in different
types of pellets (domes and hollowpoints).

A wadcutter has a flat nose. Left to right: Gamo Match, H&N Finale Match and RWS R10 Match. All
are .177.
Domed
A domed or round-nosed pellet is just what it sounds like. They have the best aerodynamics and are
used in field target, hunting and general shooting. Suitable for guns of all power levels.

Domed pellets come in all shapes and sizes. From the left are Crosman Premier 7.9-grain, JSB
Diabolo Exact 10.2-grain and Eley Wasps. All are .177.
Hollowpoint
Once again, the name tells the story, except that there are many variations on the hollowpoint
theme. The purpose is rapid expansion in game, and this is a 100 percent hunting pellet. Accuracy
usually drops off after 25 yards if the hollowpoint is an effective expanding pellet. Those that dont
expand usually perform better at long ranges.

Hollowpoints are designed for rapid expansion in game. From the left are RWS Super-H-Point, JSB
Predator and the Beeman Crow magnum. RWS and JSB are .177, Beeman is .22.
Pointed pellet
Designed for the best penetration. To most eyes, pointed pellets look streamlined. At the ideal
subsonic velocities at which airguns operate, this shape offers no advantage. Usually, a pointed
pellet is not quite as accurate as a domed pellet at long range.
 Pointed pellets are for penetration. The rings on the Beeman Silver Jet do nothing for performance.
From the left are the Daisy Precision Max Pointed, RWS Superpoint and the Beeman Silver Jet. All
are .22.
Round lead ball
A round lead ball is a superior penetrator and can be very accurate in some guns. Because it is a
bore-sized projectile, it is safe to use in most airguns. Repeaters may have problems with the round
lead ball, except those designed for it, such as the Drozd submachine gun. Round lead balls can
also be used in some vintage BB guns. Because it is a sphere, there is no choosing of weights. A .
177 ball weighs 8.1 grains and a .22 ball weighs 15.1 grains. Variations due to surface plating are
usually within two-tenths of a grain.

A ball is a ball! Great for penetration. From the left we have Gamo round ball, Beeman Perfect
Round and the Lobo round ball. Gamo and Beeman are .177. Lobo is .22.
Novelty pellets
Theres always something different out there, and you will encounter some strange pellets. I lump
them into a novelty category and seldom use them for anything.