There is one type of pellets, the alloy pellets, which are separate from the typical lead pellets
Let's take a look at some of them from the most famous brands.
A few pellets used for their light weight and "lead free" composition or simply because we don't want to pollute the environment with lead.
Bullets used for their light weight and "lead free" composition or simply because we don't want to pollute the environment with lead.
By searching the internet we can find many different opinions on the subject and they are very mixed and varied. Many people choose alloy pellets because they are cheaper, they are more accurate, because they give more energy and speed with lower power carbines and a long etc... But then there are other people who say that they can damage the rifled barrel of their air rifle.
It is known and logical, that shooting an empty carbine without lead shot is bad for its components, as it needs a certain resistance to fire in order not to damage the spring, piston or other propulsion system. And the same can happen with alloy pellets as they are very light (compared to traditional lead). However, let's take a look at all these unknowns.
H&N for example, claim that their alloy pellets, the GREEN series are made with tin, and many people who have tested them, say they are just as accurate as lead and accuracy is not affected.
In H&N we find the Field Target Trophy Green and the Baracuda Green, lead-free, lightweight with exceptional accuracy made with a special tin alloy.
In the Gamo brand, they have the PBA Armor, lead-free with a steel sphere, the Platinum, lead-free, created to have 30% more speed, the Raptor, golden colour and 25% more speed and high precision.
In RWS we find the Hypermax pellets, 0.34 g is a lead-free, ultra-light, high velocity pellet with a high degree of accuracy and performance, ideal for Field Target competitions.
Shooting test with alloy pellets
We have tested the alloy pellets and show you the picture below. The first column, from left to right, Gamo PBA Armor, H&N. The second column, from left to right, Gamo Platinum, Gamo PBA Raptor, RWS Hypermax.
Gamo Coyote Whisper PCP 4.5mm
Distance: 15 metres
BSA 3-9x40mm scope
Conclusion
As we can see, there are different results on the targets. The rifle scope and the carbine have been centred with Gamo Match pellets and of course, when using different pellets of different weights, the centring goes. However, we can check the penetration perfectly and we can see that they make excellent groupings. The best, at this distance for us, is the Gamo PBA Armor and then the H&N.
