Washing pellets

[CaribouHunter]

I'm just curious if any one has tried Lee's Liquid Alox? It is designed to lubricate lead bullets. I have some for my pistols, i will do up a batch for my Springer...

 

[big boar]

What are you going to cut the ALOX lube with? Varsol.....Acetone?????? It's pretty thick stuff.

 

[grauhanen]

All pellets come from the factory with some lube, just as do .22LR bullets. If it's washed off, it should be replaced. Changing the lubricant doesn't change the pellet itself.

At the same time, if improving accuracy is the goal better results can be achieved by sorting pellets for inconsistent shape caused by damage. Other sorting can be done for head size -- which can be done with a pellet head size gauge (see, for example, h t t p s://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2015/05/testing-the-177-pelletgage-part-1/).

 

[big boar]

Do any top level shooters sort for size or do they just buy VERY pricey pellets that are already sorted???

 

[grauhanen]

Serious shooters who shoot air rifle and air pistol at 10 meters (the standard distance) buy top grade pellets in the head size that shoots best. They shoot .177 caliber rifles and pistols and use flat nose pellets, which punch clean, easier to score holes.

For other shooters who shoot in other competitions or none at all, don't have the variety of pellets from which to choose. They usually shoot longer distances and flat nose pellets are not as suitable. While .177 pellets are usually available in greater variety in terms of shape, weight, and head size, longer distance shooters usually prefer heavier pellets associated with larger calibers, such as .22 and larger -- .25 and .30. Increasing numbers of shooters are turning to cast slugs, which can be made for larger caliber air rifles, especially for powerful PCP's which can shoot them accurately over greater distances than the typical diablo pellet.

 

[easyrider604]

Anyone wash and lube their pellets? I decided to give it a shot, mainly to reduce my possible exposure to lead dust and also to make them cleaner to handle. Some people say it aids in accuracy and makes the barrel easier to clean. 2 tins of pellets washed, dried and waiting to be lubed in this pic. I'm using Pledge sprayed onto some paper towel in a box to roll the pellets around on to lube them.

Sounds like a good idea. I’ve got tins from 30 + years ago that have whitish powder looking residue on them that is probably lead oxide. They still shoot well. In fact better than or equal to JSBs, depending on the rifle. Thnx for the idea of washing and lubing them with Pledge.

 

[KDX]

This is what was left in the bottom of the bowl from washing 1 tin of .25cal JSBs. I likely poured more off when I was draining the water out of the bowl.

.25cal is a lot easier to handle than .177cal

 

[thegazelle]

Sounds like a good idea. I’ve got tins from 30 + years ago that have whitish powder looking residue on them that is probably lead oxide. They still shoot well. In fact better than or equal to JSBs, depending on the rifle. Thnx for the idea of washing and lubing them with Pledge.

That is good to know that pellets can last that long. I know they are relatively cheap - I like the washing idea - especially for prolonged storage. Some brands seem to be much more "dustier" than others.

 

[bigHUN]

Ultrasonic cleaner + there are several liquids in bigger bottles to make the washing more economical (like Mr Clean or Simple Green or Mean Green);
drying;
sorting by weight and head size;
Lemon Pledge;
barrel polishing with carnauba wax;
Did I missed something in between steps?

oh, ya, a nice winter project only!