Good Inexpensive 0.53 Gram Pellets?

[Gwhite]

I'm running low on my stash of Vogel pellets, and would like to find something cheaper for practice. I've studied a number of threads in the archives, and decided I would try RWS Hobby pellets. When I received them, I discovered that they are 0.7 gram weight, instead of the 0.53 grams I'm used to. With the heavier pellets, the tins also are too thick to work in the plastic clip I like to use to keep the lid on for transport.

I'm not sure how much of a difference the weight will make, but without some significant testing, I certainly don't think they can be considered an ideal practice replacement for the Vogels. The 0.7 grams weight represents over a 30% increase.

The orange tin Vogel "Practice" pellets are $8.50 a tin vs $5 a tin for "Hobby" (qty 5000), and I'm wondering if someone can recommend an economical middle ground in a 0.53 gram weight. I've found RWS Meisterkugeln "Heavy" .53g Pellets at Champion's Shooters Supply for $7.20, which is a step in the right direction.

Thanks!

[FredB]

Are you sure you read the label properly, or did you weigh them to determine that weight? Hobbys have always nominally weighed 7.0 grains, which IIRC is .50 grams. That is the lighter of the 2 "standard" target pellet weights. I weighed some once, and they actually came out a little lower weight than 7 grains. I would be very surprised if RWS has suddenly jumped the weight to .70 grams, which would be way above normal target pellet weight.

FredB

[hurt]

Pilkington had some junior practice pellets by the 4000 round bulk pack. They have worked well in my pistols, give them a call. Dwaine.

[Rover]

Another good RWS pellet is the Basic (7grains). It's even cheaper than the Hobby (6.9 grains), and in my testing was equally accurate (it could go either way). Both are lighter than you're presently using.

The pellet tins are fairly uniform in size. Are you sure you bought the right caliber (.177 or 4.5)?

I don't think you need concern yourself with the pellet weight; it won't make any difference in zero or performance.

[Gwhite]

Are you sure you read the label properly, or did you weigh them to determine that weight? Hobbys have always nominally weighed 7.0 grains, which IIRC is .50 grams. That is the lighter of the 2 "standard" target pellet weights. I weighed some once, and they actually came out a little lower weight than 7 grains. I would be very surprised if RWS has suddenly jumped the weight to .70 grams, which would be way above normal target pellet weight.

Bingo! I feel like an idiot. Yes, they are 7 grains, not 0.7 grams. I assumed they were heavier because the tin was A) packed full, and B) significantly taller than the Vogel tins, which I discovered when I tried to stuff it into my storage clip. I wonder why RWS decided to change the size of their tins all of a sudden? I haven't checked, but I assume they must have made them slightly smaller in diameter.

So, I'm all set for cheap practice pellets, as intended. Now I just need to deal with the clip issue. While checking out pellet prices, I found a note on Champion's web site about their pellet tin clips:

"Some of the 177cal RWS tins are slightly taller then the older tins which makes for a tight fit, there are two options to solve this problem 1) Empty new pellet tin into older/shorter pellet tin 2) Modify pellet tin safety box by continuing the 4 side notch cuts an additional 3/8" with hacksaw, it will now accept new tins."

I've got lots of Vogel tins, so I'll probably just use those.