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mod90 · Veteran Member

Does anyone here do 80-100 yard range shooting with .177 cal? Looking for tips/advice on taking up this type of challenge. Currently the AT44 slings a 10.65 grain H&N Barracuda pellet at about 1012 fps and I'm looking for an idea of how for I can stretch the range.
Any help would really be great. Thanx fellas.

rsterne · Moderator

You need to do some long range groups on a windless day and find out how different pellets group at different velocities.... Most pellets lose accuracy after about 900 fps, but testing is the only way to make sure....

Bob

mod90 · Veteran Member

Thanks for the info. I just thought I could stick with them because I get good groups with them out to about 50 yards. But I don't mind changing pellet selection. Also, do you think heavier pellets would be better? Maybe 14-16 grains? I know there's going to be some significant drop that'll effectively shorten the range (and require more hold over if nothing else). But do you think heavier ammo would be better suited to longer distances regarding accuracy?

Slavia · Moderator

I regularly shoot at a stainless pot lid at 100 yards. (Crosman .177 G1 with 10.5 grain Ultramags). I find the real challenge to be reading the wind - just a slight change and you'll be off by feet, not inches. That includes reading signs like puffs of dirt, leaf deflection, and even the flash of the pellet itself.

rsterne · Moderator

You want the best groups you can get, and then the best Ballistics Coefficient you can get to fight the wind.... Weight helps, but shape is even more important.... round nose are generally the best....

Bob

mod90 · Veteran Member

Now I'm learning a few things. First off, Slavia I'm just curious, what velocities do you get with that rifle?
And Bob please tell me, what do you mean when you say shape is more important than weight? Which do you believe would be better, a long round nosed diabolo pellet like the CPH, or one of those solid bullets like the Diana Rabbit Magnum? My gun shoots them both well, though the Diana's are a bit slower & drop somewhat faster.

I feel like I'm back at school Laughing

rsterne · Moderator

If you have a gun that shoots Rabbit Magnums well, you have a rare bird.... In terms of wind drift, BC is pretty much everything, except that if the BC is equal, higher velocity pays off....

Since I don't have a gun that will digest "bullets" I stick to CPHs, JSB Exact Heavies (or Monsters), or Baracuda/Kodiaks for long range work....

Bob

SMP · Silver Status Member

Mod

First off I gotta say I'm truly impressed that your trying really long range shooting with a smoothbore Smile

But in terms of pellet choice go with the heaviest highest BC you can get. Vertical drop is nothing to worry about. It's highly repeatable with very accurate results....think artillery shells, and mortars. Round nose weight forward pellets will give you the best results when your lobing them in.

Slavia · Moderator

DaveR · Member

I've taken up long range shooting with both a .177 Benjamin and a .22 Beeman, and the best pellet I've found for 75-100 yards are RWS Superdomes. I tried A LOT of different pellets and the SuperDomes are the best. Consistent 2 1/2" groups at 100 yrds with the .22, and 4-5" groups at 100 yrds with the .177.

Breathing, consistent hold and trigger pull become incredibly important at these distances with an air rifle. Good Luck, and hopefully this is somewhat helpful.