Great price on Crosman .177 HP pellets

[dverna]

As posted previously, I have embraced PCP shooting to provide cheap trigger time and conserve components. Seemed wasteful to use $100/k primers to plink with.

I just ordered 10 tins to augment the 20 tins I already have.

Here is the link. If the mods delete the link (not sure of the rules), just go to Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002DM0ZIU...hk_typ_imgToDp

$6/500 delivered is a very good price IMO. Lots of fun/$.

15k primers valued at $1500, add in powder $350, and home cast pistol bullets $350 (alloy) and I am pushing over $2200 for 15k rounds of pistol plinking ammunition. Cost for PCP shooting, $200. Our two Crosman 1701P's (his and hers) with Sig Romeo 5's cost under $1000. Groups are 1/8" at 10 yards. Have not tested at 25 yards (too damn cold) but expect about an 1".

Time for me to cast and lube 15k bullets is 40-45 hours. Time to reload 15k rounds is 20-25 hours. 65 hours to make 15K rounds of plinking ammunition. Time to order 15k pellets...

After more than a year of primer/powder shortages, and high prices, I am blessed that the challenge to keep shooting economically has worked out for us. It is unlikely I would ever have bought PCPs otherwise. The four PCP guns and other stuff were paid for by selling primers, powder and factory ammunition we had "hoarded" to those who needed them more than we did.

[Buzz Krumhunger]

I just ordered 5 tins of the.22 cal pellets which are also on sale. Thanks!

[Outer Rondacker]

Ok so I saw this thread and after reading all the posts I have decided to rebuild my Disco. It has been in parts for a few years with a chipped valve. So I am ordering the parts to bring it back to life. Some pellets too. Thanks guys .

Now I just need a pump since I used to use my scuba tanks to fill it and no longer dive for the uncle sam.

[dverna]

Ok so I saw this thread and after reading all the posts I have decided to rebuild my Disco. It has been in parts for a few years with a chipped valve. So I am ordering the parts to bring it back to life. Some pellets too. Thanks guys .

Now I just need a pump since I used to use my scuba tanks to fill it and no longer dive for the uncle sam.

Great!!!

Part of me says...."Don't spread the word about PCP's because that will reduce supplies and drive up prices". Then the better part of me (I am not sure a have a good part LOL) says, "Folks who want to shoot need to realize there are great options for cheap trigger time".

We used to able to buy a brick of .22's at K-mart and shoot with the kids all weekend. Not so affordable now with .22's near $50/brick.

[georgerkahn]

Thanks for the headsup! I just ordered and have coming 3,000. (As a btw for .20 shooters -- .20 caliber has become quite scarce -- Midway has some great stuff (imho) H&N Field Target Trophy Air Gun Pellets 20 Caliber 11.42 Grain 5mm Head-Size Domed Tin of 500 at $16.99 USD -- also with free shipping with orders at or greater than $49.00 USD. Higher than the .177, but at a fraction of what some are hoping to get for it. It comes out to about 3 cents a pellet.)
geo

[chutesnreloads]

Yep, and no range fees or gas money shooting in the back yard and no ear plugs or muffs

[georgerkahn]

Yep, and no range fees or gas money shooting in the back yard and no ear plugs or muffs

Perhaps for you, as well as I am certain many others. However, for me, I played in too many bands for too many years -- with my piano generally stationed with the electric bass to my left and drumset to the right. Hence, what little hearing I have left -- I wear muffs while shooting my airguns.
Also -- I live in a municipality where I suspect a spit-ball might get one in trouble ;( -- arrow, darts, pellets, and anything coming out of a powder-fired barrel being more than a no-no.
On the other hand, I do have a camp where I may (and do) shoot (air guns) to my heart's content. Vis mileage, it is about two miles more distant than one range I'm a member of; but, about ten miles closer than the other.
Not "a free lunch" for me...
I envy you and others who may discharge airguns in their back yards!
geo

[GhostHawk]

I had actually just got 4 tins of .177 to feed that new Winchester 1100s break barrel.
Thought about 4 more and decided I really did not need them at this point.

I will agree with the new higher prices for primers, powder, brass, and even lead is inching up.
Whole lot easier to keep your shooting eye in shape with an air rifle.
Plus I can shoot those in the basement. No hauling bags of gear, no getting dressed for sub zero temps, no driving on snow covered roads.

Just walk down the stairs, turn on the lights, hang a target. Shoot, turn out the lights and walk up the stairs.

And best of all, no one else knows.

[Smoke4320]

went the PCP route in the previous shortage of components then kind of let it die.
Revisited it this time and went whole hog in Hi end PCP rifles and I must say highly impressed.
extremely accurate Out to 200 yds even
For a deer/hog hunting gun the Airforce Texan with a Maddog stock is a deadly combo
for long range target shooting the FX Maverick or FX Impact is the bees knees.
As a Bonus I cast slugs for all these guns so Projectiles are cheap and custom sized for MY guns
If you have not looked at PCP guns you don't know what you are missing

[LenH]

I haven't crossed over to the PCP world, yet. I have two springers in .177. I have a Diana 430L and it shoots great and I have a Weihrauch HW50. The Diana was about half the price
of the HW50 and shoots a bit harder. I have a pile of pellets and can shoot either of these for a couple of dollars for an outing. That usually last until I get tired of cocking those
things which is a 2 or 3 hundred shots.

[Daekar]

I have a springer which I mess with on occasion, sounds like in the future I will need to invest in a PCP. Bought a few tins of the 177 HPs, thanks for the heads up!

[georgerkahn]

I have a springer which I mess with on occasion, sounds like in the future I will need to invest in a PCP. Bought a few tins of the 177 HPs, thanks for the heads up!

I question "need" vis a PCP . Albeit I have both PCP pistols and rifles -- I have not -- nor do I ever intend to -- get rid of any springers. Fifty years ago or so I bought an el cheapo springer from a medium-box (they didn't have big box, yet) store, and it was not one I chose to ever shoot, On the other hand, fast forward twenty or so years and a (music teacher) colleague of mine bought a new Beeman. I was immediately impressed, and then some!
Springers have every bit as much of a challenge as a PCP. And, vice-versa. With the PCP, via a pump, SCBA tank, or a compressor you need air. For the springer, you need a bit of muscle. (I induce spring pneumatics here -- e.g., the Beeman P2). Neither is a "free lunch"!
What I am most friendly suggesting is that junk of any style is.... junk! However, to my way of thinking, my Weihrauch and Beeman springers are every bit as fine an airgun as most PCPs I have! For kicks, check out Airguns of Arizona and Pyramid Air re prices on these -- most all hovering about $500.00 USD! Definitely not junk!
(My two pennies on the subject )
geo

[igolfat8]

As a Bonus I cast slugs for all these guns so Projectiles are cheap and custom sized for MY guns
If you have not looked at PCP guns you don't know what you are missing

Out of curiosity, Are you powder coating your slugs or just shooting bare or lube lead slugs?

[Outer Rondacker]

As a Bonus I cast slugs for all these guns so Projectiles are cheap and custom sized for MY guns
If you have not looked at PCP guns you don't know what you are missing

What calibers are you casting for? Do you know a good forum to us these days?

[dverna]

OR,

I have spent some time on Gateway to Airguns.

[igolfat8]

What calibers are you casting for? Do you know a good forum to us these days?

I'm only casting for .30 cal. I spend the majority of my time on the AirGun Nation forum.

[Outer Rondacker]

OR,

I have spent some time on Gateway to Airguns.

Thanks I will check them out.

I'm only casting for .30 cal. I spend the majority of my time on the AirGun Nation forum.

Igolfat8, May I ask what gun you are shooting and what you might be using it for. If you do not wish to share here you can PM me. I am looking into hunting small game and pests. I have a heavily modified Disco in .22 but would like to update a bit. Shot count is not so good although it is a tac driver. I do not feel I want a .25 cal as pellets are pricey and I am looking to cast to keep shooting this air gun almost free in price. I will check out the website. Thanks

Sorry guys we have well I have taken us way off topic here.

[dverna]

Outer Rondacker,

Do a lot of research before going down the pellet/slug casting rabbit hole. I did and it was not encouraging.

Barrels that shoot pellets well do not normally shoot slugs well. Here is an article of interest.

https://hardairmagazine.com/news/air...of-the-future/

Even with high quality commercial pellets/slugs, some barrels will "like" one design and shoot another into a group twice as large. You have no way to know if the mold you select will give you a projectile your gun "likes".

IMO anyone casting .177 or .22 caliber pellets is doing it for the love of making their own. They cannot make a "better" pellet and they will spend a lot of time at it. Maybe I got lucky, but both my guns like the cheap ($6.24/500) Crosman .22 14.3 gr pellets. (I averaged .77" at 50 yards for 45 five shot groups with the Daystate Hunstman Regal...a $1000 PCP.) I bought 28 tins Crosman's for $175 over the last few months on Amazon, and with the help of Ghosthawk during the sale. A 4 cavity pellet mold from NOE is over $150. It would take about 25-30 hours of "fun time" for me cast 14k pellets that would likely shoot as well as the worst pellets I can buy. And I would need $40 of lead. Seemed silly to me...but I have no love for casting or wasting time.

Casting might make sense for larger calibers in terms of economics. .30 cal pellets are $18/150. I have never seen enough groups reported to justify the adjective "accurate" using cast air gun projectiles. The reality is not many casters can produce a 2 MOA bullet without weigh sorting. I cannot do it, but I am a poor caster...or maybe I do not discount "fliers"...LOL.

Hunting with big bore air guns is a swimming pool that does not attract me. I am interested in what others are doing "in the deep end", but for me air guns are for cheap shooting fun. About the only killing I will do is squirrels and chipmunks that are pests. .22 PCP's are enough for that.

[Outer Rondacker]

Funny you say you got lucky on the Crossman .22 pellets. I feel the same way. I have tried more tins of pellets then I would like to admit and Crossman HP cheapies is the ticket. Kills just fine but I was hoping to upgrade. I have owned it for many moons. Honestly the FX bug is getting under my skin then I learn the rifles cost more then most of my real guns fully decked out. I dont mind buying pellets but the .30 stuff is pricey. Like you said. I am reading more and more. Once again no shops to learn from in my area. Closest one is four-five hours away. Thanks for the help.

[chutesnreloads]

If you go the FX route, they make barrels for both slugs and pellets. Seems to me, if spending that much on an air rifle, why not have
both a slug and pellet barrel for it.
Some really good hunting videos from South Africa and excellent information on shooting slugs if you do a Youtube search
on a guy named Matt Dubber.