Which airgun pellets to buy, pellets or slugs?

The air rifle shooter today is faced with the following luxury: pellets or slugs? As a proud owner of an air rifle, we can understand that this difference is not always clear, and whether it is possible to shoot with slugs with your weapon. Up front, you can shoot pellets with any rifle, but by no means can you shoot slugs with any rifle. The two types of ammunition will help you improve your shooting experience based on your preferences, wants, desires and shooting type. Both air rifle pellets and slugs have their unique characteristics, each meeting specific needs and preferences. In this blog, we’ll dive into the differences between these projectiles, hopefully making it a little clearer what factors influence accuracy, power and application.

Design and structure

The most striking difference lies in the design and structure of air-bellied pellets and slugs. Pellets typically have a diabolo-like shape, characterized by a hollowed-out edge at the base and a pointed or rounded head. This design offers more stability in flight, making them ideal for precision. Slugs, on the other hand, have a more elongated and streamlined shape, resembling traditional firearms ammunition. This design improves their ballistic performance and energy transfer on impact, making slugs an attractive choice for those who desire this combination.

Accuracy and range

Pellets are known for their accuracy, especially at shorter distances. The shape stabilizes the pellet in flight, reduces drag and promotes a predictable trajectory that is both accurate and fast. This makes pellets an excellent choice for shooting competitions, match shooting and field shooting. Slugs, with their streamlined design, excel in accuracy over longer distances. The greater mass and ballistic coefficient contribute to better energy conservation, allowing slugs to maintain their accuracy over longer distances. Making them suitable for hunting and larger shooting challenges.

So how does that happen?

That then is mainly the key question, the two factors being, as mentioned, weight and ballistic coefficient. First, slugs are generally longer and therefore heavier. Second, they have lower drag. Especially at distances above 50 meters, this becomes evident! Due to the lower air resistance of the slugs, the slug ‘brakes’ less quickly, thus maintaining its speed longer, so less energy loss, which at the same time results in a less curved bullet trajectory. So a double advantage, energy savings and a flatter trajectory.

Strength and penetration

So when it comes to power and penetration, slugs take the lead. As mentioned, the greater mass and streamlined shape result in higher kinetic energy and a flatter trajectory, bringing long-range shooting almost literally “closer”! Pellets, while not as powerful, are still formidable within their range and are often preferred for their precision in scenarios where projectiles with such energy are an issue, or where speed and accuracy are most crucial, such as in competitive or shooting competitions.

Versatility of pellets and slugs

The versatility of pellets versus slugs is another crucial consideration. Pellets, with their diverse designs, are suitable for a broad spectrum of shooting activities, from target practice to pest control. Slugs, with their emphasis on power and range, are well suited for long range applications where power and flat trajectory are paramount. Your choice between pellets and slugs ultimately depends on your shooting preferences and intended use.
In the dynamic world of air rifles, the choice between pellets and slugs is a matter of balancing accuracy, power and application. Whether you lean toward the precision of pellets for target practice or opt for slugs, understanding these nuances enhances your skill as an air rifle enthusiast.

Are pellets and slugs suitable for every air rifle?

Finally, very important still to know, by no means every air rifle is suitable for slugs. The conventional air rifle is usually only suitable for pellets. If you switch to slugs with your PCP, make sure to check if your rifle is suitable for them! The next step is to look for the right bullet weight and maybe your weapon can be tuned to get more out of it. At Wapenhandel Colenbrander you can answer these questions, also for the tuning (FX specialist!) of guns, the combination with night vision and much more you can contact us! Take a look at our range of airgun pellets in our webshop.