Ammunition

The Fuel for Your Rifle: Choosing the Right Projectile

Ammunition is the consumable component that ultimately determines your success in the field or on the range. The two primary types of ammunition for modern PCP airguns are pellets and slugs. While they may look similar, they are designed for very different performance envelopes. Understanding their strengths and weaknesses is key to unlocking the full potential of your air rifle.

Airgun Pellets: The Standard for Accuracy and Versatility

The traditional diabolo pellet has been the standard for airguns for decades for good reason. Its unique wasp-waisted shape and flared skirt create aerodynamic stability, allowing for exceptional accuracy, especially at subsonic speeds[10]. Pellets are the ideal choice for:

• Target Shooting: The inherent stability of pellets makes them the top choice for punching tight groups on paper[4].
• All-Purpose Plinking: Pellets are versatile and perform well in a wide variety of air rifles[13].
• Low-to-Medium Power Hunting: Different pellet shapes, like hollow points or pointed tips, offer specialized performance for hunting small game[8].

We stock a wide variety of pellets in all popular calibers, from lightweight .177 for target practice to heavy .357 for more powerful applications[3].

Airgun Slugs: The Choice for Maximum Power and Range

For shooters with high-power PCP airguns, slugs represent the next evolution in performance. Unlike pellets, slugs are shaped more like a traditional bullet and are designed to be stabilized by the spin of a rifled barrel[9]. This design gives them several key advantages:

• Higher Ballistic Coefficient: Slugs are more aerodynamic than pellets, meaning they lose less velocity and energy over long distances and are less affected by wind[9].
• Devastating Terminal Performance: Because they carry more weight and energy downrange, slugs deliver significantly more impact power, making them the superior choice for hunting medium to large game[12].
• Long-Range Precision: In a rifle tuned for them, slugs can achieve incredible accuracy at distances of 100 yards and beyond.

Slugs require a powerful PCP rifle to be stabilized properly, making them a perfect match for the high-performance airguns made by AEA[9]. They are the go-to choice for long-range hunters and precision shooters looking to push the limits of what an airgun can do.