250Z Barra 250z .22 and Pellets

[Billm]

I’ve been shooting mostly .22 slugs at 100yds with my 250z. It does pretty good with most slugs from most brands (4 brands tried) at weights between 21and 27 grains. I’m going to move back to pellets now. I’ve tried several brands between 15gr and 35gr. My rifle seems to like between 21.5 and 25.39gr. What I found interesting today was that the JSB 25.39gr Jumbo Monster are faster than the JTS Dead Center 21.53gr Take Down pellets. Not by much avg +2fps. Both group really well. This rifle has a lot of potential. The 250z is accurate out of the box and the Standard Deviation I am getting is 2fps on average. I’ve removed the tuning that I applied for slugs and increased the regulator pressure to about 2100psi. I got 48 shots today, only seeing a slight pressure drop on the 39th shot. It was launching the 21.5 JTS pellets At an average velocity of 976fps standard deviation 1.5fps, 45.5 Ft-Lb. The JSB JM 25.39 were flying at an average of 977.6fps, SD 3.5fps with an average energy of 53.9 Ft-lb. I’m guessing the BC is the explanation for the heavier pellet.ive owned this rifle about 3 months and have gone through 17 tins of pellets and slugs. I would really like to hear what other Barra 250z shooters are experiencing with various pellets? My groups are decent at 50 yds, now I’m going to vary the velocity to try and tighten up the groups. The wind and my skills are probably a bigger factor.

 

[Pumacarl]

Your gun really has a different character set than mine, as far as what you can get out of it at different regulator pressures. I was just getting ready to post a little about my shooting this weekend when I saw your post. I did not have a good time with it. I am not exactly sure what is going on yet, so I don't want to lay blame anywhere just yet.

I tried three different slugs (that makes 9 slugs, 2 pellet types so far, if you're keeping track), all NSA; 20.2 .217, 23gr .2175, 24.8gr .2175. The speeds were 992, 953, 920fps at 50-55 degrees. My reg is at 2450psi. I was shooting at 53y. On this day, I decided to use my Ronin to keep things quiet. I started light and the group was not good so I went to the 23gr. Another terrible group. So, after muttering wtf, I took the Ronin off and shot again. A much better, but not great group, probably an 1.25". I put the STO Levitas back on and that doesn't seem to effect group sizes so I left that on. Now I tried the 24.8gr and they shot about the same as the 23gr, sometimes better. So I got the AEA 21.9gr pellets out (973fps) and tried those. They would shoot well for a couple and then throw one. There was some wind, and it was steady enough that I was going to dial windage and wait for a constant speed. Trying that I was noticing that I don't think the windage on my scope was tracking correctly, so the whole day was pretty much a waste of time it seemed. ( I am going to put my 16x SWFA on it for all further testing.)

Any ways after all that, I decided to just have fun and check zero on my other PCPs using my tripod and shooting reaction targets at 95y. After doing that, I got the Barra back out to try at distance, shooting the 24.8gr slugs, and to my surprise it shot very well. I would never have thought it would shoot so well, considering how it shot at 53y. Didn't make any sense really. I'll need nicer weather and a better scope for conclusive results.

 

[Billm]

I’m struggling with consistency. I had no wind for about an hour this morning. I filled the rifle and set the reg to about 1500-1600psi. I decided to shoot JSB 25.39gr JM’s at 50yds. I shot groups that were relatively tight at the initial psi at around 865 fps. I gradually increased the psi to about 2000 psi and an average velocity of 905fps. I think the higher speed helped. I keep getting wild fliers that are as much as 6” off. I don’t think that I’m pulling them and the rifle is on a rest. I’ve never tried sorting pellets, until I started messing with slugs. I’ve noticed the JTS Dead Center Pellets have a more consistent standard deviation than the JSB. I weighed about twenty random JST pellets and they were identical to .1gr. I need better scales. But, back to the consistency: I can’t get a series of groups where I can track my changes. The wind kicks my butt. I have a cheap wax station that logs the wind. I average 18 hours of variable winds at 5-10 mph. Even though I’ve been shooting for years, shooting 100yd center fire at 3000fos+, I never really bothered to learn wind dope lol. I have a lot to learn with these PCP’s. I noticed the 250z barrel rubs the stock in several places. My traditional thoughts tell me that is a no-no for accuracy. But, then how does a barrel wrapped in a pressure tank fit into the realm of free-floating vs bedded barrels? As we’ve both said, this Barra for some reason keeps me wanting to try and do more with it. I’m thinking of polishing the barrel, but I’m not sure if it will help or hinder. I think I’ve narrowed my next purchase down to either the Ghost or an Impact M4.

 

[Pumacarl]

Ghost with a SubMOA barrel would be my choice.

For the 250z, I understand your point on the stock fit. I thought about that when I bedded the end of my stock. It was a 'dead bed' no pressure job. I would think that if yours has any pressure when taking it out of the stock, I would sand the area touching until there was no resistance.

The wind is tough, and a great equalizer. It doesn't surprise me at all that the best shooter at EBR hails from Patagonia, the wind never stops down there. Still, I think that you are experiencing the same problem as everyone else with the 25gr JSB, I would not use that specific pellet.

 

[Cantona256]

I have mine in .25 cal and tbh I have not struggled with it. I tried pellets once and it hated them. It generally likes most slugs I put on it. I was concerned with the power I was getting until I realized I was as chrono-ing in 35° weather LOL…. With my current settings of reg at 2800 with the Rogue Air slug power kit I’ve gone up to 40gr slugs. In cold weather the lighter ones do better. The other night in 70° weather it was getting loads of fliers until I put the heavier slugs in… 34-38 gr is probably the sweet spot without modifying the block, which I’m 100% gonna do eventually. My shot count at current settings is like 15-20 which isn’t ideal. My goal is to open up the block so I can shoot between 40-44gr slugs at around 930 to 950 with the reg at or below 2500psi. That being said in cold weather it only launches the 34grs at around 850fps but the accuracy was no issue

 

[CTAirgunner]

I think that you are experiencing the same problem as everyone else with the 25gr JSB, I would not use that specific pellet.

This, these pellets went down the shitter and even I didn't heed everyones warning. Wasted a ton on them.

Guys are saying the 22 gr .22 cal pellet offerings are shooting really really well though, so that is promising.

 

[Billm]

Yes, I’ve been shooting JSB and JTS 21. mostly now. Now, that I’ve been shooting my new-to-me Ghost .25, I realize just how much the wind is impacting my groups.

 

[Pumacarl]

Yes, I’ve been shooting JSB and JTS 21. mostly now. Now, that I’ve been shooting my new-to-me Ghost .25, I realize just how much the wind is impacting my groups.

I found the winner today, quick and dirty, Zan 23gr .217 reg 2450psi speed 925fps. A fun day! Going to post the whole story over in my "Working On It" thread.