Washing VS Leave the pellets alone

[Ed T]

I hear that the newer, better quality pellets don’t need to be cleaned, and that the companies coat them with anti corrosive and perhaps??? Some type of dry lube. So washing them would not be a good idea. How about just hand tumbling in a cloth to remove some debris and dust as an alternative?

 

[Hateful McNasty]

Maybe... It's a lot of personal preference what you find best for you thing as well. I tumble ( wash, dry,lube) cphp .177 and feel I get that extra out of them . I do see tighter and less flyer results from that .. next guy may not see any benefits at all ..

 

[FL22]

I hear that the newer, better quality pellets don’t need to be cleaned, and that the companies coat them with anti corrosive and perhaps??? Some type of dry lube. So washing them would not be a good idea. How about just hand tumbling in a cloth to remove some debris and dust as an alternative?

Well, if you see something, I’m sure it would be a good idea. It certainly can’t hurt. Just like hateful was looking at some photos I posted different thread. He could see some material in the skirts of the pellets. I guess I should probably put my readers on whenever I’m opening in a new can but I just get so excited and want to go shooting.

 

[ctshooter]

I've had mixed results with washing/lubing.

For me JSB always seems to shoot a little bit tighter groups when I give them a wash with a good degreasing dish soap like Dawn and then lube with Pledge. (and they smell nice and lemony too......) Weight sorting helps even more.

H&N I always shoot out of the tin. Crosman, Benjamin, etc seem okay out of the tin.

I don't have enough time and distance shooting with the JTS to know either way.

 

[Blue Dog]

My FX 700mm barrel has never been cleaned so I decided to “wash” a tin of JSB’s just to see what came out. Wow! I can only imagine how much lead has built up in my barrel after three years and over 12,000 pellets have traveled through it.
Formula:
Wash in strainer with Dawn. Let air dry naturally for an hour or so. “Lightly” mist with mixture of 2ozs of 91% alcohol and ten drops of 100% PURE silicone oil. Wipe out tin and return pellets.
The alcohol is simply a propellant and will evaporate quickly. The silicone oil should help with future lead buildup and the lubricity of the seals.
I found zero change in POI after the process.
*Here’s a look at lead debris from one tin of washing:

 

[hameditor]

That's why we always include a "Dirtiness" section in our Hard Air Magazine pellet test reviews. Airgun Pellet Test Reviews Archives - Hard Air Magazine

 

[guidodg]

I roll an entire tin of pellets around on a very oily cloth soaked in Ballistol...done

 

[Waytoomany]

I roll an entire tin of pellets around on a very oily cloth soaked in Ballistol...done

Have you shot these Ballistol lubed pellets in springers?

Waytoomany

 

[guidodg]

I do not own springers anymore but when I did I shot thousands of pellets lubed with FP10 in springers with excellent results

 

[Waytoomany]

I do not own springers anymore but when I did I shot thousands of pellets lubed with FP10 in springers with excellent results

I think FP-10 has a very high flash point of about 365 degrees Fahrenheit. If Ballistol, which I love for cleaning, has a low flash point, springer shooters may be inviting detonation.

Waytoomany

 

[guidodg]

I doubt the minuscule amount of oil on the skirt of the pellet will detonate

Obviously in the piston chamber it would be a no- no…. but maybe just avoid it for springer pellet lube

 

[Scriv]

Never washed a pellet, lubed with Napier for PCP, run 'em dry in the springers. Also run them dry in the Walther LP 500.