I'm considering lead buckshot that can be used for "other" purposes. Can a .180" round ball be shot out of a .177 spring piston air gun? I know I have seen something similar explicitly for use in air rifles and I figure this is all pretty much the same.

Dave Sinko

I would think that a ball .003 over size would screw a quality air rifle up, blown seals, leaded bore and maybe worse. I have an 70's era 225 Anshultz(sp). Pellets aren't that pricey so pick up a 1000 mixed types and see what shoots best. I told my sons, that if I caught them shooting BB's out of the pellet rifle, I'd spank (read that BEAT) their butts until I couldn't sit down. I came home from work one day and my oldest son and his best friend were shooting the pellet gun in the back yard. They were shooting clay pidgins, prone. I laid down with them and took a turn... hit dead center then put 6 more in the same hole- I'm pleased with myself. they start laughing saying the objective is to break the clays and I failed. So I shot one shot a the last 6 clays we had and broke them each with that one shot, and told the it was foolish to poke an old bear. Ivan

Pelets are cheap they have a skirt which flares to seal the pellet to the bore. using less energy to push the pellet out the barrel as Iva The Butcher stated you run the risk of wearing out parts that do not need the extra strain put on them by using a solid projectile. About $8 per 500 rounds isn't worth paying to fix or replace a pellet gun. this would be my opion also but here is some reading... Now these are round shot made for .177 cal pellet guns not lead buckshot of different caliber. I do not make any claim as to making these test just posting where you can read this copyrighted information on PyramydAir website which I hope I'm not infringing on copy righted materials as I'm not placing any of their information here just telling where to read it.


How do pellets perform compared to round balls?

By Tom Gaylord
exclusively for PyramydAir.com. © Copyright 2003 All Rights Reserved
How do pellets perform compared to round balls

Interesting article. But what is the actual measured diameter of a Gamo .177 lead BB? Is a .180" round ball oversize enough that it's a bad thing?

Dave Sinko

Size #BB is not buckshot, it's birdshot. Used for large birds, geese, swans, spotted owls, bald eagles, etc.

Just for the heck of it I pulled out a pack of Daisy Steel BBs that I use in my 40 year old Daisy Model 25 spring piston BB gun, and my calipers. They measure .172. I believe the muzzle velocity on my old Daisy is around 400 ft/sec. I would not try to force a heavier and larger lead projectile down the tube of my cherished Daisy.

Attached Images

BB 001.JPG (226.5 KB, 15 views)

On the Ballistic Products website there is a size #BB in the buckshot section. I've been reloading all manner of shotshells since high school and have never used #BB buckshot, but here it is. And to make things even more interesting I notice that they have #B buckshot which comes in at .170" diameter. So if #BB is too big, what about #B?

I really wanted to buy the #3 buckshot for use in .25 ACP but it has been out of stock for the longest time. I was looking for other substitute "cartridges" and this airgun BB idea caught my eye.

Dave Sinko

BB=Big BIRD