AIRGUN PELLETS: PELLET PERFECTION?

Created on 27th May 2009

MARK CAMOCCIO tries out the RWS Superfield Pellets

WE'RE FAIRLY spoilt these days, with an abundance of airgun pellet designs available. Each and every division of our sport is catered for, be it indoor target shooting, specialist hunting applications, general practice sessions, or Field Target shooting.

Many interesting designs exist (twin sealing rings, pointed tips, curious inserts) yet it's a well-accepted fact that if you are serious about performance and accuracy, then that incredible choice narrows down significantly to the better-made varieties, which normally happen to be of the more conventional dome-headed, waisted shuttlecock design. Let's face it - for sheer accuracy, this age-old shape still takes some beating.

Superfield pellets are a brand new offering from German giants RWS. They are actually made in Germany, and come in those annoying yet smart tins of the non-screw top variety, taped closed when new - and guaranteed to spill over the grass at some point!

I can only assume that they're aimed at the FT/HFT competition shooter, since they do bear an uncanny resemblance to what is arguably the most successful pellet currently on the market. JSB has taken outdoor airgun competitions by storm in the last few years, winning the lion's share, so it's inevitable that others would sit up and take notice.

The Superfield is a fairly long-bodied dome head, supplied in both .177 and .22. In keeping with many top pellets, it's supplied in two head sizes: 4.51mm and 4.52mm in .177 calibre, and 5.51 and 5.52mm in .22. A close visual inspection shows little difference between the established favourite and this new product.

At 8.4gn for the .177 version, and 15.9gn in .22, it's very near in this respect too. Call me sad, but I weighed a sample of 30 over the scales, and found that all but two came in within +/- .2 of a grain (one at 8.65gn, and one at 8.8gn). This is largely for the record, as this weight differential would be almost undetectable as far as the trajectory is concerned.

The dull colour signifies a low antimony content, meaning the pellets are softer to the touch, and importantly that they will mate with the rifling well. The .177s over 35yd tore 3/8" groups despite a slight crosswind, and over 45yd, still managed sub 3/4". I know this would improve in better conditions, but it's an encouraging start. From a 35yd zero, (and using my competition s400), the flat trajectory saw a drop of 1.25" at 45 - identical to my usual results with JSB pellets.

In short, it's nice to have another pellet on the market that can offer top-class results. If RWS can keep the quality up when demand increases (a regular failing with FT pellets) then it can re-join the winner's party. JSB ruled the roost with their famous Superdome back in the 1980s. Now it looks like the firm's back for a scrap at the top. Sold in tins of 500 and priced in the region of £5.99 for .177 calibre and £7.85 for the larger calibre, the Superfield seems destined to take some silverware sooner rather than later.

RWS Superfield are marketed by RUAG Ammotec UK

T: 01579 362319

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