Do you ever wonder if lead free pellets are worth it? The cost is significantly more than your average lead pellets. Let’s compare the lead-free Predator GTO’s 11.75 grain pellets in .22 caliber to the Predator JSB Jumbo Exact Heavy Diabolo 18.13’s in .22.
The Predator GTO’s are available in tins of 200 for almost twice the amount the 250 count Jumbo Exact Heavy lead pellets are. There lies the question, are lead-free pellets worth the extra? We are sure if you take a survey, the answers or opinions will vary.
Against Using Lead Free
For your everyday backyard plinker, competitor, or even airgun hunter the answer is no and you won’t catch them using lead free ammo. Here are some reasons some may be against using them.
- They are more costly than most lead pellets.
- Not recommended for spring powered air rifles as it may cause wear on the pistons and seals.
- The harder materials could increase barrel abrasion and wear over time.
There are remedies for the issues lead free pellets may cause. Do your due diligence to make yourself aware of any manufacturer’s warnings against lead free ammo and take heed. To protect from barrel wear, clean the barrel more frequently to diminish harmful material that may be left behind.
Why Are Lead Free Pellets Worth It?
While some don’t find them worth it, as we stated earlier, opinions vary and others do find they’re worth every additional penny spent. As there is more than one reason some don’t prefer them, there is more than one reason some do.
- Environmental safety precautions.
- A much higher velocity.
- Some airguns may prefer them.
Not all lead free ammo is created equally and may not perform in your pcp. Some manufacturers offer sample packs like this Gamo Platinum PBA .177 that make testing a little more attainable.
Let’s compare the lead-free Predator GTO 11.75 grain pellets to the Predator JSB Jumbo Exact Heavy Diabolo 18.13’s in the JTS Airacuda Standard. The average velocity of the GTO’s is 1,061 FPS with an average of just under 30 FPE. When using the JSB 18.13’s the average FPS is 921 and the average energy is just under 36 FPE. Both are sufficient for the task!
Non-Toxic Pesting
One of the most popular uses for lead free pellets is pesting on farms. Many farms have rat or small bird infestations that are harmful to the livestock. A full pass through would leave lead ammo in the livestock feed, or living quarters.
Lead free is a safer option to keeping the livestock healthy. It is preferred and often the only ammunition some farmers will allow. In that case, the farmer and the airgunner would agree, lead free pellets are worth it.
Some hunters may prefer a faster pellet. For small game with fast movements it can be an advantage to have a pellet that will produce less time from trigger pull to impact. A higher velocity in most cases means more energy, more energy increases the possibility of an ethical take down.
Whether or not the lead free ammo is worth it depends on the situation as well as the hunter. The Predator GTO’s are a great lead free pellet that performs well in most pcp’s. With them you will achieve the appropriate accuracy, speed, and take down power necessary for pesting or hunting.
