Connecticut Custom Airguns
  • Welcome!
  • Hector's Airgun Blog
  • Products and Products Blog
    • One-Off's
    • The "Héctors Special'" scope by Sightron
    • K1050i FT
    • The Hex Louver or "Secret Sunshade"
    • Pellet Path Calculator >
      • Questions, Answers and Comments on P-P Calc
      • Privacy Policy for PP-Calc
    • The Nautilus SideWheel
    • The X-10 TiltMeter
  • Zimmer-Silhouetten
    • Results 2017-2018
    • Results 2016-2017
    • Results 2015-2016
    • Results 2014-2015
    • Results 2013-2014
  • References and Links
  • Contact us
  • Store

Hector's Airgun Blog

Where we discuss, CIVIILY,  anything airgun.

Return Home

The new "Sniper" line by H&N

5/20/2015

10 Comments

 
Over the years, Haendler & Natermann has brought us some of the most interesting designs in the pellet world.

Starting from a strong base of Match Wad Cutters (their Finale Match line), H&N introduced many years ago, the "Crow Magnum", then under exclusivity to Beeman, and now available directly under their own brand.
They supported the initial trend towards heavier pellets and more powerful airguns by making the Barracuda Match more than 20 years ago and, more recently, they introduced more options for the hunter and long range shooter in heavier hollow points, larger calibers and heavier-for-caliber pellets suitable only for the most powerful PCP's, some even needing special barrels.

They have also embraced wholeheartedly the non-lead trend that, whether we like or not will prevail in the long run, with the "Silver pellets": Barracuda Green and Field Target Trophy Green and their "Golden" ("Power") pellets that encapsulate the lead content and therefore prevents the skin to lead contact some people are becoming wary of.

Less than two years ago, H&N relocated the plant and the machines, re-vamped and streamlined its production. It was a huge financial, logistical, human and technological effort on their part to do this and still keep on going with the supply, the development and all the intense activity that goes hand in hand with a world-class company that supplies a good part of the Olympic shooters and Top of the World aspiring shooters everywhere. Yes we lost some products (like the EXCELLENT 0.20" cal. Lasers) , but the results have been nothing less than amazing.

Not all companies were so lucky. Some pellet companies failed, or decided to close given the increasing restrictions, regulations and difficulties that go hand in hand with the lead raw material; and designs that were interesting were about to be lost. Except that H&N saw the opportunity where others saw the problem and when PAX (UK) decided to sell, they were ready to buy. PAX was making in the UK the "Range Master", "Pile Driver", "Dynamics" as well as some Prometheus pellets.

And so it happened that they bought the whole operation, "lock, stock and barrel", and moved it to Germany.

Fast forward almost a year and half and we now have the first results of that vision.

H&N has been a long time supporter of FT and was kind enough to send some of the first samples to come out of the Sniper line. They admit that the line is not running as smoothly as they like (some skirts are "wavy"), and the offerings are, for now, limited to the 4.50 head diameter. In the future, the Sniper line will also offer the 4.52 mm's head diameter for those of us that shoot non-Match barrels.

On the commercial side, Pyramyd Air now shows at least 6 pellets that are the result of these efforts, among which are the Excite Dynamics ; the Pile Drivers; and our pellets of interest for this post: the Sniper Medium, and the Sniper Light.

So, ¿what makes these pellets so interesting? 

Look at them and think in terms of location of Center of Gravity and Center of Pressure:
Picture
Also think in terms of air seal and deformation upon firing.

In all these areas, the design of these pellets excels. Center of gravity will be as forward as can be, given the weight of the pellets (7.5, 8.5 and 15 grains respectively). This emphasizes the "shuttle-cock" effect and adds stability to the pellet.

Center of pressure will be a little bit in front of geometrical center, which should make these pellets less susceptible to vertical deflection with side winds.

Because of the "Column" shape, they will exit the barrel pretty much as they went in. Preserving the BC. And the relatively thin skirt affords a good seal at any pressure above 80 BAR's.

So, ¿how do they shoot?

The answer is that it depends on your barrel, as usual. Some barrels will like them, some will not.

A big disadvantage, for the time being as stated above, is that H&N is offering only the 4.50 head diameter.

When testing, bear in mind this and compare with other pellets in the same head diameter out of YOUR rifle.

That is what I did and these are the results:
Picture
The bottom left target shows two five shot groups one with Sniper Mediums, the other with Sniper Lights shot at 20 meters (around 22 yards).
All other groups were shot at 32 meters (35 yards).
The bottom right is a 5 shot group with Sniper Lights.
The top left is a 5 shot group with Sniper Mediums
I did not test the Sniper Magnums because I do not have anything setup to shoot 15 grain 0.177" cal. pellets at present.

For comparison, the center target shows the two sighters and a 5 shot group with JSB Exact 8.44's, the top right target shows TWO 5 shot groups (8 clicks apart) with JSB Exacts 8.44's.

There are a few holes (labelled BMG) made by Barracuda Magnum Green's, but that is another story.

As you can see, the Sniper line shows potential. The accuracy obtained is on par with what would have been obtained using other high quality pellets in the specific head diameter (4.50) in this gun (my CCA WFTF D-54).

All pellets were lubed with "Boe Shield / T-9"

If you do have a Match barrel in any old gun, test the Sniper Light. It might prove an interesting pellet; and if you do not have a Match barrel anywhere, then try some but  be aware that in the near future they WILL be available in 4.52, so keep an eye out for them!

Keep well and shoot straight!





HM
10 Comments
Don Carkhuff
5/20/2015 12:22:15

I sure hope these pellets prove Field Target worthy.
I sure was surprised to see the Piledrivers are 21 grains in .177. i suppose the intended market is for hunters with 20 or more ft/lbs.

Reply
HECTOR J MEDINA GOMEZ
5/21/2015 04:12:05

Don;

It will all depend on the barrel you use. At least up until the line was sold, some good successes were obtained in the UK with these pellets. Specially under windy conditions.

I was part of the development of the piledrivers MANY years ago (almost 15) I almost surely have somewhere a box of the original prototypes ;-) , they DO need a special gun and a special barrel. That is why they are offered in 4.50 and 4.46 BODY diameter/cal. They are 'rated' for guns developing ABOVE 18 ft/lbs, but I have never seen REALLY good results at less than 27 ft-lbs. AND, they do need a FAST twist 1/16 usually does not "cut it".
They are, under all ballistic aspects, bullets, more than pellets.
Having said that, once you create a rig for them it is hard to pull away from it! LOL!

Thanks for reading and keep well!

Reply
Scott Hull link
5/20/2015 13:23:50

I'm looking forward to trying these out. The medium 8.5gr looks to be what I need. I'll try the 7.5gr as well.

Reply
HECTOR J MEDINA GOMEZ
5/21/2015 04:20:48

If you are thinking about your Diana 54 rifle, or any other commercial barreled rifle, I would wait till they are available in 4.52 mm's.

If you have a gun with an old PCP/SSP Steyr, Anschütz or FWB MATCH barrel (or derivatives), then they should do good.

HTH

Thanks for reading and keep well!

Reply
Scott Hull link
5/21/2015 06:49:01

I prefer heavies in the 54. These would be for my 12fpe Marauder pistol hybrid with a Weihrauch barrel.

HECTOR J MEDINA GOMEZ
5/21/2015 06:55:10

IIRC, the HW barrels that Mac-1 used to sell were chokeless but were a little bit on the large side.
I would wait for the 4.52's.

JMHO

Reply
Don Carkhuff
5/21/2015 15:02:59

Hector,
I have a Anshutz 2002 with AZ tune for my FAC kit. Is this kit probably a fit for the 4.50 pellets. I was not aware that 10 meter rifles were made/mfg to this tolerance specifically. You suggest that other rifle barrels are probably larger for 4.52. Why don't all mfg's make barrels to match 4.50 size?

Reply
HECTOR J MEDINA GOMEZ
5/25/2015 14:25:10

Basically, Don, because different rifles use different pellets.
Match rifles using match barrels were using conventional rifling (flat grooves and lands) when "sporting models" used star shaped riflings and other peculiar cuts/draws.

Now we have the luxury of being able to change barrels at will.

If your 2002 Anschütz shoots the Finale Match 4.50's accurately at under 12 ft-lbs. Your barrel is probably a good fit.

But, there is only one way to find out, so , , , try it!

Keep us posted.





HM

Reply
Paul Ahre
1/13/2018 15:24:57

Hello Mr. Medina,
Regarding the H&N Sniper Magnum .22 Cal. Can you tell me the Outside Diameters of the Dome Head and Cylindrical Body portions of the pellet?
Thank you.
With best regards,
Paul
Livermore, CA

Reply
Hector Medina
1/13/2018 16:05:35

Sorry Paul, but no, I cannot tell you those diameters as I have not tested them.
But, since H&N offers small tins of both, the Magnum and the Light (250 pellets), perhaps it would be a good idea to try both in the gun you have in mind.
Unless you know very well the shape of your rifling, the diameters will usually not give you as much information as we would all like.
Get small tins of them and try them.
I easily go through 150 pellets in a normal test, so 250 will only leave behind 100 ;-)

HTH




HM

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Hector Medina

    2012 US National WFTF Spring Piston Champion
    2012 WFTF Spring Piston Grand Prix Winner
    2013 World's WFTF Spring Piston 7th place
    2014 Texas State WFTF Piston Champion
    2014 World's WFTF Spring Piston 5th place.
    2015 Maine State Champion WFTF Piston
    2015 Massachusetts State Champion WFTF Piston
    2015 New York State Champion WFTF Piston
    2015 US National WFTF Piston 2nd Place
    2016 Canadian WFTF Piston Champion
    2016 Pyramyd Air Cup WFTF Piston 1st Place
    2017 US Nationals Open Piston 3rd Place
    2018 WFTC's Member of Team USA Champion Springers
    2018 WFTC's 4th place Veteran Springer
    2020 Puerto Rico GP Piston First Place
    2020 NC State Championships 1st Place Piston
    2022 Maryland State Champion WFTF 
    2022 WFTC's Italy Member of TEAM USA 2nd place Springers
    2022 WFTC's Italy
    2nd Place Veteran Springers

    Archives

    August 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    February 2022
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013

    Categories

    All
    Events
    Gear
    Hunting
    Tests

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly