There are plenty of ammo options out there, so we put together this air rifle pellets comparison to help you select the type that fits your shooting style. Many air gunners keep a variety of ammo types on hand so they can adjust their setup based on their target — what works for backyard plinking isn’t the best choice for big game hunting.
While ammo choice is largely a matter of preference, there are certain types that perform best in specific settings. Here’s a handy guide you can reference next time you’re stocking up.
4.5mm BBs
4.5mm BBs are among the most popular air rifle ammo types for novice users. BBs are the most straightforward ammo design — they’re metal balls. BBs are super cheap, so they’re commonly used for casual backyard plinking and target shooting. That said, you get what you pay for. If you’re serious about air gunning, pellets are a far better option.
Pellets
Pellets are the natural evolution of BBs. Ranging in size from .177 to .25 caliber, they’re usually made of lead or a blend of lead and other metals, although there are lead-free pellets on the market too. Compared to BBs, pellets are much less likely to ricochet due to their softer metal composition and their aerodynamic head shapes.
The shape of pellets affects multiple factors, including velocity, accuracy, consistency, and penetration. That’s where different air rifle ammo types come into play. Here’s an air rifle pellet comparison to help you understand the nuances:
1. Wadcutter (Flatheads)
Wadcutter pellets are also known as flatheads due to — you guessed it — their flat heads. They’re light, fast, and accurate, making them a solid choice for plinking and target shooting. Because they leave a very clear, round hole on paper targets, they’re quite popular in competitions. Wadcutters perform best at closer ranges — around 30 feet is ideal.
Because flatheads are typically used for plinking and target shooting rather than hunting, they’re a great choice for our Break Barrel air rifles. However, you can absolutely use all different air rifle ammo types in Benjamin PCP air guns. Say you’re doing some short-range target practice with your hunting air rifle. Flatheads would be a solid choice to tweak your air rifle’s performance accordingly.
2. Domed (Roundheads)
Domed pellets, also known as roundheads, are extremely versatile — they’re well-rounded in more ways than one. They’re among the best pellets for long-distance shooting due to their round head that cuts through the air, allowing them to retain their downrange speed. Many air gunners use them in windy conditions for that reason.
Because they’re an all-purpose ammo, roundheads are an excellent option for any of our air guns, with the exception of our Big Bore air rifles that require larger slugs.
3. Pointed
There are various pointed air rifle ammo types on the market, but they all have a pointed head in common. This air rifle pellets comparison is only covering them in general, so you may want to dive deeper into the different styles if you prefer pointed pellets.
A popular choice among hunters, pointed pellets penetrate deeper than other styles. However, depending on the game you’re hunting, this can cause the pellet to pass fully though, which may reduce knockdown power. The aerodynamic design makes them suitable for long distances, but roundheads still deliver better accuracy and speed at long distances.
Because they’re most frequently used for hunting, pointed pellets are among the best air rifle ammo types for any of our hunting air rifles, including the classic Benjamin Marauder or anything from the Craftsman Collection.
4. Hollow Point
As the name implies, hollow point pellets have hollow heads that expand upon impact to deliver devastating takedown power. In contrast to pointed pellets that are designed for penetration, hollow points deliver all of their energy immediately upon impact.
It’s worth noting that there are hybrid styles such as Destroyer pellets that combine the penetrative power of pointed pellets with the expanding capabilities of hollow points. Hollow points are best used at close or medium distances, as they tend to lose too much speed over long distances.
Because hollow points have a highly specialized design, they’re one of the more popular air rifle ammo types among users of our Mil-Spec air rifles.
Big Bore Slugs
Last on our air rifle pellets comparison: .357 and .457 slugs. Slugs are essentially big, heavy, and powerful pellets. Like pellets, they come in various shapes, but they’re almost always designed for hunting — specifically large game hunting. Their size and weight mean they’re best at closer distances, but they’re fully capable of taking down big bucks, wild boars, and even African plains game.
.357 and .457 slugs are only compatible with air rifles from our Big Bore air rifle collection: the Bulldog .357 and the Bulldog .457.
Shop Top-Quality Ammo Now
Now that you’re familiar with the different air rifle ammo types, explore our selection of premium air rifle ammo. Like all Benjamin Airguns products, our pellets and slugs are designed and crafted to deliver exceptional performance and quality. Adventure awaits. Get inspired.
