JSB Diabolo vs Hades Pellet Comparison

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(Edited)

So, many following may know I am an Avid Airgunner. Not your Red Ryder style, but high power PCP Air Rifles. Just like with "real" rifles, there are varies styles of projectiles or "bullets" available for these weapons.

Hades-Clay-Test-01.jpg

The most common ammunition for these are generally pellets. Back in the day, our Red Ryder's, Daisy's, and Crossman's shot .177 caliber round BB's. Many folks started shooting pellets for more accuracy, and to provide expansion on down-range targets for hunting.

JSB-vs-Hades.jpg

Nowadays, there are many different styles of pellets, slugs, BB's, darts, and even arrow shooting modifications available.

Hades-Pellets-01.jpg

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That's the story of this post. A manufacturer (Predator Pellets) located here in Colorado has come out with some new pellets designed for greater expansion. I thought it would be fun to test the expansion, and also compare for accuracy against my current favorite. I was pleased that the new pellets weigh the same as my favorites, just have a slightly different shape, with three cutouts, designed to provide more rapid expansion.

I generally use JSB Diabolo .30 caliber, 44.75 grain pellets in my rifle. I've tried a few others, including the same pellet in 50 grains, but it seems to like these the best, typically able to put 20 pellets in a row into a group smaller than an inch at 30 yards or 50 yards, and about the same, even at 100 yards.

JSB-Clay-Test-04.jpg
The initial setup was a 2 lb. Block of Crayola Modeling Clay. Distance about 10 yards away. Expansion and penetration testing is normally done using Ballistic Gel (a 10% or 20% mix designed to mimic the consistency of human flesh). I didn't have any of that handy, and it's a bit of a bother to make, so I settled for a quick trip to Walmart for the Clay instead. This is good enough for me to get some comparison data at least.

Hades-Clay-Test-01.jpg
(Hades, Entrance side)
I have to admit, I was actually quite surprised to see both pellets blast right through the entire block of Clay (about 6 inches)! I was hoping to capture them after the shot to see the expansion.

Hades-Clay-Test-03.jpg
(Hades, Exit side)

Here's a quick video view. Holy sschmolies! I need to get this on a tripod to record the impact!
https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/529861408

So, next I shot my old favorite, the JSB Diabolo with similar results.
JSB-Clay-Test-01.jpg
(Here is the JSB Diabolo, Entrance).

JSB-Clay-Test-03.jpg

And here is the JSB Diabolo, Exit). If you're paying attention, you'll notice the JSB exit a little larger than the Hades was, more about this later.

Hades-Left-JSB-right-Clay-test-02.jpg
Here they are side by side. Hades Left, JSB Diabolo Right.

Here's a video walk around of the two of them. Impressive!
https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/529861868

Next, I decided to compress the clay back down again, but this time put the two blocks end to end to see if I could capture the pellets afterwards.
Hades-Clay-Test-04.jpg

Hades-Clay-Test-05.jpg
And it worked! This time, the Hades stopped about a half inch from exiting the first block.

Hades-Clay-Test-06.jpg
Check out this wound channel after I split the block open using a piece of wire to cut through it cleanly. The pellet was lodged less than half an inch from exiting, and Wow, did it expand (scroll farther to see).

Next up was the JSB Diabolo. As expected, it got even more penetration, passing completely through the first block and about 2 1/2 inches into the second block.

JSB-Clay-Test-05.jpg
Again an impressive entrance and wound channel.
JSB-Clay-Test-06.jpg
Here is where it entered the second block.

JSB-Clay-Test-08.jpg
Here you can see where I opened up the first block a bit to see the wound channel and you can see where the JSB penetrated further into the second block which I split in half. I was also able to recover this pellet. If you look closely or zoom in, you can see it at the end of the channel.

Now for those of you that know me, you have to know that I couldn't resist testing the larger .35 caliber rifle as well, lol. It also shoots JSB Diabolo Domed pellets, but 81 grain this time. (Nope, they don't make the new Hades for this caliber yet, but I am pestering them!)
JSB-.35cal-Clay-Test-01.jpg
Here is the large entrance hole from the .35 cal.

JSB-.35cal-Clay-Test-02.jpg
As expected, it passed completely through the first block, here is the entrance going into the second block.

JSB-.35cal-Clay-Test-03.jpg
The .35 cal JSB almost went all the way through the second block (only about 1 1/2 inches short).

So, what did we learn? The new Hades certainly has some impressive expansion which would make it a tremendous small game pellet (and how it's advertised). The JSB Diabolo has better penetration capability, so each has it's uses. Here are some pictures of the expansion.

First, is a picture of the recovered (expanded) pellets on the left, and the un-fired pellets on the right. The top is .30 cal JSB Diabolo. The center is the .30 cal Hades, and the bottom is the .35 cal JSB Diablo. The Hades certainly performed as advertised on this test. I wouldn't rely on a single test to determine reliability, but this expansion was certainly impressive.

Pellet-Clay-Expansion-Compare.jpg

Next, check out the closeups of the Hades expansion from this clay. Wow! You can't tell from these pictures, but it was down to about 25% of original height, and imagine those sharp edges spinning around, yikes!.
Hades-Expansion-02.jpg

Hades-Expansion-01.jpg

Ahh, but what about accuracy you may ask. That was also my bigger concern.
I took a few shots at 30 yards and 50 yards. Not able to go out farther today, but will eventually. I'm sure it's capable of even better, I was pressed for time today and didn't even get a bench and rest setup, just laid down on our steep, uncomfortable driveway with a bipod. Definitely pulled a few off a bit, but overall very happy with it at this distance.

10 shots at 30 yards for each of the two targets on the left with the JSB Diabolo's, and 10 shots on each of the right side targets with the Hades. That 10 shot group on the bottom right with the Hades is one of the best groups I think I've shot with ANY ammo.

JSB-vs-Hades-30yard-Target-Compare-01.jpg

And this one is 10 shots at 50 Yards, left side with JSB Diablo and 10 Shots Right side with Hades. I definitely pulled that one shot really bad low right with the Hades, my bad, not theirs.

JSB-vs-Hades-50yard-Target-Compare.jpg

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I'll take it. Certainly accurate for hunting small to medium game at this distance. Now to get time to test it on the bench and at 75-100 yards and farther to see if it can hold.
Either way, most of my shooting is under 50 yards, so I'll be buying up a good stock of these to have around.

Thumbs up Predator Pellets, better get the presses rolling!
@ksteem



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10 comments
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Bang, I did it again... I just rehived your post!
Week 49 of my contest just started...you can now check the winners of the previous week!
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thats wild. that is a serious air rifle! wicked man!

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Thanks, it has taken a place as one of my favorites for sure.

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Very impressive power and expansion! One of these days imma get me one.

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Highly recommended. I'm playing with these more than all my others combined for the last year.

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Enjoyed this post.. that is a mean looking air gun.. What is it? and how much would one cost.. ? Is that a suppressor on the end of the barrel?

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It's an FX Impact .30 caliber. 24 round magazine, 480cc air bottle. FX is probably in the top three brands and cost as much as a quality "real" firearm, around 2K. The cool thing is that in most if not all U.S. states, they are not considered firearms and don't have the same restrictions. Even the suppressor is legal to have shipped right to your door with no waiting. It has different threads, so can't be used on a "real" firearm without modification (which would then make it illegal without proper tax stamp and registration).

They are very fun to shoot for target since no hearing protection required, and it won't bother your neighbors. Also quite capable for Small to medium game hunting. There's even a video out there of a guy dropping an Elk with one (not recommended).

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I take it the pellet won't travel as far as a .22 cal ..Like the idea they are quiet ..and can be used in the backyard... I'll check them out ..A neighbor has pellet rifles but not like this FX job.. Only drawback is the price.. But what the heck.. It's only money ..Thanks @ksteem

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Well a good backstop, knowing what is behind your target, and safe shooting area still important. It depends on the rifle. Many of the .22 caliber PCP's can easily go into the 900-1200 fps range, which is the same as .22 rimfire ammo.

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Luckily there is 12 wooded acres at the rear of my property.. proper back stop all I would need.. wouldn't want to hit or get hit with any kind of pellet.. Thanks @ksteem

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