Lubing pellets

[RandyRay41]

I see some reviews on PA that some people wash their pellets with water and detergent. Then they lube them. Is this necessary? If so, what is the recommended method for cleaning and what type lube should I use? Bought a tin of the JSB Diabolo exact match 8.4 gr.

I also bought the Gamo Big Cat. Know most don't think to highly of it but for the money figured I would start with that. If I get into air shooting the next rifle will be a pcp of some type where money will not be the main object. It should arrive Saturday and I will shoot it Sunday. Will try to post some information and pics of either its success or its failure.

 

[zdc1775]

Cleaning is pretty easy. Use warm water and dish detergent. I usual place the pellets into a solo type cup, two or three drops of detergent, then cover with water and swirl for a few minutes. Dump them through a strainer and rinse with warm water while swirling around. Then dump/place them on a paper towel being careful to leave any lead shavings or other debris behind. Dry them off with a hair drier or place them in front of a fan. After they are dry put them in a ziploc and spray some Pledge on them and gently work them around. Place them on another paper towel to air dry then put them back into the cleaned tin. Some lubes than others like are Crosman pellgun oil, slick 50, graphite lube, and some others that I can't think of right now.

 

[RussB]

There is no benefit to washing and lubing pellets for that Gamo. When you're shooting one-hole groups at 50 yards, or involved with 10m competition, then it comes into play...along with inspecting and weighing each pellet

 

[Pete D.]

Washing

Air gunning, like other shooting sports, is subject to fads. I suspect that this is one. High quality pellets, like F&N Final Match and others, need no work. I cannot see that adding a film of lubricant to a properly sized pellet will do anything but create drag in the barrel.
A chronograph might prove me wrong but until then....

 

[lykoris]

Paying more attention to the uniformity of the skirt of the pellet will yield results more than washing or applying lube.

That is my experience an 2 cents

 

[Chevota]

If I were to lube them I'd use dry lube, but probably not worth the effort. Cheap pellets are usually dirty and have lead shavings mixed in so a cleaning is useful, but with JSB there's no need. Another problem is quality pellets usually have thin skirts so cleaning and lubing would just ding the skirts with all the handling.
I do dry lube the barrel. I use Tungsten Disulfide, it's very much like Moly but better. I use it all over the gun, trigger, seal, buttons, everything.