The Big HAM BB Test Part Two – Airgun BB Consistency
In this second part of the Big HAM BB Test, we’re looking at airgun BB consistency. That’s consistency of BB size and weight.
To investigate this, HAM Tester Doug Wall measured the diameters of 50 samples of each of the five standard HAM BB types. This was done using a “BBGage”, the version of the PelletGage that’s designed specifically for use with BBs.
The weights were measured using HAM’s standard, high precision, milligram balance. Doug meticulously weighed and measured a total of 250 BBs to create this data. Thanks Doug!
Airgun BB Consistency – Weight Summary
This first table summarizes the results of Doug’s weighing exercise. As you can see, the average actual weights were very close to the claimed weights for each type.
The variability in weight between lightest and heaviest was also quite well controlled and comparable to results we find for pellet manufacturing.
| BB Type | Claimed Weight | Actual Average Weight | Variability, Lightest to Heaviest |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASG Blaster | 5.32 Grains | 5.35 Grains | 4.2% |
| Avanti Precision Ground Shot | 5.44 Grains | 5.43 Grains | 1.1% |
| Crosman Copperhead | 5.13 Grains | 5.12 Grains | 4.8% |
| Hornady Black Diamond | 5.36 Grains | 5.35 Grains | 3.2% |
| Umarex Steel | 5.29 Grains | 5.30 Grains | 2.1% |
Airgun BB Consistency – Diameter Summary
As no type of BBs is provided with a diameter specification, we’ve sanity-checked Doug’s actual measured diameters against the measured weights. As expected, lighter BBs also tend to have smaller diameters.
Again, the manufacturing variability was well controlled. In fact, it was much better controlled than we might expect for a product that sells for around $0.005 each!
| BB Type | Actual Weight | Actual Average Diameter | Diameter Variability, Smallest to Largest |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASG Blaster | 5.35 Grains | 4.40 mm | 0.9% |
| Avanti Precision Ground Shot | 5.43 Grains | 4.42 mm | 0.4% |
| Crosman Copperhead | 5.12 Grains | 4.37 mm | 1.1% |
| Hornady Black Diamond | 5.35 Grains | 4.40 mm | 0.9% |
| Umarex Steel | 5.30 Grains | 4.39 mm | 0.7% |
Now let’s move on to look at the data for individual BB types.
ASG Blaster BBs
These BBs produced best accuracy in the Legends M712 Full-Auto BB Pistol, among others.
The average weight of these BBs was 5.35 Grains, even though – as can be seen in the chart – no individual BB actually showed-up at that weight!
From the next chart, we see that the average diameter was 4.40 mm (0.1732 Inches) and that the variability was well controlled.
BUY FROM AMAZON
ASG Blaster BBs
Avanti Precision Ground Shot
These BBs produced the best accuracy in the S&W M&P 40, among others.
If you’re looking for airgun BB consistency in manufacturing, there’s no doubt that these Avanti BBs deliver the tightest results.
The control over diameters was particularly good, as we can see from the chart below. This level of consistency is right up there with the best pellet test results recorded by HAM!
BUY FROM PYRAMYD AIR
Daisy Match Grade Avanti Precision Ground Shot .177 Cal, 5.1 Grains, Steel BBs, 1050ct 0.177
Crosman Copperhead BBs
Crosman BBs produced best accuracy in the SIG 1911 We The People BB Gun test review.
By comparison with the Avantis, the manufacturing consistency of these BBs is a little more ragged. However, they are cheaper!
There’s no doubt that the manufacturing target diameter is 4.37 mm (0.1720 Inches) and that this is well-met in production.
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Copperhead .177 Cal, 5.1 Grains, BBs, 1500ct 0.177
Hornady Black Diamond BBs
These BBs were the preferred diet of the Legends P08 Blowback pistol in HAM testing.
Again, control of weights and diameters was well-managed. Just a couple of outliers spoiled the picture of manufacturing consistency here.
BUY FROM PYRAMYD AIR
Hornady Black Diamond Steel BBs, .177 Cal, 5.1 Grains, Anodized Finish, 1500ct 0.177
Umarex Steel BBs
These BBs were the most accurate in six guns, including the SIG P365 BB Gun.
The average weight was 5.30 Grains. Although – again – no individual BB actually achieved that weight.
While 4.39 mm (0.1728 Inches) was clearly the manufacturing aim for the diameter of these BBs!
BUY FROM PYRAMYD AIR
Umarex Precision Steel BBs 5.1 grains, Speedloader, 1,500ct, 0.177 0.177
Conclusions
As we can see from the data presented here, airgun BB consistency in manufacturing is really quite high across the range of products tested. However, it’s clear that all steel BBs are NOT the same and that it’s worth experimenting with different types if you want to achieve the accuracy of which your BB gun is capable.
