Airgun Pellets & Slugs

Diabolo or slug?

They solve different problems. A diabolo pellet is drag-stabilized by its wasp waist and flared skirt, which makes it accurate and forgiving inside about 50 yards, cheaper per shot and easy on backstops. For backyard practice, paper and close pest work it's usually the right answer.

A slug is solid and spin-stabilized, with a much higher ballistic coefficient. It holds velocity better, drifts less in wind and carries noticeably more energy out at 75 to 100 yards. The catch is that slugs need power behind them to stabilize, so they suit regulated .25 and .30 rifles running heavier tunes.

Barrels have preferences, and two tins of the same caliber can group very differently, so buy a sampler before you commit. Match weight to your power plant as well, because heavier projectiles carry more energy but need pressure to get there. If you're unsure, start with mid-weight diabolos and move up only when the groups tell you to.