JTS Dead Center .177 pellet review (Part 2)

In the first part of this article, I gave you a brief rundown of the new JTS Dead Center pellet range and what each different pellet was designed for.

I decided to try the lightest pellets first, the 8.78gr ones, and after zeroing my rifle with my tried and tested QYS Streamlined Heavies, I set about putting five pellets of each weight into the targets at 30 metres. I was pleasantly surprised with the results, and even discovered that one of the pellets on test actually outperformed my go-to QYS! I’ll definitely be doing more testing with these JTS pellets, especially for pest control.

These are my findings.

Take Down Domed 8.7gr (Lightweight)

These are the lightest pellets in the range with a familiar diabolo shape, and I’m sure these are going to be a firm favourite with target shooters. I decided to put these ones to the test first alongside the QYS Streamlined Heavies that I normally use for a side by side comparison. At the muzzle they were doing 783fps and at 30m they were still hitting 701fps, which is quite impressive, losing just 2.19ft/lb in energy downrange.

Take Down Domed 10.4gr (Midweight)

The shape of these pellets is more akin to a pellet/ slug hybrid with a slightly shorter profile and more mass in the mid-section, and I was blown away by the results at the range. They actually outperformed my trusty QYS pellets in terms of accuracy! I’ll definitely be doing some more testing with these ones for my pest control duties.

At the muzzle they were giving an average 714fps, which equates to 11.74ft/lb. At 30m they were still doing 639fps, losing just 2.34ft/lb of energy. I can’t wait to get these out in the field on the rabbits!

Take Down Domed 13.73gr (Heavyweight)

These are the real brutes of the range, weighing in at 13.73gr – that’s nearly 4grs heavier than my trusty QYS! Again the accuracy was on point, not as accurate as their lighter brothers, but still acceptable given the blustery conditions.

At the muzzle they were averaging 618fps, which gave 11.65ft/lb. Downrange at 30m they had lost 3.05ft/lb, which is actually less than I had anticipated given their weight and shape.

I definitely need to test these ones a bit more thoroughly for my short-range rat control. I think they’re really going to pack a punch!

Velocity Explained

Velocity is defined as the change in distance with time. Basically, how far an object travels within a unit of time. Velocity is expressed as distance divided by time and the most common units of this are feet per second (fps), or meters per second (mps).

Because airgun pellets differ in weight, shape and diameter, they do not have the same ability to retain their velocity when passing through air. Some are more streamlined and aerodynamically shaped than others, and this is where the ballistic coefficient of each pellet comes into play – if you own a day/night or thermal scope with a ballistic calculator, you will be well aware of what this is. The higher the ballistic coefficient of a pellet, the better it retains its velocity when passing through air. Most pellets generally have ballistic coefficients that vary from 0.010 to about 0.035.

One of the factors that determines the ballistic coefficient of a pellet is the shape of the front end. Wadcutter pellets have flat noses so they cut a clean, round hole in a paper target. The flat point reduces the ability of such a pellet to pass through air so the ballistic coefficient is low, usually 0.010 to 0.012. On the other hand, pellets having a pointed or round nose are more streamlined and penetrate air easier so they have ballistic coefficients of approximately 0.020-0.030.

As a projectile moves through air, it loses velocity. Generally, the faster the projectile is moving, the greater the air resistance and the faster the projectile loses its velocity. For many airgun shooters, there is no reason to be concerned about pellet velocity. That paper target or pop may respond in a predictable way when it is hit regardless of the velocity of the pellet. But for the shooter who wants to knock over a metal silhouette at 40 yards or control rabbits in a field, velocity is an important factor in achieving success.

Introducing JTS

The Shooting Party, UK distributors of JTS pellets, have collaborated with the Texas-based manufacturer for over a decade. Launched in 2023, the JTS Dead Center range was developed over two years with a clear goal: to outperform the industry’s best at a competitive price.

To achieve this, a multinational team of aerospace and mechanical engineers reimagined traditional manufacturing. They determined that existing processes were too inconsistent, often requiring expensive manual sorting. In response, JTS designed proprietary equipment to stabilise production and ensure uniformity from the outset.

The “Dead Center” difference lies in three key concepts: Standardisation of Tooling, SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Dies) and No Adjust Tooling. These innovations remove the variables that typically lead to pellet deformity.

The final designs were refined using aerospace principles to ensure accuracy across various platforms, from break-barrels to high-end PCPs. Extensive testing under diverse environmental conditions followed, resulting in a domed head profile that supports stable flight and high energy retention. By using state-of-the-art production, JTS ensures that every pellet in the tin maintains uniform weight, shape and balance, ultimately delivering the tighter groupings that modern airgunners demand.

For more information on the new JTS .177 Dead Center pellet range, visit shootingparty.uk