Airgun Ammo · Explainer
Airgun pellet types explained
Researched by James · Updated September 26, 2026 · Editorial policy
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The shape-by-shape breakdown below follows Pyramyd AIR's published ammo guide and Airgun Depot's pellet-choice article, both linked in Sources. Full methodology & editorial policy →
Domed (round nose) pellets
A domed pellet's rounded nose is the most aerodynamically forgiving shape airguns use, which is why it's the default recommendation for general accuracy and hunting. It holds velocity well across distance and penetrates cleanly on a head or vital shot. If you only ever buy one pellet shape, this is it. See the specific domed pellets worth buying by quarry and caliber.
Wadcutter pellets
A wadcutter has a flat, disc-like nose built to punch a clean, easily scored round hole in paper. That's exactly why competitive target shooters use them and why they're a poor hunting choice past close range: the flat face creates more drag, so wadcutters shed velocity fast and are really only a close-range (roughly under 25 yards) tool. They're fine for backyard plinking at that distance, but not for anything you're counting on to reach 40+ yards with authority.
Hollow point pellets
A hollow point has a cavity in the nose designed to expand on impact, dumping energy quickly into soft tissue. That makes it a strong choice for close-range hunting and pest control where a fast, humane kill on a small animal matters more than long-range performance. The tradeoff: a hollow point that's slowed down too much by distance can fail to expand the way it would up close, so it's less predictable as range grows.
Pointed pellets
A pointed pellet has a sharp tip built for penetration rather than expansion, which makes it a short-range tool against tougher-skinned pests. It's a narrower-use pellet than domed or hollow point, and most hunters reach for it only for specific pest situations rather than as a default.
Pellet types compared
| Type | Nose shape | Best for | Weak point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domed | Rounded | General hunting, most small game, most distances | Not the fastest-expanding option up close |
| Wadcutter | Flat | Paper targets, close plinking (under 25 yd) | Sheds velocity fast; poor past close range |
| Hollow point | Hollow cavity | Close-range hunting, pest control | Expansion less reliable once slowed by distance |
| Pointed | Sharp tip | Penetrating tough-skinned pests up close | Narrow use case, not a hunting all-rounder |
| Slug | Bullet-shaped, no skirt | Range and wind resistance past 50-60 yd | Needs more power and a barrel that fits it |
Why the skirt matters more than the nose
Every diabolo pellet, whatever its nose shape, shares the same waisted body and hollow skirt at the back. That skirt flares slightly under the blast of air behind it, sealing against the bore and imparting spin as it rides the rifling, which is what actually stabilizes the pellet in flight. A worn or oversized skirt can hurt accuracy more than the nose shape ever will, which is one reason two tins of the same nominal weight and shape from different makers can shoot very differently in the same rifle. It's also why pellets, unlike slugs, don't strictly need a fast rifling twist to stabilize: the skirt and shape do most of the work.
Does nose shape change noise or trajectory much?
Not directly. Noise is driven mostly by how much air escapes past the muzzle and how far above the speed of sound the shot travels, not by whether the nose is round or flat. Trajectory is driven mainly by weight and velocity, the same two numbers behind every FPE calculation. Nose shape's real effect shows up downrange, in how much drag the pellet fights and how consistently it expands or penetrates on impact — which is exactly why the shape-by-shape breakdown above matters more for the target than for the shot itself.
BBs aren't pellets
A BB is a simple round steel ball, not a diabolo-shaped pellet, and it's cheaper and more common in basic plinking guns. BBs are less accurate than pellets and aren't a hunting choice; if a rifle or pistol takes both, pellets are the better pick for anything beyond casual plinking at a can.
Picking a shape isn't the last step
Shape narrows the field, but the specific pellet your barrel likes best still has to be found by testing. See how to find the most accurate pellet for your air rifle, and once you have a shape and weight that groups well, check it against your quarry's energy needs in the FPE chart.
FAQ
What is a domed pellet used for?
General accuracy and hunting. The rounded nose gives a good aerodynamic shape that holds velocity well and penetrates cleanly, which is why domed pellets are the default choice for rabbits, squirrels and most small game.
What is a wadcutter pellet used for?
Paper targets and close plinking, generally under 25 yards. The flat nose punches a clean, round hole that's easy to score, which matters for target competition, but that same flat face loses velocity fast, so wadcutters aren't a hunting choice past close range.
What is a hollow point pellet used for?
Close-range hunting and pest control where fast energy transfer matters more than long-range consistency. The hollow cavity in the nose is designed to expand on impact, which can fail to happen once the pellet has slowed down at longer range.
What is a pointed pellet used for?
Short-range pest control on tougher-skinned animals. The sharp tip is built to penetrate rather than expand, which suits pests like tree squirrels or raccoons at close range better than general small-game hunting.
What's the difference between a pellet and a BB?
A pellet is diabolo-shaped (waisted, with a hollow skirt) and spins or stabilizes aerodynamically depending on the gun; a BB is a simple round steel ball. BBs are cheaper and fine for basic plinking, but they're less accurate and shouldn't be used for hunting.
What is a slug, and is it a pellet type?
A slug is a separate class of airgun ammunition: solid and bullet-shaped, with no skirt, stabilized by spin from the rifling instead of aerodynamics. Slugs trade some low-cost simplicity for a higher ballistic coefficient, which is why they hold energy and resist wind better past 50-60 yards. Full comparison in pellets vs slugs.
Which pellet type is most accurate?
None of them wins universally — accuracy depends more on how well a specific pellet's head size and skirt match your barrel than on its shape. Domed pellets are the most commonly accurate all-around choice because their aerodynamics are the most forgiving across distances, but the only real answer comes from testing your own rifle.
Which pellet type should I use for hunting?
Domed for most small game at real field distances, hollow point for close pest control where fast expansion matters more than range. Full quarry-by-quarry picks are in best pellets for hunting.
