Powder-actuated loads: calibre, format and power level
.22, .25 and .27 calibres, single loads, 10-shot discs and strips, levels 1 to 6: how to read a VIPER load and which one to choose.
Three pieces of information on every load
A VIPER propellant load is defined by three pieces of information. The calibre: .22, .25 or .27. The format: single load, 10-shot metal disc or 10-shot plastic strip. The power level: 1 to 6, identified by a colour.
The calibre and format are those marked on the nailer. The power level is chosen by testing, from the weakest to the strongest. All loads are packed in boxes of 100.
The seven groups in the catalogue
Each group corresponds to one calibre and one format, with its dimensions and its range of levels. The VPL reference code carries the calibre, the group and the colour.
Which calibre on which machine
The calibre is a characteristic of each powder-actuated nailer, stated on its page. In the catalogue, the .22 calibre equips the light nailers of the FlashFang 22C series and the high-velocity FlashVenom 22C HighVel, for which the straight .22 load group is intended. The .25 equips the FlashFang 25C AllRound. The .27 equips the single-shot tools, the 10-shot semi-automatic strip tools (FlashClaw 27C), and the high-power, overhead and grating versions.
The format follows the machine: single loads for single-shot tools, 10-shot plastic strips for semi-automatic and overhead nailers.
Order by reference, not by colour
A level's colour is not the same from one group to the next: the green load is level 3 in .22 reduced-neck and in .27 short, but level 2 in .27 long; among the .25 discs, two green references exist, level 2 and level 3. The full VPL reference removes any ambiguity: that is what to read on the box. Loads are not available for quotation requests at the moment.
The information in this guide comes from the VIPER catalogue and the machine data sheets. Prices and availability are confirmed in the quotation, within 24 working hours.