Besides the difference in cost, I prefer the loose, even if it was not for the fact that I shoot a sidelock. For instance, I have a .50 caliber Hawkins that shoots great at 70 grains of powder, but if you reduce that charge just a little, say down to 67 or 68 grains, it seems to behave better at the longer ranges. You can not customize a load with the pellets. I saw a person at the range trying to cut a pellet in half once, and I asked him what he thought it would accomplish, and he said the in line he was shooting was throwing the shots, and he was told to reduce the powder charge a little, by a friend. He had just gotten into the sport and went with the pellets becaise they were easier to handle... Live and learn, and have fun shooting...... Good shooting all