After testing many pellets in many different airguns, I have come to the following broad conclusions.... when testing pellets of the same caliber and weight....
True Round-nosed pellets (a hemispherical nose like JSB Exacts or Crosman Premiers) have the best BC, so retain the most velocity and energy downrange.... In addition, because of that same smooth shape, and tendency to NOT expand, they have the greatest penetration.... They are usually the most accurate as well, particularly at long ranges....
Wadcutters (flat nose) have the worst BC, losing more velocity and energy than any other type.... They have a slight tendency to expand at higher velocities, and other than Hollow-points, have the least penetration, and because of that are effective hunters at close range.... They can be extremely accurate in some barrels at close range, but the accuracy usually falls of at velocities of over about 700 fps, or at longer ranges (they seem to have a velocity sweet spot)….
Pointed pellets (typically a conical nose) are in between for BC, and retain less downrange velocity and energy than a good Round-nose pellet.... Domed pellets (rounded face but a distinct corner or shoulder at the back of the head) fall into this category.... Their penetration in ballistics gel or soap is generally not quite as good as a Round-nose, but in a hard medium such as wax, paper or wood (and presumably bone) can be better.... I have never found a pointed pellet that shot as accurately as the best Round-nose or Wadcutter in any of my guns....
This leaves the fourth category, Hollow-Points and Specialty pellets.... Generally they are designed to expand on impact, and the faster you drive them, the more violent that expansion, to the point where some come apart into two or more pieces.... I have never found any that were as accurate as the best Round-nose pellet in any of my guns, although some are accurate enough for 30-40 yard hunting use.... I have also never found one that will expand in soap at non-PAL velocities.... but they generally don't penetrate well either, penetrating more like a Pointed or Domed pellet at low velocities when they don't expand....
Something to consider, particularly with non-PAL airguns, is that the BC is very important to the retained velocity and energy downrange.... I shot a variety of .22 cal pellets from a non-PAL gun at a block of soap at 25 yds. to compare the penetration downrange, when all start from the same gun.... This means that pellets with a poor BC (eg. Wadcutters) arrive at the target with less energy than a Round-nosed pellet, so they suffer twice in penetration.... once because they don't penetrate as well anyways, and again because they have slowed down more.... The loss in downrange penetration is dramatic.... There is absolutely no question that Round-nosed pellets are the King for penetration and retained energy downrange.... which is paramount in a non-PAL airgun....
There IS one type of pellet that will expand at non-PAL velocities, but not when used as intended.... If you shoot a Wadcutter backwards (skirt first), it will expand, and the thinner and softer the skirt the more dramatic that is.... Here is a .22 cal RWS Hobby fired backwards into soap at 430 fps....
Whether or not you can hit anything with is is another question entirely....
Bob
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wadcutters are exactly for these purpose I think. 
