Pellet rifle; .177 or .22 caliber
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BRush
Member
I prefer 22 Cal.
Transfers more energy to target (better knockdown power).
Prints bigger circle on target - easier to see when practicing.
Easier to handle - makes a difference as you get older.
Its not just about speed- its about pellet weight and speed (energy).
Transfers more energy to target (better knockdown power).
Prints bigger circle on target - easier to see when practicing.
Easier to handle - makes a difference as you get older.
Its not just about speed- its about pellet weight and speed (energy).
I'm w/BRush. The next rifle I get will be a .22 for that reason. If you have little experience with quality airguns, those little .177s can be annoying to place onto a feed tray for a bolt-gun, or load into rotary mags, or just seating into the breech of a springer. If you're younger, and or with smaller hands and better eyesight, then you won't mind so much, LOL.
Here's a good link to a site filled with links to a wealth of info...
American Airguns Main
Here's a good link to a site filled with links to a wealth of info...
American Airguns Main
smokey04
Member
My only pellet gun is a 46 year old Sheridan Blue Streak in 5mm[.20 cal] it shoots 14.3 grain Sheridan cylindrical "Penetrator" pellets with great accuracy and, it is deadly! I think Benjamin bought them out and still makes them.
I know there are much more technically advanced air guns these days and I might consider getting a new hi tech something, BUT, I've killed a nation of squirrels,crows,snakes[including a 6'3" Diamondback] fat 'coons, ferrel cats out the wazoo, and one 30-35 pound[estimated] gray fox.I have no idea how many pellets have gone down the barrel [always at a max. of 10 pumps] but, they surely are in the tens of thousand,maybe 20-30 thousand.
I have never had a problem with ANY maintenance on this superb piece of plunder. Not even a new "o" ring on the "bolt"! I lube it every 3-4 months with Crossman"Pellgun Oil" and according to the directions, I leave it unloaded with 1-2 pumps[I've always used 2] ready for the next "call to duty".I can't say enough about the quality, accuracy,and reliability of old "Huffer" Nick
I know there are much more technically advanced air guns these days and I might consider getting a new hi tech something, BUT, I've killed a nation of squirrels,crows,snakes[including a 6'3" Diamondback] fat 'coons, ferrel cats out the wazoo, and one 30-35 pound[estimated] gray fox.I have no idea how many pellets have gone down the barrel [always at a max. of 10 pumps] but, they surely are in the tens of thousand,maybe 20-30 thousand.
I have never had a problem with ANY maintenance on this superb piece of plunder. Not even a new "o" ring on the "bolt"! I lube it every 3-4 months with Crossman"Pellgun Oil" and according to the directions, I leave it unloaded with 1-2 pumps[I've always used 2] ready for the next "call to duty".I can't say enough about the quality, accuracy,and reliability of old "Huffer" Nick
Rick_A
Member
.177 is the better target round. Flatter trajectory, more range, and less damage to metal targets.
.22 has the advantage for hunting with more energy and it also does a little better in the wind.
I've used .177 exclusively. Birds get a flat point. Ground dwellers get a field point. Placed properly it'll do the trick.
I've got a magnum springer that shoots pretty flat out to 50 yards or so.
.22 has the advantage for hunting with more energy and it also does a little better in the wind.
I've used .177 exclusively. Birds get a flat point. Ground dwellers get a field point. Placed properly it'll do the trick.
I've got a magnum springer that shoots pretty flat out to 50 yards or so.
I like .177 for general selection of pellets, plus it shoots flat at typical pellet ranges < 50yrds.
If I was looking for flatter shooting and better range with a larger pellet, I'd look closely at .20 cal...they seem to offer the best of both wolds.
If I was looking for flatter shooting and better range with a larger pellet, I'd look closely at .20 cal...they seem to offer the best of both wolds.
I'd sure go with the Sheridan, (now Benjamin? and available in 22 as well as 20?). Years ago a friend had a Sheridan; it was powerful, accurate and deadly on small pests.
I have an old Benjamin .22 pump-up type and a Gamo .17. Use 'em both for squirrels in the back yard pines. I prefer the .22. It seems like it hits harder and those squirrels flat fall DOWN! My wife has a hard time with all that pumping, though, so she uses the Gamo. It works fine but you don't hear that "whop" that you get with the ol' Benjamin.
the gamo will take down lots of game 177 cal is what i got and im happy only use it when i got to lots of power one pump
Still shooting my Sheridan in .20cal. Original with Williams peep sight and made in Racine, WI. Great pellet rifle.
FloridaFlier
Member
The .22 will deliver more foot-pounds of energy to the critter you're trying to kill. It is less affected by wind as well. On the other side, it will have a bit more of an arc to the trajectory, but I don't see that as a real problem because there are so many calculators on line that tell you the hold-over or under.
If you are going with a powerful pellet gun, all the more reason for .22 because you will need to keep the pellet sub-sonic or it will tumble, which destroys accuracy. To keep a hard shooting .177 subsonic, you must get heavier pellets, so now you're in .22 territory anyway.
You got good advice on this thread. If you're planning on target work, stick with .177, if hunting go with the .22.
If you are going with a powerful pellet gun, all the more reason for .22 because you will need to keep the pellet sub-sonic or it will tumble, which destroys accuracy. To keep a hard shooting .177 subsonic, you must get heavier pellets, so now you're in .22 territory anyway.
You got good advice on this thread. If you're planning on target work, stick with .177, if hunting go with the .22.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
My problem is I hunt in black bear country. I can call in bears at will to my front door step. I wonder if anyone carries backup with your pellet gun?
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
I wore out two Crossman pellet rifles in .22 caliber in elementary and high school. I currently own two El Gamo pellet rifles. One is a match rifle, Model 126 (?), that I use to practice for high power rifle offhand and the other is an Extreme Hunter. The EH has dispatched several varmints and with the gold plated pellets, it achieves impressive velocities.
I have a HW .177. It will KILL about anything a .22 will. It's just not as effective. I killed one obnoxious raccoon with it but ended up feeling sorry for it. Took about five shots to finish it off. Squirrels and possums are one shot kills if the shot is well placed. I wish I had a .22 or even a .25 for the larger varmints.
Had a .22
I've shot .177 and I had a .22. I thought the .22 was a really harder hitter. It seems almost comparable to a .22L rifle (.22 Long, not .22 Long Rifle) as far as I shot it, about 25 maybe up to 50 yards. I want another air gun. I had a ball with that thing. It's on my list but kinda down in priority compared to carry and home defense guns.
I've shot .177 and I had a .22. I thought the .22 was a really harder hitter. It seems almost comparable to a .22L rifle (.22 Long, not .22 Long Rifle) as far as I shot it, about 25 maybe up to 50 yards. I want another air gun. I had a ball with that thing. It's on my list but kinda down in priority compared to carry and home defense guns.
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