When you’re going hunting with airguns, it’s essential to make sure that you’re choosing the right airgun pellets for the job. Though they may not be the only two options available, in most cases, you’re going to be looking at choosing between .177 pellets and .22 pellets.
The best chance of hitting on target with precision, with as little risk of failure as possible, comes down to your choice of pellets, just as readily as it comes down to the rifle, scopes, and mounts. Here, we’re going to look at the factors that make each pellet advantageous in different situations. Some of the different types of air rifles & different types of pellets.
The Caliber is Most Crucial
If you have an .22 caliber air rifle, then you’re going to need .22 pellets. The caliber is the diameter of the ammunition, as well as the bore of the gun barrel, and they two need to match so that it can be propelled with the force that it needs. There are different types of airguns that look beyond caliber alone but you cannot fire a .22 pellet out of a .177 airgun or a .177 pellet out of a .22 airgun
.177 are the smaller caliber pellets that are currently in use, traditionally more popular in the UK and in Europe. However, .177 pellets began to eclipse .22 in popularity in the US, as well. Both calibers are still relatively popular.
Which is More Powerful?
Regardless of the type of airgun you use, it is going to remain a consistent fact that a .22 is going to offer more ballistic power than the .177. In fact, it is able to deliver roughly a fifth more in muzzle energy. The pellet is going to have a lower velocity in the air due to its additional weight, but that additional weight is also what gives it the greater degree of force on impact.
The force delivered in each shot depends on more than just the caliber of the pellet, of course. Different brands have different shapes and weights, with domed and pointed pellets affecting the shot differently. Similarly, different air rifles will deliver different results, as well. Does the air gun slug give more stopping power ? Find out in slugs vs pellets
Which is more accurate?
Just like the power and force of each type of pellet, the accuracy of each largely depends on the airgun, the scope, and the mount. However, with everything else matching as best as possible, there is no specific advantage to either .177 guns and pellets or .22 guns or pellets. .177 barrels tend to use more grooves, with a 12-groove barrel being normal compared to the 6-groove barrel of .22 guns. However, in reality, this doesn’t represent a huge difference in the accuracy you’ll experience.
Which is Best for Shooting Competitions?
Though there is no inherent accuracy advantage to either caliber, it is true that .177 guns are largely preferred for the 10-meter target used in competitions and for plinking. This is because target guns specific to that purpose are made almost exclusively in .177 calibers, meaning that .177 pellets are the most accurate for that kind of shooting.
Which is Best for Hunting?
When it comes to shooting outside of the 10-meter shooting environment, especially at wild animals in a real environment, the .22 is typically preferred. As mentioned, there is no particular accuracy advantage to either caliber. However, the added weight of .22 pellets and the greater degree of muzzle energy from .22 airguns can make them more effective. As a result, .22 pellets tend to carry more force for a longer period of time.
.177 pellets can hit and penetrate game animals just fine, but the weight of the pellet means that they often pass right through, not delivering enough force to actually stop the animal, which is not the case with .22 pellets, in most cases. Why air rifles and not firearms for pest control?
However, for smaller pests, there is not much of a functional difference between the two calibers of pellets. Both are able to deal fatal damage, allowing you to take care of all manner of pests. It’s with the larger game animals that the differences start to manifest more readily. Do you need airgun insurance if you are a professional pest controller?
Which is Cheaper?
Of course, price point may factor into your choice here. When it comes to your choice of air rifle, the truth is that there is not much difference in price. In most cases, you can look between a .177 and a .22 model of the most popular kinds of airguns, only to find the prices are relatively the same throughout the selection.
However, this does not remain true when it comes to the airgun pellets themselves. Because they are larger and heavier, the average .22 pellet is going to cost more than the equivalent .177 pellet. For two boxes of the same size, you can fit a significant degree more .177 pellets in than .22 pellets, for instance.
Choosing the best pellets of your caliber
It’s important to bear in mind that caliber is not the only thing that affects the effectiveness of your chosen pellet. There are different types pellets as well:
- Flathead which is more widely preferred for short-range pest control
- Hollow points are more effective at out-and-out hunting (but better at smaller ranges)
- Ballistic-tip hollow points fly a little better
- Pointed pellets that typically penetrate further
- Domeheads (diabolo pellets)are more widely used for target shooting
You need to consider these factors on top of the caliber to make the best decision.
Which airgun pellets best suit your needs?
The truth is that both calibers of pellets are going to be able to meet most hunting needs, but there are some advantages to be considered with both kinds. Whether you’re looking for something more economic and suited for 10-meter shooting, or something with enough force to be more likely to stop a game animal, the points above should be able to help you come to the decision you need. Some of the best budget air rifle UK. Not sure what suits your airgun the best, try some of our sample pellets selection to see what gives the best performance.
Are Budget Pellets Worth The Money – Best Pellets For A BSA Air Rifle