.177 or .22?

[DaveDimelow]

Ok guys, i know this particular one is as old as the hills and even OLDER than god's dog but still....which calibre is most suited for vermin control? Seeing as how in most cases i seem to be "Rat splatting" at 15-25 yds does it really matter? What are your thoughts?....Oh, a big hello to all

[Buffy Vampire Slayer]

welcome aboard.
most of my time airgunning has been spent using .22 cal but the old saying goes ".22 for fur and .177 for feather" but nowadays you've also got .20 and .25 cal with even a .30 cal if you've got a FAC.

[Deallad]

177 pellets are cheaper and the tin is smaller

I always go for a 177 just find it better if you do go for longer shots also more penetration and flatter trajectory.

I guess it's a personal choice

Mike

[Shootist]

For sub 12 ft/lb hunting I would go with .177. More accurate and the main priority has to be hitting your target. (By more accurate, I mean flatter shooting. In the field you aren't always certain of the range). For FAC, .22 is the way to go. Bump it up to around the same velocity as sub 12 .177 and you get a similar trajectory with similar benefits.

[Les1066]

Ok guys, i know this particular one is as old as the hills and even OLDER than god's dog but still....which calibre is most suited for vermin control? Seeing as how in most cases i seem to be "Rat splatting" at 15-25 yds does it really matter? What are your thoughts?....Oh, a big hello to all

Hi .... welcome to the Forum!

Either calibre will work well. The only difference with .177 is that it needs to be delivered very accurately, because otherwise the pellet can pass straight through without doing any serious damage .... except the quarry will probably crawl away to die a long, slow death.

.22 definitely has a lot more 'shock and awe' value, but you still need to be accurate.

[Shootist]

The only difference with .177 is that it needs to be delivered very accurately, because otherwise the pellet can pass straight through without doing any serious damage .... except the quarry will probably crawl away to die a long, slow death.

I confess some doubts about this perceived wisdom. The difference in diameter between the two pellets is 0.043" or the tiniest bit over just four hundredths of an inch, in diameter. Either is capable of passing through it's target. In fact, logic would dictate that the .22 is more likely as it will carry greater momentum, an important issue in wound ballistics. Either is capable of a slight miss which will cause significant damage (E.G. blowing out a rabbit's sinuses) that will not kill, but will wound while not disabling the rabbit.

[Deallad]

My Airarms s400 was deadly on bunnies and rats it also took out more pigeons than I can remember.

The hold over under with the 22 takes a lot of good range estimation.

After all they are both sub 12lb one goes faster and flatter and the other just has a bit more weight,

I'll stick with the faster and flatter any day, (same reason I use 17hmr over 22lr) and less weight in my pocket.

Now if FAC, 22 hands down

[Buffy Vampire Slayer]

The only difference with .177 is that it needs to be delivered very accurately, because otherwise the pellet can pass straight through without doing any serious damage .... except the quarry will probably crawl away to die a long, slow death.

I confess some doubts about this perceived wisdom. The difference in diameter between the two pellets is 0.043" or the tiniest bit over just four hundredths of an inch, in diameter. Either is capable of passing through it's target. In fact, logic would dictate that the .22 is more likely as it will carry greater momentum, an important issue in wound ballistics. Either is capable of a slight miss which will cause significant damage (E.G. blowing out a rabbit's sinuses) that will not kill, but will wound while not disabling the rabbit.

Steve the difference may only be .043" or 1.09mm but to put it into perspective a .22 pellet is still nearly 25% bigger than a .177.

[scoop]

For rats .22 flat heads every time
I keep a tin just for the odd rat in the garden

[weebeestie]

I got fed up listening to the pros and cons of sub 12 ft lbs .177 & .22 so I got a .20.
Couldn't have been happier.
Flatter shooting than a .22 with more end range punch than .177.
For FAC I got a .22. A lot happier.

[DaveDimelow]

Well firstly..Thanks for all the replies!!!

Great to get such a quick response, definitely a good forum.....

The truth is i like both calibres, indeed i have various springers in both .177 and .22, but with wanting to get some permissions and start using PCP's i need to commit to one calibre to buy my first one ( kinda looking at a S400 to begin with, but may just just say what the hell and go Wolverine ).
The knock down capability of the .22 is ALWAYS a good option!! The nice flat flight of a sizzling lil' .177 is fairly funky too though....DECISIONS!!

Cheers guys, i've decided that i can't decide....but your replies have made it fun to try.

Be good peeps

[leadpig]

for 15/25 yard vermin i would be looking at .25, pellet trajectory is not a issue at these distances and it hits like a sledge hammer
22 is good but occasionally goes straight through
177, you better have a decent backstop , it will drill holes straight through them

[The_Dogge]

The only difference with .177 is that it needs to be delivered very accurately, because otherwise the pellet can pass straight through without doing any serious damage .... except the quarry will probably crawl away to die a long, slow death.

I confess some doubts about this perceived wisdom. The difference in diameter between the two pellets is 0.043" or the tiniest bit over just four hundredths of an inch, in diameter. Either is capable of passing through it's target. In fact, logic would dictate that the .22 is more likely as it will carry greater momentum, an important issue in wound ballistics. Either is capable of a slight miss which will cause significant damage (E.G. blowing out a rabbit's sinuses) that will not kill, but will wound while not disabling the rabbit.

Steve the difference may only be .043" or 1.09mm but to put it into perspective a .22 pellet is still nearly 25% bigger than a .177.

Actually it is much worse than that, one vital statistic from a terminal ballistics point of view is the frontal area, the frontal area of a .22 is over 54% bigger than a .177, it also retains more energy as it has a higher BC. It will certainly have more "killing power", the trade off is the chances of a good hit, nobody uses a .22 for Field Target, but they don't have laser rangefinders either, if they were allowed the calculation may be different.

[Shootist]

We are surely missing the most important point here. Due to the differing opinions on the merits and demerits of each calibre, any rational person will have no option but to buy one of each.

[Les1066]

We are surely missing the most important point here. Due to the differing opinions on the merits and demerits of each calibre, any rational person will have no option but to buy one of each.

Now you're talking!