.22 vs .177 pellet in an air rifle?

Question

In an accurate air rifle shooting 12 ft/pounds firing a .22 pellet what is the maximum range for taking out a squirrel. I've been looking at .177 springer air rifles but there's a much wider range of rifles in .22. I've been looking at .177 because it's more accurate but at 50 yards could I still hit with enough power to stop a squirrel providing it was a accurate shot. I know people say 'max range is how far you can get a 20mm grouping' but from a purely power point of view could a .22 pellet do it from a springer at that range.

C_F_45 · Accepted Answer

There is a HUGE difference between the realistic maximum effective range of an air rifle and its theoretical effective limit. 

12ft-lb rifle?
Like the others have said. Even if you're an excellent shot, and your rifle extremely accurate. 
30-35 yards, is a realistic maximum effective range. 

If you wish to calculate a theoretical maximum
http://www.airguns.net/trajectory.php
You need chronograph numbers for your rifle/pellet combo, and the BC(Ballistic Coefficient) of those pellets. 

Example / BC
.177 Crosman Premier Domed Light(7.9gr) = 0.018
.22 Crosman Premier Domed(14.3gr) = .0.025
That's not always the case. There are "some" .177 caliber pellets that have a higher BC than "some" .22 caliber pellets

12ft-lbs air rifle vs squirrel at 50 yards?
It takes a minimum of 3ft-lbs "at impact" to make a quick, clean, humane kill on a squirrel(head shot)
http://www.airguns.net/general_field_use.php
http://f4bscale.worldonline.co.uk/hunting.htm#Squirrels

With the .177 caliber CPDL(7.9gr) pellets
at 35 yards the pellet would retain 7.34ft-lbs, at 50 yards 5.96ft-lbs even at 100 yards 2.98ft-lbs

For the .22 caliber CPD(14.3gr)
at 35 yards the pellet would retain 8.33ft-lbs, at 50 yards 7.17ft-lbs and at 100 yards 4.35ft-lbs

Like I said, the "theoretical" maximum, and the realistic maximum will differ greatly.

Anonymous · Answer

I've dropped a rabbit from about 75-100 yard with my spring power 22 air rifle so I would go 22 more fun as you will be able to drop a wider range of small animals and birds

super61 · Answer

30 - 35 yards is the effective range for head shots on small quarry such as rabbit and squirrel. Before attempting to shoot live quarry you should accustom yourself with your rifle. You need to be able to place a pellet consistently within the target area.

? · Answer

Dropping ONE creature after wounding many, is not really hunting. That's the bottom line on all pellet gun hunting. Shoot from a blind so you can get close enough range for the necessary power remaining and accuracy of placement for head shots.

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.22 vs .177 pellet in an air rifle?

4 Answers