jam1e Posted March 26, 2016 Report Share Posted March 26, 2016 Hi folks, I'm after an FAC Air Rifle at the moment. I want it to be at least 30 ft'lb's. I've been searching the various places and forums to buy one. While doing this, it suddenly dawned on my that the .25 calibre seems to be very common in fac air now. Is there a reason for this? I've been told that fac air rifles are "more stable" in .25. Is this right? Or is it, a similar dispute, like the long running debate about what's better, the .177 or the .22?? I'd appreciate a few constructive opinions on the why/or if the .25 is better than the .22 in fac? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zetter Posted March 26, 2016 Report Share Posted March 26, 2016 Ill let you know in a couple of weeks mate as I am awaiting my ticket back from TVP for a variation to .25 air and have an FX Bobcat in.25 waiting for me at the local RFDs. One thing I will say though is .25 FAC air is tough to get hold of very little on gun trader in that cal 2nd hand and I have apparently purchased the only FAC .25 Bobcat in the UK from ASI with lead times on another being 12-16 weeks! As soon as I get chance to have a thrash with it I will put up a review and I can compare it against the .22 FAC air I did have. Cheers Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rimfireboy Posted March 26, 2016 Report Share Posted March 26, 2016 It will be interesting how they compare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srspower Posted March 26, 2016 Report Share Posted March 26, 2016 Its a question of power, whatever enegry the rifle is the projectile should be going around 900fps and never over the sound barrier as the sonic boom catches up with the pellet making it tumble as it passes. .22 is good up to 30ft lbs. If your are going for 40 plus ft lbs then you need a heavier pellet like a .25 to slow it down so it doesn't go supersonic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jam1e Posted March 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2016 (edited) It certainly will! Thanks Neil. I dropped a B****** putting down a calibre, as I've since been told I didn't need to.... I'm very envious of the Bobcat. Cracking bit of kit! I haven't the money to put into a Bobcat, as I also want a .22 WMR as well. Some input would be much appreciated. Edited March 27, 2016 by jam1e Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jam1e Posted March 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2016 Its a question of power, whatever enegry the rifle is the projectile should be going around 900fps and never over the sound barrier as the sonic boom catches up with the pellet making it tumble as it passes. .22 is good up to 30ft lbs. If your are going for 40 plus ft lbs then you need a heavier pellet like a .25 to slow it down so it doesn't go supersonic. That kind of makes sense. As the .22's were around the 30 ft/lb mark. Yet 34 ft/lb and above seem more to be a .25 calibre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted March 26, 2016 Report Share Posted March 26, 2016 I seem to do well turning my .22 S510 down to about 24fpe. Can't see the need for more power to be honest. I have looked at the .25 but you will have a lot more choice for ammo in .22 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoggysreels Posted March 26, 2016 Report Share Posted March 26, 2016 More choice in the way of pellet with .22 calibre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ordnance Posted March 26, 2016 Report Share Posted March 26, 2016 I doint think the .25 has any advantige over .22 for the type of things you will be shooting with a air rifle. Even in FAC the .25 has a looping trajectory compared with .22. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zetter Posted March 26, 2016 Report Share Posted March 26, 2016 I doint think the .25 has any advantige over .22 for the type of things you will be shooting with a air rifle. Even in FAC the .25 has a looping trajectory compared with .22. Not strictly true as you run .25 at higher power to keep the trajectory flat FX tend to run theirs at 47 ft/lb keeping pellet velocity at the optimum of about 900 fps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted March 26, 2016 Report Share Posted March 26, 2016 25cal is good for fac 30ftlb plus, heavier pellets put a lot more energy on target down range. Zero at 40 yards, with H&N FTT 19.91gr, will drop 1.5 inch at 50 yards and 4 inch at 60. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ordnance Posted March 26, 2016 Report Share Posted March 26, 2016 (edited) Not strictly true as you run .25 at higher power to keep the trajectory flat FX tend to run theirs at 47 ft/lb keeping pellet velocity at the optimum of about 900 fps I had a 70 ft/lb .25 daystate air ranger 10 shots a fill. I got it detuned and converted to .22 40 ft/lb flatter shooting and more than enough for normal air rifle quarry. Edited March 26, 2016 by ordnance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zetter Posted March 26, 2016 Report Share Posted March 26, 2016 I always thought 70ft/lb was way to high for even .25 air you need to run really heavy pellet to stop them going transonic and destabilising limiting your pellet choice even more. 40-50 ft/lb seems to be the optimal to you a velocity of about 900 fps with most .25 cal pellets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted March 27, 2016 Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 Facts and figures apart, the difference at the receiving end is noticeable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jam1e Posted March 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 Facts and figures apart, the difference at the receiving end is noticeable! What do you mean UD? As in the .25 will hit harder, due to the extra power, and, or just the heavier pellet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srspower Posted March 27, 2016 Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 What do you mean UD? As in the .25 will hit harder, due to the extra power, and, or just the heavier pellet? You have two choices in terms of ft lbs, speed or weight. Once you get to optimum speed 900fps then if you want to add power you add weight. All that counts is the overall energy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ordnance Posted March 27, 2016 Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 What would you be shooting with a FAC air rifle that .22 woint do the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srspower Posted March 27, 2016 Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 What would you be shooting with a FAC air rifle that .22 woint do the job. Shooting out to 100 yards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ordnance Posted March 27, 2016 Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 Shooting out to 100 yards. you would be pushing it a bit thats more .22 rimfire range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srspower Posted March 27, 2016 Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 (edited) you would be pushing it a bit thats more .22 rimfire range.I have headshot rabbits free standing at 70 yards with my .22lr with practise I could easily reach out to 100 yards. With a heavy .25 pellet going 900fps 100 yards isn't unrealistic. EDIT I misread I thought you said more than rimfire range. Edited March 27, 2016 by srspower Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zetter Posted March 27, 2016 Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 Its a niche gun for me I have an area where FAC air is more suitable than rimmy and also its a good gun for squirrels which are not as practical with the rimmy as elevated shots are out of the question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted March 27, 2016 Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 What do you mean UD? As in the .25 will hit harder, due to the extra power, and, or just the heavier pellet? Every powerful .25 I have seen and used definitely has more authority over a 22. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted March 27, 2016 Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 (edited) Have a watch of Ted Bier on Teds Holdover shooting .25 at long range and the kills he achieves. I think the Bottle type rifles are needed for .25 as it gulps air. No need for head shots as anywhere in the engine room and it's down. Only thing is for me if your going to shoot 50lbs .25 at range would a .22 LR not be better suited. Edited March 27, 2016 by figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ordnance Posted March 27, 2016 Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 My point is if driving over something with a car will kill it why drive over it with a bus. At normal FAC air rifle ranges .22 will kill cleanly .25 will drop more be more expensive and use more air than .22. i see disadvantages and no advantages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted March 27, 2016 Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 Interesting thread. I cant see why you cant push the velocity to 1050 fps still sub sonic. This is where my air ranger is and its fine at 40ftlb. What would be gained from .25? More energy at the receiving end for sure but many would say that 20ftlb or so is more than enough? The down side for me with .25 would be pellet choice / shot count. If you need more power then you have to look at r/f or c/f. Looking at some of the stuff from the states I see very high energy levels being achieved with slugs to take down all sorts of large game. I guess in the UK the more natural choice is to go live. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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