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.177 or .22 for hunting.


Joshcup11
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Hello. Before I start I am 14 years of age and I regard my self as safe with any full bore/air gun/shot gun. I would like to ask oppinions as a .22rimfire is too much hassel for me to get and I might be denied it. So I am opting to get a daystate huntsman but I do not know what caliber to opt for. Any response will be appreciated but as my late grandfather said '.177 for feather,.22for fur' is there any truth in this?

 

Josh

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Guest topshot_2k

Hello,

 

Either pellet in the right place at sensible ranges will do the job. I always had .22 but my new Falcon is .177 and if anything my shooting is more accurate. If i was going FAC then I would choose .22

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accuracy and shot placement is the most important factor,.177 is a lighter pellet but has a flatter trajectory over a .22,both with kill fur and feather but the most important thing is DO NOT try to shoot live quarry further than 40 yrds IMO with a sub 12ftlb air rifle,

 

As for your choice of rifle you have certainly chosen one that is devastatingly accurate, but there are air rifles out there that are cheaper that will do the same job, the difference with a huntsman classic is the feel and quality of the build,but they are not cheap

 

i use the classic in .22 and its a super bit of kit but i,ll be going after my favorite The AIR RANGER in .177 but thats just me

 

good luck with what you choose and most importantly,make sure you have permission where you shoot and also think SAFETY at ALL TIMES

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There is masses about this in History, have a look, it will keep you busy for many hours.

 

I suspect this is the oldest debate in the book!

 

ATB! :good:

Indeed there is, but I have noticed that the trend at the moment (judging from posts on here) seems to be favouring the .177 at the moment. I prefer it due to it's flatter trajectory meaning you don't have to be quite so accurate on your range judgement as 2 or 3 metres either way won't make much difference to the POI. I've never had any issues with lethality and at the end of the day, if the smaller pellet does over penetrate, the rabbits still just as dead.

 

On balance, I'll always opt for .177 now, with rifles being as accurate as they are, spot on pellet placement is the name of the game.

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my dad owned a gun shop 40 years ago even back then this was the most asked question and my dad always gave the same answer then as he would now it's personal preference both will do the job fine

but as topshot said if its fac then 22

 

colin

+1

Couldn't agree more.

 

Both only as good as shooter. There is no difference its all personal preference.

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Ive just sold my .22 bsa which was a brilliant killing machine on rabbits and pigeons out to about 35 yards, Ive replaced it with the Air Arms S400 .177 and the accuracy is definitly better at max distance, stopping power is about the same, if the shot is well placed it will bring down the largest of rabbits and pigeons no bother, my reason for the change was the .22 was a spring gun and was noisy to fire and reload, plus the spring 'kick' was something to consider, the AA is quiet, and has no kick so accuracy is better and reloading is much quieter, just incase you get a chance for a second go, so my vote goes with the .177. :good:

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Thanks!

I may go with .177. What is the maximum range I could take out say a bunny. I go lamping with a .22lr and id take this huntsman with me for around buildings where the .22 could ricochet.

My .177 rifle is zeroed at 35 yards so the poi is within half an inch of the crosshairs from 10 to 40 yards so stick to those ranges and you won't go far wrong.

 

Good luck with it, it's a very nice rifle.

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:hmm::hmm::hmm:

 

"Hello. Before I start I am 14 years of age and I regard my self as safe with any full bore/air gun/shot gun".

 

and .......................... "I go lamping with a .22lr"

 

This is more than suggestive you go out shooting with other people, what is their opinion of the tool you need, and calibre?

 

They will obviously know you and the land/quarry better than anyone here!

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Well said Dekers..... any rifle, air or powder powered should be infulenced by the land and vermin for it to be used over and the person going to use it far more so than buy any opinions on the internet !

 

Josh, yes that is an old saying and maybe more aplicable in older times, how ever technology has moved on so much that its a pretty even keel these days. .177 vs .22 is a an argument passionately argued every day and bought up most days, as a bit of veriaty though some folk now throw in .20 and .25 !

 

I would say have a go with both cals if you can and you choose what you prefer !

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Indeed there is, but I have noticed that the trend at the moment (judging from posts on here) seems to be favouring the .177 at the moment. I prefer it due to it's flatter trajectory meaning you don't have to be quite so accurate on your range judgement as 2 or 3 metres either way won't make much difference to the POI. I've never had any issues with lethality and at the end of the day, if the smaller pellet does over penetrate, the rabbits still just as dead.

 

On balance, I'll always opt for .177 now, with rifles being as accurate as they are, spot on pellet placement is the name of the game.

 

 

Agreed, zero at 25 yards and you can take head shots to just over 30 yards with no aim off. At 12 ft lbs then 177 due to its higher velocity is far easier to shoot accurately. Stalking into rabbits is excellent training for possibly deer stalking in later life. When I was younger I used an Original 45 in 177 with a 4x40 scope all the while, head shots only though.

 

A

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:hmm::hmm::hmm:

 

"Hello. Before I start I am 14 years of age and I regard my self as safe with any full bore/air gun/shot gun".

 

and .......................... "I go lamping with a .22lr"

 

This is more than suggestive you go out shooting with other people, what is their opinion of the tool you need, and calibre?

 

They will obviously know you and the land/quarry better than anyone here!

Could be he goes with his grandad who might not know much about newer airguns? who knows its irrelevant. He's asked us because he thinks we have some experience with airguns and hunting. Which about 90 percent of us do.

Lest we can do is just give him some advice!

 

My advice would be, although any quality .22 or .177 ( and if your looking at a huntsman thats a quality piece of kit ) will do the job up to 40 yards if your competant. I would go for a .177 its flatter shooting, and while night shooting judging distances can be challenging, this may give you some lee way with your distance judging, albeit a very small amount of lee way. If its often windy where you shoot i'd scrap that and go for a .22 which will be less susceptable to drifting in the wind. Good luck with your decision.

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