FAC air .22 or .25

[Fenstu]

Hi,

Am in the process of applying for my FAC and I need to put down which calibre I will be using, my preferred option in sub 12 is .177 but from what I have read this is not the best option in full power, so leaves .22 or .25 as not really much around about .20`s. which is the most popular option it will be mainly for shooting rabbits and pigeons.

i`m also erring towards the FX range but am open to other suggestions so long as PCP.

i appreciate there is a wealth of knowledge regarding all aspects but am only after the FAC Air.

Cheers

 

[strimmer_13]

I'd read posts not that long ago fella, this will get drawn out again 

[Fenstu]

I have, just after clarification whether to go .22 or .25, don’t want to start a big debate 

Edited November 23, 2018 by Fenstu

[Ultrastu]

Simply put .

.25 for ground game only with good back stops.

.22 for ground and elevated but still be aware of your fall out with those heavy  .22 s .

.177 much better for elevated shots as the fall out risk is much reduced .

They all should have similar trajectories and all have enough energy for kills on target ..

177 fac uses less air so u can have a smaller gun than .22 or .25. 

 

Ps l like fx bullpups. And bsa pcps in fac. 

I have 

Facair .177 .22 and .25 and dont have a favourite. They all have thier uses and plus /minus points. 

U have to find what whats best for you. 

Cant make your mind up ? Get all 3 like me .

Edited November 23, 2018 by Ultrastu

[Dougy]

177 not worth it, you are restricted by velocity more so, and the drop in velocity is far quicker. And as its not on your list not worth going any further.

25 Im not sure on pellet choice. 

22 been there, and would go again. More consistent than most 22lr rifles as far as accuracy goes, stick to around 35 ft/lb with 16 grain pellets. 

 

[Salop Matt]

.22 @ 30ftlb 👍

[Ultrastu]

If a .177 is set at 900 fps (8.5 grns 16 fpe ) 

A .22 set at 28 fpe . (16 grns 900 fps ) 

A .25 set a 45 fpe (25 grns 900 fps ) 

They all have the same trajectory (bar mm s) out to the same ranges .the .25 shoyld have a higher bc .but it doesnt make a massive difference to trjectory between cals 

[loopy bunny blaster]

had the decision to make recently and went .22 as i only wanted one airgun, could get a rimfire for anymore power,  i bought a wolverine r at 30ftlbs ,  its a lovely thing and plenty of shots 

[dbarnard]

.22 for me....

 

[Ultrastu]

If i could only have 2 id take the .177 and the .25 .

If only 1 gun id probably take the .22 for its versatility. 

The .25 is awesome and definatly gives the longest range .but it really should be thought  of as more a rim fire than an airgun . (From a safety point of view) .

 

[villaman]

Put down for .22 and .25 . FX guns are the way to go specily the impact and crown three way to adjust them .

I have .25 impact running at 47 ft/lbs with 25.4 gr AA fields  and .22 crown running @ 31ft/lbs  ,both guns are fantastic .  With The crown  in 10 seconds I can have the scope and gun adjusted down to 12 ft/lbs and even lower if needed ,how many other guns can do that with !!

[happyshooter]

I use a daystate airranger.22 fac @37 fpe with bisley magnum pellets a deadly combo

I also use a daystate wolverine .303 at 100fpe  my cannon!!!!1

for ambushing /hide shooting I use a kalbrigun cricket.22 at 28fpe

allround use the.22 at fac is used the most by me,

atb brian

[Hamster]

It all depends what you mostly shoot and at what range and of course your budget, a good .22 running at 30 ft lbs is mustard on everything from 15 to 60 yards or more and with practice and no wind a fair bit more, it can also be used for shooting into trees with a suitable background. 

People often cite the availability of more ammo types as another good reason for opting for the .22, I personally disagree because pretty much all knowledgeable FAC shooters end up choosing/sticking to one or two types of pellets anyway namely Exacts or AArms. 

But if your budget allows and you have the ability and inclination to explore air power further then look no further than a FX Impact in .25, these have power adjustment as standard and you can use pellets as light as 18g all the way to 34g so it's possible to make them behave similar to a regular .22 or have it turned up to 50 ft lbs or more and enjoy their superior down range performance, the other arena currently beginning to make huge strides is .25 slugs which are known to outperform ordinary diablo pellets

[Ultrastu]

Good advice above .

The .22 pellet choices above is a good reason the go with .22 fac air. 

But dont discount the lighter pellets for fac use .

I use a jsb 13.4  grn pellet in my .22 running around 23 fpe and 870 fps .

It hits quarry hard up to 75 yds 

And is great for pigeon decoying on the ground or up trees etc .

Pesonally  ive never found the really  heavy pellets available  to be much use in airguns of any power. 

I reccomend you stick to the light to med weight offerings in all cals. 

 

[old man]

My personal choice would be a .22 Air Arms un regulated S410/510 extra 30ftlb with H & N and Air Arms pellets between 14 and 18 gn. Superb out to 70 yds.

Easy to get fixed and able to turn down if required?

[villaman]

3 hours ago, Hamster said:

It all depends what you mostly shoot and at what range and of course your budget, a good .22 running at 30 ft lbs is mustard on everything from 15 to 60 yards or more and with practice and no wind a fair bit more, it can also be used for shooting into trees with a suitable background. 

People often cite the availability of more ammo types as another good reason for opting for the .22, I personally disagree because pretty much all knowledgeable FAC shooters end up choosing/sticking to one or two types of pellets anyway namely Exacts or AArms. 

But if your budget allows and you have the ability and inclination to explore air power further then look no further than a FX Impact in .25, these have power adjustment as standard and you can use pellets as light as 18g all the way to 34g so it's possible to make them behave similar to a regular .22 or have it turned up to 50 ft lbs or more and enjoy their superior down range performance, the other arena currently beginning to make huge strides is .25 slugs which are known to outperform ordinary diablo pellets

Not just .25 slugs but .22 slugs hollow point  

  

 

[villaman]

These FX guns are fantastic @FAC levels ,I can turn my .22 FX crown FAC from 35 down to 10.6 FT/LBS with in seconds .

No other gun can match that and change barrels plus liners ,100plus shots running @30ft/lbs not bad is it 

[Ultrastu]

Fx wildcat .25 

150 yd coke can basher  

[Ultrastu]

Wild cat in .22 fac and .25 fac 

Same scopes .30 fpe and 45 fpe .

The .22 shot a 40mm group at 100 yds that morning 

[Fenstu]

Thanks for all the info and suggestions guys, think I will do as villaman suggested and put in for both cals, don’t have to get both straight away.

Edited November 24, 2018 by Fenstu

[Lampwick]

Interesting thread. I’m currently looking at another fac air rifle. Currently have a Verminator which I love but want to stick a thermal on another. I quite like to write up on the Impact in .25. Any thoughts welcome. Use is rats and rabbits. 

Cheers 

[Ultrastu]

A .25 fac on rats isnt going to be the best cal .

A rat is a small soft rodent. Which a heavy fast solid pellet will pass right through .imparting little energy and then potentially bounce about in a barn etc ..

Rats are usually taken at close range inside ..the ideal  pellet is a wad cutter from .177 fac .blasting along at 950 fps they litterally splat a rat hard and the pellet doesnt leave the rat or if it does its with very little energy .

The .25 fac is perfect for rabbits though as long as your back stops are good. As the pellet just goes right through it .

Edited November 26, 2018 by Ultrastu

[villaman]

if it for rats then any cal in sub12 will do the trick  ,I have shot hundreds with sub 12 .177 and .22

Rabbits crows, pigeons in the fields  then .25 FAC 

[Lampwick]

I was just thinking that I could turn it down sub 12 for rats and crank it back up for the bunnies! 

Never had a .25 or used the Impact.

[Ultrastu]

The issue with the heavy .25 cal pellets (25 grn ) is that they tend to over penetrate at almost any speed and energy . (Within reason ) 

So your sub 12 .25 is still gonna go right through a rat.