GTA
All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Air Gun Gate => Topic started by: SSG Grampo on December 04, 2018, 11:13:58 AM
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Just purchased my first .22 cal (RWS 34P), Do you all stay with 1 or purchase multiple caliber's? NOT talking about hunting but what is your preference?
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I have multiple calibers, I personally buy .22 for myself most often, it's big enough to hunt with and puts nice smack down on cam and spinners, while still being affordable to shoot a lot.
All my sons guns are .177, most all the guns that fit him at his age are only available in .177 and the ammo cost is a big factor when he can blow through 500 rounds a week.
I only have one rifle in .25 and it's impressive for sure, but the cost of ammo is much higher since I can't just buy CPHP at Walmart for it.
It would be my pick if I didn't shoot a lot or for a hunting gun, but it's expensive to feed for target practice compared to .22 and .177
No experience with .20, I don't really see the practicality with the cost being similar to .22 and being harder to find.
Wanting to add an adult sized .177 for fun and to be able to shoot cheap ammo when plinking for hours.
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I shoot .177 exclusively in my airguns. I like the flat trajectory for target out to fifty yards and it hits hard enough for any pests I've got. Yes, I use .177 for my Diana 34, too.
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I have a .22, .25., and soon a .357. I use the .22 the most. It is a very versatile caliber for plinking and yard pest. I don't have a need for a .177 with already having the .22, but it would be a fun and a useful caliber too, especially if it shot the Walmart pellets accurately and consistently.
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I have .177, .22 and .25. I love the .177 for accuracy, quietness and lower cost of ammo. .22 is a versatile all around size that's good for hunting and target shooting and pellets are still relatively inexpensive. The .25 is mainly for hunting because of the higher energy level and cost of pellets. All three have their place...
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I have all sorts of calibers but I do different things with all of them including hunt targets long range shooting etc
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I've tried .177, .20, .22, .25, .30 and .357. My favorites are .22 and .30 but have no need for .30 really so sold my .30. What I like about .22 is can be tuned low power when wanted then cranked up to .25 power levels.
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I can see where the higher cal you go the more expensive it gets. If the Crosman CPHP shoots well in my RWS 34 .22 that would be low cost
10m target shooting. It will be interesting comparing it to the RWS 34P in .177.
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I did stick to .177 till my dad gave me his old Sheridan blue streak as a teenager, that was how it was till almost two months ago when I received a Benji 312 and a 342.
so now I've got 3 calibers to buy, and that's how it'll stay because there's no other calibers available from vintage pumpers.
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I'm almost all .177. I like having several types of pellets in only one size, and I shoot mainly targets.
I have even gone to the extent of changing barrels from .22 to .177 on my Benji Prowler and Zoraki HP-01 (at quite a cost on the last one there).
The only gun in my collection that is still .22 is the Crosman 1300, and that's only because the barrel and breech are all one piece, and I might as well get a whole different gun in that case (the 1300 doesn't shoot that well anyway).
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I just punch paper and have both .177 and .22 rifles. I prefer the .22 as it is easier for me to see where they hit on the target.
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I did.
When I first ventured into PCP I bought a .22 cause my R1 did (and does) everything.
Then I wanted to try FT so I sold the .22.
Then I left PCP and sold everything.
Kept the R1 and TX200 (I of course have the Sheridan under the back seat of the Silverado).
Then I bought the .177 Marauder back along with two tanks and a compressor.
Bought some more .177s.
Then motorhead had me try his new .25 rifle he built.
I had to have one.
Then I bought some more .177s.
Then I felt I wanted my .22 Marauder back and I found one.
So, except for the .22, .25 Marauders and the Sheridan, they are all .177.
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I like to mix it up- .177 for flat factory, but fun to lob the .22s and .25 in to knock things around.
Have fun!
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Zac, interesting comment about being easier to see. I also just punch paper, maybe I will be able to see where I hit with open sights.
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I'm almost all .177. I like having several types of pellets in only one size, and I shoot mainly targets.
I have even gone to the extent of changing barrels from .22 to .177 on my Benji Prowler and Zoraki HP-01 (at quite a cost on the last one there).
The only gun in my collection that is still .22 is the Crosman 1300, and that's only because the barrel and breech are all one piece, and I might as well get a whole different gun in that case (the 1300 doesn't shoot that well anyway).
How much did it cost for the .177 barrel for the prowler?
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I'm almost all .177. I like having several types of pellets in only one size, and I shoot mainly targets.
I have even gone to the extent of changing barrels from .22 to .177 on my Benji Prowler and Zoraki HP-01 (at quite a cost on the last one there).
The only gun in my collection that is still .22 is the Crosman 1300, and that's only because the barrel and breech are all one piece, and I might as well get a whole different gun in that case (the 1300 doesn't shoot that well anyway).
How much did it cost for the .177 barrel for the prowler?
I'd have to look up the exact amount, but I'm pretty sure it was under $30 from Crosman.
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All of my springers are .177 and all of my PCPs are .22. The vast majority of my target shooting and plinking is done with my springers. A majority of my hunting is done with the PCPs.
R
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I'm pretty simple .177, .20, .22, .25 .357, .50, not sure why I don't have .30 or .257 or .45 yet :-\
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Considering how picky most airguns are, I've never thought it important to buy a single caliber. If the ammo varies, then I see no harm in varying the gun.
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I'm pretty simple .177, .20, .22, .25 .357, .50, not sure why I don't have .30 or .257 or .45 yet :-\
Heh Heh...me too, except I am missing the .20, .257 and .30. Think .30 will be the last addition when I get the Evanix semi. ;D
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I shoot mostly .22's but have .177, .20, .22 and .25. Buying pellets isn't a concern with .22&.25 because I cast them. I've been having fun plinking in doors with a replica gun recently in .177 with wadcutters. It helps for the cabin fever in the winter ;D
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All of mine, rifles and handguns, are .177 caliber.
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Boils down to preference. I tend to favor .22 as I like to hunt with my airguns. Not that .177 isn't a capable caliber for smaller animals, and it is definitely king of paper punching too, but my first true tack driver was a 2250b in .22 and I liked the smack it delivered while plinking so I stuck with it. In my limited experience switching to .22 from .177 doesnt make as big of a difference as going from .22 to .25. I really like the one .25 I have now.
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Originally, in the beginning all my rifles and pistols were going to be .177 to keep it simple. Now my favorite calibers are .25 and .30 with a little .177 and .22 mixed in. So much for keeping it simple ::)
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All the rifles that I've purchased NEW are 22 cal. for ease of handling pellets with old eyes and fingers.
I have a large collection of varied pellets, for me at least.
My only 177's are my D34, which I won here on the forum, and my used Daisy 853 which only comes in 177.
CO2 Pistols are all either BB and/or 177 of course.
I'm satisfied with my choices.
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I found that owning multiple calibers has increased my range accuracy. Little to no wind, .177 is fine. Add a little crosswind and I go to either the .22 or the .25. It's amazing how much more accurate you can be when you use the heavier weights to your advantage. Not that a .177 doesn't perform well with the know how in the wind, it's just a bit more affected. The distance of the target also plays a role. Probably the most accurate platform I owned was a .22 marauder with a hammer forged barrel shooting the 18.13 JSBs.
All in all it really only matters what YOU deem you need.
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When I decided to get back into shooting sports last summer, I decided to focus on .25 cal. Its got plenty of smack-down for any kind of shooting I do. I wanted to be able to shoot large ground hogs and possibly beaver and have some certainty at making ethical shots. I don't do a lot of target shooting; so, I didn't really care about ammo cost. However, plinking with .25 cal can be a lot of fun.
I also have a .22 cal and a .30 cal- both are springers. Really just for diversity. I rarely shoot the .30 cal but my .22 is my go to for time-killing target shooting and plinking because the ammo is cheap and trajectory out to 50 yards is flat enough.
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I prefer .177, but I don't need heavy enough impact to kill larger game than sparrows and starlings. For my purposes (mostly sitting at the bench shooting targets) the .177 is my preference. I have a couple of .22 cal, but they RARELY get shot.
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Nope, they all have their uses whether plinking, target or pesting.
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I found that owning multiple calibers has increased my range accuracy. Little to no wind, .177 is fine. Add a little crosswind and I go to either the .22 or the .25. It's amazing how much more accurate you can be when you use the heavier weights to your advantage. Not that a .177 doesn't perform well with the know how in the wind, it's just a bit more affected. The distance of the target also plays a role. Probably the most accurate platform I owned was a .22 marauder with a hammer forged barrel shooting the 18.13 JSBs.
All in all it really only matters what YOU deem you need.
Agree, I went to 25 for the longer range....and dealing with the wind. IMHO nothing teaches you how to read wind better than a pellet rifle....part of the fun. But where I live it just gets too windy....10+mph and 177 just too much for fun....for me. So the 25 was bought for that 100yard+ fooling around.
I would say I shoot 177 the most....it is just more fun for me.
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Ha !!! I'm thinkin 9 or 10
Lately shootin .22 & .375 most
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I've pretty much decided to only buy .22 rifles from now on. The ammo prices are only 1 cent more than .177 per pellet. I just feel like the pellets are more consistent. Of course I would still grab any cheap HW77/97 in .177 that shows up used near me.
It's probably a bigger issue for guys who still buy big box store guns, as the nitro pistons are all shooting too hot in .177. They are fine in .22 though.
I will buy a cheap pistol (P17?)to use up my drawer full of .177 ammo. My wife's antique Beeman will use up some .177 as well.
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Val Gamerman CEO of PA said that the .22 cal was the most popular online platform. .177 was the Big Box most popular (HAM interview). That's why I have a .22 cal RWS 34P on the way. I felt I may be missing something.
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It has been a slow caliber progression for me over time to cover my needs.
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I specialize with .22. The pellets are physically easier for me to control, plus should I decide to varmint/pest with it, it just makes more sense. I choose my airguns depending if they work in a suburban back yard, so going up in caliber isn't practical either. I do have one .177, a B3, so I do have a little invested in the smaller weapon!
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I prefer .177. Shoots flatter and I just punch paper. The .22's I have are because it's the only caliber I could get the gun in or they're a dual cal.
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Just opened a tin of .22 pellets. After shooting .177 for 6 years I can see why they're is so many comments about being so much easier to load. I'll find out today when my 34P arrives.
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One of things I've noticed about .22's is that they ricochet at medium MV's, like 650 and below. I don't have a gun that shoots faster than that. When my Prowler was a .22 they would ricochet off of trees. That's another reason I switched them all over to .177.
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For the higher powered springers the shot cycle is so much nicer in .22 vs .177. The easier loading is a big plus too.
-Marty
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Marty I hear that a lot lately, the new SIG springer is also recommended in .22 for a smother shot cycle.
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Just purchased my first .22 cal (RWS 34P), Do you all stay with 1 or purchase multiple caliber's? NOT talking about hunting but what is your preference?
Years ago I bought a .177 Beeman R9 and was pleased with it, however I "drank the fat pellet mo better" Koolaid and bought a .20 cal Beeman R9. Being disappointed in the performance of the .20 cal pellet vs the .177 for squirrel hunting I bought a .22 cal Beeman R1 barrel, had it chopped and choked, and replaced the .20 barrel. Was also disappointed with the .22 cal (for a HW95 power level springer) so both the .20 & .22 barrel was sold. I reverted back to .177 a couple decades ago never to look back.
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Hi Ed, I'm still using the targets that you sent me years ago, thank you again. The .22 was something I just had to try, who knows it could be my 1 and only.
Bill
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I use .177, .22, and .25. My .25 is a springer, and prefer Polymags. Still, I plink with it, as well as using it for pesting and hunting. It's no different than buying bullets for powderburners- find a gun you like and buy ammo. Once you've bought a few firearms, you want to try something different. Factor in managing pests and occasional hunting (mostly in the woods short-range stuff), then yeah, those 3 calibers work for me.
Simply stated, I like diversity. I love Mexican food but sometimes I want to have spaghetti or Chinese food. No one type of cuisine meets all my desires; likewise, why should I limit myself in shooting? For that matter, as much as I like airguns, I prefer my flat-band slingshots more, though my most-used slingshot is an old Tru-Mark with tubular bands cut from surgical tubing, and my ammo ranges from acorns to marbles with a health smattering of steel and lead shot. I'm as likely to grab my horsebow, a longbow, or slingshot as I am one of my airguns, so one single caliber in airguns just isn't gonna scratch the itch, especially since I'm not just doing one type of shooting.
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No!
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I was just going to be a .177 air gunner.
Tried a Beeman Kodiak x2 and shot .22 and thought"this is too much" harsh,twangy.(synthetic stock)
Parted with it.
Then rebuilt a Crosman 130,and then found and resealed a Sears/Crosman 1400. ;D
So,I started liking .22.
Then I tried another Beeman Kodiak....... Parted with it also! ::)
I have a B3-2 in .22 that I got from Amazon,and went through it and it is a nice behaving .22 Springer.
Most of my pellets come from WallyWorld so .177 and .22 is whats available. 8)
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I pretty much stay with small bore , I have an assortment of rifles in .177, .22. and .25. If I had to trade them all in for one gun (which is not realistic), I would get and insanely nice .22...and figure out where to hide a couple more guns. ;D
After a few years of airgunning these are the personal guidelines I have settled on:
If just back yard paper punching or target shooting, a mid-power springer in either .177 or .22 is sufficient.
If I'm going to get a "magnum power" springer (18+fpe), it will be a .22, much more effiicient use of power. Above 20fpe I'm just going to go for a PCP.
I've decided that I'm not really interested in .177 PCPs unless I'm going to compete, for informal shooting an excellent quality springer is fine. I decided this after I bought the .177 PCP I have, but I won't buy another one.
I have a .25 PCP, I love shooting it, and I don't get to shoot it so much that ammo cost is a significant barrier. But in general I've decided that for my hunting needs (squirrel) a .22 PCP is plenty sufficient. I prefer one at 30fpe, but that is probably just the part of me that is a power-mad American, you don't really need that much power to effectively squirrel hunt.
And all my other air rifles are around because I bought them in this process of learning and shooting, and I just don't really have a good reason to sell them.
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Mark, I agree with your last sentence. It took me a while to realize that I love springers and that's all I want to shoot now. BUT when they stop being fun (to hard) to cock I will still have my CO2 rifles and pistols. Hopefull I can shoot springers until i'm 80+.
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Mark, I agree with your last sentence. It took me a while to realize that I love springers and that's all I want to shoot now. BUT when they stop being fun (to hard) to cock I will still have my CO2 rifles and pistols. Hopefull I can shoot springers until i'm 80+.
I have a somewhat comparable reason for owning the rifles I do.
My three PCPs are CO2 compatible, Disco without adjustments, MRod with adjustments and my favorite Talon-SS with just a quick tank change. All are 22 cal...
The Benji's can be tethered to a paintball tank for bench/tabletop large scale shoot, such as a starling horde invasion.
I have equipment for direct fill and tethered.
My two breakbarrels are good shooters, the Benji Trail-AW is also 22 cal but the D34P is 177 as I won it here on the forum and didn't have a choice.
I hand pump the PCPs but may not be able to for much longer as I've developed severe back trouble, so the CO2 will be my final fuel choice.
So far the arms and shoulders are fully functional for cocking the breakbarrels.
But I'm not getting any younger, 73 next month.
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I'm a fan of .22. It's a cheap and easy caliber to find and buy. Have I mentioned that I have short arms and long pockets? .22 also makes nice holes in paper and biggish holes in cans......makes biggish holes in starlings too. 8) A great all around caliber for plinking airgun fun.
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Not as much of a selection of .22 cal pellets in the big box stores in my area.
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Not as much of a selection of .22 cal pellets in the big box stores in my area.
I hear you. I buy my ammo from pyramid air.......in bulk. They have a nice selection, free shipping deals now and then, buy three get one free, and decent prices. Must have near 20,000 .22 pellets, at this point. I should stop buying ammo. At my age I have a lifetime supply. :-\
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Stuart, Yea, I agree with PA, all of my .177 pellets came from them except occasional Walmart deals. they had RWS Superdomes (500) for $4 last year, got 16 tins and won't need those for a while. Surprisingly my RWS 34P .22 cal shoots CPHP very very well. $5.82 (500) off the shelf @ Walmart.
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Which area of Mass? I know a few places that stock pellets and one that has all brands of pellets.
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Eddie, Walmart in Danvers MA. What Walmart are you visiting with a good selection. Danvers has Crosman & Gamo mostly .177.
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Barrel collection...
.17 HMR, Savage 24", button tapered // .22 lr, Berreta 25" hammer forged Choked // .22lr, Shultz & Larson 27 " cut bull // 22lr Remminton 24" button // .22lr, Marlin 24" button micro groove // .22 WMR Marlin 23" button micro groove / / .22 hornet Heym 24" Hammer forged tapered
and a bunch of Crosman barrels and a couple L.W. and a Daisy 953 barrel
want
.22-250 14 twist
.22 Savage High Power (.227) (5.6 X 52R) 12 twist
.244 Remington 12 twist
maybe a slow twist .264.. ;)
So yep would love to see even more calibers...
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Not as much of a selection of .22 cal pellets in the big box stores in my area.
I hear ya. Several of my airguns do well with Crosman pellets, so it's a win for me.
I hope you can keep shooting until you're ready to stop. My 2400KT remains my favorite airgun during CO2-season :)
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Thank's Peter. The RWS 34P seems to love Crosman CPHP and Piranha pellets. I have not tried the RWS pellets but I don't know how they could be any better?
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I was just going to be a .177 air gunner.
Tried a Beeman Kodiak x2 and shot .22 and thought"this is too much" harsh,twangy.(synthetic stock)
Parted with it.
Then rebuilt a Crosman 130,and then found and resealed a Sears/Crosman 1400. ;D
So,I started liking .22.
Then I tried another Beeman Kodiak....... Parted with it also! ::)
I have a B3-2 in .22 that I got from Amazon,and went through it and it is a nice behaving .22 Springer.
Most of my pellets come from WallyWorld so .177 and .22 is whats available. 8)
Is the RS2 a B19? Maybe the gun was the problem?
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Barrel collection...
.17 HMR, Savage 24", button tapered // .22 lr, Berreta 25" hammer forged Choked // .22lr, Shultz & Larson 27 " cut bull // 22lr Remminton 24" button // .22lr, Marlin 24" button micro groove // .22 WMR Marlin 23" button micro groove / / .22 hornet Heym 24" Hammer forged tapered
and a bunch of Crosman barrels and a couple L.W. and a Daisy 953 barrel
want
.22-250 14 twist
.22 Savage High Power (.227) (5.6 X 52R) 12 twist
.244 Remington 12 twist
maybe a slow twist .264.. ;)
So yep would love to see even more calibers...
What do you think of microgroove? Does it get leaded up faster?
I saw somewhere around here someone repurposed a microgroove marlin barrel for a P17. I guess it would make a better pellet barrel than Ballard cut as I would figure it would take less energy to swage projectile into the grooves.
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That would be Stalwart...
Well the .22 lr is very seasoned... read very well polished & worn rifling... plenty for up to 60 fpe tho... Eun Jin should do excellent and have some molds...
The .22 WMR is unfired and it needs lapping... rough and catchy right now... will probably fire lapp with some 10-20 micron diamond paste or similar bore grit... then some 7 micron finishing with JB bore paste...
the Wheeler 600grit (~30 micron) is to course imo...
Have not ran into a leading prob in a microgroove barrel but most of us stayed with standard velocity rounds... My ex Has her dads still...
Point is in a .22 sub sonic air rifle you should not be getting much leading...except if you have a rough barrel... even if you have a choked barrel leading should only happen if the choke has a rough spot... like machining artifacts from drilling...
even the hammer forged barrels should be honed to final pre hammering size, to prevent transfer to the bore of any machining marks...
Heym does TJ liner and BSA do not hone I think... so yeah it will depend on the barrel some will need some help others not so much...
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Everyone has different wants & needs. This is just my 2-cents.
I like to scale caliber with muzzle energy and velocity. Varying pellet mass/weight helps here. While supersonic pellets have a really cool wow-factor, IMO they are NOT practical for target shooting or hunting.
For Low-Medium power springers (up to ~22 fpe) I prefer 177 and 22 as long as muzzle velocity stays sub-sonic. The 177 is the cheapest to shoot and fun for target and "small" game. The 22 gives you a little more downrange energy to buck wind and/or slightly larger hunting targets.
For Medium-High power springers (up to ~34 fpe) I prefer 22 minimum and the occasional 25. The 25 pellets are a >4x jump in cost from the 177 and 22 ammo I typically buy so it is not my preferred high volume plinker. The 25 is FUN to shoot and the loud THUD down range at the target always makes me smile.
I do have one high power springer in 177 (Mod125 Sniper). It is a BEAST and LOUD as the supressor does nothing to quiet a supersonic pellet CRACK! I just feed it the heaviest pellets I can find to try to keep it sub-sonic. Almost 30 fpe in a 177 pellet is at the upper limit of my preference for that caliber.
I decided to stay with 22 only for my PCP's. That gives me the best compromise between shooting cost, accuracy, down range energy, hunting options, and overall shooting enjoyment. My PCP's normally shoot subsonic with lead pellets, so I'm in a happy place :-)
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Eddie, Walmart in Danvers MA. What Walmart are you visiting with a good selection. Danvers has Crosman & Gamo mostly .177.
I've been buying my good pellets at New England Airgun in Hudson, MA. They have a buy 4 get one free like the mail order places. They have almost every pellet made there. JSB, H&N, GTO, big slugs etc.
The Bass Pro in Foxboro also carries the full line of RWS pellets reasonably cheap. Tractor Supply in Medfield carries the Crossman Domes, RWS and the cheap Winnies.
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Good info, thank's Eddie.
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That would be Stalwart...
Well the .22 lr is very seasoned... read very well polished & worn rifling... plenty for up to 60 fpe tho... Eun Jin should do excellent and have some molds...
The .22 WMR is unfired and it needs lapping... rough and catchy right now... will probably fire lapp with some 10-20 micron diamond paste or similar bore grit... then some 7 micron finishing with JB bore paste...
the Wheeler 600grit (~30 micron) is to course imo...
Have not ran into a leading prob in a microgroove barrel but most of us stayed with standard velocity rounds... My ex Has her dads still...
Point is in a .22 sub sonic air rifle you should not be getting much leading...except if you have a rough barrel... even if you have a choked barrel leading should only happen if the choke has a rough spot... like machining artifacts from drilling...
even the hammer forged barrels should be honed to final pre hammering size, to prevent transfer to the bore of any machining marks...
Heym does TJ liner and BSA do not hone I think... so yeah it will depend on the barrel some will need some help others not so much...
I agree about AG barrels. Shouldn’t lead up if they’re smooth enough.
Was wondering more about in .22lr. If you thought microgroove was worth it. I think it may have just been a way to manufacture barrels more cheaply, like FX smooth twist.
Don’t know if it’s true, but have heard many barrels people think are shot out are actually just leaded up.
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To the OP.
Haven’t hunted nearly as much as many here. Nearly all animals have been taken with .22. I haven’t yet taken anything with .25, and don’t own a .20, but would like to try it.
I agree with the idea of matching caliber to FPE, and/or expected PBZ.
I like them all I guess: