Robert,I'll throw my 2 cents in, if I may? I've always liked to use the minimal caliber that will effectively get the job done. I pest squirrels, chipmunks and starlings in my yard. My shots are between 10 and about 20 yards. In these circumstances .177 is more than adequate for brain and body shots. Also a .177 wadcutter should lose velocity quicker, due to lower ballistic coefficient, so that downrange liability is reduced. Retained energies will be a lot less than .22 or .25. .177 should also be ok at your 35 - 50 yard shooting distances. The larger calibers will do better at longer ranges and will retain a lot more energy. If you're going to be shooting raccoons you could go up in caliber if you will be making vitals shots. At close ranges, brain shots with .177 will dispatch a raccoon humanely.I like to shoot pellets in the 800 to 900 fps range for the flatter trajectories. I have noticed, in one rifle so far, that wadcutters were shooting more accurately at 600 fps than they did at over 800 fps. The reason could be barrel harmonics or wadcutters are less accurate at higher velocities. I have read that they are most accurate at around 500 - 600 fps. So this is most likely what is happening.If you're shooting close, the less accuracy of a wadcutter may be inconsequential. Wadcutters are devastating on pests. They don't zip through flesh as easily as a domed pellet would.Thanks,Taso
I started out hunting with the 177 rws,then I moved up to the 22 disco and 22 Mrod.but when I started hunting with the 25 cal Mrod it was by far the best caliber for hunting.if you are hunting the 25 is the best choice for all game you will be hunting.the 177 is too small for effective damage on game animals and I know some will jump on that but it is what it is,too small.the 22 is more effective but not as good as the 25...I got the 22 cause I was afraid of using too much air but the yong heng takes care of that.my 22 Mrod which I have a lot of money tied up in rarely sees hunting duty these days.i reach for one of my 25 Mrods or the Sumatra 25 carbine.in a hunting situation the 25 wins hands down.just set the three calibers side buy side and give it the eye test,the 177 is tiny compared to the 22 and the 22 is tiny compared to the 25.size does matter...