Good all-around .22 cal pellet for hunting and plinking?

[NickB79]

I'm looking for a .22 cal pellet for my Benjamin Trail NP that will be usable for general plinking and small-game hunting out to 35 yd or so on pest birds and squirrels.  A 14-gr. round would be best so that I can keep velocity around 750 fps, and under $12/500 since I'd like to save money compared to shooting my .22 LR.

I'm undecided whether I should use hollowpoint or pointed pellets; do the cheaper pellets actually expand on small game?

So far I've been using CPHP's with so-so results; they have decent knock-down power on ground squirrels but tend to throw fliers every so often from my rifle.  What else is out there that would satisfy my criteria?  Thanks!

[454 Big Block Chevy]

CPHP's are about the best you can get.  or you can buy a box of crossman premier domed....  just about any domed pellet in a 500 tin package would work.  try buying a cheap pair of digital calipers, and measure the heads on a bunch of pellets.  disgard any under .217.  i have found that those measuring .216, and .215 shoot worthless, and those that measure .217 and .218 are amazing.  a "cheap" plinking pellet would likely be something you can find locally and inexpensive.  also, check your crown, and see if its nicked, or uneven.  sometimes they are and it will cause goofy flight patterns.

[redsoxvw]

Im new to the AG scene, but Ive been cycling a tin of Benjamin PCP .22 14.3 hollows https://www.pyramydair.com/product/benjamin-discovery-22-cal-14-3-grains-hollowpoint-500ct?p=586, through my Benji Trail NP.....So far they are SPOT ON....Nice tight groups etc....I had my first kill today on a nutter at 37yds (Measured) In one side out the other......Nutter just dropped......So far this is what Im liking. Here is the post of the damage LOL
http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php/topic,1534.new.html#new
I dont have a chrony, my gun is right out of box, except for the SWEET GRT trigger

[longislandhunter]

I've always had good results with the CPHP's but it is true that their size consistency can be a problem at times.  I'd stay away from the pointed pellets if I were you, I've found they usually don't fly well in medium and high powered springers.  They do work well in lower powered guns, like my cheap chinese shooters but not in my other guns.

[454 Big Block Chevy]

ALSO.  if you don't have a new scope, or a GRT trigger, thta will toss your groups off very badly.  the stock trigger will cause huge groups compared to a GRT III.

[Atchman2]

Just an observation, the Crossman Field Pointed pellets are really mostly domed.  I find them interchangeable with the CPHPs.  Usually they are cheaper

In my TF 89 the best pellet is the RWS Super Domes.  You may want to try those.  They are higher than your price range though.  

For plinking though I normally just use the CPHPs.  You can get them from PA or Wally World for a decent price.  They have also become my favorite anti-possum pellet due to their hardness. 

[Perry]

I have 2 Trail NP's and have tried over 10 different kinds of pellets. Like others said, the cheap CPHP or Benji Disco HP are good pellets but are inconsistent. The loose ones are fliers. The best pellets I have found for this gun is the Beeman FTS or the H&N FTT. They are the same pellet sold in different labels. I found a source that sells the FTT pellets with a 5.55 mm head size and they shoot fast and accurate. They weigh 14.92 grains and shoot 770 FPS in my gun and are deadly on small game. They are not cheap but every pellet is a tight fit. According to Chairgun Pro, they have a very high ballistics coefficient and carry lots of velocity downrange. Well worth the money for me.

[pindog2000]

Crosman preimer hollowpoints at walls of mart for 7 bucks in.22 ca

[Jman]

Buy some Crosman domed pellets. I shot a nutter off a tree at about 5 yards last week with the Big Cat, and all he did was clinch up and fall. No exit, which means the pellet transfered its energy, and those pellets have pretty good quality to me. For .177 caliber those pellets cost around $4 for 250. My walmart has them for $2. Youd like them if your gun does

[tjk]

The CPHP's at Wally-World are a good all around pellet. I also like the Cheapo Daisy wad-cutters in my B-28. Not as aero -dynamic as the domes, but will lay a smack-down on anything it hits!!!! tjk