Springer ?

[uglymike]

Just an hour ago I shot a red squirrel with D34 T06 .177 tuned to 12 ft/lbs. Laser ranged him @ 38yrds., put one CPHP thru the front shoulder, dead when he hit the ground. It's more about accuracy and confidence with what range you can hit a nickel 8 out of 10 times IMHO. 

[Arch_E]

Just an hour ago I shot a red squirrel with D34 T06 .177 tuned to 12 ft/lbs. Laser ranged him @ 38yrds., put one CPHP thru the front shoulder, dead when he hit the ground. It's more about accuracy and confidence with what range you can hit a nickel 8 out of 10 times IMHO.

+1

[fwbsport]

I said my FWB Sport was my "hunting gun" (and it is in .177) because of the scope on it--not the caliber.  It goes in the rifle bag when it's time to kill what has to be killed, not either HW35E!

So since I have more rifles than you have I'll tell you how it happens and how owning one never solves owning all.  You'll get down to the brass tacks seeing why you like this rifle for this and this rifle for that.  You'll get to the point of liking a rifle over another exact one in the same or different caliber because of balance and trigger and stock and such.  You'll appreciate all caveats mentioned by fellow owners about each rifle and its peculiarities and then you become ONE WITH US! 

You'll have an armory and you'll want more.....

[Hoosier Daddy]

^ I am guilty ^

True words John...

[fwbsport]

Just an hour ago I shot a red squirrel with D34 T06 .177 tuned to 12 ft/lbs. Laser ranged him @ 38yrds., put one CPHP thru the front shoulder, dead when he hit the ground. It's more about accuracy and confidence with what range you can hit a nickel 8 out of 10 times IMHO. 

This is what I strive for.  I do it all only standing and off-hand with every rifle.  I know which rifle will do what at 25-35 yards this way, the most common way you will spot and shoot in the quickest way possible.  If there is time for a landscape supported shot to steady the off-hand heartbeat and breathing and wiggle in the cheek(!) I will of course resort to it; but taking up a stronger position is a flowing process into the landscape and whatever is there I'll use like the coyotes I've hunted!

Yes the JOY of finding out the process of learning springers is rotating a multitude of springers through your arms and shooting them.  Each one has its OWN way of becoming ONE WITH YOU!!

[lefteyeshot]

simpler and easier to buy another gun but if you get another gun get something else. you already have a 34.

or try some heavier .177 pellets. might get similar results as a .22.

[sslcm56]

After white fang worked on my gun and reading and watching videos I’ve improved a bunch with shooting  this gun. Trying some different pellets to make sure I’m shooting the best one. Dome is all I’ve shot if I understand right that is the most accurate?

 When I got my Bone Collector I bought a LOT of different kinds and weights of pellets. I even got several different sample packs.
I was all over the place. Couldn't group no matter how hard I tried from ANY range.
 When I tried the Gamo Red Fire(poly mag look alike) BANG. Laser accurate. From 30 yards 3 out of 5 on the head of a roofing nail. From 50 yards into a PVC pill bottle packed with sand. I haven't even tried another pellet since the 1st Red Fire.
 Every gun is different.

Steve

[lizzie]

Jmo......to me, it makes more sense to sell (if you want) the one you don't like then buy one that you DO want.

[Mossonarock]

Deciding between .177 or .22? Get a .20 and get the best of both worlds! or get one in each caliber and have fun!

People will tell you that .177 shoots a flatter trajectory than .22 but then they same in regards to .20 vs .22 also .22 vs .25.
So what's that point supposed to mean? Yeah get what suits your fancy. If most of your shooting will be under 50 yards, I'd say forget about trajectory curve. IMO though, .22 cal is a very nice springer caliber.

[cpool]

Thanks everyone more confused than ever.

[nced]

As some you know I’m new to springers and finally making some headway into shooting one. Here is the deal I have wished I got 22 instead of 177 ever since I bought this 34. My intentions was too squirrel hunt with it.heres the question should I get another barrel in 22 for this gun or would it make more since to just buy another gun ?

Hummm.....I started with a .177 Beeman R9 (HW95 with different stock & such) which worked great for my WV squirrel hunting. Then I drank the "bigger pellet mo betta" Coolaid and bought a .20 cal Beeman R9. LOL....the .20 cal pellet didn't work better on squirrels than the .177 pellet, matter of fact the results were worse due to the loopier trajectory that made the proper holdover past my 30 yard zero problematic with my "range guestimation skills". I then bought a used .22 cal R1 barrel (the R9 didn't come in .22 cal), sent the barrel it off to be professionally "chopped and choked" and also found that it didn't work any better on squirrels than the .177. I ended up selling both the .20 and .22 barrels, reverted back to .177 cal never to look back!

[nced]

Deciding between .177 or .22? Get a .20 and get the best of both worlds! or get one in each caliber and have fun!

People will tell you that .177 shoots a flatter trajectory than .22 but then they same in regards to .20 vs .22 also .22 vs .25.
So what's that point supposed to mean? Yeah get what suits your fancy. If most of your shooting will be under 50 yards, I'd say forget about trajectory curve. IMO though, .22 cal is a very nice springer caliber.

"So what's that point supposed to mean? "
LOL....I found that an "off the mark hit" with the .20 and .22 pellet (don't know about .25s) isn't as good as an "on the mark hit" with a .177 pellet.

When I shot both .20 and .22 barrels mounted on my Beeman R9 (.20 for a year and .22 for six months) my "hit to retrieve ratio" decreased vs the .177 when shooting beyond my 30 yard zero distance, however out to 30 yards it didn't make any difference if the pellet were .177, .20 or .22.

[MartyMcFly]

Thanks everyone more confused than ever.

While other people’s opinions do count for something, in the end you will never know if you will like a caliber or gun until you try it. Some have tried .22 and gone back to .177, others have liked .22 or .20 much better. Unfortunately there is no substitute for trying. Some guns shoot one caliber smoother/softer/quicker/better than the other. Generally, I’ve found .177 to be snappier and .22 to be smoother. Most people don’t know what they prefer until they have tried it and what they like will often also dictate what they are better at regardless of the technical attributes. Enjoy the journey!

-Marty

[BackStop]

Thanks everyone more confused than ever.

While other people’s opinions do count for something, in the end you will never know if you will like a caliber or gun until you try it. Some have tried .22 and gone back to .177, others have liked .22 or .20 much better. Unfortunately there is no substitute for trying. Some guns shoot one caliber smoother/softer/quicker/better than the other. Generally, I’ve found .177 to be snappier and .22 to be smoother. Most people don’t know what they prefer until they have tried it and what they like will often also dictate what they are better at regardless of the technical attributes. Enjoy the journey!

-Marty

Buy what you *think* you want.  Your *second* gun will most likely be more satisfying.

When I bought my first boat, I *thought* I knew what I wanted... after a few years with that first boat, I KNEW what I did NOT want!

[fwbsport]

It's odd I'd come back from the R1/HW80 design to order another HW30S in .22, and the advertised velocity is about 130 m/s (429 f.p.s.) and the .177 HW30 I already have is around R7 levels. 

I shot up over 100 pellets this morning from my HW30 .177 using HN pistol match wadcutters at 1.5" steel at 30 yards seeing that if I hit the steel precisely it whips up to the "hit" position quite smartly.  The fact the rifle weighs only 5 pounds or something made this tremendous shooting session end easily without any fatigue.

So then I took out my R7 .177 and shot up 50 more of the same pellets with the same results, only the HW30 is a bit smoother being Vortexed.

Then I took out the HW50S .22 and shot up 50 .22s in JSB Exact regular weights and that rifle did it all as well but with more spring and loudness but not necessarily knocking the steel any better than the other two rifles.

Last night I took out my HW97K .20 and shot the HEAVIES I was mentioning earlier, and it was such a switch to go to a thumbhole stable gun I was pleasantly surprised how comfortable it was to shoot offhand, but the weight still gets to me and shooting sessions are limited in time.

Now we here what nced's experiences said to him and I am affirming the precision of the shot seems most likely coming from a low velocity HW30 rather than the FWB or HW80, so out to 30 yards there is no reason to use any more power or "flatter trajectory" to hit precisely in an off hand hold.

For hunting I like bigger holes and substantial pellets which the .20 and .22 do have.  Is the .20 better than the .177?  Is the .22 Better than the .20?

I've seen regular .22 Long Rifle Hollow Points fail to kill squirrels while the .22 Magnum rips them all apart right there in place.

I've seen PCP .22s kill squirrels and nail them ON THE SPOT faster than .22 Long Rifles.

How can a PCP .22 kill a squirrel faster than a .22 RF?  Because it doesn't just go in and out.  I don't remember exit wounds using the PCP .22 (Tarantula, Black Widow FX) and because it had a moderator it was the neatest thing in the world to shoot!  The pellet obviously smashed itself to pieces or a huge mushroom inside the squirrels to anchor them so fast--with all the heat of deformation the pellet dumped and transferred to the inside of the varmint.

However, nced, I would enjoy an up to date today report on your revisiting the .22 and .20 just to see if there is something else happening.  I know you have an HW95 and an R9, and I've got the .177 R9 and think of you when I am using it because of your fondness for it.  But, what about getting another report using an HW97K? 

[Hoosier Daddy]

....and sometimes one just falls into your lap that was completely unsuspected, but checks all the boxes.
1989 Beeman R10 Deluxe, Santa Rosa, .20... jaw dropper.

[avator]

"One in the hand is worth two in the bush"..
If you've gotten comfortable and can shoot your .177 then you are already that far ahead of the game. You never know what might be in the next box of chocolates you open. The 34 has a great following.. this many people can't all be wrong.
The .177 is plenty to take out small game. What pellets are you using? Try a few heavier pellets if it will ease your mind.

[cpool]

I’m shooting 8.44 jsb. It really bothers me to cripple a animal and it get away. Ive had this gun for several years but would not take it hunting because I just didn’t think it would kill a squirrel . I’m starting to really enjoy shooting break barrels after I’ve finally figured out how to shoot them. 25 yards is about-my max hunting I shoot farther in the back yard

[avator]

Shot placement is key no matter what caliber you choose. Head or heart and lungs. You can shoot a squirrel in his hind quarter with a .25 or .30 and not stop him. They are quite resilient.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Shot placement is key no matter what caliber you choose.

Truer words have never been spoken.
If you can hit where you aim who cares of the caliber... considering the SIZE of the prey.