Artemis M11 high power .177 slug shooter?

[Scavenger]

Considering an M11 in .177 and although I have a ton of lead in .22 and I've read all the posts about this pcp in .25 . . . Curious, for those of you that have one, would this make a good high power .177 NSA launcher?

Please tell me if I'm being foolish   

I have satisfied my power hunger with an AEA Challenger in .30, which I want to do a write up on soon, so now looking for something that can take rats from a long distance, but can also turn up the power for heavy .177 slugs.

[Rallyshark]

I can't speak to the M11 specifically with personal experience, so I'm not a ton of help there.  I will say it generally takes a gun with a lot of headroom in the power department to do .177 slugs justice.  It pretty hard to sling those little slugs at the speeds they tend to want.  Not that there aren't exceptions, of course.  I've played with .177 slugs quite a bit on multiple platforms, and I'll put it like this: I wouldn't even contemplate making a .177 slug gun, unless it is capable of at least 30 fpe in .177, but preferably more.  I'm not saying it can't be done with less power/speed, but most of the successful .177 slug tunes end up shooting in the 950-1050 fps range on various barrels to get the best accuracy.

[Back_Roads]

 I have the M11 in .25, IMO it will have the power and the barrel with a good polish / wax will most likely do the job in .177  many .177ammo options out there now to test with too.

[Scavenger]

I can't speak to the M11 specifically with personal experience, so I'm not a ton of help there.  I will say it generally takes a gun with a lot of headroom in the power department to do .177 slugs justice.  It pretty hard to sling those little slugs at the speeds they tend to want.  Not that there aren't exceptions, of course.  I've played with .177 slugs quite a bit on multiple platforms, and I'll put it like this: I wouldn't even contemplate making a .177 slug gun, unless it is capable of at least 30 fpe in .177, but preferably more.  I'm not saying it can't be done with less power/speed, but most of the successful .177 slug tunes end up shooting in the 950-1050 fps range on various barrels to get the best accuracy.

Thanks for sharing your experience! The reason why I think the m11 might do well with .177 slugs is that it is capable of over 60 ft-lbs in .25 Cal. I may be off base here, again, it's why I'm asking! 

Thanks for chiming in Back_Roads, if you could, besides .25, would YOU buy an M11 in .177? .25 is the only caliber I don't have anything in.

[Back_Roads]

I can't speak to the M11 specifically with personal experience, so I'm not a ton of help there.  I will say it generally takes a gun with a lot of headroom in the power department to do .177 slugs justice.  It pretty hard to sling those little slugs at the speeds they tend to want.  Not that there aren't exceptions, of course.  I've played with .177 slugs quite a bit on multiple platforms, and I'll put it like this: I wouldn't even contemplate making a .177 slug gun, unless it is capable of at least 30 fpe in .177, but preferably more.  I'm not saying it can't be done with less power/speed, but most of the successful .177 slug tunes end up shooting in the 950-1050 fps range on various barrels to get the best accuracy.

Thanks for sharing your experience! The reason why I think the m11 might do well with .177 slugs is that it is capable of over 60 ft-lbs in .25 Cal. I may be off base here, again, it's why I'm asking! 

Thanks for chiming in Back_Roads, if you could, besides .25, would YOU buy an M11 in .177? .25 is the only caliber I don't have anything in.

I have been on the edge of getting one just to find out for myself. I have a DAR in .177 lower power slug shooter great out to 100, that I have tested to. Marauder .177 that is in the 30 FPE range, feel like I'm missing one it must be a M11 LOL
 Oh also have a Liberty that does well with slugs, but in-between the DAR and Mrod in power, and with out major mods will not have the plenum to push them faster accuratly.

[Scavenger]

I admit it, I have a rat problem, and I'm in suburbia. . .one requisite is staying a bit far away from the rats, and in order to do that my hold over and fear of misses with the .22 Cal stuff make me want a good .177.

I also have a power problem  my .22 Stormrider makes almost 40 ft-lbs in it's "mild" tune. The idea of a flat shooting, high power .177 for pellets/slugs over 15+ grains is VERY alluring. Does anyone know what the port arrangement is on the M11? Is there any difference between calibers? I am hoping to be able to dial it back for shooting lighter pellets and then turn it up for slugs. Maybe the asking that of the hammer spring is a bit too much?

[Back_Roads]

 That is why I have way too many airguns, easier to have one for every purpose 

[Rallyshark]

If you plan on shooting rats with .177 slugs, you better make darn sure you have a good back stop or nothing behind.  Those little .177 slugs penetrate like crazy!  I've never even shot a squirrel with those that wasn't a complete pass through.  At 30 fpe, they'll pass through a squirrel length wise, lol.  I'd think I'd want a .177 that shoots HP pellets really well for the rat work.  Something like Barracuda Hunters, JSB Ultrashocks, or even Terminators  

[Back_Roads]

 Yeah I g0t passthrough @ 50 yards on possum with the DAR and NSA HP  Bummer I do not think the ATI Nova Liberty is available any more, may find one in .177 yet, but the dual power would most likely be the ticket for you.

[Scavenger]

If you plan on shooting rats with .177 slugs, you better make darn sure you have a good back stop or nothing behind.  Those little .177 slugs penetrate like crazy!  I've never even shot a squirrel with those that wasn't a complete pass through.  At 30 fpe, they'll pass through a squirrel length wise, lol.  I'd think I'd want a .177 that shoots HP pellets really well for the rat work.  Something like Barracuda Hunters, JSB Ultrashocks, or even Terminators

I completely agree! I've shot a rat with my .30@100 ft-lbs. . .yeah what a mess. I would probably just have it dialed down to shoot some of the heavier .177 pellets(at rats), and then see what it could do with the hammer spring turned up for longer range target work. Seems like the plenum on these is massive and plenty for high power, depending on factory regulator setting.

[Nomadic Pirate]

If you plan on shooting rats with .177 slugs, you better make darn sure you have a good back stop or nothing behind.  Those little .177 slugs penetrate like crazy!  I've never even shot a squirrel with those that wasn't a complete pass through.  At 30 fpe, they'll pass through a squirrel length wise, lol.  I'd think I'd want a .177 that shoots HP pellets really well for the rat work.  Something like Barracuda Hunters, JSB Ultrashocks, or even Terminators  

Totally agree with this one.

[Scavenger]

I hear ya! Not to worry, I've no interest in over penetrating rats.

I do have some interest in anyone who's built or tried building a long range .177. I read most of the threads on here about some experiences and the concept is really really cool.

[Nomadic Pirate]

Check out Tof's videos he did a super .177 built

[Scavenger]

Check out Tof's videos he did a super .177 built

Yes! And my oh my is that thing sweet. I believe he did a .172 barrel? I'm on the fence about that, as finding a barrel, and then running powder burner projectiles seems to be the way to go, but it's a lot of work, and maybe money. I would love to build/tune something that can shoot the NSA .178 slugs over 35+ ft-lbs maybe higher. That might be asking too much of the Spa m11 though?

[Nomadic Pirate]

Honestly I rather go with a fat .25 then a .177

[Scavenger]

Honestly I rather go with a fat .25 then a .177

I get you on that. It's a whole lot easier, but if I go .25 then I have to start the cycle of pellet collecting all over again, in a time where it seems pellets are unobtainable

[Nomadic Pirate]

Ok, .22 then, in the end it's all about learning your holdovers or unders.

Bullpups aren't the best at that because of the scope hight, get your scope as close to the barrel as possible and the game is different

[Scavenger]

Yeah I may have to go .22 (I have a ton of .22) pellets. Decisions decisions.

[Ed24]

I've also been interested in a .177 slug slinger I almost got a Hatsan Nova but ended up with the FX Maverick in .177.  So far the best slug I've tested is the Daystate Howlers 12.6 gr.  Still working on a tune but shooting them at 1010fps with promising results. Like Rallyshark said they do seem to be better at faster speeds!

[Scavenger]

The .177 slug gun has it's allure, that's for sure. Thanks for everyone that has given me their thoughts, and if anyone has more ideas or opinions, I'm all ears.