12fpe hunting rifle .177 vs .22

[Ribbonstone]

Can't really agree for the shooting he's outlining...10-25 yards on birds.  Would agree with a 12 foot pound .177 for all around use, but that specific task, don't see the real advantage of trajectory.  Would certainly prefer the .177 for use outside that shed/barn where the range might stretch a bit.

[LDP]

It only applies to pcp air rifles. If you have a .177 thats set at 12 fpe and a .22 set at 12 fpe  the .22 will use less air to achieve 12 fpe.

Ok I'd tend to agree if you are just talking air usage efficiency.

Yep thats what I am referring to. I dont know what else could be put in there unless cost of pellets but I think .177 would win that comparison.

Can't really agree for the shooting he's outlining...10-25 yards on birds.  Would agree with a 12 foot pound .177 for all around use, but that specific task, don't see the real advantage of trajectory.  Would certainly prefer the .177 for use outside that shed/barn where the range might stretch a bit.

I agree. There are a few posts in this thread saying the .177 would be better but I have to disagree based on the OP shooting distance and where he is going to be using the low power rifle.

[RayK]

Since you already have the 177 parts, why not set it up in 177 and try it first?

If you decide it isn't enough, you can spend the time and money and convert to 22 caliber.

If it were for squirrels or out in the wind, I'd for sure go with the bigger caliber - even bigger.  But for birds, the 177 is very effective.  As long as I hit the bird with my 177, it is dead.  Obviously, accuracy is most important.  And there will be less damage to your barns with an 8 grain 177 pellet.

Ray

[454 Big Block Chevy]

my personal and completely unprofessional opinion on this matter is...

if your shooting Sub 14 FPE, i'd always go for .177.  your disco should get plenty of shots tuned to 12 FPE in .177, be quiet, and shoot flatter.  many many many many critters have been killed in the last 100 or so years in .177 caliber at sub 12 FPE even.  Daisy 880 pumpers pushing 8 FPE kill squirrels stone dead.  .22 will do just the same, but your going to be lobbing pellets.  i would also think, if you miss, a .177 pellet might cause  a little less damage.  Also typically .177 pellets are dirt cheap, and plentiful.  you have LOTS of options (not that you don't in .22 but... in .177 your options are limitless).  my 15 FPE TX200 springer would kill collared doves well out to 100 yds.  dont' shy away from .177 ever.  they are small, and mighty.

[farmerjoe99]

Since you already have the 177 parts, why not set it up in 177 and try it first?

If you decide it isn't enough, you can spend the time and money and convert to 22 caliber.

If it were for squirrels or out in the wind, I'd for sure go with the bigger caliber - even bigger.  But for birds, the 177 is very effective.  As long as I hit the bird with my 177, it is dead.  Obviously, accuracy is most important.  And there will be less damage to your barns with an 8 grain 177 pellet.

Ray

Yes I will definitely be shooting it some in .177 before I go converting it
but just to make it more understandable why I would take the time
too switch is it is a BNM repeater breech and a shortened shroud(shroud in .22) set-up in .177
but comes with the block and bolt and 24" barrel for .22 so all I would need is
either cut the barrel or just buy a 15" FX LW barrel for $20

Can't wait for it to get here and start shooting
it will be the first repeater/shrouded air rifle I'll have shot

1. Low energy means low velocity.  Low velocity means you can't expect even expanding pellets to really expand.
2. Wad cutters lose speed fast in air.  They also loose speed fast in every other semi-soft substance (including pigeons), so they deposit their energy quicky.
3. Going back to #1, can usually find a wad cutter that shoots well at these speeds (not true of really fast guns).
4. Avoid misses if you want to avoid patching holes.

Very good points I hadn't thought of I'll be sure to get some wad cutters.

Thanks for everyone's continued help!
Joseph

[Frank in Fairfield]

My last $.02 on the subject.
We have all killed birds (pigeons, pheasants, chukar, doves, etc. with one magic pellet.
Haven't we?
A single #6 lead pellet from your shotgun traveling at 1200fps has about 1.6fpe at the muzzle.
So if one pellet packing a whopping 1.6fpe  in the brain box can bring down a bird larger than a pigeon, I am sure a 7-8 grain pellet with 12fpe can do so with ease.
Yes our brothers across the pond hunt with 12fpe but most don't because they don't want government intervention by applying for the FAC.
That is according to the posts I see on British forums.
Stay safe

[Mod90]

Frank to be honest it really doesn't take much to dispatch a pidgy. Lil Sexy makes 8 fpe & I get no problems reaching out to 45-50 yards to ruin a pigeons feeding session. At those distances & velocities, the only true variable is the wind.

[RayK]

Around here, dove are very fragile and die if anything hits them just about anywhere.

Rock pigeons are tough critters and I've seen some take three 25 caliber Predator Polymags to the body and keep on flying.

Of course, it is possible to kill them with one well-placed 177 shot too even at 50 plus yards.

I've killed a lot of rock pigeons with my pellet guns and they are thick in numbers around where I shoot.  They are my second favorite target next to squirrels.

Ray

[ToRmEnToR]

12 FPE, Short range... 22 takes it.. Also, I agree that 12 FPE .177 does more damage to property than 12FPE .22..

[Bullit]

12FPE and .177 goes together so well.  I've never picked up any of my kills that knew any difference LOL !   Placement and accuracy, is still the key.  I LUV the .177 at 12FPE muzzle.  Like some of the elders have posted...15+FPE is really about the minimum for even the lighter .22 pellets, to truly make a bit of a difference.

[NitroBobby]

At 12 fpe and under, I think .177 is the clear winner.

I agree.  I'd prefer 8 grains at 830 fps over 14.3 grains at 615 fps.  But 14.3g 22 cal at 830 wins over even 10 grain 177 at 830 fps.

I'm glad I'm not limited to 12 fpe.

Ray

this is pretty much what i was thinking when i voted .177

at the power level, range and purpose you have in mind, i'd go .177

kgb