There is an age-old question in the world of air rifles; should I buy a .177 or .22 calibre air rifle? While many in the air weapon community stand solidly on one side or the other, there is no simple answer to the question. The answer is relative to the shooter.
Let's look at the different factors to consider when purchasing air rifles so you can be sure you choose the right calibre.
What Is The Difference Between .22 and .177 Calibre Air Rifles?
The difference between .22 air rifles and .177 air rifles is the calibre it shoots and the type of pellet used.
There is also a slight difference in the flight path of each rifle calibre. A .22 rifle has an increased arch trajectory, will hit harder, and is generally more powerful, whereas the .177 rifle has a flatter trajectory with less force on impact.
What is the Calibre of Guns?
Calibre in guns refers to the unit of distance used to measure the interior diameter of the gun's barrel in conjunction with the external diameter of the ammunition used for that model of gun. This unit of measure is often also referred to as bore.
.22 Vs.177 For Accuracy
In general, the accuracy of both of these calibre rifles should be equal; when this isn't the case, it is due to the manufacturing of the guns rather than the calibre itself.
Sometimes air rifle manufacturers design the .177 or the. 22 with different barrels, which can cause variations in the accuracy. For example, a manufacturer could create a .177 rifle with a 12-groove barrel, while the .22 calibre model of the same gun is fitted with a 6-groove barrel.
If there are any accuracy variations between the two calibres, it is less to do with the calibre and more to do with the design of the gun in its entirety.
That being said, as the .177 pellet is lighter and travels faster, it often has a smaller impact range, making it more accurate when compared to the .22 pellet.
.22 Or 177 Calibre Air Rifle For Pest Control
An everyday use for air rifles is pest control, particularly for invasive species such as the grey squirrel and rats. These pests can cause a multitude of problems, including raiding edible gardens, spreading disease and infections to other wildlife, and rifling through bins.
Using methods of control, such as poison or traps, can pose a potential threat to wildlife other than your target pest; therefore, using an air rifle to eliminate them is often the most effective and damage-controlled way to deal with them. But which is the right gun for the job?
The Best Calibre For Small Fast-Moving Quarry
When hunting small, fast-moving prey/quarry, such as rats, we recommend using a higher velocity calibre, the .177.
As stated above, the flight path of the .177 is flatter, so when shooting from a further distance, you won't have to compensate for an increased holdover or hold under to ensure accuracy.
Furthermore, the pellets travel at a faster speed when compared to the .22. When fired out of a 12 ft-lbs rifle, the .177 ammunition will travel at around 800 FPS. This calibre, therefore, is optimal for a fast-moving quarry with a minimal clean take-down impact zone.
It is worth noting that a .177 has an increased chance of an unclean kill, as the pellet is smaller, there is a greater chance of missing your mark and injuring rather than instantly killing the quarry.
The Best Calibre Larger Quarry
The larger, heavier weight of the .22 has a more considerable knockdown effect and a larger impact zone. The heavyweight transfers more energy to the prey than the .177, resulting in a cleaner kill for larger game such as rabbits.
The speed at which the .22 pellet travels is lesser than the .177; for example, when fired out of a 12 ft-lbs rifle, the .177 pellet will travel at 600 FPS. This means that the flight trajectory has more of an arc, which needs to be compensated with adjustments in shot and site.
It is also worth considering that if the prey you are hunting is either larger or has stronger protection around its vitals, like a thick skull, a .22 is more likely to penetrate the vitals at a further distance.
If pest control is your goal, then you can check out our guide on air weapons for pest control.
.22 Or .177 Calibre Air Rifle For Target Shooting
Air guns specifically designed for target shooting are often designed with increased accuracy, making the specialised guns superior in this setting. Traditionally, the .177 calibre is used when shooting at targets. If you want to compete, a .177 is the calibre for you as it is the only calibre accepted by all international 32ft shooting organisations.
However, if you are not interested in competing, any choice of gun can be great fun at a shooting range or target practice.
.22 Or 177 Calibre Air Rifle For Beginners
If you want to purchase your first air rifle, we suggest buying a .177 for all the reasons stated above.
The most notable benefit of the .177 for a beginner is the reduced need for holdover and under, so you can get to grips with shooting your air rifle without adjusting your shot or scope. If you need any additional kit, check out our air gun accessories.
And if you want to improve your shot accuracy and become more comfortable with your air rifle, we can supply a range of air rifle training aids to support you as you practise.