Pellet or slug? Overkill or ethical?

[Quality Shooter]

Morning all!
Mainly targeting squirrels and rabbits with my .22.. My question is are slugs that much more effective over pellets or is it overkill for the small game? Current gun pushes 1000fps.Thanks for feedback!

 

[c_m_shooter]

The benefit of Slugs are for long range ballistic coefficient. Terminal performance on game is going to be similar until velocities get to the point that hydrostatic shock becomes a factor. Airguns are not near that level.

 

[Quality Shooter]

The benefit of Slugs are for long range ballistic coefficient. Terminal performance on game is going to be similar until velocities get to the point that hydrostatic shock becomes a factor. Airguns are not near that level.

Good to know, thanks much.

 

[6gun]

Morning all!
Mainly targeting squirrels and rabbits with my .22.. My question is are slugs that much more effective over pellets or is it overkill for the small game? Current gun pushes 1000fps.Thanks for feedback!

It's all the same mostly. I shot rabbits most of my life with a 600 fps 22 shooting crow magnums and they fell over like cards and the pellet passed thru. I've shot rabbits with 23 grain slugs at 1000 fps. It's the same results except the back stop is a bigger worry. Shooting them with 25 cal crow mags is slightly different.

Also short answer no. Pellets that I like are hades, polymags, crow mags(if your gun will shoot them). If you have a gun that can send your pellets actually as fast as you say and it's not the advertising numbers, hybrid slugs do have a dramatic effect because of how they're built and how they dump energy. On the critters ur shooting I haven't seen a big enough terminal performance to justify their cost.

 

[Jay308]

Are you using a springer? Usually when someone says they shoot over 1000 fps, it has Gamo break barrel written all over it. Pellets are better for under a 100 yards and are more accurate most of the time. If it is a springer stay with pellets regardless. Most pellets like 840-880 fps range.

 

[Quality Shooter]

Are you using a springer? Usually when someone says they shoot over 1000 fps, it has Gamo break barrel written all over it. Pellets are better for under a 100 yards and are more accurate most of the time. If it is a springer stay with pellets regardless. Most pellets like 840-880 fps range.

Ding ding ding, it’s a gamo break

 

[Jay308]

Ding ding ding, it’s a gamo break

Everyone want to like slugs because they are a “bullet” but they can be pita to tune a pcp for. You are not at a disadvantage using pellets. Do you have a chrono? The $30 amazon works really well if not. I would shoot JSB exact diabolo 18.1 or H&N crow mags, Baracuda and see which is more accurate. These heavier pellets should work well in your Gamo and deliver better fpe.

 

[ctshooter]

It's a springer - I would stay away from slugs. They tend to require more oomph to push through the barrel and you are already at a handicap with the springer. I'd go with a 15gr or 18gr pellets as others have mentioned.

 

[SciueraPlumbea]

“it’s the same”.

No.

The first 2 are a .216 20.2 NSA shot at 955fps

The 3rd is a VK 16 shot at 875

The last are a .216 JSB knockout 25.39 mk II (smaller one) and .217 Knockout 27.55. Shot at 885 and 845 respectively


The VK was recovered from a chipmunk.

 

[Scotay42]

The benefit of Slugs are for long range ballistic coefficient. Terminal performance on game is going to be similar until velocities get to the point that hydrostatic shock becomes a factor. Airguns are not near that level.

They are for small game. Ballistics gel proves that. A slug body shot in .177 on a squirrel or rat is devastating immediately, when a pellet may still kill it,but not as quickly. Headshots, pretty much all the same.

 

[Septicdeath]

Hit em in the head. Should make no difference

 

[6gun]

Everyone want to like slugs because they are a “bullet” but they can be pita to tune a pcp for. You are not at a disadvantage using pellets. Do you have a chrono? The $30 amazon works really well if not. I would shoot JSB exact diabolo 18.1 or H&N crow mags, Baracuda and see which is more accurate. These heavier pellets should work well in your Gamo and deliver better fpe.

This. It's taken me a year to get my impact to shoot heavier slugs the way I want just under 1000 fps on a crono. Sure it will send them that fast easily with basic power tweaks, but can I put it in a squirrels face at 100 yards first shot every time? No it wouldn't. It took a ton of data collection, a concession on velocity and tons of tiny tweaks.

Slugs are the worst marketing wank to happen to airguns since 1000 fps imho. Yet I still have a slug gun.

 

[BryanH]

I use an air rifle for hunting squirrels and birds because the ammo is cheaper than a PB, it is quieter than even a suppressed PB, and the range limitations of a diablo pellet make it a lot safer. With slugs, all you really get is the quiet. They travel farther, hit harder when they land, and cost more money.

I will stick with the diabolo pellets. Any time I need more juice than a pellet can deliver, I don’t use a air rifle.

 

[maxtrouble]

Buy some quality pellets. The better the pellet, the better the rifle will perform. JSB 15.89 or 18.13 grain pellets are the "Go To" pellet for most .22 pellet rifles. They have killed trillions of rabbits and small game since they have been available.

Youtube is your friend, watch a few videos to see what they are shooting.

Trenier is a great vendor, fast shipping and reasonable prices. I suggest buying only one pellet tin at a time until you find the "Magic Pellet" for your rifle. Then most shooters will stock up on that pellet.

JSB Exact Jumbo Heavy .22 Cal. Pellets, 18.13 Grains, Domed | Trenier Airguns

JSB Exact Jumbo Heavy.22 Cal, 18.13 Grains, Domed, 500ct, precision airgun ammunition for your shooting needs. Whether you shoot from an air rifle or pistol, 4.5mm, 5.0mm, 5.5mm caliber or larger, outdoors or indoors, from paper to knock down targets, from 10 to 100 meters, JSB offers you a wide...

www.trenierairguns.com

Oh, have you cleaned your barrel yet? Dirty barrels are horrible for accuracy.

Welcome to the Rabbit Hole!

 

[6gun]

I use an air rifle for hunting squirrels and birds because the ammo is cheaper than a PB, it is quieter than even a suppressed PB, and the range limitations of a diablo pellet make it a lot safer. With slugs, all you really get is the quiet. They travel farther, hit harder when they land, and cost more money.

I will stick with the diabolo pellets. Any time I need more juice than a pellet can deliver, I don’t use a air rifle.

And we get a better bc than rimfire at maybe half the energy.

 

[Patriot_Ghost]

Depends on the critter. Something tough like an opossum might benefit from a harder smack but with speeds that high I’d wager a hollow point will do just as well if you’re aims right.

 

[Ezana4CE]

Morning all!
Mainly targeting squirrels and rabbits with my .22.. My question is are slugs that much more effective over pellets or is it overkill for the small game? Current gun pushes 1000fps.Thanks for feedback!

@Quality Shooter I would take rabbits out of the equation. They are killed easily - at least the cottontails
I eat. You have received sound advice on using pellets. I’ve shot many squirrels with pellets in .22 and .25 caliber. I think I’ve shot one squirrel with a .22 slug. I wouldn’t waste a slug on a rabbit unless I’m shooting over 105 yards which I have yet to do. As you can see by our responses, the ”why” someone would choose a slug over a pellet for small game varies. In conclusion, pellets work just fine for vitals shots on squirrels and rabbits for ethical close to medium range hunting.

 

[Jlowe]

it doesn't matter in a break barrel. You would be lucky to get it to shoot a 17.5 slug 750 to 800 fps.