5.5 small game
- Thread starter DavidMora
- Start date
In addition, sufficient velocity and energy to kill your selected quarry at the maximum distance you intend to shoot out (usually the size of your groups within the kill zone of your chosen quarry).
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Depends on what small game and the distances you will be shooting. I only shoot .22 (5.5) and take ground squirrels out to over 100yds when not too windy, most shots are 40-60yds. FPS is 950 with 20gr slugs and 980fps with 18gr pellets.
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Stoeger Bullshark in 22. If you like long guns you could substitute the Stoeger Ranger or Scout. I have three P35s, which is almost the same gun and was available first, and one Bullshark. All are accurate. My P35-22 and 22 caliber Bullshark have both given me at least one 200 on the 30 yard challenge. These are not expensive guns but I have found them to be reliable and easy to repair when an O-ring decides it needs to be replaced. All are regulated. My 22s are tuned to a little over 30 fpe. That is plenty to reliably take small game even with a non-perfect hit. I haven't lost one squirrel with them. I guess that could be a little deceptive. The P35-22 has taken 10 cleanly, none ran. The Bullshark is a more recent addition and hasn't been fired at a squirrel yet. Squirrel season opens next month here so it should get a chance before too long. The P35-22 also killed a small raccoon for me. A P35 weighs 5 lbs, the Bullshark 6. The difference is the stock. I make wood stocks for most of my guns including these. I need more length of pull and a greater distance from the back of the handgrip to the trigger (big hands, long arms).
My recommendation would be the same if you wanted go with a 25 or 177 but only the P35 is available in 177. I have them too. This action is really sized better for a 22, however. In a 25, 25 grain pellets can be launched reasonably fast but 34 grain will go less than 800 fps which seems a bit slow. Conversely, power if plenty for a 177, I shoot 10+ grain at over 900 fps and it could do a lot more. I like my 177 for backyard pesting. It is a bit quieter, uses less air, and the pellet won't carry as far on a miss. Still takes squirrels cleanly (it's up over 20 now) with decent placement.
My recommendation would be the same if you wanted go with a 25 or 177 but only the P35 is available in 177. I have them too. This action is really sized better for a 22, however. In a 25, 25 grain pellets can be launched reasonably fast but 34 grain will go less than 800 fps which seems a bit slow. Conversely, power if plenty for a 177, I shoot 10+ grain at over 900 fps and it could do a lot more. I like my 177 for backyard pesting. It is a bit quieter, uses less air, and the pellet won't carry as far on a miss. Still takes squirrels cleanly (it's up over 20 now) with decent placement.
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What small game are you planning to take? There is a huge difference between rats and ground hogs. To the wider shooting world, both are small game (generally smaller than a deer).
What is the environment you are shooting in? Inside a barn, inside your yard, inside a wooded lot, inside a wildlife management area?
We went to help you, but we need more info to get you a straight answer.
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Ok. The fellas in England do really well with tiny power, under 12fpe. We Americans are spoiled with 4-5 times that level from most guns.
I prefer magazine fed and short body guns.
Your budget needs to keep in mind that air is free, compressed air is not free
I have had most excellent service from my Kral guns and Reximex. The Kral Empire makes my palms sweaty. If I was starting today, that would be to list for me
I prefer magazine fed and short body guns.
Your budget needs to keep in mind that air is free, compressed air is not free
I have had most excellent service from my Kral guns and Reximex. The Kral Empire makes my palms sweaty. If I was starting today, that would be to list for me
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Easy for me, been .22 for fire and air. Air because less hoops and loops. Great assortment of weights etc. Nice for compacts with a decent round count. You can do a lot more with .22, but *stay legal* 
Nice thump when connecting with targets 
Nice thump when connecting with targets Upvote 0