Compared FPE of my FX Royale 400, High vs Medium Power

[bltefft]

I've always wondered what the difference was between the high and medium power on my FX Royale 400, now I know.

I shot 10 pellets (.22 cal, 21.3 gr H&N Sport Baracuda Match) at high power and then 10 pellets at medium power. Even though the tin said 21.3 gn, when I actually weighted them, they averaged 21.04 gn apiece.

Here's what I found out:

High Power:

The average velocity was 834.5 fps. For a pellet weighing 21.04 gn, the FPE turned out to be 32.54.

When I started shooting at high power the BAR of the gun was 220. When I finished shooting the 10 pellets the BAR was down to 210. A drop of 20 BAR.

Low Power:

The average velocity was 627 fps. For a pellet weighing 21.04 gn, the FPE turned out to be 18.37.

When I started shooting at high power the BAR of the gun was 211. When I finished shooting the 10 pellets the BAR was down to 201. A drop of 10 BAR.

Here's my question -

If I want to go squirrel hunting, should I set it on high power or med power?

 

[Mr.H]

I personally like to shoot pellets over 850 fps. I am rural and I don't have to worry about pass through or errant shots. If I was suburban, I may want to shoot around 600 fps.

After all, our British comrades are limited to 12 FPE. It comes down to shot placement at that point.

 

[bltefft]

Thanks for your response, Mr.H. I've been using high power with the same pellets I tested and that combination sure does a number on them. I guess I was getting lazy and wanted to extend my shot count by shooting at medium power and wondered if the Royale would still do a number on them. I agree that shot placement is critical and always go for head shots, usually between 15-25 yards away.

 

[Ghostranger169]

bltefft, 

I have taken many squirrels out to 25 yards with a Prod shooting .22 H&N Hunter Extremes @ 570 fps. So your Royale definitely has enough power on the lower setting(probably a little quieter too). Accuracy is key. If you can hit a dime at 25 yards(which your Royale is more than capable of), you will have no problem dropping squirrels. If it's really windy out, or you shoot at longer ranges, it would be easier with high power tho.

Good luck

 

[elh0102]

Well, if you are hunting, shot count is not an issue, so why would you use anything other than the high power setting? As I see it, you would be compromising effective range for no apparent benefit. 

 

[Smok3y]

I would go high, because it sound like they are shooting well on high, and we aren’t talking about damaging barn roofs or anything hunting squirrels.

I think the only reason to dial down that power wheel is when it is needed to find the accuracy you need out of a certain pellet.

 

[bltefft]

Thanks Ghostranger, elh0102 and Smok3y.

I don't walk around the woods as I nail squirrels. I'm handicapped because my right leg has been amputated above the knee. I enjoy feeding birds with tube feeders and while I don't mind the squirrels eating spillage from the ground, I do not like them on my feeders - they chew on the plastic and destroy the feeder. I sit in my laundry room and kill them. The neighborhood cats seem to love them. I'm gonna keep it on high power.

 

[elh0102]

That would be my plan too! I have a similar situation, and try to keep the squirrels out of the yard and bird feeders. 

A neighbor had his car computer ruined by squirrels chewing up a bunch of wires. Was NOT a warranty claim....he has no love left for the bushytails! 

 

[Ghostranger169]

Those greedy little property destroying thieves! As founder of the feast, it is your obligation to explain your backyard BIRDfeeder rules to those squirrels thru the business end of your .22 Royale. Give'm hell, bltefft!

 

[bltefft]

Yeah, those tree rats can really do some damage. For me, they tend to come in spells. One day I shot 4 within 10 minutes and now, I haven't seen one in about a week. I reckon I've wiped them out for a while, but they will be back, they always reappear eventually. What's funny is how those poor cats patrol the ushes/trees near my feeders, waiting for me to provide dinner.

 

[Jlowe]

I've killed at least 200 squirrels over the years with H&N Barracuda 21 grain 22cal at about 840fps out of a AA 410 and then out of a FX Cyclone. I don't like shooting them twice so this pellet has racked up the most. Next would be the JSB 18.13. I would rather have a 22 shooting Barracudas at 880-890 which my next 22 will do, when it shows up. 

 

[bltefft]

I've killed at least 200 squirrels over the years with H&N Barracuda 21 grain 22cal at about 840fps out of a AA 410 and then out of a FX Cyclone. I don't like shooting them twice so this pellet has racked up the most. Next would be the JSB 18.13. I would rather have a 22 shooting Barracudas at 880-890 which my next 22 will do, when it shows up.

What gun do you have coming?

 

[Greenarrow]

I’ll start off with saying that I have not shot a squirrel 🐿 before. I read that they are some tough little buggers. Here it is...

however, many times on YT, I have watced our brethren across the pond take these little strongmen out with their sub 12 ft lb air rifles and they don’t seem to have problem getting the job done right.


I have a Royale 400 in .22 cal myself. I have my zero set for high power (35 yards) and I also have 2 other zeros (35 yards) written on tape on the body of my scope for the medium and low power settings. If I’m out just plinking at targets and I want to conserve air I simply dial down the power and dial my scope to zero for that setting.


So what I’m saying is this, try taking those squirrels out on medium power. I think that you will see that 18 ft lb is plenty of power to take those bird feeder raiders out with confidence as long as you get your data and your choice of ammo shoots tight.

 

[SDellinger]

Squirrel (gray) hunting in the woods is a little different than the way the guys in England do it. They mostly shoot them off a feeder at an exact range. In the woods squirrels don't hold still for you to take a shot. You are probably shooting off hand or leaning against a tree. Squirrels show up at all different ranges and angles. As you can see 12ftlbs will kill a squirrel with a head shot. Head shots are what I try for but if the squirrel doesn't cooperate a body shot it has to be. I have killed very large Aberts squirrels in northern Arizona with body shot with my FX500 25 cal using 25.4gn JSB pellets with no problem. Fifty yards is probably my longest shot on them. I used high power @ 895fps. Medium power is 682fps and I am sure that velocity will kill a squirrel but I like a flatter trajectory. Have fun shooting squirrels at whatever velocity you want.