You stated that you started with .177, and that you could hunt in your yard all day... please allow my assumptions (that your relatively new to the power of air guns) based on these statements. The following is based on my own "mistakes" which resulted from my personal lack of understanding. 
Its been hinted at but its worth stating directly. If you are hunting/ pesting in a small backyard, caliber and the resulting energy, should be a primary consideration. When ever the backstop becomes close or valuable, you'll want your projectile to stop at/near the target.
There is a huge energy difference between .177 and .25 (heck even .22). You might not have cared too much where that 17 went after impact, but you very well may with the larger calibers. Target certainly matters. If shooting rats or squirrels I'd go low energy. Groundhogs and racoons will require a lot more energy.
I have a 22 Notos and all the space to shoot it (also have a 25 maverick, and had a 25 gauntlet, and "compete" (cough) against a of of different guns 17 - 25 in FT and Bench). If shooting rats with the notos, I'm very concerned what the backstop is as the rat may well not stop the pellet at 20 yards. If I want to shoot a groundhog, I'd better be close in order to effect a kill. 25 cal with drop a groundhog at 75+ yards and may still exit the target @ 50 yards.
Air power is a blast! Hope you enjoy.
Its been hinted at but its worth stating directly. If you are hunting/ pesting in a small backyard, caliber and the resulting energy, should be a primary consideration. When ever the backstop becomes close or valuable, you'll want your projectile to stop at/near the target.
There is a huge energy difference between .177 and .25 (heck even .22). You might not have cared too much where that 17 went after impact, but you very well may with the larger calibers. Target certainly matters. If shooting rats or squirrels I'd go low energy. Groundhogs and racoons will require a lot more energy.
I have a 22 Notos and all the space to shoot it (also have a 25 maverick, and had a 25 gauntlet, and "compete" (cough) against a of of different guns 17 - 25 in FT and Bench). If shooting rats with the notos, I'm very concerned what the backstop is as the rat may well not stop the pellet at 20 yards. If I want to shoot a groundhog, I'd better be close in order to effect a kill. 25 cal with drop a groundhog at 75+ yards and may still exit the target @ 50 yards.
Air power is a blast! Hope you enjoy.
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