I'm looking for an accurate, good expanding .22 hollow pellet for starlings and sparrows, my rifle is a Diana 48.
Thanks, Justin
Thanks, Justin
Good .22 hollow point?
- Thread starter 1BadDart
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Hey 1BadDart. Shooting starlings and sparrows will not expand a pellet. They are too small. (Not enough mass) to make a pellet expand. But On the topic of a good hollow point...my RWS really liked crow magnums. They are a little heavier which would be good for your rifle. I also just stared shooting Barracuda Hunters and they hit hard and have been really accurate for me. But if your mostly shooting smaller birds I would just use the most accurate pellet you have. Good luck.
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I was afraid of that. A few days ago I shot a starling out of a tree at about 25 yards, he fell out with a plop and laid there for a second then hopped up and started walking off, after a few feet he just fell over dead. I was hoping there was something that would transfer more energy than the H&N 14.66 grain pellets that I'm shooting.
Thanks, Justin
Thanks, Justin
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No problem. Some guys like wad cutters for small birds being that it is more flat surface area. Also Try the barracuda hunter hollow points. My new favorite pellet. (For now) Also don't worry too much. Starlings can be very tough to kill if not hit perfect. I have hit them with a hi power 25 cal hollow point and after falling they run a bit.
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I think I would focus on accuracy vs HP. That being said, my Compatto likes Crosman Premier HP a lot. Smashed a fly at 30 yards with one, one in a million perhaps, but the rifle likes them for sure.
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Guest
Guest
If you can get a wad cutter to shoot out of your D48 it will probably hit with more authority than anything else you shoot. The flat surface delivers a good solid slap compared to anything round nosed or pointed. Hollow point pellets just don't expand at airgun velocities even the dead soft ones. That doesn't mean you shouldn't shoot them if the fly well for you. Umarex's new hunting pellet would probably do what you want BUT they are cost prohibitive.
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I tried the Crosman hollow points and they shoot well, but they don't expand anymore than the domes I'm shooting. I've been looking and the Baracuda is on the list to try, my buddy punches paper with Diana 52's with wad cutters, I'll see if I can get some to try.
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Grackles and Starlings are tough birds. Anything other than a head / spine or heart / lung shot will usually result in a short flight to death and I use a .25 cal!
Thurmond
Thurmond
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Guest
Guest
I was going to suggest the Beeman Silver Bear @ 12.65gr in .22 caliber. The head shape is conducive to transferring more FPE to POI.
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I used to shoot the silver bears out of my 20 cal sheridan when I was a kid. I loved those things. Very accurate and light weight and hit hard. But they may be too light for the Diana 48 making them inaccurate.
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