Just some caliber questions

[josh3rd]

Hey members I alway wanted to know this:

Why was .177cal chosen to be an Air rifle caliber? Like why not .16 or .18 or why not .21 or .23cal instead of .22? Basically why did whoever decide if the 177 and 22 as calibers for airguns. What made those sizes preferable over others sizes that are near them.

 

[JCD]

Wow, not something I've thought about before, or seen a discussion on.... That's just what was there when I started 35 years ago... Maybe is as simple as what the easiest thing to produce was when things really started to be commercialized but ??? Now I'm curious too.

 

[bandg]

Interesting question. I would bet it was related to what was available for barrel manufacturing, as JCD notes.

 

[luisberry13]

Maybe it has something to do with the metric system? 4.5 mm is .177 in and 5.5 mm is .217 in. Just a guess since some of the better companies are over seas. 

 

[Windmill01]

A great question Josh. I found this and whilst it doesn’t specify how the different calibers came about its interesting reading. The history section is a good read.

Gary

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_gun

 

[marflow]

https://www.pyramydair.com/article/Airgun_Calibers_June_2003/4

 

[bandg]

https://www.pyramydair.com/article/Airgun_Calibers_June_2003/4

Interesting but doesn't seem to address the original question.

 

[HeyU]

I have a vague recollection of something I read. Germany did have a very strong shooting culture in the 18th century. For (informal?) fun competition they started making small caliber guns,14 and 17 caliber, that became known as saloon guns and parlor guns.I just shot Gertrude in the @$$.hehe Do I get free(hiccup) pint for that,it was a really good,good shhhott.

 

[rangur1]

Maybe it has something to do with the metric system? 4.5 mm is .177 in and 5.5 mm is .217 in. Just a guess since some of the better companies are over seas.

i'm liking this theory as well , europe started the gun culture and , settled america afterwards.

 

[Windzilla]

All of you are way off.

.177 is the average diameter of a dried pea.

 

[ranedouglas]

....maybe it has something to do with the size of bb's... .22 was a much more common caliber back in the pre-1980's.... but 4.5mm is kinda small...... or maybe it has been the target (offiacial olympics) caliber , making the parlor guns a good place to start 4.5mm airgunning .. i know "it's hard to get away from .177" (-nhat. 2015). some guns shoot best in .177, just like some are better in .22 , and .20 cal ... he gave me all his .177 pellets when he tried to dump the 4.5mm size. i still have some .177's from that. .........ive been aching for a .177 diana 430L combo on sale at ag's of az.... - paul.

 

[josh3rd]

A great question Josh. I found this and whilst it doesn’t specify how the different calibers came about its interesting reading. The history section is a good read.

Gary

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_gun

Excellent read windmill

 

[josh3rd]

https://www.pyramydair.com/article/Airgun_Calibers_June_2003/4

Good one marflow

 

[josh3rd]

Thanks to everyone for their replies