Other Sorry I asked?

[Normkel]

I have asked several, online, why they are attracted to large caliber and or very high power PCPs, such as .35 or even .50 caliber shooting slugs.

Unfortunately, the responses have often been emotional tirades.

I am just interested to learn what is interesting and/or useful in this category of air guns.

I have some .177 springers, several full power .22 PCPs shooting pellets, but the expense and other downsides have deterred me from other than a brief experiment with .25.

What am I overlooking?

For example, if I were hunting (which I no longer do) why would a large caliber PCP be preferable to a powder burner?

There have to be very good reasons, even for my plinking at the range, that I am not appreciating.

 

[coastal drifter]

The largest caliber I have owned is .30 I don't shoot it much on account of most the time I shoot in my yard out to max 70 yards. It's more practical to shoot my .20 and .22 The reason I own a .30 is for hunting larger animals up to hog size. I like airguns because they are much quieter and ammo is cheaper comparably. I'm sure others have similar reasons.

 

[Motorhead]

When hunting larger game in certain states where air guns are legal above a specified caliber or power level.
Also just the manly side of bigger is better thinking wishing and wanting for more of everything !!!

 

[MongooseV8]

I have asked several, online, why they are attracted to large caliber and or very high power PCPs, such as .35 or even .50 caliber shooting slugs.

Unfortunately, the responses have often been emotional tirades.

I am just interested to learn what is interesting and/or useful in this category of air guns.

I have some .177 springers, several full power .22 PCPs shooting pellets, but the expense and other downsides have deterred me from other than a brief experiment with .25.

What am I overlooking?

For example, if I were hunting (which I no longer do) why would a large caliber PCP be preferable to a powder burner?

There have to be very good reasons, even for my plinking at the range, that I am not appreciating.

There are some states and hunting zones where Air is safer or maybe even the only way to hunt. There are special seasons sometimes allowing Air to hunt while the PB guys are at home. But to answer your last question, PB will always be preferred as they have much more power and terminal performance. I do agree with you some people get very emotionally attached to their gear for some reason, and many even forget how weak even a Texan big bore is when compared to any centerfire.

Now if you want to talk pesting, a big bore pcp can be the most ethical option. Some of us live in areas where coyotes and mountain lions are common to see, around your house, around your kids/dogs etc. As a responsible hunter its your duty to be as ethical as realistic imo. So sometimes a big bore pcp is the best option available instead of grabbing your 30-06 or whatever. A lot of this is subjective, some of it is not and has been defined legally. The US is a very large country and very diverse in landscape and population and wildlife. There are pockets of the US that big bore pcps are very popular, but that doesnt make it the norm.

 

[jmohme]

I guess hunting is the priamary reason for big bore air guns.

I have considered picking up a Texan in .510, but really have no practical reason to own one. my .25 cal guns will take care of any pests that become a problem, and I really have no interest in hunting larger game, so for me it would just be to satisfy a curiousity. So far I have been able to ignore that curiosity.

 

[OkieMikeA]

I'm in Oklahoma and don't do any airgun hunting. I'm not up to speed on the hunting regs for them.
However, we have a fantastic silhouette range at OKC Gun Club where the big bore airguns are shot to 500 meters. The club even has a couple of loaner guns for those wanting to try big bore silhouette.

 

[bchannell]

I've pondered the same question. I also never had anything larger than 22 for a long time. I got a trade deal on a 25 and it is one STELLAR shooter, which started me on adding a third caliber to my stash of pellets. I was duly impressed, and maybe 30 & 35 are equally impressive.

 

[kwaping]

Big bore can be better for certain types of competition.

 

[Vana2]

I shoot (mostly) .22 out of preference as it suits my needs.

Different environments, different purposes have different needs and the larger calibers are more appropriate where range and power are required.

That being said, a couple of my .22 PCPs are tuned to 50+ fpe and hit with a good smack, I can see where more caliber and more power are appealing.

I don't see using larger caliber PCPs to compensate for poor shooting skills though. If the British can kill rabbits at 40 yards with a sub-12 fpe .177 airgun, why you someone need a .25 or larger?

Cheers!

 

[MongooseV8]

I shoot (mostly) .22 out of preference as it suits my needs.

Different environments, different purposes have different needs and the larger calibers are more appropriate where range and power are required.

That being said, a couple of my .22 PCPs are tuned to 50+ fpe and hit with a good smack, I can see where more caliber and more power are appealing.

I don't see using larger caliber PCPs to compensate for poor shooting skills though. If the British can kill rabbits at 40 yards with a sub-12 fpe .177 airgun, why you someone need a .25 or larger?

Cheers!

British bunnies are very fragile compared to a lot of the critters here in the US. And the first time you hear an American jack rabbit screaming because you didnt finish it quickly you will go home and order sometime more powerful. All other things being equal, fpe is more ethical in all cases.

 

[Racer88]

"Bigger is better!" Ask anyone.

Why do you need that? Because... why not?

I have all sorts of guns I don't "need."

If I could afford it, I'd have a Barrett .50-cal! Why? Because why not? I have fired one... and it is a HOOT!

For my first (and only, so far) air rifle, I went with .22, as it seemed the most all-around practical caliber. But I see the attraction to bigger calibers.

 

[MongooseV8]

"Bigger is better!" Ask anyone.

Why do you need that? Because... why not?

I have all sorts of guns I don't "need."

If I could afford it, I'd have a Barrett .50-cal! Why? Because why not? I have fired one... and it is a HOOT!

For my first (and only, so far) air rifle, I went with .22, as it seemed the most all-around practical caliber. But I see the attraction to bigger calibers.

22Cal is my favorite overall as well. I have also really been enjoying my ~20fpe 177Cal with the JSB KO MK3 Slugs.

 

[Trucker3573]

I am guilty of over thinking the hobby. I think we all do. It isn’t about advantages or disadvantages over PB. PB’s
are flat out superior in every way where you can use them . Sometimes air can fill a void where PB can’t be used but I think we can all agree air is just cool. It’s a niche interest and hobby that requires no justification. It’s different and it’s fun. All I know and that is true from bb’s to big bore.

 

[Vana2]

British bunnies are very fragile compared to a lot of the critters here in the US. And the first time you hear an American jack rabbit screaming because you didnt finish it quickly you will go home and order sometime more powerful. All other things being equal, fpe is more ethical in all cases.

Agreed, a jack rabbit is a lot bigger and tougher but the cotton tails in North America are no tougher than those in England.

I've taken many cotton tail rabbits and grey squirrels with my .177 FWB124 shooting at about 10 fpe. The average .22 PCP will make 30ish fpe... more than enough power for small game at typical distances if you make a proper shot.

Each to their own eh.

Cheers!

 

[steve123]

The heavier pellets per each caliber aren't hugely different in the wind, like .05 G1 BC in 22 cal to .07 in 30 cal, so then it comes down to energy at arrival much favoring heavier projectiles and sometimes that helps depending on the animal size and toughness.
If using slugs of the same caliber BC's can be 5 times that of pellets which means much less wind drift and substantially more arrival energy farther out.

My use case for a big bore pcp would be a stoutly built target rifle for ELR to be used on steel so it'd have to be a very precise gun, pretty much MOA or less, with huge BC's for an airgun slug which is in the .4-.5 G1 BC area, and that is a VERY hard combo to come by.
Since I already have a precise 25 cal pcp using 60gr .245 G1 BC slugs I'm finding no reason to get a larger caliber currently because it'd have to be superior by a large margin for me to consider a larger bore.

Maybe a person has no interest in larger bores, slugs for that matter, and long range shooting using airguns, so carry on and don't concern yourself with the subject. There's no need to understand why if your intent is to stay in the space you reside in the airgun world, and I'm not being snotty about it, it just is what it is because you can't understand the appeal like those of us that get a kick out doing it. However don't put us down because we do enjoy this kind of thing. If the shoe fits wear it, if not no harm no foul.

 

[coastal drifter]

The heavier pellets per each caliber aren't hugely different in the wind, like .05 G1 BC in 22 cal to .07 in 30 cal, so then it comes down to energy at arrival much favoring heavier projectiles and sometimes that helps depending on the animal size and toughness.
If using slugs of the same caliber BC's can be 5 times that of pellets which means much less wind drift and substantially more arrival energy farther out.

My use case for a big bore pcp would be a stoutly built target rifle for ELR to be used on steel so it'd have to be a very precise gun, pretty much MOA or less, with huge BC's for an airgun slug which is in the .4-.5 G1 BC area, and that is a VERY hard combo to come by.
Since I already have a precise 25 cal pcp using 60gr .245 G1 BC slugs I'm finding no reason to get a larger caliber currently because it'd have to be superior by a large margin for me to consider a larger bore.

Maybe a person has no interest in larger bores, slugs for that matter, and long range shooting using airguns, so carry on and don't concern yourself with the subject. There's no need to understand why if your intent is to stay in the space you reside in the airgun world, and I'm not being snotty about it, it just is what it is because you can't understand the appeal like those of us that get a kick out doing it. However don't put us down because we do enjoy this kind of thing. If the shoe fits wear it, if not no harm no foul.

Amen brother

 

[Dstrac]

I have asked several, online, why they are attracted to large caliber and or very high power PCPs, such as .35 or even .50 caliber shooting slugs.

Unfortunately, the responses have often been emotional tirades.

I am just interested to learn what is interesting and/or useful in this category of air guns.

I have some .177 springers, several full power .22 PCPs shooting pellets, but the expense and other downsides have deterred me from other than a brief experiment with .25.

What am I overlooking?

For example, if I were hunting (which I no longer do) why would a large caliber PCP be preferable to a powder burner?

There have to be very good reasons, even for my plinking at the range, that I am not appreciating.

As long as you have a safe place to shoot there's no reason not to try. Big bores are fun. Its hard to not smile after pulling the trigger. You dont need a reason other than curiosity. I dont hunt, shooting air guns is my hobby. Pcp technology is amazing why limit yourself? ( unless by law). I started with a cheap 25 cal, liked it so much I worked up to 30, 35, 50 cal then back down to 25 again. Im considering a compact 25 or possibly a 22 ?

 

[MongooseV8]

Agreed, a jack rabbit is a lot bigger and tougher but the cotton tails in North America are no tougher than those in England.

I've taken many cotton tail rabbits and grey squirrels with my .177 FWB124 shooting at about 10 fpe. The average .22 PCP will make 30ish fpe... more than enough power for small game at typical distances if you make a proper shot.

Each to their own eh.

Cheers!

Also keep in mind we commonly use our air rifles for critters much bigger than a bunny. Some have thicker skin and muscle and even a stout 22Cal is questionable.

 

[Vana2]

Also keep in mind we commonly use our air rifles for critters much bigger than a bunny. Some have thicker skin and muscle and even a stout 22Cal is questionable.

Agreed! It's always best to use the right tool for the job.

 

[Chasdog]

For me I prefer 30 caliber for hunting . I started hunting ground squirrels with a friend and started with a 22. My buddy was shooting a 30 and a lot less rodents made it to their hole. So I now have 2 30 s and a 22 that’s used for target and plinking. There’s a certain tone a 30 makes when it connects that’s unmistakable , and the kills are quick and deadly usually.
I also hunt turkeys here in Idaho with 30 caliber as it’s legal and smaller calibers are not. Also most people are more ok if you ask to hunt on their property if you’re using an air rifle. So there ya go that’s my fascination with 30 caliber.