Springer Caliber Choice, Why?

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intenseaty22

intenseaty22

Member
Mar 7, 2017
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GA, United States
I have looked around a bit, but have come up a bit empty. Now, I get a lot of the basics, but I want y’all’s thoughts on the subject. I mostly hunt, and got an HW30 to pest small animals (mice, chipmunks, birds) at a reasonable short distance. I have the LGV in .177 that does a great job reaching out and will take care of squirrels. However, my first choice was in .22. 
I see most people here prefer the springers in .177, but why? 

Thanks. 
 
I agree with Roger, I have three 22’s and one 177. The 177 shoots very flat and wind can, dose make it interesting at longer distances. The 22’s are my go to rifles they all behave differently and I have to use different holdover at distance for each of them but they are more stable/accurate in the wind and make a lovely noise when hitting something.

I use the 177 to plink and hunt with my 22’s.

Gary
 
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The one thing about .177 is that they all seem to be less pellet finicky and very accurate for paper punching and plinking.
.22 on other hand seem to have a pellet of choice and can be a little more challenging for those tight groups on targets but definitely have the upper hand on power for hunting. Now for my favorite it's the almost forgotten .20 cal which I think has the best of both worlds! The accuracy is second to none and almost the same power of a .22.
not much choices on ammo these days but mine all shoot what available awesome.
I have all three calibers but always find myself reaching for that magical 5MM Lol.

Nothing like shooting a well tuned springer in any caliber! ?
James from Michigan, 
 
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When I was about 15ish, I had saved up to buy a Crosman 1400 .22. I was Amazed at the difference it made on impact! The funny thing is that about a year later, I broke the front sight...sooo to balance things out,off came the rear sight (intentionally,this time). It was my only airgun at the time so I just kept shooting the damn thing. Oddly enough,I became pretty good with it! Good enough that I began hitting what I aimed at much more often than not. The trigger on that thing increased in pull weight with each pump (WONDERFUL.) and it was loud! Being a dumb-ass kid,I didnt know any better and just kept shooting it and,against the odds,hitting targets at different distances.
SO,the trajectory differences between .177 and .22 dont really bother me these days. I own springers in .177,.20,..22 and (God forbid!) a .30 and thoroughly enjoy them all!
 
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I really appreciate all the input. I wanted to give a little perspective on why the question. A large portion of the folk that post here on their choice for springers are favoring the .177 caliber. So I kind was wondering WHY that was. I do like the idea of the .20, but don't really like the fact that pellet choice is pretty limited. As for anything larger than .22 isn't the power required for something like that very harsh? .30??? How is the kick on that bad boy? and how far do you shoot it accurately? (asking in earnest) 
 
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Ha! Actually,its not much worse than my .20 RX2. Not nearly as refined (as expected of coarse). I had it scoped but removed the scope and just use the stock sights. Usually I can hit golf ball size targets out to about 30 yds. Its a bit of a novelty but fun...just a little pricey to plink with. I am curious about the .25's performance (as well as the .22's). In comparison to the "upper crust" springers, it feels like it was put together in the plumbing section at Ace hardware.
 
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I've killed starlings out to 50 yards with my .177 model 34, I shot one between 60-65 yards and he flew, lit in a tree and flew again then hit the ground dead. About 45 yards is the farthest I've killed one with my 48 in .22, when it hits there is a noticeable plop. I know the .22 carries more energy and bucks the wind better than the .177 but the 34 is a hoot to shoot.
 
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@GBGUNNER 
Thanks for the advice. I’m not really looking at guns right now, wanted to understand the perceived preference of the .177 caliber for a lot of the guys that use springers here. 

If I get another Springer, it’s likely to be a TX200 or a LGV Master Pro in .22. I know Dianas are very fine rifles, but they just don’t do it for me. Will likely stick to metal spring too since I am trying to learn how to fix them and tune them. 
 
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This .177 for target only is a bunch of BS. The ,177 will penetrate deeper and this is what you want. Shot placement is the key. Pit a .177 pellet in the brain and it will kill as quicky as a .22 in my experience. Lots of things to consider before pulling the trigger. Distance, shot placement, angle. You can always past the shot up and wait for better opportunity. A jsb 8.4 around 870/890 (14+ fpe in the kill zone is just as effective as a .22 at same power level.. keep in mine it's the nut behind the trigger.
 
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