Is the (Neilsen) slug going to be the new (JSB) diabolo?

I think airguns will experience a natural progression into slugs. However, there are a couple limiting factors. At this point in time, few slugs are economically competitive with pellets. NSA - 2 sample packs + S&H resulted in 200 rounds at $0.2248 per round. Hunter Supply purchase of 200 rounds resulted in $0.0903 per round. H&N Grizzly - My last order of Grizzly's resulted in $0.05 per round. For comparison, JSBs - My last purchase of JSBs resulted in $0.0382 per round. I can shoot powder burners like a 22 LR at $0.0537 per round. Another limiting factor is not many airguns handle slugs well. More manufactures will have to focus on selling slug airguns. It's possible FX efforts toward slugs will drive the market, but it remains to be seen if FX can successfully create accurate slug barrel liners or if those liners will last. Regarding blurred lines between airguns and powder burners, check out the muzzle FPE generated from powder burners. Rim fire - http://www.gunnersden.com/index.htm.rimfire-rifles.html Center fire - http://www.gunnersden.com/index.htm.rifle-cartridges-ballistics.html Handgun - http://www.gunnersden.com/index.htm.handgun-ballistics.html The most powerful PCPs on the market are the Seneca Dragon Claw 50 cal and Umarex Hammer 50 cal. Both generating around 700 FPE. EDIT: Bad info (700 FPE is roughly equivalent to one of the lowest powered powder burner rounds made (a 22 short). )

You're way off on the energy of a 22 short
 
I think airguns will experience a natural progression into slugs. However, there are a couple limiting factors. At this point in time, few slugs are economically competitive with pellets. NSA - 2 sample packs + S&H resulted in 200 rounds at $0.2248 per round. Hunter Supply purchase of 200 rounds resulted in $0.0903 per round. H&N Grizzly - My last order of Grizzly's resulted in $0.05 per round. For comparison, JSBs - My last purchase of JSBs resulted in $0.0382 per round. I can shoot powder burners like a 22 LR at $0.0537 per round. Another limiting factor is not many airguns handle slugs well. More manufactures will have to focus on selling slug airguns. It's possible FX efforts toward slugs will drive the market, but it remains to be seen if FX can successfully create accurate slug barrel liners or if those liners will last. Regarding blurred lines between airguns and powder burners, check out the muzzle FPE generated from powder burners. Rim fire - http://www.gunnersden.com/index.htm.rimfire-rifles.html Center fire - http://www.gunnersden.com/index.htm.rifle-cartridges-ballistics.html Handgun - http://www.gunnersden.com/index.htm.handgun-ballistics.html The most powerful PCPs on the market are the Seneca Dragon Claw 50 cal and Umarex Hammer 50 cal. Both generating around 700 FPE. EDIT: Bad info (700 FPE is roughly equivalent to one of the lowest powered powder burner rounds made (a 22 short). )

You're way off on the energy of a 22 short

.22 short is about 32 fpe, 22 Long Rifle is about 135 to 150 FPE. A .223 is around 1100 or 1200 fpe. A 30-06 with standard loads around 3000+ fpe. (Center fire Numbers from the Hornaday web site)

The question really is, what does it take to hunt the game you are after? We are so used to 1500 and 2000 fpe guns, but remember our ancestors took deer and elk with muzzle loaders that are less powerful than todays big bore PCP guns. Power is all relative.