Which pellets

For pigs? What size pig. I say 55gr and up for pigs above 30lb. Their skulls can be thick and a bit tricky. I've seen videos of guys shooting baby pigs with springers in .22 presumably 15gr but to me that is spotty. Everyone has different standards. I have those Russian boar here and hunt them with actual firearms...they don't go down sometimes without a follow up 556 shot, so an airgun without significant power can lead to an injured animal or personal injury. Depending on the boar and its size, carry a side arm so you can do the hug and circle method on a tree if it is after you. Personally a .30 airgun isn't enough...maybe 357 as a starting point but realistically .45 is probably better with a Texan and so on. The boar here are 200lbs full-grown and very fast.

Javelina aren't "small pigs". Where are you hunting them? Check the regulations. At 50 yards, I'd want a substantial round. 55 grains from a centerfire is more than enough, but nothing you send with air is going 3000 fps.

You may consider upping the weight, about 3X the 55 grain suggestion. A larger caliber would be more in line as already pointed out.

Have fun

I'd use the heaviest pellet your guns will shoot. Think penetration, not expansion. I believe either one will work with a good forehead or ear shot.

.25 Jsb King Heavy 33.95

.30 JSB 50 gr.

Most farm hogs are shot with .22 long rifle solids in the forehead for butchering. 

They're small pigs (Javelinas) 

Click to expand...

Yes 70 pounds is a big one. Don't get between a herd of them and the exit though.

I’ve hunted pigs for years...At an absolute minimum use heavy hollow point slugs. Pigs are EXTREMELY easy to wound... they can run for hours with a single lung shot from a broadhead. I’d take perfect headshots only. If U can’t get perfect headshots use a center fire or 22magnum.

You do understand they are an Arizona big game animal, and require a game tag, with one allowed per hunt number, and a limit of 2 if you have the tags. Apologies if I misunderstood your post, but it talks about killing “one or two”, so made me wonder. Also as far as pellet size, Az Game and Fish requires .35 and above for javelina.

What aimright said. Check your laws I would hate to see someone get into trouble with Mr. Green Jean's. People keep comparing javelina to hogs which they are not, different animal and family entirely. Having said that the advice on using as much pellet weight and power as possible is the best advice. Good luck and in case you didn't already know they will respond to a predator call like a dying rabbit.

I would test pellets penetration through 3/4 plywood. My Avenger with a mild tune will shoot 33.95 grain JSBs through but not 25 grain. I will retest when I increase the velocity. A person with more experience suggests this is a reasonable test for penetration of a pig skull. I would not consider my 25 caliber for anything other than a short range side view brain shot. It doesn't have the energy for a body shot unless it was a tiny piglet (maybe 10 lbs). A 30 caliber will penetrate better but it's a simple test. You can buy 2x2 squares of plywood at the big box stores if you don't have any laying around.

I also test in wet paper. I think it better simulates muscle. But I haven't done it yet with my 25 caliber.

I would stay with a domed pellet and 33gr. if you ask me.

Shooting extremely tough animals with too little gun and virtually no room for error makes your chances of wounding/mamimg WAY too high.