.22 air rifle pellet suggestions?

[un2xs]

I recently acquired a Gama Raptor Whisper break barrel air rifle in .22 caliber for pest control. I wanted something with a little more punch than my .177 to dispatch raccoons and other nasties.

Do any of you have recommendations for hunting pellets?

I have heard that you sometimes need to try several different pellet brands and/or styles to find the one that your particular rifle likes. If I am lucky, Crossman domes from a big box store will do the job. I have three different tins to try out... maybe this weekend.

And yes, I am aware that non-PCP airguns should be shot with an artillery hold. (Basically any Springer) And that any scopes should be air rifle rated.

Thanks!

[Toestr]

If you're going for maximum energy a heavier pellet will do you best. Lighter pellets can move so fast they leave the barrel before the air can fully act upon them. This is especially true for short barrels.

[Roger7pball]

I don’t have experience with any .22 pellets. But I’ve used a .177 air rifle with these destroyer pellets for the past 10+ years on pests, they do wonders.

I’ve taken down countless squirrel, chipmunk, raccoon, groundhog, muskrat, skunk, possum etc. Basically any animal that tries to get in our garbage cans or near the house.

Maybe you can get similar in .22?

[Chuck E Ducky]

Those pellets work great at lower velocities. They get a lil unstable at real high velocities. They do hit and carry energy well. The flat face really spreads out on impact. I find it hard to hold a good group at range with that shape especially the faster you shoot them.

[Chuck E Ducky]

I have this one in .22 and I really like it. Mine just has a camo stock, But it’s the same thing. Works fantastic. I tried a few different types of ammo I only buy the match grade now. It’s very very accurate and slays large critters one shot out to 50yards no problem. Dead accurate to.

https://www.pyramydair.com/product/benjamin-trail-np-xl-air-rifle?m=2052&page=1&query=benjamin+trail+np+xl+air +rifle&lang=en&searchConfigId=643645070c547549270c cc15

I found these to hit wicked hard and shoot super accurate and consistent.

[CommonCold]

2nd this style. Crossman are probably the same manufacturer, same weight etc. They carry well, and have been quite effective for me.

[Shaftski]

Keep speed down for better accuracy. you don't need more than 825 FPS so heavier pellets will be the way to go.

Go for accuracy on critter control vs hitting power. Headshots are key. Don't aim for penetration, look for something that expands on impact well.

My gamo magnum LOVES FX 18.1gr domes and AA diabolo field heavy 18gr. I've tried 20x types of pellets in it and those 2 always come out on top. at 30M with a junky scope can group at .25".

Don't trust mfg claims about penetration/expansion either, do your own testing.

Good luck learning the gamo and how it fires, there is a bit of a curve. great rifles though, only complaint is the trigger.

[un2xs]

Danke. The trigger is supposed to be asjustable, but I have yet to touch it.

I may not have needed the Gamo, but I hope it's a step up from my Beeman .177

[Chuck E Ducky]

Pyramid air sells a testing premium pellet kits with a bunch of different pellets finding one that works with your particular setup is key to really reaching out and smacking things. Mine puts Coon down one shot no problem with a well placed shot no problem.

Play around with the pellets and you can really zero them in. Not all pellets are created equal.

[nak81783]

I’ll be a bit of a broken record:
1. Artillery hold, and never rest the gun directly on anything. Always keep your hand under the forestock, if resting it on something, to simulate your offhand hold as much as possible.

2. 850fps max. Once you go transonic, accuracy will be inconsistent. Plus, if you get the sun at your back, it’s fun to watch the pellet’s path, especially on the longer shots.

3. Try all kinds of different pellets and weights. Each gun likes something different. Just stay subsonic.

4. Pay attention to how the pellet loads. If it feels too tight or loose, you may want to push that one through with a cleaning rod if you’re shooting at an animal. If target shooting, don’t include it in your group; shoot it off to the side of the target or something else safe.

5. That said, my gun liked, in this order, JSB Exact Diabolo Jumbo 15.88gr, H&N Barracuda 15.89gr, and Crosman Premier 14.3gr. Anything 30 yards and in got Crosman. Beyond that, I used JSB. I quit buying the H&N, only because I didn’t see the need for 3 pellets in the arsenal, especially when they didn’t serve a purpose for the added cost and somewhat lesser availability.

At my last house, with lots of outdoor pests, I could consistently hit critter heads out to 45 yards in a 10 mph wind with a Hawke mildot scope. Again, it was a lot of fun watching the pellet drop and curve in through the scope, especially with the sun at my back. Longest shot was 65 yards on a squirrel two houses away. That one was a bit of luck.

[zenmic]

For pest control, shot position into the critter makes all the difference in the world. A well placed shot into a vital area will turn its lights out before it knows. A bad one and you end of having to chase the critter and do follow-up shots. That being said, if all you can get are big-box store pellets, then I have had the best results in .22 caliber with Crosman Premier Hollow Points 14.3 grams. I have some Crosman Premire Domed Ultra Heavy 19.0 grams but have not had a chance to try them or zero with them.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Depending on how deep you want to dive I into Air Rifles. I have a Walther it has an internal HPA system and takes magazines. Its super short bullpup design makes it very maneuverable for hunting. I use it for squirrel and small game and it shoots amazing.

[glaman5266]

I have nothing to add, but I find this thread very interesting. I live in the country, so I just pull out the break-action 12ga ‘cuz it’s easy. Seems like people are doing some really cool things with air rifles nowadays.

[Tarsun2]

allot of people see pellet rifles as "toys" and in the same breath, see a 22 rifle/pistol as a kindda "death machine".
yet, with my 22 i use subsonics. and for plinking in the back yard, i use Aguila Colibri (primer only). were talking 300fps here, that's paintball speeds.
the subsonics are only about 1000fps which is slower than allot of pellet rifles...

pellet rifles have come along way.

[CommonCold]

I've shot a ton of squirrels with a break action .22, and can say that most pellets will do the job. 1 shot anywhere will almost incapacitate, but obviously head/vitals are almost always 1 shot lights out. I usually go for chest at longer distances. One benefit of pcp rifles is faster follow-up shots.

I've used Crossman hollowpoints, destroyer and rocket, as well as Ruger superpoints. Again, all are effective, and around the same weight, so they should pattern around the same. Crossman are nice just because I've seen them at most Walmarts.

I don't use artillery hold, ill just zero my scope at like 30 yards and hold above or below depending on distance. Unless that is artillery hold, but I call it Kentucky windage.

[flyweightnate]

"Artillery hold" is letting the gun "slide" backwards, like the barrel of field artillery, to counteract the spring extending. Not needed with PCP.