Which is better .22 or .177 air rifle?
A .22 caliber air rifle shoots projectiles, usually .22 caliber pellets or round BBs. On the other hand, a .177 air rifle fires .177 caliber pellets or traditional BBs. Both rifles are ideal for multiple shooting activities such as hunting, pest control, target shooting, and skill development.
.22 and .177 are two of the smallest pellet calibers. They are also the most popular air rifle calibers. When it comes to size, the .22 pellet is slightly larger than the .177 counterpart, which makes it more powerful. In any given air rifle, the .22 pellet caliber delivers about 20% more power. However, the .177 pellet caliber has its own share of benefits.
Let’s take a look at these two caliber pellets in detail and see what they are best suited for.
.177 Caliber
This is the smallest caliber pellet. The pellet might be small, but very solid. It has a smaller bore compared with the .22 which helps achieve a faster velocity. However, since .177 caliber pellets are smaller in size, they have a smaller hitting power. There is no guarantee for making a humane kill when you hit the target, especially if you are shooting at a distance. Plus, you may have to take more than one shot to take out the target. This makes the .177 pellet ideal for small game hunting only.
Thanks to the high initial velocity found in .177 pellets, they provide a longer kill zone distance by about 6 yards. The flatter trajectory tends to maintain its accuracy throughout the entire length. So, if you are going to be taking longer shots, you are going to need .177 more than .22 pellet caliber. Additionally, the .177 is also the better choice for accuracy in numerous activities such as indoor shooting range, outdoor shooting, and backyard shooting.
Benefits of .177 Caliber
- Better penetration. Due to the smaller diameter and higher velocity, the .177 caliber pellet scores well on penetration. When you place your shot accurately, it will provide superior penetration which in turn provides a more humane kill.
- More forgiving. Unlike the .22 caliber which requires more experience to make a better shot, the .177 is more forgiving. It takes a shorter time and less practice to get to know how to shoot a .177 rifle.
- Better for small game hunting. .177 rifles are accurate, consistent, and good for small game hunting.
- .177 pellets cost significantly less amount of money compared with .22 pellets. When you look at the pellet count per box, you’ll find that there are twice as many .177 pellets as .22 for a similar price. So, if you plan on shooting or plinking a lot, .177 is your best bet if you don’t want to incur high costs.
- Most air rifles made for competition use are made to shoot .177
.177 Caliber Cons
- Suitable for small game hunting only
- Higher likelihood of over-penetration
Uses of .177 Rifles
- Small game hunting
- General plinking
- Backyard shooting
- Pest control
- Target shooting, both indoors and outdoors
Read: The Best and Most powerful 177 Air Rifles
.22 Caliber
If you have used a rimfire rifle before, you are probably familiar with the .22 pellet. This pellet has a bore that’s slightly larger than the .177 caliber, however, their shape is similar. Since the pellet is marginally bigger, a .22 air rifle generally shoots the pellets at a slower velocity compared with the .177. This isn’t a bad thing particularly if you are hunting up close.
The. 22 caliber dominates most hunting scenes. Majority of hunters consider it as the best air rifle caliber for squirrel hunting. Given that this caliber is slightly heavier than the .177, it delivers more muzzle energy. You can expect it to hit hard and deliver a more humane kill when the shot is placed at a vital spot. It also shoots more accurately even in windy conditions.
Benefits of .22 Caliber
- High muzzle velocity. The .22 caliber hits hard thanks to its higher muzzle velocity. This means that you can take out the game you are hunting on the first shot if you place the shot on the vital point.
- More humane kill. A .22 pellet will kill the game in a more humane way than the .177 counterpart. That’s why the .22 dominates the hunting field.
- Higher ballistic coefficient. The heavyweight in .22 pellets means that they are able to cope with crosswinds in a better way. They also retain more velocity and energy at longer distances, resulting in a potentially cleaner shot.
- Easier to load, because of its larger size.
- 22 rifles provide a quieter shooting operation than the .177. The pellets are heavier and slower, so they don’t break the sound barrier.
.22 Caliber Cons
- Beginners require more time and practice to master how to shoot a .22 rifle
- More expensive
Uses of .22 Rifles
- General shooting
- Plinking
- Pest control and squirrel hunting
Read: 10 Best .22 Air Rifles
Similarities Between .22 and .177 Rifles
While the .177 and .22 rifles are completely different from each other, they still share some similarities. For example, accuracy is the same for both calibers. Typically, there is no inherent accuracy advantage in these two calibers.
What makes the difference is the type of air rifle you are using. Air rifle barrels are made differently and this allows for the possibility that one rifle will be more accurate than the other.
Also, both pellets are a solid choice for small animals. Both provide instant kill whenever you hit the target on the vital parts.
Final Thoughts
We hope that this discussion has been insightful and you are now able to make the right choice between the two calibers. Remember, the shooting activity you plan to engage in will largely determine the type of caliber that you choose.
If you’ll be shooting targets at a distance, go for the .177 as it offers more velocity. On the other hand, you should choose the .22 rifle if you want more muzzle velocity.