I would like to gather some recommendations on some good expanding hunting pellets in .177 caliber to stock up on and use to defend my garden. I am taking a hard look at the Crosman premier hollow point and destroyer right now. They seem to be two of the best and affordable options. I would really like to hear from people that have field experience using their recommended ammo.
Hunting Pellet Recommendations
- Thread starter Ben86
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Ohen Cepel
Member
I would check at Pyramid air and see what is recommended well there.
Air guns can be picky with what weight they like so keep that in mind. If you haven't shot yours much a variety pack could be well worth it. Shot placement is key so the accuracy is even more important. Don't think you'll get a lot of expansion at air gun velocities.
I have a .22 Nitro Venom which really likes things around 18gr. Lighter or heavier isn't it's thing at all but 18 shoots very well in it.
I like a wadcutter design since I think it cuts a wider wound channel. The round nose design seems to go through like a needle and not take things down as quickly.
I stay away from the really light alloy pellets since I think they are just a speed gimmick. They don't shoot at all in some of my guns since they don't seal up like lead does and the ones they do shoot in the accuracy is horrible. Also, in many guns they will break the speed of sound making more noise and further destabilizing the pellet as it breaks that barrier.
Air guns can be picky with what weight they like so keep that in mind. If you haven't shot yours much a variety pack could be well worth it. Shot placement is key so the accuracy is even more important. Don't think you'll get a lot of expansion at air gun velocities.
I have a .22 Nitro Venom which really likes things around 18gr. Lighter or heavier isn't it's thing at all but 18 shoots very well in it.
I like a wadcutter design since I think it cuts a wider wound channel. The round nose design seems to go through like a needle and not take things down as quickly.
I stay away from the really light alloy pellets since I think they are just a speed gimmick. They don't shoot at all in some of my guns since they don't seal up like lead does and the ones they do shoot in the accuracy is horrible. Also, in many guns they will break the speed of sound making more noise and further destabilizing the pellet as it breaks that barrier.
Expansion has been impressive in clay and water with the pellets I've been playing around with. I think if you use a gun that gets that velocity around 1000 fps+ it does ok.
I have little interest in those alloy ploy pellets. I'm curious about the sonic crack, that's about it.
It seems like those pointed ones just zip right through and would only be good for a head shot on something that stretches the boundaries of the caliber a little.
I have little interest in those alloy ploy pellets. I'm curious about the sonic crack, that's about it.
It seems like those pointed ones just zip right through and would only be good for a head shot on something that stretches the boundaries of the caliber a little.
Bigdog57
Member
I also find alloy pellets disappointing in accuracy. The Crosman Premier is my current favorite, though I am trying others.
Don't expect much help from PyramidAir, if they find you are using a pellet gun for taking out small critters - they flat out told me the pellet gun was NOT powerful enough for taking critters. I guess they are strictly paper shooters. That's news to the critters I have killed...... I currently avoid PA like the plague - there are other options out there. Just my preference. YMMV.
I get good performance from the Daisy Precision Max line of pellets but the ones I have are pointed - they really penetrate. The wadcutters are better for smaller critters up close.
Don't expect much help from PyramidAir, if they find you are using a pellet gun for taking out small critters - they flat out told me the pellet gun was NOT powerful enough for taking critters. I guess they are strictly paper shooters. That's news to the critters I have killed...... I currently avoid PA like the plague - there are other options out there. Just my preference. YMMV.
I get good performance from the Daisy Precision Max line of pellets but the ones I have are pointed - they really penetrate. The wadcutters are better for smaller critters up close.
The round top style has worked well for me but that is also because my gun shoots them straight.
I wonder if Pyramid Air (with whom I have had good luck) or a similar company would make you a variety sample pack? Since guns can have a unique personality as to what ammo works best in them, this would be a great service. What the heck, call them and ask if they'll do it.
In fact, that would be a pretty good seller, 25-50 of each sample packs, 4 or 5 brands, with a discount coupon to come back and buy the flavor that works best for your gun. PA, are you listening?
I wonder if Pyramid Air (with whom I have had good luck) or a similar company would make you a variety sample pack? Since guns can have a unique personality as to what ammo works best in them, this would be a great service. What the heck, call them and ask if they'll do it.
In fact, that would be a pretty good seller, 25-50 of each sample packs, 4 or 5 brands, with a discount coupon to come back and buy the flavor that works best for your gun. PA, are you listening?
"Don't expect much help from PyramidAir, if they find you are using a pellet gun for taking out small critters - they flat out told me the pellet gun was NOT powerful enough for taking critters. I guess they are strictly paper shooters. That's news to the critters I have killed...... I currently avoid PA like the plague - there are other options out there. Just my preference. YMMV."
That's odd. Many of the pellet guns sold are purpose made for small game hunting.
There are better options for business. I bought my gun from Amazon and pellets from Walmart so far. My loyalty is to my wallet.
So far I have't found anything that is flat out not accurate out of my Cros. tr77 nps. When I get some critters in my sights I will finally develop an opinion on their hunting performance.
That's odd. Many of the pellet guns sold are purpose made for small game hunting.
There are better options for business. I bought my gun from Amazon and pellets from Walmart so far. My loyalty is to my wallet.
So far I have't found anything that is flat out not accurate out of my Cros. tr77 nps. When I get some critters in my sights I will finally develop an opinion on their hunting performance.
mdauben
Member
Its even odder as you can search their website for guns classified with "Recommended Uses" of "Small Game Hunting/Plinking", "Small Game Hunting/Target Practice" and "Hunting". They alse sell hollow point pellets, which AFAIK are intended specifically for hunting.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Plain old flat-point Match pellets work better then anything else I have tried on squirrels & garden rodents.
In .22 caliber they make a very distinct WHUP when they hit, and the vermin is DRT.
Not as noticeable an impact sound with .177, but still way better results then pointed pellets.
Neither of my Beeman rifles are magnum velocity, so depending on HP expansion is not reliable.
Rc
In .22 caliber they make a very distinct WHUP when they hit, and the vermin is DRT.
Not as noticeable an impact sound with .177, but still way better results then pointed pellets.
Neither of my Beeman rifles are magnum velocity, so depending on HP expansion is not reliable.
Rc
craftsman
Member
You can get 1,250 .177 wadcutter pellets from WalMart online, delivered to your local store (no shipping) for under $17 (+tax). http://www.walmart.com/ip/Crosman-.177-Caliber-Wadcutter-Pellets-1-250ct/16536086 But $15 +S&H from PyramydAir for the same or the pointed http://www.pyramydair.com/s/p/Crosman_Hunting_177_Cal_7_4_Grains_Pointed_1250ct/314 Buy 3 get the 4th free.
This is what I use for most of my shooting, both paper and animals, in my .22 Nitro Venom because they are the most accurate in my gun and I have found that penetration is consistent whereas expansion is not. So if I was going to start shooting .177 I would probably start with the .177 version the same pellet here and if those didn't work try the Crossman Premier Ultra Magnum.
1SOW
Member
My cheapy Daisy 901 (650-ish FPS), using Gamo Tomahawk .177 Caliber Pointed Hollow-Point Pellets has dropped 106 squirrels that no longer eat pears, over the last three+ years.
Body shots will knock them out of a tree but a second shot is needed. 15-20 yards Chest shots up and a second shot isn't needed.
Body shots will knock them out of a tree but a second shot is needed. 15-20 yards Chest shots up and a second shot isn't needed.
BinRat
Member
I have the Benjamin Trail Nitro Piston in .177, and the Crosman Premier Ultra Magnum 10.5 gr domed pellet has been the most accurate and consistent. If I do my part, it consistently makes 1 shot kills on squirrels and rabbits. It has to be a head shot on the rabbits, but chest or head works on the tree rats.
AJumbo
Member
The Beeman domes will shoot through a quail at 15 yards when fired from my Crosman pump-up pistol. I've never lost a bird, and rabbits die pretty quickly, too.
craftsman
Member
Ben86,
If I interpret your posts correctly, your air rifle has a muzzle velocity (max) of 1,200 fps, and 18 ft. lb of muzzle energy. That should be sufficient for small game hunting, within 25 meters (@ 75 ft) for a clean, accurate and humane kill.
I would suggest going with the most knock-down power you can get. Pricey, but even if it's not a clean kill shot, they won't be wandering too far. 16.05 gr, round nose, copper jacketed 200 ct for $17. http://www.pyramydair.com/s/p/H_N_R...05_Grains_Round_Nose_Copper_Coated_200ct/1107
If you do the math on that (based on caliber, fpe and gr weight), its an optimum fit IMHO for up to groundhog / raccoon with a well placed shot.
If I interpret your posts correctly, your air rifle has a muzzle velocity (max) of 1,200 fps, and 18 ft. lb of muzzle energy. That should be sufficient for small game hunting, within 25 meters (@ 75 ft) for a clean, accurate and humane kill.
I would suggest going with the most knock-down power you can get. Pricey, but even if it's not a clean kill shot, they won't be wandering too far. 16.05 gr, round nose, copper jacketed 200 ct for $17. http://www.pyramydair.com/s/p/H_N_R...05_Grains_Round_Nose_Copper_Coated_200ct/1107
If you do the math on that (based on caliber, fpe and gr weight), its an optimum fit IMHO for up to groundhog / raccoon with a well placed shot.
craftsman
Member
Better ratings (customer reviews) on the Eujin domed ... and at about half the price (non-jacketed) http://www.pyramydair.com/product-all-reviews/p/Eun_Jin_177_Cal_16_1_Grains_Round_Nose_220ct/284 16.1 gr.
The Grand Baboon
Member
I found that any RWS pellet I shot though any of my airguns to be supremely accurate over Crossman brand pellets.
You'll find more than a few Crossman pellets in a tin that have seam lines, deformed/malformed skirts, inconsistent weights, etc.
RWS pellets are far and away higher quality than Crossman stuff. They're pretty affordable too.
You'll find more than a few Crossman pellets in a tin that have seam lines, deformed/malformed skirts, inconsistent weights, etc.
RWS pellets are far and away higher quality than Crossman stuff. They're pretty affordable too.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I still say flat-point match pellets kill vermin noticeably better then pointed or round nose pellets.
rc
rc
I will have to give those flat point pellets a try as well. I shy away from light and heavy for caliber pellets. I find better performance in the middle ground most often.
I nailed a certain rodent like creature, that made it a habit to dig through my wife's plant pots, at about 25 yards with the crosman premiere hollow point. It was DRT with a shot through the heart/lung area. The exit wound was rather impressive so I assume it expanded. Yep, that pellet works.
Can't wait to try out some different brands like RWS. I am impressed that these things expand, I guess at high velocity it works as advertised.
I nailed a certain rodent like creature, that made it a habit to dig through my wife's plant pots, at about 25 yards with the crosman premiere hollow point. It was DRT with a shot through the heart/lung area. The exit wound was rather impressive so I assume it expanded. Yep, that pellet works.
Can't wait to try out some different brands like RWS. I am impressed that these things expand, I guess at high velocity it works as advertised.
For me there is only one hollow point; the H&N Crow Magnum. Most all other hollow points don't open up which is the whole point. The Crosman Premier are a perfect example. The Crosman Destroyers open, but the light weight and less quality means I only use them for pistols at close range. They're thinner so they open at lower pistol velocities, but they don't open as much as the CM. The CM needs some speed to work, but in a typical 177 Crosman break barrel they work great and are devastating, especially if the gun is tuned. You can clearly hear a pop when they hit too.
Pellets like the heavy Eun Jin or Rabbit Magnum will kill a springers power. Imo it's best to stick with 8.3 to 10.5gr pellets in a 177 springer. Even a 10.5 costs you a chunk of power, but at enough range the BC makes up for it.
Pellets like the heavy Eun Jin or Rabbit Magnum will kill a springers power. Imo it's best to stick with 8.3 to 10.5gr pellets in a 177 springer. Even a 10.5 costs you a chunk of power, but at enough range the BC makes up for it.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
I'm a fan of the round nose dome types. My .22 airguns shoot the RWS Superdomes a tad more accurately than other pellets and they don't seem to lack any punch going into a small living target.
More important than the design of the pellet, especially with the limited power from an air rifle, is how well your particular rifle shoots them at the ranges you'll be shooting. It may toss the match wadcutters into one hole at ten meters, but turn into a shotgun at fifteen. And you can't just ask someone else what shoots best in their rifle even if it is the same model, you need to verify it for yourself. This is especially true with spring-piston or nitro-piston designs.
I tried out the Crosman Destroyer recently and I have to say I am disappointed. Accuracy was not impressive and both large rats that I shot at close range scurried away to die somewhere else. I know both had to be good hits. Not sure why they didn't perform well because of no recovery of said rats.
I will have to give that crow magnum a try, it looks like a winner.
I will have to give that crow magnum a try, it looks like a winner.
rodinal220
Member
I agree that the wadcutter "match" type pellets are great for hunting/pest control. I used a lot of the Beeman/H&N .177 match pellets in my FWB 124 on small game. They are best for shorter ranges.
The Beeman Kodiak(H&N Baracuda) works well and gives deeper penetration. Excellent longer range pellet.
The Beeman Kodiak(H&N Baracuda) works well and gives deeper penetration. Excellent longer range pellet.
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