.177 for "big" game

[WVguns]

ok so does anyone know if a .177 caliber that goes bout 1000 fps would be big enough for like squirrels and rabbits? thanx in advance guys btw i love the site

[ArkansasHunter]

I beleive it would be potent enough but I would keep your range to 20 to 25 yards .
By the way WELCOME to GUN and GAME feller !!!

[binfordw]

You CANNOT judge a rifles power by what the company claims/ whats stamped on the box. So that "1000fps" rifle you've been eyeing, isn't.



To cleanly kill any game animal, 2 things have to occur.

1. A shot has to be accurately placed in a vital area

2. The projectile has to be carrying enough energy when it impacts the critter, it does significant tissue damage and causes death.

thats it.



For a Tree squirrel, the energy most all airgun hunters have come to agree on, is 5-6 ft-lbs. Doesn't matter is thats a .177 or a .25 pellet, it just has to carry about that much energy when it hits. Rabbits (not Jacks) die if you yell at em


A wimpy R-7, that most people overlook because it doesn't claim 1,000+ fps, is most likely a better squirrel hunting tool in good hands than a magnum springer that is tough to shoot accurately/ or just flat out isnt accurate.

[ArkansasHunter]

Aim for the noggin !!! LOL

[EagleScout777]

I've killed squirrels with a .177 air rifle that has a max velocity of 750fps. So I think you're fine.

[Big Dog]

I nailed one with my Red Ryder - surprised both of us - but I walked away.

It ain't .177, but it ain't got much punch either! Headshot, of course.
It's all about 'shot placement'.

[WVguns]

yea thats wat i figurered about shot placement and btw.. i was gonna shoot within 20-25 yards thanx guys

[rick343]

I purchased a Gamo Big Cat at Academy Sports for $118 +t. It shoots the gold 5GR pellet at 1200 FPS and a led pellet at about 1000. For the money it's awsom. Havn't shot any critters yet, but the accuracy is outstanding. I can shoot a tin can at 30 yds and the pellet will go through the can and not move it. The best thing I did is changed the trigger and now I can hit a 1/2" circle at 30 yds consistantly. Great gun, lots of recoil.

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I'm your huckleberry

[Sooner Shooter]

Originally Posted by rick343

I purchased a Gamo Big Cat at Academy Sports for $118 +t. It shoots the gold 5GR pellet at 1200 FPS and a led pellet at about 1000. For the money it's awsom. Havn't shot any critters yet, but the accuracy is outstanding. I can shoot a tin can at 30 yds and the pellet will go through the can and not move it. The best thing I did is changed the trigger and now I can hit a 1/2" circle at 30 yds consistantly. Great gun, lots of recoil.

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I'm your huckleberry

Using a 5 grain pellet at over 1000 feet per second would seem to me as almost dry firing. Does your gun have a different feel when the lighter one is shot. Just wondering because I've never shot anything that light and probably won't because I would think it would shorten the life of the gun. SS

[Snijro]

i used to have one of them winchester 800x .177 cal air guns and i have made head shots on squrrels with it about to 65yards it made a quick clean kill with no problem at all and it was only about 800fps