So I’m pretty sure I’ve settled on a Sniper XR Magnum as my first “premium” PCP, but I’m trying to decide on what caliber to go with. A quick bit of back story and my intended use may be helpful here.
About two years ago, I bought my first PCP, which was a Benjamin Marauder in .25. Unfortunately life got kinda crazy right after getting it and I never had a chance to use it before the guy I bought it from offered to buy it back during a time when I needed to free up some funds. As such, I’m left with about 2,000 or so pellets in .25, so I’ve been heavily considering another PCP in the ol’ quarter bore. However, depending on what pellets I go with, I can get almost twice as many shots for my dollar in .22, and that’s nothing to sneeze at!
My use will primarily be plinking/target shooting, smaller pests and varmints, as well as squirrel and rabbit out to 125y or so. Occasional shots at farther distances are possible, but most will be well within that distance and if I have to I can switch to a powder burner for farther shots. I understand that heavier projectiles retain velocity/energy and buck wind better, and that’s been my main draw to the .25 more than anything.
Additionally, if I *really* want to use them, JSB Jumbo Monster Grand and Beast pellets are available in .22, which largely bridge the gap between the .22 and the .25. My question is, have any of you Magnum owners tried these and can report on how well they did? Accuracy trumps all IMO as I’d rather rely on a lower energy shot placed in vitals than sling heavies and hope one connects with my target, but I’m looking to see what kind of velocities and accuracy y’all can get with these heavier options. I understand they’ll move slower and that’ll give me a more parabolic trajectory, but that’s what ballistic calculators and good DOPE are for.
Basically, I’m trying to decide if I should go with a .22 now and maybe just get another Marauder to use up the .25s, or if I should just swing big. I already have a Benjamin Cayden in .22 that’s nice for what it is so I have a .25 “gap” in my safe, but I just think a .22 will see more use overall given pellet prices and I’m trying to validate my thought process on using heavies to bridge that performance gap when desired before I spend money on a rifle. Thanks in advance!
About two years ago, I bought my first PCP, which was a Benjamin Marauder in .25. Unfortunately life got kinda crazy right after getting it and I never had a chance to use it before the guy I bought it from offered to buy it back during a time when I needed to free up some funds. As such, I’m left with about 2,000 or so pellets in .25, so I’ve been heavily considering another PCP in the ol’ quarter bore. However, depending on what pellets I go with, I can get almost twice as many shots for my dollar in .22, and that’s nothing to sneeze at!
My use will primarily be plinking/target shooting, smaller pests and varmints, as well as squirrel and rabbit out to 125y or so. Occasional shots at farther distances are possible, but most will be well within that distance and if I have to I can switch to a powder burner for farther shots. I understand that heavier projectiles retain velocity/energy and buck wind better, and that’s been my main draw to the .25 more than anything.
Additionally, if I *really* want to use them, JSB Jumbo Monster Grand and Beast pellets are available in .22, which largely bridge the gap between the .22 and the .25. My question is, have any of you Magnum owners tried these and can report on how well they did? Accuracy trumps all IMO as I’d rather rely on a lower energy shot placed in vitals than sling heavies and hope one connects with my target, but I’m looking to see what kind of velocities and accuracy y’all can get with these heavier options. I understand they’ll move slower and that’ll give me a more parabolic trajectory, but that’s what ballistic calculators and good DOPE are for.
Basically, I’m trying to decide if I should go with a .22 now and maybe just get another Marauder to use up the .25s, or if I should just swing big. I already have a Benjamin Cayden in .22 that’s nice for what it is so I have a .25 “gap” in my safe, but I just think a .22 will see more use overall given pellet prices and I’m trying to validate my thought process on using heavies to bridge that performance gap when desired before I spend money on a rifle. Thanks in advance!
