The 177 HW77K First Hunt

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Wildcatter

Wildcatter

Member
Mar 4, 2024
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NW Ohio
I'm pretty happy with this 77k, it has been bled, and it is putting meat in the pot! All head shots, and am now 4 for 5! I would been 5 for 5, but not taking body shots with the 177. I just don't have the faith I would in the 22 cal 77K.

But here are were the 3 from yesterday before the trip back out to the truck, where I picked up one more. A big buck Fox Squrrel to add to the Grey's.
1000002868.jpg


All in all, pretty happy using FTT 8.64 grain pellets in the new to me 77k I tuned with the Vortek PG4 HO spring kit, running the stock seals, and getting 895 fps, and over 15 fpe. It is now a proven hunter!
 
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Wildcatter said:
I'm pretty happy with this 77k, it has been bled, and it is putting meat in the pot! All head shots, and am now 4 for 5! I would been 5 for 5, but not taking body shots with the 177. I just don't have the faith I would in the 22 cal 77K.

But here are were the 3 from yesterday before the trip back out to the truck, where I picked up one more. A big buck Fox Squrrel to add to the Grey's.
View attachment 494770

All in all, pretty happy using FTT 8.64 grain pellets in the new to me 77k I tuned with the Vortek PG4 HO spring kit, running the stock seals, and getting 895 fps, and over 15 fpe. It is now a proven hunter!
Click to expand...
i am running @ 11.6 FPE same pellet and i have never had a problem kill . I don't know why people have problems shooting .177 ?
My favorite hunting gun is a FWB 124 @ 9,6 FPE in .177 , deadly .
 
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Wildcatter said:
I'm pretty happy with this 77k, it has been bled, and it is putting meat in the pot! All head shots, and am now 4 for 5! I would been 5 for 5, but not taking body shots with the 177. I just don't have the faith I would in the 22 cal 77K.

But here are were the 3 from yesterday before the trip back out to the truck, where I picked up one more. A big buck Fox Squrrel to add to the Grey's.
View attachment 494770

All in all, pretty happy using FTT 8.64 grain pellets in the new to me 77k I tuned with the Vortek PG4 HO spring kit, running the stock seals, and getting 895 fps, and over 15 fpe. It is now a proven hunter!
Click to expand...
Great job. I'm ready to start when the leaves drop, and temps get much cooler
 
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beerthief said:
i am running @ 11.6 FPE same pellet and i have never had a problem kill . I don't know why people have problems shooting .177 ?
My favorite hunting gun is a FWB 124 @ 9,6 FPE in .177 , deadly .
Click to expand...
The reason I have a problem with 177 body shots,, and only with tree rats, is I have found in the past, they don't really knock them loose of the tree! I have had more luck with the 22 cal, shooting less FPE in my pumper, knocking them off the tree The 177 definitely will blow thru them, but they tend to cling onto the trunk, or branch long enough to fall straight down and hang up on limbs or crotches more than when hit with the 22.

THis is just from years ago when I was using pumpers and both less power than these. But they were not what I trust for headshots out to 30 or 35 yards either. This 77K is a true lazer, they weren't when pumped up to hit hard enough! I just wish I could put it on a diet! It is heavy to carry in the woods, and I'm having trouble finding a sling mounting kit for it, primarily the front cocking arm sling mount.

I am looking real hard at a 35E to chase the bushytails. but not sure want less speed. The one thing I had the luxury of this summer, was walnut targets from 20 to 35 yards. I had plenty of practice and found how much lower I have to aim at 30 yards shooting steeper angle uo into the tops of the big trees. smaller Hickories and lower limb robbing rats on walnuts and oaks, are a lot different than reaching them higher in those big trees, shooting them steep angles.


I really think I would like the 35E, and wondering, is it as accurate as the 77K or 97K? I have an R10 in 177 that John T. tuned that definitely is, but just how good are the 35E's right outa the box? I live with the length to save 2 pounds!
 
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drsquall said:
Great job. I'm ready to start when the leaves drop, and temps get much cooler
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At daybreak I had 48 degrees yesterday, but those are not common mornings this early in the season here. At 70 I don't take the heat well myself! So looks like this week I'll have to lay back a little. but really like it with the trees loaded this month, gives me a lot easier job moving in with all the cutting droppings giving them away. Slipping thru the woods I prefer over sitting and waiting, and I have never been much into baiting.

Good Luck drsquail: maybe bowhunting by then? I still enjoy the recurve Excalibur crossbow time in the woods as well, just hit it a little different these days than I did decades ago,,,,, (y)
 
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Wildcatter said:
The reason I have a problem with 177 body shots,, and only with tree rats, is I have found in the past, they don't really knock them loose of the tree! I have had more luck with the 22 cal, shooting less FPE in my pumper, knocking them off the tree The 177 definitely will blow thru them, but they tend to cling onto the trunk, or branch long enough to fall straight down and hang up on limbs or crotches more than when hit with the 22.

THis is just from years ago when I was using pumpers and both less power than these. But they were not what I trust for headshots out to 30 or 35 yards either. This 77K is a true lazer, they weren't when pumped up to hit hard enough! I just wish I could put it on a diet! It is heavy to carry in the woods, and I'm having trouble finding a sling mounting kit for it, primarily the front cocking arm sling mount.

I am looking real hard at a 35E to chase the bushytails. but not sure want less speed. The one thing I had the luxury of this summer, was walnut targets from 20 to 35 yards. I had plenty of practice and found how much lower I have to aim at 30 yards shooting steeper angle uo into the tops of the big trees. smaller Hickories and lower limb robbing rats on walnuts and oaks, are a lot different than reaching them higher in those big trees, shooting them steep angles.


I really think I would like the 35E, and wondering, is it as accurate as the 77K or 97K? I have an R10 in 177 that John T. tuned that definitely is, but just how good are the 35E's right outa the box? I live with the length to save 2 pounds!
Click to expand...
why not use the R 10 with a sling ? and a heavy pellet ? I should qualify and say i have never used an R 10 / HW85 .
 
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Wildcatter said:
At daybreak I had 48 degrees yesterday, but those are not common mornings this early in the season here. At 70 I don't take the heat well myself! So looks like this week I'll have to lay back a little. but really like it with the trees loaded this month, gives me a lot easier job moving in with all the cutting droppings giving them away. Slipping thru the woods I prefer over sitting and waiting, and I have never been much into baiting.

Good Luck drsquail: maybe bowhunting by then? I still enjoy the recurve Excalibur crossbow time in the woods as well, just hit it a little different these days than I did decades ago,,,,, (y)
Click to expand...
Yeah it's was 58 this morning and the idea crossed my mind. I don't deer hunt much anymore like I used to. I have a pile of compounds, recurves and long bows, 1 crossbow. It's funny I'll go sit with my rifle and watch a Wheatfield and look at all the deer on it and go if I shoot one that's a lot of work lol. Plus to be honest I like deer jerky and summer sausage but the rest of it not a big fan. I used to shoot my limit every year of six and donate four to feed the hungry

I'm not a spot in stock squirrel buster. I like to go to a good area set up see what comes out and if no luck move down the creek another hundred 150 yards and set up and wait 30 minutes to an hour and repeat.
 
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Wildcatter said:
The reason I have a problem with 177 body shots,, and only with tree rats, is I have found in the past, they don't really knock them loose of the tree! I have had more luck with the 22 cal, shooting less FPE in my pumper, knocking them off the tree The 177 definitely will blow thru them, but they tend to cling onto the trunk, or branch long enough to fall straight down and hang up on limbs or crotches more than when hit with the 22.

THis is just from years ago when I was using pumpers and both less power than these. But they were not what I trust for headshots out to 30 or 35 yards either. This 77K is a true lazer, they weren't when pumped up to hit hard enough! I just wish I could put it on a diet! It is heavy to carry in the woods, and I'm having trouble finding a sling mounting kit for it, primarily the front cocking arm sling mount.

I am looking real hard at a 35E to chase the bushytails. but not sure want less speed. The one thing I had the luxury of this summer, was walnut targets from 20 to 35 yards. I had plenty of practice and found how much lower I have to aim at 30 yards shooting steeper angle uo into the tops of the big trees. smaller Hickories and lower limb robbing rats on walnuts and oaks, are a lot different than reaching them higher in those big trees, shooting them steep angles.


I really think I would like the 35E, and wondering, is it as accurate as the 77K or 97K? I have an R10 in 177 that John T. tuned that definitely is, but just how good are the 35E's right outa the box? I live with the length to save 2 pounds!
Click to expand...

You need a "magazine tube" sling mount to fit the cocking lever. I like the GrovTec ones because the Uncle Mike's have sucked since they went to the Chinamen. Pick the one towards the large end of the range in which they fit. Degrease the lever and put a couple drops of LocTite on it before mounting it. Works great for me.

PXL_20201008_230414098.jpg
 
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thumper said:
You need a "magazine tube" sling mount to fit the cocking lever. I like the GrovTec ones because the Uncle Mike's have sucked since they went to the Chinamen. Pick the one towards the large end of the range in which they fit. Degrease the lever and put a couple drops of LocTite on it before mounting it. Works great for me.

View attachment 494789
Click to expand...
Thank you, just what I needed, have two sets coming for both 77K's, the L.E. is really screaming take me in the Camo Green Laminate!
20240620_204946[1].jpg
 
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That Laminate screams Hunt with me, in my opinion, it also wears a 4-16x50 Airmax scope today.. That is a bad c-phone pick and the colors are not right in it. But I am so fond of this stock I'm looking for Cappie to sell his 177 so I have a little bro for my 22 cal. I'll find one someday, and iof it don't shoot as good as the 177 77K I have now, I'll just swap the guns from one stock to other, because the 177 I have now, is one of better shooting rifles, close to the 54 Diana, which I hate the stock on.
20240821_190230[1].jpg
 
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Congratulations! I only have one 177 and it's a PCP tuned to about 18 fpe. It's taken about 6 squirrels for me with body shots (and the same number with head shots). I do not see much difference in how quick they fall or how they fall depending on hitting them in the brain or through the lungs. The only one I lost I placed the shot way too far back. But my gun normally passes through, yours may not. I agree, however, that 22s and 25s will drop them a little quicker. But my little Prod tuned about the same as my 177 has about the same effect on the squirrels I've taken with it (17). My other 22s are up over 30 fpe and they drop them quicker. With well placed shots I find my 177 works very well.
 
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I hunted with 22 rimfires for decades, and can assure you with literally 100's of squirrels taken, a high velocity 22 is a very POOR choice for squirrel ammo!

And you hit the nail on the head, velocity, and to heavy of bullets, creating to much overpenetration, to transfer quality energy to the game is why! Decades ago, when I learned to use standard velocity ammo, I seen a dramatic differance in how the impact of the shot, made a big differance in knocking them off the tree.

I later learned a better choice, and that was hollow pointing my standard velocity ammo! This really made an even bigger differance! Using hp high velocity ammo, did not work as good as solid point standard velocity.

Ya I penetrate them with everything, even the little 8.6 grain 177 pellets, but they still transfer more energy to squirrel, and the faster you blow thru them, the less energy is transfered, and the more is lost out the other side!

I've had pcp's, and for me, they are more baggage than they are worth! I own 5 Wiehrauch springers and 3 Diana's, and would not trade any one of them for a pcp, thinking it would work better to kill rabbits or squirrel. NOW, if I was hunting ground hogs, raccoon, possum or larger game, hell yes a pcp can be an advantage for power and penetrate heavier bone and deliver needed energy that's not needed for the smaller thinner skinned game.

But make no mistake, before I went to the expence and trouble of manufacturing air for a rifle, and fussing with bottles, tanks, compressors, filters, driers, and the maintenance needs of a pcp, I'd just grab a box of my own 22 standard ammon that I personally size and HP myself, or for bigger game, hi velocity 22 solids.

I don't need a pellet gun to replace the better 22 rimfires I already own. I have pellet rifles because they are better suited to the power range and accuracy, the lower powered rimfires can't produce.

Cb's and shorts, slowed down to under 18fpe, are severe lobbers with their heavier than needed bullets, not as quiet.

But make no mistake about your over penetration comment, you are dead on! It is less desirable, as well as very well proven over 5 decades.
 
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I hunted with 22 rimfires for decades, and can assure you with literally 100's of squirrels taken, a high velocity 22 is a very POOR choice for squirrel ammo!

And you hit the nail on the head, velocity is why! Decades ago, when I learned to use standard velocity ammo, I seen a dramatic differance in how the impact of the shot, made a big differance in knocking them off the tree.

I later learned a better choice, and that was hollow pointing my standard velocity ammo! This really made an even bigger differance! Using hp high velocity ammo, did not work as good as solid point standard velocity.

Ya I penetrate them with everything, even the little 8.6 grain 177 pellets, but they still transfer more energy to squirrel, and the faster you blow thru them, the less energy is transfered, and the more is lost out the other side!

I've had pcp's, and for me, they are more baggage than they are worth! I own 5 Wiehrauch springers and 3 Diana's, and would not trade any one of them for a pcp, thinking it would work better to kill rabbits or squirrel. NOW, if I was hunting ground hogs, raccoon, possum or larger game, hell yes a pcp can be an advantage for power and penetrate heavier bone and deliver needed energy that's not needed for the smaller thinner skinned game.

But make no mistake, before I went to the expence and trouble of manufacturing air for a rifle, and fussing with bottles, tanks, compressors, filters, driers, and the maintenance needs of a pcp, I'd just grab a box of my own 22 standard ammon that I personally size and HP myself, or for bigger game, hi velocity solids, and one of these!

All Remingtons, one custom, but all superbly accurate out past 100 yards.
 
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