.22 vs .25

[EPG]

Thanks for the well thought detailed response it helps a lot as I had some wrong understandings. Why does the 25 use air more efficiently power for power? I find myself hunting taking shots hunting typically between 40 yards to 100 yards. I would probably take more shots at 100+ but since I only have 27fpe in .22 at the muzzle the drop off in energy at those distances starts to get questionably ethical. However, I am looking to step up to a new air rifle shooting 50 fpe at the muzzle so with a heavier pellet or slug I could carry good power at that longer distance. My intuitive sense says that shooting a heavy 22 slug would give me a better BC and accuracy at that distance. Just to make sure I am understanding you, are you saying the .25 is better for power and accuracy at that distance and more efficient using air translating to a higher shot count per fill as well as more power and accuracy at 90 -125 yards?

Mushroom gave some great real world examples - yes, comparing fpe to fpe the larger caliber is more efficient with air usage.

As far as diabolo pellet accuracy at 100 yards… my experience is that pellets can be really accurate out to 75-80 yards, beyond 80 things start to get challenging. That’s why you see most 100 yard benchrest shooters using .30 caliber and 44 to 56g pellets - it’s about stability and bucking the wind over that last 20 yards from 80 to 100.

I’ve shot in a couple 100 yard competitions. These targets are from my 1st time ever shooting at 100 yards. I show you these because I was using .25 caliber and 25.4g pellets. These targets were all shot in the same session with an RTI Prophet Performance with 600mm .25LR barrel - velocity was 895-905fps. (900fps is the velocity where wind drift is best).

As a complete rookie at 100, I did not realize how freaking good putting 9 of 10 25.4g pellets on a 2 inch splatter target was, lol. As the day went on, the wind kicked up more and more - eventually the little .25 pellets were scattering all over the face of the 5 inch paper plate. This is using a Sightron 45x target scope.

To your hunting question, I think these targets show that you might take a 100 yard shot with a .25 caliber pellet in good wind conditions, but with any kind of wind, it’s probably not ethical.

As far as slugs at that type of distance, I have no experience.

-Ed

 

[Urban2212]

That is valuable feedback. The gun I am going to buy is the Barra 250z and thanks to your input I am leaning much more toward the .25. Thanks!