.22 vs .30 as an all round gun, which would you recommend?

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Schuitemaker

Schuitemaker

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Sep 6, 2023
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Phoenix, AZ, USA
I’m looking to get a PCP to shoot pigeons off my roof as well as a gun to shoot prairie dogs with. So far, the best I’ve found is a Daystate Red Wolf with a MTC 12x50 scope in .22 cal. The .22 seems most versificeer as it can shoot very light pellets around my house as well as slugs for prairie dogs. The .30 cal seems great for prairie dogs but hard to use around the house…. Anyone have suggestions?
 
Almost all of my shooting is with 22cal. Most options of ammo, cost of ammo, and range of power make a big factor in my choice. I own a 30, and it seldom sees use. Not to say I don’t break it out from time to time when needed. It’s more setup for coyote size game. I could do This with a 22 also, just less forgiving.
 
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Take a good look at the .30 . You stated it will be used for pd. For distance and bucking wind the .30 shines. Launching a .30 jsb 44.7 @ 860 my Raw hm1000x. 30 still have 40 fpe @ 100 yds. Both absolutely will do the job. A little extra ump never hurt.

Screenshot_20230906_183510_Strelok Pro.jpg
 
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The 30 is a magnificent round. However for pure flexibility - for shooting inside buildings, affordability, flexibility- You can't beat the 22 in the right platform. You will gain some distance with the 30 but you won't be able to dial it back appropriately for an up close lightly powered shooting.
I have a few properties that are horse farms that I shoot on. For safety sake, I really respect the 22. A .30 cal pellet has a lot of responsibility behind it when loosed.
 
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0akhonor said:
The 30 is a magnificent round. However for pure flexibility - for shooting inside buildings, affordability, flexibility- You can't beat the 22 in the right platform. You will gain some distance with the 30 but you won't be able to dial it back appropriately for an up close lightly powered shooting.
I have a few properties that are horse farms that I shoot on. For safety sake, I really respect the 22. A .30 cal pellet has a lot of responsibility behind it when loosed.
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Thank you, great insight! I also noticed that you can’t find really light.30 pellets to dial the power way back. They’re just not available. It therefore seems that the .22 is indeed way more flexible for smaller game.
 
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shambozzie said:
Take a good look at the .30 . You stated it will be used for pd. For distance and bucking wind the .30 shines. Launching a .30 jsb 44.7 @ 860 my Raw hm1000x. 30 still have 40 fpe @ 100 yds. Both absolutely will do the job. A little extra ump never hurt.

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Thank you!!! Do you also happen to have a chart like this for the .22?
 
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Well , in the end you do as you like..

If you shoot long range maybe 100+y or intend to shoot larger game that .30 got ya covered . Here you can take deer pcp .30 ..

Small game like squirrel, pigeon, i think here turkey(pcp) standard target stuff 20-100y. The .22 is far mor convenient and economical..

Each got there merits depending on your overall tasks

Good luck
 
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While the .30 is a good caliber, you have to treat it as if shooting a .22 rimfire. So it will be too powerful for indoor use, and unsuitable for birds on the rafters, or for pesting around homes, equipment, livestock, etc. Depending on the range to said pests, a good .22 PCP, sending inexpensive Walmart Crosman Hollowpoints, done. I don’t send premium pellets at pests and they succumb just the same.
 
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As much as I'd love to have a nice Red/Delta/Alpha Wolf, not going to spend that much.

I'd go with Benjamin Bulldog (OG version) for around $500-$550 (look down in the for sale section) and Gauntlet G2 in 22 or maybe 25. Two guns for way less than a single high end Daystate. The stock BD will do a number on rodents with an 84-90 grain bullet, coyote with 125-145 grain bullet, and the 22 for your smaller pesting needs.
 
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