Best .177 STEEL pellets for bird hunting

[ThrottleItOut]

Hello everyone,

First post here, although I've been reading a fair bit of forum posts (I couldn't find an existing post on this subject). I've been shooting a Beeman R7 with a Hawke scope for a couple of years now to eliminate starlings and house sparrows (both invasive pest species) and it's been a fantastic rifle. Using the .177 10.5g Piranha pellets I've had zero issues with accuracy or stopping power (I'm generally shooting from a blind at relatively close range). However, for a variety of reasons I'd like to switch from lead to steel pellets if possible. Does anyone have any recommendations on a similarly performing steel pellet? My Google searches are coming up a bit short. Thanks in advance!

 

[lbc_PSI]

No such thing as steel pellets. Tin alloy. Steel would ruin an airgun barrel.

If you need steel, best to use a smooth bore BB gun.

 

[ThrottleItOut]

Sorry about that, you are correct. Meant to say alloy. Just looking for lead-free. 

 

[bertman77mk2]

Gotta ask —- why would you want to change to “steel” , especially for short distances?? I would worry about pass-thru 

 

[ThrottleItOut]

The local falconry group takes my trapped birds to feed their raptors, I was going to offer them my shot birds as well. But they're not interested if shot with lead. 

 

[esingle]

Hello you can try Crosman Fast Flight Penetrators a co worker had very good results with the 22cal ones in his Ruger break barrel air rifle out to about 20 yds. Hope this helps Eric

 

[Seth0764]

https://www.pyramydair.com/product/predator-177-domed-gto-lead-free-pellets?p=1488 

Try the predator GTO pellets 

 

[Scouty]

I have an HW30 which I understand to be the same rifle as the R7. 

Initial results with the GTO 177 domes look really good. I believe they make wadcutters as well if pass through is a concern. 

Of course if they're being fed to bird of prey, pass through may be preferred. 

 

[ThrottleItOut]

Great info, thank you guys. I will order a pack of each as suggested above and see what yields the best results.

 

[Scouty]

Great info, thank you guys. I will order a pack of each as suggested above and see what yields the best results.

H&N makes both the Barracudas and Field Target Trophies in lead free.

Some of the online retailers have the choice to select "lead free" when shopping on their sites. Click on that and "in stock" and you should find plenty.

Let us know how it works out.

 

[JobyKang]

Being both a falconer and an air gunner, I appreciate your concern. As was suggested, I use the Predator GTO. Be aware that even with these assurances, your falconers still might not want to take your starlings because of a fear of what they might be feeding on.

-Joe

Ohio School of Falconry