Have a HW50 that seems to like the H&N lead free pellets. Anyone hunt squirrels with the lead free pellets? Thanks, Don
Lead free pellets for hunting?
- Thread starter doninva
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There is no reason you couldn't. Pellets aren't going to deform on impact out of that rifle. You should shoot what is.most accurate.
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I've taken a couple of squirrels and any number of rats with lead-free in both .22 and 25. No problemo.
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I don't hunt squirrels, but if I'd be able to score a 3/4" group at 20 yds, into any of the vitals, then I'd go with a .22 rifle, due to greater penetration through hard surfaces - i.e. bone; Greater mass of the projectile will guarantee better penetration through bone, especially if it's a zinc or copper pellet, beacuse these kinds of pellets are hard, not soft. A .177 on the other hand, would work well too, but you'd have to take a shot to the heart, or a really well placed headshot, because the sectional density of .177 pellet is quite low, which means that very little of the surrounding tissue, or mass will be disturbed - in order to cause maximum damage and stop the animal in its tracks, you have to hit one of the vitals right on. Make sure you'll zero the gun in just right and use the kind of lead-free projectiles that shoot the truest.
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At sensible airgun ranges of 20-40 yards they should work fine. I would worry more about retained energy at longer range.
177s will penetrate further than 22s if the fpe is the same. But 22s tend to have higher fpe. I used lead pellets but I've killed 9 squirrels so far with my one 177. It did fine with decent shot placement. The squirrels tend to take a few steps that squirrels hit with my 32 fpe 22 do not but a step or two before dropping is not a huge issue. I shot one behind the diaphram but the pellet penetrated through the diaphram and hit the vitals before exiting. That squirrel took 2 or 3 steps and dropped dead. I do not use expanding projectiles in airguns.
177s will penetrate further than 22s if the fpe is the same. But 22s tend to have higher fpe. I used lead pellets but I've killed 9 squirrels so far with my one 177. It did fine with decent shot placement. The squirrels tend to take a few steps that squirrels hit with my 32 fpe 22 do not but a step or two before dropping is not a huge issue. I shot one behind the diaphram but the pellet penetrated through the diaphram and hit the vitals before exiting. That squirrel took 2 or 3 steps and dropped dead. I do not use expanding projectiles in airguns.
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I have no proof of course, but I have heard that green (lead free) pellets because of the different types of alloys used in forming them can cause advanced or rapid wearing on the rifling in air gun barrels when used exclusively or often.
On the other hand there's an air gun shop about 20 minutes drive from my home, that I do business with that has an indoor air gun range open to members and repeat customers, the range is restricted to alloy pellets only (no lead pellets allowed), and the shop owner claims he hasn't heard any complaints of barrel wear from his customers that use the range.
On the other hand there's an air gun shop about 20 minutes drive from my home, that I do business with that has an indoor air gun range open to members and repeat customers, the range is restricted to alloy pellets only (no lead pellets allowed), and the shop owner claims he hasn't heard any complaints of barrel wear from his customers that use the range.
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