Remember now,I am new to this,so here is my question.What is the most common caliber pellet that I can pick up at the hardware store or a place like that? I do go to BASS PRO. I dont want to have to order pellets online.
PELLET RIFLE CALIBER
- Thread starter danimal4789
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Well, I only get pellets from Walmart, and they are .177 and .22.
Tractor Supply also has pellets. Daisy and Crosman
Tractor Supply also has pellets. Daisy and Crosman
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.177 is the most common. Anywhere that sells any variety of airguns will generally have at least one variety of .177 pellets. Personally however, I'd still opt for .22 over .177 for anything that might be used for hunting or pest control. .22 is still very easy to find at places like Bass Pro or Walmart.
Once you get into anything other than BB's, .177 or .22 it's best to just plan on ordering them online. You're extremely unlikely to find .20, .25 or .30 outside of a specialty airgun store or a very large gun store.
Once you get into anything other than BB's, .177 or .22 it's best to just plan on ordering them online. You're extremely unlikely to find .20, .25 or .30 outside of a specialty airgun store or a very large gun store.
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Agreeing with what others have said about 0.177 or .22 being about the only thing available in big box stores nationwide. I see from your introductory post the mention of rabbits and squirrels. Cotton tails are quite fragile creatures, and either .177 or .22 will do fine for any responsible shot placement to the brain or vitals. However tree squirrels (grays or fox) are considerably more resilient and you'll have to be on your A game with shot placement if you expect to recover them, though I would assume you know that quite well given your experience with small game hunting. Either caliber is fine here, too, if placement is excellent but the .22 helps if it isn't.
At the same time, I don't want to give the impression that .22 is always the better choice. Because for example if you plan to hunt with a springer or pumper in settings where knowing the precise distance of your quarry is difficult, the loopy trajectory of the .22 could lead to a lot of maiming shots that land slightly higher or lower than intended. That's just because these powerplants can't usually get a .22 pellet up to a comparable velocity of a .177. Whereas if you go with a pre-charged pneumatic (PCP), you can usually get pellets of either caliber up to the top end of useful velocity range (say, 850 - 950fps), and the compromise is just how many shots per fill you can expect.
The generally accepted standard for squirrel hunting with an air rifle is the capacity to put 10 out of 10 shots on a dime at whatever distance you intend to hunt. Pellets from the big box stores will limit that distance somewhat compared to what can be achieved with some of the better mail order pellets, but no better place to start than get an airgun that fits your budget and test 2 or 3 kinds of pellets on paper and see if it gets you where you want to go.
At the same time, I don't want to give the impression that .22 is always the better choice. Because for example if you plan to hunt with a springer or pumper in settings where knowing the precise distance of your quarry is difficult, the loopy trajectory of the .22 could lead to a lot of maiming shots that land slightly higher or lower than intended. That's just because these powerplants can't usually get a .22 pellet up to a comparable velocity of a .177. Whereas if you go with a pre-charged pneumatic (PCP), you can usually get pellets of either caliber up to the top end of useful velocity range (say, 850 - 950fps), and the compromise is just how many shots per fill you can expect.
The generally accepted standard for squirrel hunting with an air rifle is the capacity to put 10 out of 10 shots on a dime at whatever distance you intend to hunt. Pellets from the big box stores will limit that distance somewhat compared to what can be achieved with some of the better mail order pellets, but no better place to start than get an airgun that fits your budget and test 2 or 3 kinds of pellets on paper and see if it gets you where you want to go.
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I would add that if your airgun bug is just the small game hunting and locally available pellets are sufficiently accurate, that's great. But if you are dissatisfied with the accuracy, a different - sometimes more expensive - pellet can make a huge difference. Most big box stores just carry two or three pellet varieties in a particular caliber, often about the same weight. But online sources will give you a considerable pallet of available choices. If you become really bit by the airgun bug, like most on this forum, you will appreciate that pallet to select from.
If you have some other local airgunners you might be able to buy, beg or borrow a sampler of other pellets.
If you have some other local airgunners you might be able to buy, beg or borrow a sampler of other pellets.
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It is reasonable to try what you can get locally but it is pretty limiting. The only ones I see are Crosmans and gamo redfires. My Prod shoots Crosmans fine and I've taken squirrels with them. But they are not well enough made for target shooting and I've gotten bad tins that were not good for anything. But if your gun likes them it could work out. But even in my Prod H&N Field Target Trophy, copper plated, shoot significantly better and are not much more expensive.
The other problem I have with local pellets is they are too light for the tune on my two higher powered 22s. I'd have to retune the guns to use them. I'd rather not. In my 177 Crosman 10.5s are heavy enough but wildly inconsistent in my experience. I've given up on them.
I recommend ordering H&N and JSB simple domed pellets. That is all I use for targets or hunting. But if Crosmans work in your gun it may work out.
The other problem I have with local pellets is they are too light for the tune on my two higher powered 22s. I'd have to retune the guns to use them. I'd rather not. In my 177 Crosman 10.5s are heavy enough but wildly inconsistent in my experience. I've given up on them.
I recommend ordering H&N and JSB simple domed pellets. That is all I use for targets or hunting. But if Crosmans work in your gun it may work out.
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I find it easiest to find a good pellet, and just make an order once or twice a year. My family gets be Trenier gift cards for my birthday and Christmas, so that does well to purchase twice a year.
My Christmas spoils.
My Christmas spoils.
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I'm reading between the lines here so, I can only assume you are looking to do a little plinking/target shooting here and there? My advice is to purchase either a .177 or .22 as you can pretty much get them anywhere.
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Remember the days that 177 was the standard and 22 was the powerhouse of pellets? It didn't seem so long ago.
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@danimal4789 - not sure on what rifle or carbine you are shooting so I will suggest the Crosman Prod. They shoot Crosman pellets well if you win the barrel lottery. Easy to fill and enough fpe for small pests.
Huge rabbit hole awaits you. Tons of aftermarket bits and bobs available. Good Luck!
www.airgunrevisions.com
Huge rabbit hole awaits you. Tons of aftermarket bits and bobs available. Good Luck!
Benjamin Marauder Pistol P-Rod - Airgun Revisions
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MScHMY5K9Wc[/embed]
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Seems like your limited to Crossman or Gamo pellets , Tractor Supply and Wally World ?
Your profile does not have a state or city your located so i can't tell if their is a store near you .
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The best of the big box store pellets seem to be the Benjamin Single DIe pellets. Of course every airgun is different and might shoot best with something else, but chances are you'll get the best results with those.
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Here in Canada you mostly just see .22 pellets in the "big box" stores like Canadian Tire and Walmart. Dedicated airgun stores are difficult to find unless you are in one of the largest cities, or one town in Saskatchewan.
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Where I live it's just rats, mice, squirrels, raccoons and the occasional bird. So .22 has been fine.
If I were in Alberta and had to deal with bigger critters I'd break out the .30 cal occasionally, but then again maybe I'd just be using powderburners all the time.
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