Slugs VS Pellets, whats your view?

[VaporTrailGTA]

I've taken down pests with both pellets and slugs, so I won't say to forget about one or the other. Sometimes, you'll have an absolute gem of a gun and it'll like both slugs and pellets.

My RallyBoss can shoot either one very accurately. My Sumatra needs heavier projectiles, so the 48gr HP slugs work pretty darn good. If I use pellets in the Sumatra, I have to dial down the power wheel. It'll send the 43gr EJ's over 1000FPS.

Then my Winchester 70-35 didn't really like slugs. Hard to find an accurate one, so I decided to stick to the 81gr JSBs. Laser accurate, she could send them through the same hole all day long.

And then you have my Duk IL Hunting Master. Doesn't like pellets, doesn't seem to like slugs. Just barely into the decent accuracy range with the MKII's, both original and redesigned versions. Didn't like the 28gr HP slugs. Didn't like the 30gr Piledrivers either, but I have yet to hear of a rifle that likes those particular pellets/slugs.

 

[fafo13]

ive seen no difference in accuracy, but slugs did open a bit hitting semi soft targets but i didnt manage to open any pellets - avenger 25 @10 yards

 

[VaporTrailGTA]

Usually slugs are softer; the HP design also helps with expansion. Pellets tend to be harder, from what I've seen, but they're usually not designed to open up.

 

[Jasonmc]

I wanna love slugs... like the idea of slugs. I have one rifle that shoots them very well.. I wish all my rifles would shoot them. Unfortunately not all mine do. I only use them (in the only rifle I have that shoots them) for hunting. For target shooting I just use pellets

 

[VaporTrailGTA]

If you're willing to spend a little cash-ola...you can always get a barrel made for whichever rifle you'd like to dedicate to being a slug shooter. My RallyBoss has slug barrel in it, so I'm lucky that it also likes the .22 MKIIs from JSB. It'll shoot both the original and redesigned versions very well.

 

[Leatherman]

I have different guns set up for different purposes. A Leshiy2 is currently set up in .22 tuned to shoot AVS 35 grain slugs .2183” . It really likes the longer 35 grain slugs better than any other weight slug or pellet I have tried so I leave it as is for squirrels up to Groundhogs. My FX Wildcat BT is set up in .30 caliber and shoots the JSB 45 and 50 grain pellets better than any slug I have tried so it stays as is again for squirrels to groundhogs and target out to 100+ yards. Then I have a FX Dreamline tuned to shoot the JSB Hades .22 at 930 fps out to around 60 yards. That is my favorite hunting pellet and go to gun for chipmunks , pest birds Around the house. I have taken groundhogs and crows with the .22 hades effectively with a steady rest but prefer the heavier caliber and ammo on the larger thicker skinned animals And can tell the difference in the reaction of the larger animals between heavier and light pellets and slugs. I prefer shooting a larger caliber and heavy weight pellet or slug for hunting so slugs usually are my choice . If I was to punch paper and shoot a tin of ammo every week I would stick with pellets. But I may only shoot half a dozen shots a week so I don’t mind spending a little more for slugs for strictly hunting use.

 

[LDP]

If you're willing to spend a little cash-ola...you can always get a barrel made for whichever rifle you'd like to dedicate to being a slug shooter. My RallyBoss has slug barrel in it, so I'm lucky that it also likes the .22 MKIIs from JSB. It'll shoot both the original and redesigned versions very well.

Ya you could do that but for me if I need to spend money on a custom barrel for my pcp I would be better off grabbing my 22 lr that has a much higher bc than the pcp slug and way more consistent and accurate than slugs in my pcp rifles.

 

[Kevinbear]

I live out in the windy western US, the difference in wind drift of 177 slugs vs pellets is huge plus pellets just don't expand like a hollow point slug does.

 

[VaporTrailGTA]

Ya you could do that but for me if I need to spend money on a custom barrel for my pcp I would be better off grabbing my 22 lr that has a much higher bc than the pcp slug and way more consistent and accurate than slugs in my pcp rifles.

In the grand scheme of things, a powder burner is always going to be more bang for the buck. But try firing off your .22lr or a 30-06 in the backyard, and there's a huge chance that life is gonna get real interesting real quick. Sometimes, landowners won't want you using your powder burner if you're allowed access to the land. And I'm pretty sure a grain farmer isn't gonna want you taking shots with your powder burner at pesky doves on top of his grain silo.

As for myself, I enjoy the challenge; shooting with an air rifle requires you to be much more accurate. But, different strokes, different folks.

PS: cost-wise, a PCP is always going to be fighting a losing game against PB's.

 

[357cal]

I hunt with my 25 cal Avenger and AEA Challenger 357 i use slugs in both for at least 2 reasons. Reason 1, performance at 60 plus yards. Thats where i do most of my hunting for woodchucks and coyotes. Reason 2, cost. I have stopped looking but slugs where cheaper then pellets. Just for one more,, The heaviest pellet for the 357 is 81 gr if i'm not mistaken, rather go with 125 gr and up. The reason why i shoot airguns rather then PB? It takes far more skill to get in close to the game your hunting rather then 300 yard shot, Are PB a bit overpowered for the need? I think in most cases you can get it done with an airgun safer and much more quietly.

 

[LDP]

In the grand scheme of things, a powder burner is always going to be more bang for the buck. But try firing off your .22lr or a 30-06 in the backyard, and there's a huge chance that life is gonna get real interesting real quick. Sometimes, landowners won't want you using your powder burner if you're allowed access to the land. And I'm pretty sure a grain farmer isn't gonna want you taking shots with your powder burner at pesky doves on top of his grain silo.

As for myself, I enjoy the challenge; shooting with an air rifle requires you to be much more accurate. But, different strokes, different folks.

PS: cost-wise, a PCP is always going to be fighting a losing game against PB's.

Actually I can fire off my 22 lr in my back yard So you think a pcp shooting a slug the same weight or heavier than a 22 lr at 1,000 fps is some how safer than shooting a 22 lr? If you couldnt safely shoot a 22 lr you wouldnt be able to safely shoot that high power tuned pcp shooting slugs. If you are pushing a 34 gr. slug at 1,000 fps you are almost the same energy as standard velocity 22 lr ammo. If you hit that velocity with the 40 gr. javelin or other 40 gr. slug you will be at the same ball park energy level as the standard velocity 22 lr ammo. That grain farmer would be ok with you shooting a pcp getting 70 fpe - 90 fpe but he wouldnt want you shooting a 22 lr that was getting 90 fpe? People are sitting right at the same energy levels with todays high tuned slug guns as standard or sub sonic 22 lr. So at that point what have you gained? You have to watch your shots the same as you would running a 22 lr but give up performance in the way of lower bc numbers and consistent accuracy. This is the reason why I have not jumped completely into slug shooting and still prefer pellets over slugs from an airgun for all my shooting. Of course if you live in restricted areas where owning an airgun is much easier than even a 22 lr or you just like air guns over rimfire then do what you think is the best and most rewarding. But you cant say its safer than 22 lr and you cant shoot that pcp tuned for high powered slug performance in any situation that you couldnt shoot a 22 lr safely.

 

[VaporTrailGTA]

Actually I can fire off my 22 lr in my back yard So you think a pcp shooting a slug the same weight or heavier than a 22 lr at 1,000 fps is some how safer than shooting a 22 lr? If you couldnt safely shoot a 22 lr you wouldnt be able to safely shoot that high power tuned pcp shooting slugs. If you are pushing a 34 gr. slug at 1,000 fps you are almost the same energy as standard velocity 22 lr ammo. If you hit that velocity with the 40 gr. javelin or other 40 gr. slug you will be at the same ball park energy level as the standard velocity 22 lr ammo. That grain farmer would be ok with you shooting a pcp getting 70 fpe - 90 fpe but he wouldnt want you shooting a 22 lr that was getting 90 fpe? People are sitting right at the same energy levels with todays high tuned slug guns as standard or sub sonic 22 lr. So at that point what have you gained? You have to watch your shots the same as you would running a 22 lr but give up performance in the way of lower bc numbers and consistent accuracy. This is the reason why I have not jumped completely into slug shooting and still prefer pellets over slugs from an airgun for all my shooting. Of course if you live in restricted areas where owning an airgun is much easier than even a 22 lr or you just like air guns over rimfire then do what you think is the best and most rewarding. But you cant say its safer than 22 lr and you cant shoot that pcp tuned for high powered slug performance in any situation that you couldnt shoot a 22 lr safely.

If you can, then good for you. Quite a few places where others can't fire off their PB in their backyard.

As for most of the other stuff, please don't put words in my mouth or assume thoughts I have in my head.

All guns should be treated with care as to what is behind them. That's just being prudent.

Subsonic .22lr, regular velocity, pcps, even break barrels.

Yes, there are some grain farmers who don't want PB's being shot off on their property and prefer air rifles, and no, I can't begin to assume what other thoughts they may have in their head about the safety of PBs vs. PCPs. It's their farm, their rules. Now there may be some of them that are ok with it, and that's entirely up to them.

No, I never said that pcps were safer than a .22lr.


Please go back and read my post in it's entirety and point out to me where I stated the info you are putting out on your post.

 

[LDP]

If you can, then good for you. Quite a few places where others can't fire off their PB in their backyard.

As for most of the other stuff, please don't put words in my mouth or assume thoughts I have in my head.

All guns should be treated with care as to what is behind them. That's just being prudent.

Subsonic .22lr, regular velocity, pcps, even break barrels.

Yes, there are some grain farmers who don't want PB's being shot off on their property and prefer air rifles, and no, I can't begin to assume what other thoughts they may have in their head about the safety of PBs vs. PCPs. It's their farm, their rules. Now there may be some of them that are ok with it, and that's entirely up to them.

No, I never said that pcps were safer than a .22lr.


Please go back and read my post in it's entirety and point out to me where I stated the info you are putting out on your post.

Not sure where you think I put words in your mouth but I certainly didnt.

But try firing off your .22lr or a 30-06 in the backyard, and there's a huge chance that life is gonna get real interesting real quick. Sometimes, landowners won't want you using your powder burner if you're allowed access to the land. And I'm pretty sure a grain farmer isn't gonna want you taking shots with your powder burner at pesky doves on top of his grain silo.

This was the response to my comment that I would rather use my 22 lr than dump more money into a pcp that may not be as accurate and if it was still has a lower bc. By saying you could shoot a pcp but not a 22 lr in this scenario is basically saying you believe its safer. If not then maybe explain why you could use the pcp shooting slugs at or very near the same fpe as the 22 lr but not the 22 lr if safety isnt the concern to not use the 22 lr.

 

[VaporTrailGTA]

Hmm...it seems like there may be a miscommunication then. Nowhere in my first response to you did I say it was safer to shoot a PCP than a .22lr. All guns need to be handled with care and safety. In regards to the grain farmer not wanting PBs used on their land for pesting, there's a few of them that feel that way. You can reference YT videos about people taking out doves, starlings, etc on grain plots with AG's as opposed to PBs.

For the last statement, I don't believe I have to explain; the root of that was the grain farmer. If I were to venture a guess? Noise, maybe? Could also be energy. A 40gr projectile moving at subsonic speeds is still going to thump a lot harder than a 28gr slug at the same speed.

 

[LDP]

Hmm...it seems like there may be a miscommunication then. Nowhere in my first response to you did I say it was safer to shoot a PCP than a .22lr. All guns need to be handled with care and safety. In regards to the grain farmer not wanting PBs used on their land for pesting, there's a few of them that feel that way. You can reference YT videos about people taking out doves, starlings, etc on grain plots with AG's as opposed to PBs.

For the last statement, I don't believe I have to explain; the root of that was the grain farmer. If I were to venture a guess? Noise, maybe? Could also be energy. A 40gr projectile moving at subsonic speeds is still going to thump a lot harder than a 28gr slug at the same speed.

As with anything in text it never comes across the same as talking. This is just another discussion of people expressing opinions, experiences and favorite types of shooting. We all enjoy the same things and we certainly cant speak for others opinions as to whats best, safest or otherwise. I am just glad we can discuss things and not get bent out of shape if theres some communication mishaps or differences of opinions.

 

[VaporTrailGTA]

True. Context and tonation are always harder to read over text.

As for the PB vs AG debate, I believe they both have their place. I can place an acceptable shot with my Ruger, but it's also easier due to it's consistency over a longer yardage. With the PCPs, you can zero at 50, and you're going to have different POI's as you progress through the yardage spectrum.

It makes it deliciously complicated; almost to the point where one would question why even going through the hassle at all. For me, it's the challenge of consistently making that shot; being able to place it within 0.5 an inch.

There's always that excitement/anxiety before the shot.

 

[AnwarKhan]

U will know it well when u have it

 

[LDP]

True. Context and tonation are always harder to read over text.

As for the PB vs AG debate, I believe they both have their place. I can place an acceptable shot with my Ruger, but it's also easier due to it's consistency over a longer yardage. With the PCPs, you can zero at 50, and you're going to have different POI's as you progress through the yardage spectrum.

It makes it deliciously complicated; almost to the point where one would question why even going through the hassle at all. For me, it's the challenge of consistently making that shot; being able to place it within 0.5 an inch.

There's always that excitement/anxiety before the shot.

Thats the same reason I like my pcp rifles. Its easier to find areas to shoot with enough distance to be challenging. Yes PB and AG all have a place as well as slugs or pellets from an airgun.

 

[fuznut]

Actually I can and do shoot my 22rf in my back yard. Not with regular ammo though. With the right subsonic ammo and barrel length it's just as quite just as accurate and because of bullet construction much safer then my fx 500 pcp shooting pellets. I don't shoot slugs from it but if I need that kind of energy I have regular 22rf ammo. It's a big blue world with all kinds of options shoot what you like be safe and have fun doing it.

 

[VaporTrailGTA]

Thats the same reason I like my pcp rifles. Its easier to find areas to shoot with enough distance to be challenging. Yes PB and AG all have a place as well as slugs or pellets from an airgun.

Agreed