Slugs Vs Regular pellets

[josh55]

What is better for hunting varmint/small birds?

I use .22 cal but i'm wondering if Slugs are better than standard pellets for larger critters like possums, raccoons etc.

how do yall feel about slugs? are they better with "punch" or penetration\?

 

[air-hunter_canyon]

Slugs vs pellets depends on size of game and distance. What would you say is your maximum distance would be realistically and largest game you would pursue ?

 

[WorriedMan]

Josh,
Pellets are self-stabilizing, just like a badminton shuttlecock, while slugs rely on proper spin/speed for accuracy. Slugs require more effort to shoot best since preferred spin rates and velocities need to be determined, a costly and time-consuming endeavor. Slugs are generally better at longer distances, being more ballistically efficient. Many, including myself, prefer the simplicity of pellets, less expensive while still being able to easily meet target/pesting/hunting needs. WM

 

[josh55]

Slugs vs pellets depends on size of game and distance. What would you say is your maximum distance would be realistically and largest game you would pursue ?

usually, I might be shooting at around <30 yards.
nothing really far. Largest pest would be a raccoon or Possum. If I buy a .25. Currently I have a .22

 

[josh55]

Josh,
Pellets are self-stabilizing, just like a badminton shuttlecock, while slugs rely on proper spin/speed for accuracy. Slugs require more effort to shoot best since preferred spin rates and velocities need to be determined, a costly and time-consuming endeavor. Slugs are generally better at longer distances, being more ballistically efficient. Many, including myself, prefer the simplicity of pellets, less expensive while still being able to easily meet target/pesting/hunting needs. WM

Thanks a bunch. it does make sense since pellets have that little "tail" to stabilize. I'm looking into buying a .25 pcp next. Given the slug prices, I will probably stick to pellets lol

 

[air-hunter_canyon]

Stick with pellets. Try to calculate your fps based on weight of grain and speed. My .22 can destroy a racoon

 

[Star7]

One thing to consider is if you are taking high angle shots, pellets are a lot safer downrange. Slugs hold on to their energy a lot further out.

 

[dens228]

usually, I might be shooting at around <30 yards.
nothing really far. Largest pest would be a raccoon or Possum. If I buy a .25. Currently I have a .22

Took out a raccoon last night at 35 yards, .25 cal pellet to the head. Dropped and twitched for a second then done. For short distance there is no reason for slugs other than to scratch that itch.

 

[WorriedMan]

Thanks a bunch. it does make sense since pellets have that little "tail" to stabilize. I'm looking into buying a .25 pcp next. Given the slug prices, I will probably stick to pellets lol

Not a big fan of the .22 PCP, have a great Taipan Veteran Standard but remainder of collection is .25 and .30.

 

[JimD]

If a projectile expands it has reduced penetration. The more it expands the more penetration is reduced. This trait can be a good thing, if you are shooting small birds with a high powered PCP, for instance. But if you want to kill a possum or a racoon with a 25 or smaller caliber PCP, I don't think you want to reduce penetration. My P35-22 killed a small, 8 lb, racoon with a shot between the eyes using a 21 grain H&N domed pellet. I hit it in the body first and it caused it to sit down and hiss but it didn't seem ready to expire any time soon. I should have used one of my 25s. But even then a brain shot seems like a good idea. I also shoot at 50 yards or less almost all the time and I see no need for slugs. I've bought a few tins messing around but they shot worse than pellets in my guns. There might be a slug where that wouldn't be true but it doesn't seem worth the effort and cost to find it. But if I was trying to hit ground squirrels at 100 yards or more, I would probably feel differently.

 

[josh55]

If a projectile expands it has reduced penetration. The more it expands the more penetration is reduced. This trait can be a good thing, if you are shooting small birds with a high powered PCP, for instance. But if you want to kill a possum or a racoon with a 25 or smaller caliber PCP, I don't think you want to reduce penetration. My P35-22 killed a small, 8 lb, racoon with a shot between the eyes using a 21 grain H&N domed pellet. I hit it in the body first and it caused it to sit down and hiss but it didn't seem ready to expire any time soon. I should have used one of my 25s. But even then a brain shot seems like a good idea. I also shoot at 50 yards or less almost all the time and I see no need for slugs. I've bought a few tins messing around but they shot worse than pellets in my guns. There might be a slug where that wouldn't be true but it doesn't seem worth the effort and cost to find it. But if I was trying to hit ground squirrels at 100 yards or more, I would probably feel differently.

thanks.

 

[EdinGa]

I'm with JimD. When you're shooting larger game with an air rifle you have to reach the vitals to stop them humanely.

 

[Animalcub7907]

I prefer domed pellets for raccoons

 

[heavy-impact]

Bluegabe Airrington shooting a good size hog with a .22 impact using pellets.

 

[Jasonmc]

Most of my collection is 22 cal used mainly for hunting and pesting on the farm.. a 22 shooting pellets is more than enough for coon size critters. Shot placement is the key... Lead in the head is dead.. I do use 22 slugs from time to time not very often though. I use 177 slugs all the time... Slugs in a 177 are freaking amazing!

 

[EdinGa]

Slugs in a 177 are freaking amazing!

I wholeheartedly agree!

 

[dens228]

I have always used pellets with great success. The last few weeks I've been shooting slugs for rabbits and squirrels, a few possums, and one raccoon.
I would say that on perfect shots they both work the same. Where I've had the slugs shine is on squirrels.
In my experience rabbits seem to die on misses, not the toughest critters out there, raccoons give me a big brain target for the distances I shoot, and squirrels with their tiny little brains seem to flop around for what seems an eternity when I am slightly off on the head shots and apparently don't hit the brain.
With the slugs on squirrels any head shot seems to knock them right out, maybe a twitch or two, even when the shot is off by a bit.
The raccoon I shot with a slug literally flipped onto its back from a directly head on shot. No passthrough and its eyes were both bulging almost all the way out of its skull.
With all that I still wouldn't hesitate to use either.
FYI pellets are 34 grain at 916 fps, slugs 26 grain at 988. Same rifle, same tune.

 

[heavy-impact]

I shoot slugs 98% of the time. I find them to be more consistent right out of the box and I like having the extra energy if I need to make a long shot. I also never have trouble finding slugs when hoarders buy up all the pellets.

 

[silvershooter589]

I only shoot slugs with guns that have the extra power to do so. The advantage being I can use heavier ammo and shoot further.

If you want to shoot some devastating non-slug ammo try Polymags or H&N Hornets.

 

[Chief55]

If you want to shoot some devastating non-slug ammo try Polymags or H&N Hornets.

I have killed a lot of possums and coons with .25 H&N Hornets. I love those things, wish they would make them in a .30. Most people don't know it but those Raccoons are really good to eat and there is a lot of meat on them. People ate them alot in the old days and during the great depression. Now days there are even lots of online recipes for them. I have my own favorite.