Which caliber for Hunting

[Lastcat]

Just bought a FX Wildcat .30 600mm. Was able to get 56gr Javelins to shoot at 101 fpe. I have been debating changing to either .22 or .25 and buy the $349 barrel kit for smaller prey and save on the air.

Been reading here about a few that have been using the lighter .30 pellets out to 100 yards and it looks promising. I have many pellets in .22 and .25. Plus I could use less air and still be able to lower power verses sticking with the .30 as is, which works great for Nutria and larger prey. Do have many Starlings and Crows in my area.

Should I just go lighter pellets and keep the WC in .30 as is. Or would it be an advantage to shoot lighter pellets in .22 or .25? When I win the lottery, I'll get an FX in all calibers, that would be a good day.

 

[TheCarFather]

If you are mostly looking to take out smaller pests like birds, squirrels, etc, then I'd absolutely swing for the 22 caliber. It will be more than enough for pesting, especially with a rifle capable of high power like yours. I'd save the bigger 30 caliber for the large stuff.

Since I only have the budget for one high quality air rifle, I chose to go 25 caliber to meet in the middle. I do have a more "budget" pcp in 22 caliber, but rarely shoot it anymore after getting my Maverick about a year ago.

 

[madeintheuk]

I’ve used 22cal for most of my pesting, but if I ever had to go for a coyote or something similar in size, I’d prefer a 25 for the extra energy. I have guns setup for both, so depending on what I want to shoot depends on what caliber to grab. If I was to shoot just 1 for most of my pesting duties it would be 25cal. Still good knock down power, and not ammo prices of a 30 and still efficient on air.

 

[Lastcat]

If you are mostly looking to take out smaller pests like birds, squirrels, etc, then I'd absolutely swing for the 22 caliber. It will be more than enough for pesting, especially with a rifle capable of high power like yours. I'd save the bigger 30 caliber for the large stuff.

Since I only have the budget for one high quality air rifle, I chose to go 25 caliber to meet in the middle. I do have a more "budget" pcp in 22 caliber, but rarely shoot it anymore after getting my Maverick about a year ago.

Yep, liking the .22 as well. Small birds in my area and also large Nutria. I could swap out the .30 and install a .22 barrel as needed. Good points, thanks.

 

[iAMzehTOASTY1]

.22 ammo has a wider availability/selection and quite cheaper than .25 ammo
Slugs for .22 run anywhere from 5 pennies a shot to about a quarter a shot(PA has 112 differentslugs in .22). For .25 cheapest are about 6 pennies on up to a quarter+dime(PA has 64 different slugs in .25).
Hope this will help

 

[dens228]

I use a 22 for everything and have had no issues all the way up to large racoons. My 25 is just used for fun target shooting.

 

[Lastcat]

.22 ammo has a wider availability/selection and quite cheaper than .25 ammo
Slugs for .22 run anywhere from 5 pennies a shot to about a quarter a shot(PA has 112 differentslugs in .22). For .25 cheapest are about 6 pennies on up to a quarter+dime(PA has 64 different slugs in .25).
Hope this will help

Good point. Was on the fence about just keeping this WC .30 as is. I think between the .22 and .25 barrel kit, probably more shots and a bit quieter going .22. I've missed out on a few really good deals this year, one about a week ago, complete barrel kits sold by memebers.

 

[bdzjlz]

I can kill anything I want with my .22s (or .25s) if I put the pellet in the right place inside of 75 or 80 yards. With my Panthera, Skout, or RAW, -wouldn’t be afraid to stretch it a little further. So .22, and .30 should handle anything you want in my opinion. Shot placement, the ability to put every shot inside of a nickle or quarter at any distance is the critical key to success.

 

[iAMzehTOASTY1]

Good point. Was on the fence about just keeping this WC .30 as is. I think between the .22 and .25 barrel kit, probably more shots and a bit quieter going .22. I've missed out on a few really good deals this year, one about a week ago, complete barrel kits sold by memebers.

I hear that have debated some things long enough to miss out on them too
.22 is a great all around use ammo.
Unless you want .177
But idk if they make that conversion

 

[RangerPete]

Hi Lastcat,
Firstly I’m very jealous of your wild cat in .30cal… that is basically my dream gun at the moment!!!
Personally I wouldn’t change it at all, but it all depends on what you intend doing with it:
If u want to hunt bigger stuff, .30cal.
If u want to hunt small stuff, both .22 and .30 will do.
If .30cal slugs are too expensive and you don’t need to be hitting hard (101fpe???) at long range, then just change to .30cal pellets and keep knocking things over, it will still have loads of power, more then enough for hunting most things at close to moderate ranges.
To my mind the only advantage a .22 has over a .30cal is a flatter trajectory.
But if you can push a .30slug to 101fpe then velocity and trajectory dosent matter and becomes a moot point.
So personally I would keep it as a .30cal change to pellets and keep on enjoying the pleasure of shooting a “big bore” air rifle and knocking over small and medium size game.
Just my 2 cents worth

 

[Lastcat]

Hi Lastcat,
Firstly I’m very jealous of your wild cat in .30cal… that is basically my dream gun at the moment!!!
Personally I wouldn’t change it at all, but it all depends on what you intend doing with it:
If u want to hunt bigger stuff, .30cal.
If u want to hunt small stuff, both .22 and .30 will do.
If .30cal slugs are too expensive and you don’t need to be hitting hard (101fpe???) at long range, then just change to .30cal pellets and keep knocking things over, it will still have loads of power, more then enough for hunting most things at close to moderate ranges.
To my mind the only advantage a .22 has over a .30cal is a flatter trajectory.
But if you can push a .30slug to 101fpe then velocity and trajectory dosent matter and becomes a moot point.
So personally I would keep it as a .30cal change to pellets and keep on enjoying the pleasure of shooting a “big bore” air rifle and knocking over small and medium size game.
Just my 2 cents worth

Thanks RangePete. I live right next to a 1/4 mile long slough (small high bank waterway) with Nutria here in Wa. Back in the 50's the market for their fur went flat and the farmers released them. Google Nutria, if you haven't seen them. Large freaking beaver/rat. I started in 2016 shooting a pump .177. I could hit them at 30yds but had no effect. Went to .22 and it started to annoy them. Then got a Hatsan .25. Was able to knock them down, but only a head shot.

Now 5 yrs later, I've been salivating over the Wildcat since Mki. Finally this June had the funds and went for the .30 Bottle Value Price. Love this gun. Hit a Nutria 2 nights ago, sounded really close to .22 short. Nutria was DOA.

I might do that when I get my pump, test a few 44-52 gr slugs/pellets, see how they do under low power. Do think if I find a deal on a .22 barrel kit, I'll jump on it. Cheers.

 

[huntr]

My question was how are you filling your gun? If you have a tank, and a compressor that can fill it plus your gun, air use is way less of a worry. If you’re hand pumping, get a .177.

If you bought a .30 WC and a hand pump, you didn’t think things out first.

 

[Emu]

I’ve used 22cal for most of my pesting, but if I ever had to go for a coyote or something similar in size, I’d prefer a 25 for the extra energy. I have guns setup for both, so depending on what I want to shoot depends on what caliber to grab. If I was to shoot just 1 for most of my pesting duties it would be 25cal. Still good knock down power, and not ammo prices of a 30 and still efficient on air.

Have you take coyotes with .25 Cal and making chest shots?

 

[RangerPete]

Thanks RangePete. I live right next to a 1/4 mile long slough (small high bank waterway) with Nutria here in Wa. Back in the 50's the market for their fur went flat and the farmers released them. Google Nutria, if you haven't seen them. Large freaking beaver/rat. I started in 2016 shooting a pump .177. I could hit them at 30yds but had no effect. Went to .22 and it started to annoy them. Then got a Hatsan .25. Was able to knock them down, but only a head shot.

Now 5 yrs later, I've been salivating over the Wildcat since Mki. Finally this June had the funds and went for the .30 Bottle Value Price. Love this gun. Hit a Nutria 2 nights ago, sounded really close to .22 short. Nutria was DOA.

I might do that when I get my pump, test a few 44-52 gr slugs/pellets, see how they do under low power. Do think if I find a deal on a .22 barrel kit, I'll jump on it. Cheers.

Hi Lastcat,
I’ve just googled a nutria…
Quite a big rodent!
I would think you would need a very well placed .22 of at least 30fpe directly to the brain to put one to sleep
I still believe what ever a WC Mk3 .22 can do, a WC Mk3 .30cal can do better!
Stick with that .30cal and ENJOY it!

 

[Chukar60]

My experience with barrel/caliber swaps is that as a theory it is great. In practice? Not so much.
I have a Maverick 25 Compact and I love it. Accurate, shoots JSB 25.39’s between 43 & 44 fpe while giving me 48 shots from the 300cc bottle with room to spare.
A few months ago I was rummaging around my pellet and slug inventory and found 3 full large tins of JSB 22 cal 18.13’s and the urge struck me to get a 22 barrel kit for the compact and I could switch back and forth.
Shot the 22 for a couple weeks and then went back to the 25 and have not and have no inclination to switch back to the 22. I have no issue with the 22, it is just not worth the effort to switch. It ain’t just a matter of just changing the barrel. You have to change the barrel and the pellet probe and then reset the tune.
Maybe I am lazy but the difference between the two? I will just leave it as a 25.

 

[weevil]

My question was how are you filling your gun? If you have a tank, and a compressor that can fill it plus your gun, air use is way less of a worry. If you’re hand pumping, get a .177.

If you bought a .30 WC and a hand pump, you didn’t think things out first.

I need to rethink going to the gym. All that work and my gun doesn’t even get filled

 

[Contndr35BB]

Lastcat. All good points from contributors . I have nothing but .22's . I lean toward a .25 sometimes .Then I look back at my records & see the tally of groundhogs that I've chocked up & the added pennies for ammo and just buy more pellets & slugs in .22 ! If I keep my shots under 70yrds all my guns (w/slugs) take the full grown chucks easily w/ top of shoulder ,neck or head shots.Just took my 38th airgun chuck for this season. Over a dozen taken w/Hades or Barracudas Hunter Extremes. I "multitask" when at my permission , birds or fur . If I had to stretch the distance most of the time I opt for a (shudder )PB rimfire or rfmag. I don't have the capability to up the power any more w/ my guns . High 750's w/ 25- 27 gr slugs is what I get & 950's w/ pellets.I love pesting though & I can't worry about lead flying off to far like I would with a more powerful gun. And yes switch -able components are nice except when you need the other setup. This comes from a Thompson Center handgunner that just bought more frames to go w/ barrels so I wouldn't have to switch things around ! To each their own . Honestly , under 50 yrds I see little difference in killing power between slugs or pellets w/ the particular ammo & placement as stated above. Raccoons are a bit tougher , and I have no Nutria experience . Hope my banter helps in any way.

 

[fuznut]

Use to be a saying ( fear the man with only one gun) guess now its one gun dozens of different barrels, calibers, tunes and ammo.
Marketing can expand options and influence opinions but has little to do with making you one with the gun. Not to say in some situations it might make sense, but I for one will not take that ride. Best of luck to all who do.

 

[Lastcat]

My question was how are you filling your gun? If you have a tank, and a compressor that can fill it plus your gun, air use is way less of a worry. If you’re hand pumping, get a .177.

If you bought a .30 WC and a hand pump, you didn’t think things out first.

huntr, well, would really like a Vevor or CS4, but on a budget. I actually just got my hand pump to 6,000 psi. I was surprised how well it worked. I went from 170 bar (2465) to 220 bar (3190) in about 30 pumps. I need the workout too. Maybe some day I'll build the motor/geared/bicycle wheel pump. I found this one guy in Ca that built this attachment for the hand pump, might go that route, check this out, it's total backyard engineering.

PCP Hand Pump Made Easy

 

[N2 Shooter]

I have the exact same airgun in the FX Maverick VP skin, and it loves to shoot FX Hybrid Slugs which weigh 44.5gr. I feel the .30cal is a great all around caliber, giving you the ability to take smaller and larger prey with just one airgun.

I think the flexibility to change calibers was never intended so you would swap calibers on a routine basis. I think it was more for the ability to swap calibers if you had a specific need and would keep it there for the foreseeable future.

The one benefit of a gun that can swap calibers is increased resale options, as someone can want a .22cal and you have a .30cal and they still can buy your airgun and the appropriate caliber swap kit.