Why .22 and why .30

[Drumsnguns]

So, as I sift through video reviews for perhaps my next gun, I can't help but be intrigued by the number of reviews at .22. I'm wondering why 8 out of 10 reviews are for .22 models of just about every gun reviewed. I have been shooting .25 for years and its hard to venture out of my comfort zone...but I can be persuaded. One of our fellow members has assured me that there's no real difference in accuracy but still I see lots of .22. I understand that many shooting channels originate from South Africa, (SA), and the UK so they are tied to .22. Anyone care to enlighten me on the virtues of .22?

As a second part to this question....why go .30? I do understand the virtues of the heavier pellet bucking the wind in competition but is there something else? So any opinions with that caliber as well?

Thanks guys.

 

[Franklink]

Cost and ease of use.

.22 ammo is cheaper than .30, note the number of projectiles per tin and you'll see what I mean.

It takes more air to keep a .30 shooting than it does to keep a .22 shooting. High volume .30 will drain your air tanks fast.

Safety. .22 is a much more versatile caliber. You can tune down and shoot lighter .22s in most back yards. BUT .30 is the same caliber as a .30/06. And even tuning down a .30, you're throwing s big heavy chunk of lead.

If you're intent is to chase EBR/RMAC/PA Cup glory, or whack big stuff like coyotes, then the .30 might be the more competitive choice. Otherwise, the .22 is better in every regard.

 

[MJMDP]

My guess is that .22 is the maximum allowed in a lot of countries, so it makes sense that they majority of offer is there.

And above .22 you need a lot of Air and Power to use properly, so you enter into "powderburner" territory with its problems, like sound and security Issues. And you get less shots per fill.

That is my take on it.

 

[Motorhead]

While .25 has some areas where it will do a tad better than a .22, the .22 is far less costly to shoot if not pushing the calibers potential limits.
There are FAR MORE choices in projectiles for .22 over .25 as well.

.30 cal if having the power to really send em !! .. is just brutal in smashing power, lower wind drift at distance and overall lethality in a small to med game hunting environment .... IMO

 

[Drumsnguns]

Thanks guys, all responses make a lot of sense. appreciate the input.

 

[JimD]

The UK also has a 12 fpe limit before you need a firearms license, apparently an involved permitting process. That is to low for anything larger than a 22 IMHO and I would use a 177 if limited that way.

A 22 has enough power for small game and drifts noticably less in wind than a 177. Most airguns seem to be designed at 22s with passages plenty large for 177 and kind of small for 25 calibers. I have two 25s, 3 22s and 1 177.

30 caliber seems to be the most popular for 100 yard target shooting and seems to me to be indicated if you want to take fairly large animals like coyotes and raccoons.

 

[Gerry52]

I think it's "economics" more than anything. People trying to keep cost down of an expensive activity. HOWEVER, once I got my .25 & then my .30 I just can't deny or abandon the terminal power & more "forgiveness" of larger caliber. I shoot my .25 & .30 WAY more than my .22 even though it's accuracy is superb.

 

[WorriedMan]

Needed to deal with a nuisance crow problem in neighborhood, carcasses laying all over, not an option. Found .22 and .25 allowed fly-offs, .30 dropped immediately. To this day, neighbors think bird flu addressed the problem, just nod my head in agreement. WM

 

[Ranchibi]

I only own .22 as the ammo like said above is more affordable than .25, plus if ones PCP shoots slugs accurately it's BC increases. If I were to purchase a larger caliber it would be .30 as ammo would be similar in cost to .25.

 

[blueflax]

The rifle I shoot the best with is a .30 FX Boss. I have had it for about ten years and for me it is worth the extra air and pellet cost. I shoot both benchrest and EFT with this rifle.

I find that is easier for me to see the shot holes at 75 and 100 yards. Also, it is easier to track the pellet to the target. This is the biggest reason I stick with .30.

That said, tlast air rifle I bought was a .22.

Ron

 

[silverstreak]

Downside I see with a 30- it will use much more air.

 

[JaceSpace1369]

Depends on your needs.

I do pest control for a living, Monday-Friday. Mostly in urban areas, so for me .22 works because whether it's set up in a high tune or a low tune. It has significantly less arc than any of the other calibers mentioned, therefore less tuning and guessing. Ammo selection is another factor, I shoot a lot and as previously mentioned above, the amount of ammo you get per tin in .22 vs .25 can be anywhere from 100-250ct more per tin. And the cost is slightly cheaper per tin.

Next is shot count. I can get more shots shooting a .22 at 45fpe or 50fpe than I can form a .25 at that power level. Even though it would take less effort to tune the .25, I have found myself being able to get more shots with the .22

Now for .30, if I'm to make a decision between .25 and .30 I'd rather go .30 due to the higher power and larger diameter projectile. The bigger the hole, the quicker they bleed out, the larger the round, the more it bucks the wind at longer distances.

All in all, .22 can make the same and or close to the power that .25 can, and it has less arc. The .25 can't make the power that a .30 can without serious modification and the .30 is more forgiving when it comes to putting game down (that's not to say I support lazy shooting).

 

[PumaCarl]

When I take air and economy completely out of the picture, which I do, I absolutely love .25 caliber. I like the size of the lead. I like that I don't have to worry so much about down range. I like how the 34gr pellets fly, and the slugs don't have to be too heavy. Every caliber really does have something going for it, for some particular use. Find your use, find your caliber. I only shoot small pests around buildings with a .177, I plink with .22, hunt with .25 under 75y, hunt with .30 over 75y or for the big critters. Slugs and extreme power airguns (PRS) have their own reasons and considerations, heavy .22 have the technical edge here it would seem. And, after all of this, you have to stay within your local laws. Your choice should actually be easy if you want to concentrate on one particular thing. It's trying to compromise that screws up everything.

 

[Trucker3573]

To me .25 is perfect. I don’t shoot slugs only pellets and .25 is barely more expensive than 22. A heavy .22 pellet is 25.39 grains. That is basically where .25 starts. I just prefer the versatility of 25.39 and 33.95 grain pellets. Do just about all the small gaming you want at a similar cost to .22. If I ever become a slug slinger I would go .22. Be about the only time.

 

[Chasdog]

I bought a 30 caliber to hunt ground squirrels. My hunting buddy shoots a 30 caliber and the squirrels usually die before reaching their holes. Last year I was using a 22 caliber and lots of them are able to crawl back in their hole. So that’s my rationale.

 

[Drumsnguns]

To me .25 is perfect. I don’t shoot slugs only pellets and .25 is barely more expensive than 22. A heavy .22 pellet is 25.39 grains. That is basically where .25 starts. I just prefer the versatility of 25.39 and 33.95 grain pellets. Do just about all the small gaming you want at a similar cost to .22. If I ever become a slug slinger I would go .22. Be about the only time.

I actually do shoot slugs with my .25 Impact. Been able to shoot sub MOA out past 105 yards. I have a gen 1 Cricket that shoots the 33.9's very well.

 

[Drumsnguns]

Needed to deal with a nuisance crow problem in neighborhood, carcasses laying all over, not an option. Found .22 and .25 allowed fly-offs, .30 dropped immediately. To this day, neighbors think bird flu addressed the problem, just nod my head in agreement. WM

Wow, I didn't realize that crows were so tough.

 

[Franklink]

Needed to deal with a nuisance crow problem in neighborhood....... .30.......

Neighborhood + .30 =

 

[Ta-Ta Toothie]

.22, 36.5gr @ 980fps = not walking off!

 

[SDellinger]

My situation is I only shoot at daries. I started shooting 25 cal in 2011 and killed many, many birds. I don't think I have shot a cow point blank but it is possible I have hit one on a ricochet. I got a 22 cal in 2014 and feel better about shooting around cows now. I kill the same number of birds. I have a lot more choices in pellets and are cheaper than 25 cal. I can reduce my velocity and shoot inside at night and not shoot holes in the roof. I have video of a pellet going through a dove at 40 yards and making a big dent in a trailer 10 feet behind the dove. I have seen people shoot 30 cal airgung at dairies. You don't realize the power difference or the extra carry they have. It depends on your application. The 25 cal has more energy than a 22 that I don't need at a dairy.