.177 or .22 for squirrels?

[Triggernosis]

Is a .22 caliber airgun better for hunting squirrels than a .177 or does it really matter?

 

[FL22]

I am of the opinion that with .177 a head shot is best, a larger wound channel created by .22 makes it more suitable for heart lungs.

But so many variables can come into play, it’s difficult to give a definitive answer.

 

[Bladebum]

It won't matter both work just fine. Head neck shots and they'll drop on the spot

 

[Danman]

I am of the opinion that with .177 a head shot is best, a larger wound channel created by .22 makes it more suitable for heart lungs.

But so many variables can come into play, it’s difficult to give a definitive answer.

Agreed, tons of variables!
My 'squirrel gun' is a 30fpe .22, absolutely perfect imo. I keep my shots inside 80Y. You will get full pass throughs with an 18.13gr @ 30Y but it will trap a 15.89 Hades inside at same distance. This is based off of 4 squirrels i got last yr 2ea with said ammo, upper shoulder shots. If going .177 I'd go for head shots with 10fpe+ or more and keep it inside 50Y. All depends on how far your pushing your pellets on those pesting shots.
Now if you have money for a high power .177 slug gun... the game changes!
We're i stuck with a sub12....id go .177 all day everyday over .22.

 

[Solo1]

Actually im going the other way with my drs. 22 with pellets at 42 fpe. 177 with slugs is great for accuracy bit tend to ice pick squirrels and give them a chance to run where the pellets are hitting with more energy at 50 yds than a 30 fpe gun starts with. I think the pellet does much more damage at this power than a 177 slug.

 

[Chief55]

I am a bigger is always better person, so I would say .22 but I personally like .25s myself. Some people would say too much power, but that same person would not question using a .22LR which is making 2-4 times as much power. In the past my problem was if they flipped and flopped, they would get under some cover, and I would have a hard time finding them because I have no dog. So, I need them stone cold dead when they hit the ground. In the old days they used .32 & .36 round balls from muzzleloaders. Funny how things change in time.

Basic airgun Hunting Guidelines | Airgun Depot

 

[Jaabaa]

.22 everything except plinking.

 

[Billm]

The chosen airgun is a huge factor, as well as the range. I say that as I had a squirrel problem at my mom’s house about 12 years ago. They chewed through the soffit and were in the attic. I was lazy and took my daughters Crossman 1077 .177 over and set up in the driveway. It was a .177 Co2 rifle with an advertised 780fps (highly doubtful). I shot three squirrels at 10-15yds. Each one clumsily fell to the ground and required multiple follow-up shots. Disappointed with the result, I went home and came back with my Diana 48 .177 side lever, advertised 1100fps. Chrono indicates 1000fps plus. I dispatched several more squirrels from 10-35yds with .177 match wadcutters. Every one was a single shot that knocked the squirrels dead on contact. Wadcutters are deadly at close range with enough velocity on appropriate sized targets. If I was shooting at close range or in an urban setting, I’d use .177 all day long. As a teenager I shot a bunch of Starlings with a Diana 35 .177 and wadcutters. Looking back, it was less than ideal without head shots and a .22 would have been better.

 

[Triggernosis]

I'm the OP. I currently have a Daystate Huntsman Revere in .177 and am considering trading it in for the same gun in .22. I don't even know how much energy I have with the. .177, so I need to do some research.
So, that's where I'm coming from.

 

[Solo1]

177 revere with 10.3 gr about 18 fpe. 22 revere with 18 gr 28 fpe. Thats what mine do.

 

[wolfmangreg]

While experience has taught me .177 is very effective on squirrels with good shot placement, would lean toward .22 for these reasons:
- No penalty for the extra power, as meat loss is negligible for both.
- Bigger pellet, more energy may benefit you on less than ideal shot placement.
- Cost of ~14-18 grain pellets not much higher (or the same) as ~8-10 grain .177, so can still plink/practice as much as you want.

Two caveats:
- If property damage from pass through is a concern.
- If you ever consider Field Target competition, .177 would be a better choice for double duty.

Having owned Huntsmans in both calibers, can corroborate what @Solo1 says; around 18fpe in .177 & 28fpe in .22.

 

[pan60]

Is a .22 caliber airgun better for hunting squirrels than a .177 or does it really matter?

I drop a lot of tree rats every year I have used .17 cal .22 and .30.
.22 is by far my fav.
the only issues I have with .17 I wind has a larger effect on accuracy and the .30 although its so so nice and I love it its just tooooooooo much for tree rats : )
so with that my vote is .22.
not sure what gun your looking but my wife has the BRK ATOMIC and she loves it as do I. my gun of choice is the AAA EVOL
there a thread on here showing what I do with. the EVOL LOL I didnt post has many pics this year but we took out a load of those monsters

 

[mrage]

I do .22 for most everything also. Last year I got a couple .25's for Ghogs. I just can't handle those little .177 pellets!

 

[Triggernosis]

I do .22 for most everything also. Last year I got a couple .25's for Ghogs. I just can't handle those little .177 pellets!

Yeah, as I'm getting older it's getting harder and harder to fumble with the .177's.

 

[Kev68]

.177 has always been my choice making sure placement of the pellet is the right one, head shot or heart.

 

[pepi.gets.it.done]

Many great opinions have already been shared, I'll just throw my two cents in:

Assuming we are talking about tree squirrels, my preferred caliber (because both will get the job done with proper shot placement) is .22 for the following reasons:
- pellets are easier to grab and load
- higher FPE in case shots are not perfect because they tend to be frequently moving

I have only used slugs for ground squirrels, as most slug guns require longer barrels and become cumbersome to carry in the woods. Speaking of which, oddly enough, I prefer .177 for ground vermin in either pellet or slug form!

 

[Danman]

Hw50 getting it done in .177 @ 11.5 fpe. First squirrel with this rifle, she was setting up camp in the spruce tree behind my shop today.... Distance was maybe 20Y, to the vitals, made it to the tree and just slumped at the base dead. Normally I'm using the 30fpe .22 S510 with a 15.89 Hades, and the results were identical, pellet was stuck just under the fur on the opposite shoulder.

 

[FL22]

Sniper .22 shooting off BOG Death Grip @ 76y on the wheel the range finder showed 84y, winds were 7-13 JSB 18.13 to the vitals, ran about 15’ and dropped.