I've started shooting Starlings again, with my .177 Vectis shooting 12.5gr NSA slugs, and I am wondering about my choice. I have connected on two birds and had a cloud of feathers from the hits and they flew off. Today, I shot another, drt, but his body hitting the ground made more noise than the slug did hitting him. I am thinking that when I use pellets that they are actually doing more transferring of energy to the bird than these slugs are. I like the slugs for the wind but I want better pop. What's the latest word on hunting slugs in .177 that actually expand on small birds? I am thinking about trying some JSB KO 10gr, what do you all think? Thanks for any advice you've got!
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.177 Slugs for Starlings
- Thread starter Pumacarl
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
- Replies 23
- Views 3K
Bladebum
HAM Sniper
I have never messed with 177 slugs, but I have messed with NSAs. My guess would be they are not expanding, and if a slug DOESN'T expand, that is worse than a pellet for terminal performance. Jsb ko's also are a bit harder alloy and aren't known for great expansion.
Not sure if this helps you, but some companies I trust both the lead alloy and hollowpoint design for expansion are patriot javelin, ZAN and Griffin.
Not sure if this helps you, but some companies I trust both the lead alloy and hollowpoint design for expansion are patriot javelin, ZAN and Griffin.
Bladebum
HAM Sniper
In keeping track of guys and 177 slugs ive heard that a small sharp Phillips pushed into the nose of nsa helps them expand. Try some of the 13 grainers too jsb seem better for me but still no real pop i think the hollow point is just not big enough to get any real pop
I've never messed with slugs in a .177 caliber rifle so I won't be much help on this one. I've worked with 22, 25, and 30 cal slugs so far and thats it. Wish i could offer some kind of advice! Best of luck on finding the right slug for your Vectis.
Farmplinker2
HAM Wizard
.177, there's your problem. Need to go up to at least .25! More seriously, unless you really need to shoot far, I'd go back to pellets. Starlings don't have enough body to upset slugs at the distances you need to use slugs.
Farmplinker2
HAM Wizard
Whoops! Meant to reply to pumacarl.
Soren Drost
HAM Expert
At what distance are you shooting ???
- Original poster
- #9
I will take a shot out to the distance that I know my gun under perfect circumstances can put a round in the kill zone, which in this case is one inch, and 90y. These are pests, if I kill them, good; if I injure them, good, -they won't come back; if I miss, they'll leave and tell their friends. I very regularly make successful 60y offhand shots but I usually find a tree to rest against. This slug, in this cheap gun, is extremely accurate. I got lucky. Accuracy is king but If I can find an expander that could do well out to 60y I would probably switch.
- Original poster
- #10
Yeah, I know, but I need to keep the size down and the power under 20fpe, because of the chance of ricochet off of stonewalls and deflection off of tree branches. I use to do all of this with a 12fpe springer, so I'm already at max power.
Soren Drost
HAM Expert
Have you tried JSB KO 13.43 gr ??? Softer than NSA 12.5 and expands better
I was shooting rats with these last year and never shot through one, since the slugs expanded very well 
- Original poster
- #12
No, I haven't. I heard that they were softer by some and others say they're harder. I think that I want to try the JSB and the Zan in 10gr. Don't you think they would expand better than the heavier?Have you tried JSB KO 13.43 gr ??? Softer than NSA 12.5 and expands better
BenjeneerJohn
HAM Sniper
It would be interesting to shoot some ballistic gel at 60-90 yards with your projectile of choice. At that distance they may not expand and pass right through, like an ice pick.
I have seen guys shoot apples and oranges at close range to see the effects of a projectile. You might learn something from shooting them at 60-90 yards.
John
I have seen guys shoot apples and oranges at close range to see the effects of a projectile. You might learn something from shooting them at 60-90 yards.
John
- Original poster
- #14
Yeah, use to shoot apples. I haven't done that lately, but will.
Soren Drost
HAM Expert
They are softer, both JSB and Zan
I shot the JSB KO 10.03 gr at rats as well and they also expand very well
Bladebum
HAM Sniper
I guess I should've asked, what speeds are you shooting at?
- Original poster
- #17
I am shooting 21fpe which gives the 12.5gr NSA 880fps. Accurate w/o having to break 900fps, really nice, in that regard.
I have hd complaints in my own shooting with the JSB pellets and others for that matter in that we need some better expanding pellets for pesting.
I have shot into water jugs and they just dont expand not even the hades I tied at 20 yards and at 30
no issues with doing the jib of killing but they most often go through
I have shot into water jugs and they just dont expand not even the hades I tied at 20 yards and at 30
no issues with doing the jib of killing but they most often go through
Danman
Grand HAMster
Excellent topic! Plus one on the Jsb 10.03 slugs. My brother got this starling this morning of all things with a jsb KO... He and I pest alot and the only pests we body-count are starlings. He shoots those slugs exclusively out of his Diana 350magnum @925fps. Works well. But...I do agree with @Farmplinker...my S510 and pellets devastate birds vs ANY .177 I've ever seen. AirgunnerSA on YT does a pretty good pesting video called "is A .177 enough?" He shoots a $$ Daystate Delta wolf and drops alot of birds. Most flap off to die off camera a short while later. My .22? Bang. POP. Dead. Both can be vital shots but the .22 (or bigger) will always drop em faster. 177 ammo is brutal for ice picking. Being pests I'd keep doing what your doing, but do try a softer slug? And test it on different mediums @ distance. Water jugs, fruit, etc 
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And you don't have to spend a small fortune trying different slugs until you find the right one for your rifle.
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