Heavy .22 vs .25 What are your thoughts?!

[Danman]

I have purchased a .22 a .25 and a .30 this calendar year. I have also hunted small game with all 3.

The .22 was the lowest powered at like 26fpe and I only used 15.6gr, 17gr and 18.1gr pellets out of it.

The .25 is at 65-68fpe shooting exclusively slugs… 30-35gr

The .30 is the newest but I shot a squirrel at 86y today with a 62gr slug doing 920fps for like 116fpe….

I agree with what’s said above in that shot placement is the most important.

Ammo style, not size, is the second most important thing. The more energy you transfer to the target the more effective it will be in my opinion.

My preference for small game is the .25 cal… My gun is tuned to shoot very flat, very fast and the ammo I use gets insane expansion.

Is it better than other options? YES…. But only because it’s the one I’m most comfortable with, the one I’ve shot the most and the one I trust the most.

So my advice is that regardless of what you pick… practice, practice, practice. The tool is less important than the skill of the person wielding it.

Practice, getting the dope, and ammo damage at ideal pesting ranges is what I live for, lol! I spent the most time with my 30fpe S510 as it is my property pesting rig with pellets.....and man do I get alot of pests! Shot it for over a year and realized what I've been missing my whole life, lol. My 3rd pcp will be my last for a long time... much rather be deadly with any of the 3 than useless with 5.

 

[Pumacarl]

The amount of back and forth going on in my head about this topic is intense, so I'd thought I'd share some of the madness with you guys. What im struggling with myself is AF new Slug barreled condor in .22 and .25 (on paper) has the EXACT same Fpe ratings! I was gonna get a condor in .25 and shoot the 34gr Jsbs or heavier. Now....im not sure!
All the slugs that wouldn't shoot well outta my (future) slug barreled ghost could be used in the Condor or vise versa....gahhh
@Solo1 I remember that video .25 held its own! I do believe for most small game a .25 is gonna be better than a .30.... I've seen what an Accurate Mrd can do above 950fps but the rando fliers are really annoying me. @Ezana4CE that's exactly my intended uses....pesting on fur bearing critters inside 75Y, and the results others have seen interests me the most. Regardless .22 will always remain my go to for squirrel, rabbit, and anything with feathers.

I really understand your frustration. I have been running the numbers for months, and it is all mostly a wash at this point depending on whether or not you want to use slugs. If you really believe that you are going to stay inside of 75y and you want to use pellets for pesting, just get .25, which I would think that you would just do a caliber swap with your Ghost. Since it seems you want an AirForce Condor slug gun to shoot up a lot of .22 slugs that didn't work out in your Ghost, do that, get one. If you find that you really like that flavor of .22, sell the .22 Ghost barrel that couldn't shoot those slugs anyway, and keep your Ghost as a .25. Simple.

 

[PasadenaMike]

I was just shooting my Talon p at a tree at 25 yards. The pellets hit hard

 

[Pumacarl]

I was just shooting my Talon p at a tree at 25 yards. The pellets hit hard

Damn! Did you get the tree, or did it just leave?




Sorry, to easy to pass up,lol!

 

[PasadenaMike]

Damn! Did you get the tree, or did it just leave?




Sorry, to easy to pass up,lol!

It got it , it didn’t “leaf” lol. Trees make great targets there’s always little dark spot that makes a great aim point

 

[Xindaris]

This is what I have found over the years. I usually dispatch over 20 skunks in a year. If you use a 22 or 25 caliber and make a body shot he is usually going to go quite a ways before he dies. If you shoot him in the head 99% of the time he is going to discharge everything he has got. If this does not present a problem on the land where you are shooting then what is acceptable to you is your choice. However if you have neighbors that are going to be affected by what you do, you will not only create problems for yourself but for everyone in the Airgun community. The majority of people don’t hunt or own guns but they do vote. Take everything into consideration whenever you do something. All it takes is an animal lover with a camera who takes a picture of an animal you wound to make your life hell and ruin the sport for the rest of us. Use the right tool for the job you are doing.

 

[Danman]

I really understand your frustration. I have been running the numbers for months, and it is all mostly a wash at this point depending on whether or not you want to use slugs. If you really believe that you are going to stay inside of 75y and you want to use pellets for pesting, just get .25, which I would think that you would just do a caliber swap with your Ghost. Since it seems you want an AirForce Condor slug gun to shoot up a lot of .22 slugs that didn't work out in your Ghost, do that, get one. If you find that you really like that flavor of .22, sell the .22 Ghost barrel that couldn't shoot those slugs anyway, and keep your Ghost as a .25. Simple.

Honestly that's about where I'm at.
Facts:
-.22 Mrds/heavy Hades/Grands and Lights are expensive for what you are getting vs heavy .25 pellets.
-Minus the lights I get a flier or 2 per group of 6-10shots on paper.
-.25cal heavy pellets are generally more consistent and will hit harder.
-The IS a better bird pesting platform (SOLID, well designed & a cinch to work on, regulated, 11rnd mag, & an Moa scope rail) and therefore appeals to me as the long range slugger of the 2.
-The Condor is just a sweet simple powerful platform, and the new slug version of it addresses alot of the little niggles that bother me; Proper AR grip, 250bar bottle, and slug ready outta the box. (Only REAL gripe is, I'd like to see Moa built into the rail without buying a separate rail or high adjustable mounts and jack the scope up even further)
-The Condor in .25 makes more sense for heavy pellets and coon smacking (mostly at night) with pellets inside 75Y.
-The MASSIVE plethora of available. 22 slugs and the amazing Bc has most other calibers beat.
-Lastly....and I hate to admit it....as awesome as multi caliber guns are, as a pester i need em ready 2 go, so having one gun with 2 barrels is....just 1 gun ultimately.

 

[Ezana4CE]

This is what I have found over the years. I usually dispatch over 20 skunks in a year. If you use a 22 or 25 caliber and make a body shot he is usually going to go quite a ways before he dies. If you shoot him in the head 99% of the time he is going to discharge everything he has got. If this does not present a problem on the land where you are shooting then what is acceptable to you is your choice. However if you have neighbors that are going to be affected by what you do, you will not only create problems for yourself but for everyone in the Airgun community. The majority of people don’t hunt or own guns but they do vote. Take everything into consideration whenever you do something. All it takes is an animal lover with a camera who takes a picture of an animal you wound to make your life hell and ruin the sport for the rest of us. Use the right tool for the job you are doing.

@Xindaris What you said about skunks seems totally understandable in your environment. I hadn’t read anything within this thread stipulating specific pesting parameters in a specified environment. I live in the woods. I realize that most people in the USA do not. So what works in my environment may be different from what works in others. The pest animals are likely different. What I was wondering is if I missed a part of the conversation where it was understood that we were discussing urban or suburban environments. To my understanding the OP is in Canada. I don’t know what he’s pesting or in what type of environment. He mentioned small fur bearers. The neighbors and photos are non-existent where I live. If these are factors to consider, let’s talk about that. To me the bottom line where others are concerned is operating within the parameters of laws and hunting regulations. If I do that, what can anyone else really do if they don’t like what I’m doing?

 

[Ezana4CE]

Honestly that's about where I'm at.
Facts:
-.22 Mrds/heavy Hades/Grands and Lights are expensive for what you are getting vs heavy .25 pellets.
-Minus the lights I get a flier or 2 per group of 6-10shots on paper.
-.25cal heavy pellets are generally more consistent and will hit harder.
-The IS a better bird pesting platform (SOLID, well designed & a cinch to work on, regulated, 11rnd mag, & an Moa scope rail) and therefore appeals to me as the long range slugger of the 2.
-The Condor is just a sweet simple powerful platform, and the new slug version of it addresses alot of the little niggles that bother me; Proper AR grip, 250bar bottle, and slug ready outta the box. (Only REAL gripe is, I'd like to see Moa built into the rail without buying a separate rail or high adjustable mounts and jack the scope up even further)
-The Condor in .25 makes more sense for heavy pellets and coon smacking (mostly at night) with pellets inside 75Y.
-The MASSIVE plethora of available. 22 slugs and the amazing Bc has most other calibers beat.
-Lastly....and I hate to admit it....as awesome as multi caliber guns are, as a pester i need em ready 2 go, so having one gun with 2 barrels is....just 1 gun ultimately.

@Danman Does it mater if the airgun is a single shot or a repeater?

 

[Xindaris]

I have 2 properties, 3.8 acres in an estate environment where everyone has between 2 to 5 acres and the homes are relatively expensive. I also have a 90 acre ranch that my son lives on. How I dispatch varmints on the ranch allows me a wider variety of options and weapons. All I am saying is that people who read our posts come from all types of environments, what works in one environment may not in another. Just take into account everything and use the appropriate technique and weapon.

 

[Danman]

@Danman Does it mater if the airgun is a single shot or a repeater?

Single shot is good, my experience with single shots began with my .177 springers and ive pested with them for two decades... follow up shots were pretty quick when needed.... .25 pellets outta be easier! Having a gun with a Mag is great but I'm often just throwing in 1, 2, 5 in and loading regardless of the situation.

 

[Solo1]

The amount of back and forth going on in my head about this topic is intense, so I'd thought I'd share some of the madness with you guys. What im struggling with myself is AF new Slug barreled condor in .22 and .25 (on paper) has the EXACT same Fpe ratings! I was gonna get a condor in .25 and shoot the 34gr Jsbs or heavier. Now....im not sure!
All the slugs that wouldn't shoot well outta my (future) slug barreled ghost could be used in the Condor or vise versa....gahhh
@Solo1 I remember that video .25 held its own! I do believe for most small game a .25 is gonna be better than a .30.... I've seen what an Accurate Mrd can do above 950fps but the rando fliers are really annoying me. @Ezana4CE that's exactly my intended uses....pesting on fur bearing critters inside 75Y, and the results others have seen interests me the most. Regardless .22 will always remain my go to for squirrel, rabbit, and anything with feathers.

I used to weigh sort the jsb 25 mrd cause they would vary so much. Im shooting aea 25 straight from the tin! And @ 966 thats 52 fpe muzzle and 31 @ 100 yds. If your talking shooting slugs you have more power in 22 than 25 just because of the amount of slugs available. 25 won’t make big power unless you go really heavy slugs. If i were you id do what i just did. Shoot the odd slugs for practice. .

 

[pan60]

I used to weigh sort the jsb 25 mrd cause they would vary so much. Im shooting aea 25 straight from the tin! And @ 966 thats 52 fpe muzzle and 31 @ 100 yds. If your talking shooting slugs you have more power in 22 than 25 just because of the amount of slugs available. 25 won’t make big power unless you go really heavy slugs. If i were you id do what i just did. Shoot the odd slugs for practice. .

this is the sole reason for me saying .22 or if you want to go big .30.
I jut think the options .22 outlay what little might be gained with .25
my buddy has a .25 and I know .25 doesnt fit my needs for hunting or small pests around here.

 

[Solo1]

this is the sole reason for me saying .22 or if you want to go big .30.
I jut think the options .22 outlay what little might be gained with .25
my buddy has a .25 and I know .25 doesnt fit my needs for hunting or small pests around here.

You are correct 25 calis 33.9 pellet territory and to make power you have to shoot 50-60 gr slugs and not many guns can. Many choices in 22 but if your shooting small light low bc slugs their not much different than pellets! I tried 30 gr h&n i think it was tin listed bc at .1 they gave a decent group with as much wind drift as a pellet would give not much gained

 

[Danman]

You are correct 25 calis 33.9 pellet territory and to make power you have to shoot 50-60 gr slugs and not many guns can. Many choices in 22 but if your shooting small light low bc slugs their not much different than pellets! I tried 30 gr h&n i think it was tin listed bc at .1 they gave a decent group with as much wind drift as a pellet would give not much gained

I'm still waiting for you to test the H&N precision 33gr slugs outta the Ghost for us/me
I definitely have put the cart before the horse....ive stashed enough .22 slugs to spend an entire summer of testing

 

[Cantona256]

You are correct 25 calis 33.9 pellet territory and to make power you have to shoot 50-60 gr slugs and not many guns can. Many choices in 22 but if your shooting small light low bc slugs their not much different than pellets! I tried 30 gr h&n i think it was tin listed bc at .1 they gave a decent group with as much wind drift as a pellet would give not much gained

I shoot squirrels out to 125y with .25cal 31gr Franco slugs in the windy desert of SW Utah… dropped a pregnant wood/rock chuck at 81y a few weeks ago and she did nothing but twitch…. and I’m making almost 70fpe with a barra 250z before adding a plenum mod. I also have the scope cam footage to prove it.

Small light “low” bc slugs still have way better long range performance than pellets. Especially when it comes to wind… I mean even a low bc slug usually has like double the bc of a comparable weight pellet.

It’s not the caliber it’s gun/tune/person shooting it.

 

[Solo1]

I'm still waiting for you to test the H&N precision 33gr slugs outta the Ghost for us/me
I definitely have put the cart before the horse....ive stashed enough .22 slugs to spend an entire summer of testing

Well bad move on your part. Im not testing too many mote unless the bc is very high. In other words some alteros those 33’s and ill probably be shooting alteros and air marksman

 

[Solo1]

I shoot squirrels out to 125y with .25cal 31gr Franco slugs in the windy desert of SW Utah… dropped a pregnant wood/rock chuck at 81y a few weeks ago and she did nothing but twitch…. and I’m making almost 70fpe with a barra 250z before adding a plenum mod. I also have the scope cam footage to prove it.

Small light “low” bc slugs still have way better long range performance than pellets. Especially when it comes to wind… I mean even a low bc slug usually has like double the bc of a comparable weight pellet.

It’s not the caliber it’s gun/tune/person shooting it.

And i can shoot 220-230 all day with pellets in wind you have probably never shot in. Im not saying slugs are generally not more affected by wind but if your going to shoot slugs at distance why shoot a slug with a .05-.07 bc when you can shoot a slug with .2 bc. I get .065 bc from a pellet

 

[Cantona256]

And i can shoot 220-230 all day with pellets in wind you have probably never shot in. Im not saying slugs are generally not more affected by wind but if your going to shoot slugs at distance why shoot a slug with a .05-.07 bc when you can shoot a slug with .2 bc. I get .065 bc from a pellet

Idk what slugs you’re shooting with a bc of .05 but I wouldn’t shoot them either.

.065bc with pellets is great, for pellets. 220yards? You got like 60 moa built into rails and scope mounts to deal with the 90,000” of drop?

What exactly are these pellets doing at 220y “in wind you’ve never shot in?” Punching paper. Still impressive but this whole discussion was about hunting performance no?

You wanna produce the footage of you ethically hunting something at 220y with pellets, in the wind, then I’m all for it and I’ll eat my slice of humble pie.

Otherwise I stand by my assertion that anything you can do with pellets in .22 or .30 I can do better with slugs in .25… in relation to hunting/pesting small to medium sized game.

 

[Billm]

Idk what slugs you’re shooting with a bc of .05 but I wouldn’t shoot them either.

.065bc with pellets is great, for pellets. 220yards? You got like 60 moa built into rails and scope mounts to deal with the 90,000” of drop?

What exactly are these pellets doing at 220y “in wind you’ve never shot in?” Punching paper. Still impressive but this whole discussion was about hunting performance no?

You wanna produce the footage of you ethically hunting something at 220y with pellets, in the wind, then I’m all for it and I’ll eat my slice of humble pie.

Otherwise I stand by my assertion that anything you can do with pellets in .22 or .30 I can do better with slugs in .25… in relation to hunting/pesting small to medium sized game.

I don’t believe that’s a reference to 220 yards. But, I’m just an observer on the sidelines of this conversation.