Others Sniper XR Magnum .22 owners, please step inside!

[Basher]

So I’m pretty sure I’ve settled on a Sniper XR Magnum as my first “premium” PCP, but I’m trying to decide on what caliber to go with. A quick bit of back story and my intended use may be helpful here.

About two years ago, I bought my first PCP, which was a Benjamin Marauder in .25. Unfortunately life got kinda crazy right after getting it and I never had a chance to use it before the guy I bought it from offered to buy it back during a time when I needed to free up some funds. As such, I’m left with about 2,000 or so pellets in .25, so I’ve been heavily considering another PCP in the ol’ quarter bore. However, depending on what pellets I go with, I can get almost twice as many shots for my dollar in .22, and that’s nothing to sneeze at!

My use will primarily be plinking/target shooting out to 125-150y, plus smaller pests/varmints as well as squirrel and rabbit out to 75y or so. Occasional shots at farther distances are possible, but most will be well within that distance and if I have to I can switch to a powder burner for farther shots. I understand that heavier projectiles retain velocity/energy and buck wind better, and that’s been my main draw to the .25 more than anything.

Additionally, if I *really* want to use them, JSB Jumbo Monster Grand and Beast pellets are available in .22, which largely bridge the gap between the .22 and the .25. My question is, have any of you Magnum owners tried these and can report on how well they did? Accuracy trumps all IMO as I’d rather rely on a lower energy shot placed in vitals than sling heavies and hope one connects with my target, but I’m looking to see what kind of velocities and accuracy y’all can get with these heavier options. I understand they’ll move slower and that’ll give me a more parabolic trajectory, but that’s what ballistic calculators and good DOPE are for.

Basically, I’m trying to decide if I should go with a .22 now and maybe just get another Marauder to use up the .25s, or if I should just swing big. I already have a Benjamin Cayden in .22 that’s nice for what it is so I have a .25 “gap” in my safe, but I just think a .22 will see more use overall given pellet prices and I’m trying to validate my thought process on using heavies to bridge that performance gap when desired before I spend money on a rifle. Thanks in advance!

 

[Alan]

Not really an answer, but...

Over the years I've been back into airguns, I've owned about every caliber from .177 to .357, save for .20. I keep coming back to .250 for a variety of reasons.

In the firearm world, the .25 is one all-time favorite for a lot of reasons. Considering the amount of powder (propellent) vs. energy, the .25 is one of the most efficient, albeit a bit fuzzy now with all of the new powders available.

In the airgun world, most PCP shooters use air (no helium, argon, or nitrogen). The same propellent vs. energy physics applies. We can add more regulators, switch to slugs perhaps, use projectile lubricants, but the .25 still tends to have the best efficiency. So that would be my choice.

For me, if I had to choose something, I'd want an airgun that could shoot both slugs and pellets, if not interchangeably.

 

[Basher]

Not really an answer, but...

Over the years I've been back into airguns, I've owned about every caliber from .177 to .357, save for .20. I keep coming back to .250 for a variety of reasons.

In the firearm world, the .25 is one all-time favorite for a lot of reasons. Considering the amount of powder (propellent) vs. energy, the .25 is one of the most efficient, albeit a bit fuzzy now with all of the new powders available.

In the airgun world, most PCP shooters use air (no helium, argon, or nitrogen). The same propellent vs. energy physics applies. We can add more regulators, switch to slugs perhaps, use projectile lubricants, but the .25 still tends to have the best efficiency. So that would be my choice.

For me, if I had to choose something, I'd want an airgun that could shoot both slugs and pellets, if not interchangeably.

All great points. There’s truth to the idea of being able to push a projectile with greater surface area faster than one with less, given an equal propellant (air, in our case).

However, it’s hard to argue with the fact that (generally speaking) you get more shots per fill out of a .22 than a .25, and the reduced pellet (and slug) costs. But I agree that the .25 is somewhat of a “perfect balance” in a lot of ways. That’s why the decision seems difficult lol. And I’m not saying I won’t buy later whatever I don’t buy now, not at all. We all know I’ll wind up with both eventually lol. I’m just trying to decide what to get now that will best serve me until I can afford the second option.

 

[Danman]

That's some serious pesting distances! I'd look at a slug capable gun then if you go the .22 route. Shooting pellets past 100 is fine until there's any wind.... If u just pest mainly, the .25 is better imo. Or rock a rimfire and a .22 pcp! More shots per fill, cheaper ammo, sell the .25 pellets, oh and rimfire ammo is cheap I don't know if the Sniper can send Mrd weight ammo well that far?

 

[Basher]

That's some serious pesting distances! I'd look at a slug capable gun then if you go the .22 route. Shooting pellets past 100 is fine until there's any wind.... If u just pest mainly, the .25 is better imo. Or rock a rimfire and a .22 pcp! More shots per fill, cheaper ammo, sell the .25 pellets, oh and rimfire ammo is cheap I don't know if the Sniper can send Mrd weight ammo well that far?

I should clarify: that distance was all inclusive of every use. To ensure humane kills, I plan to limit most pesting to 75y or so until I’m VERY comfortable with whatever rifle and ammo I settle on, and even then I’d much prefer to close the distance as much as I can. Pesky aluminum cans, however, are fair game at any distance…

Pellets don’t go “bad,” so I could go with a .22 for now, stock up on pellets it likes, and switch to a rimfire when I need more energy on target. Then once the piggy bank is full again or a killer deal comes along, I could revisit the .25 idea with the pellets I already have. Decisions, decisions!

 

[pan60]

i take a LOT of pest at 75 plus yard with the jsb 25g pellets use my EVOL i also hae a .30 cal but the .22 cals get all the love cheaper to shoot i can always get pellets and if i had to shoot lighet ones i can turn down so for me i am in the .22 camp

 

[Chief55]

I personally really enjoy shooting .25's.

 

[FL22]

Pellets don’t go “bad,” so I could go with a .22 for now, stock up on pellets it likes, and switch to a rimfire when I need more energy on target. Then once the piggy bank is full again or a killer deal comes along, I could revisit the .25 idea with the pellets I already have. Decisions, decisions!

I would not let the pellets that I have purchased for one gun influence my decision on any other.

My personal experience with a Benjamin SAM that I purchased 2k rounds of JSB .22 ammo for it and it shot hole in hole almost, but no other rifle I have will shoot those pellets worth a . Unfortunately the rifle had issues and I had to return it, and I decided to purchase an S510. I was under the delusion that it would probably shoot them OK, it does not nor the other two I have.

All I’m saying is that I would not let any quantity of any particular ammo you currently have affect part of the decision process. As in fact, most rifles are unique due to slight variances in manufacturing so if accuracy is what is most important then you’re going purchase whatever ammo achieves the best results.

 

[Florida_Man]

I would not let the pellets that I have purchased for one gun influence my decision on any other.

My personal experience with a Benjamin SAM that I purchased 2k rounds of JSB .22 ammo for it and it shot hole in hole almost, but no other rifle I have will shoot those pellets worth a . Unfortunately the rifle had issues and I had to return it, and I decided to purchase an S510. I was under the delusion that it would probably shoot them OK, it does not nor the other two I have.

All I’m saying is that I would not let any quantity of any particular ammo you currently have affect part of the decision process. As in fact, most rifles are unique due to slight variances in manufacturing so if accuracy is what is most important then you’re going purchase whatever ammo achieves the best results.

I have a lot of pellets stacked in my shed for that reason. Sometimes they are good enough for some steel plinking or chrony work.

 

[Luis Leon]

@Basher, “primarily plinking and pesting, small pest and varmints? At practical ranges (sub 75 yards) yes… Rabbits and squirrels at 125+ yards? Simply very difficult and very dependent on conditions. I use to own the non Magnum 30 fpe .22 Bantam Sniper HR. Yes, I made multiple kills on pigeons out to 104 yards, but they were not the norm. And yes, I “did” lose and wound some birds. In my yard I can shoot over 100 yards, and I do “plink” out to 100 yards. I’ve found through hundreds of rats, starlings, sparrows and pigeon kills. That the majority of my opportunities were sub 60 yards, in many, many instances 25-30 yards. I had to “pass up” a lot of close range opportunities with my Sniper the gun was too powerful for pesting in barns and around equipment. Purchased an .22 Atomic XR which generates 17 FPE and my kill count went up! You are already considering the .22 and I believe its a versatile and economical choice, particularly if you like to plink alot. You make a good point of saying…

“Accuracy trumps all IMO as I’d rather rely on a lower energy shot placed in vitals than sling heavies and hope one connects with my target”

Get the non magnum version if set on that model. Yesterday I was making kills out to 60 yards on pest birds with my 25 FPE, .22 Pathfinder XR. Feel free to PM me or search out my threads I currently own four BRKs and have shooting experience with five different models… Good luck…!

 

[Chief55]

I have had about a thousand rounds of 22 pellets sitting around for around ten years that I thought I would never use and then because of a sale I could not pass up suddenly I find myself with another 22. You just never know and it is always good to have extra lead around. Some day you may want to mold and size your own ammo. Just one more way to make it a fun hobby and spend more money. Get what you think you will enjoy the most, that is comfortably within your budget and just have fun with it.

 

[Basher]

I would not let the pellets that I have purchased for one gun influence my decision on any other.

My personal experience with a Benjamin SAM that I purchased 2k rounds of JSB .22 ammo for it and it shot hole in hole almost, but no other rifle I have will shoot those pellets worth a . Unfortunately the rifle had issues and I had to return it, and I decided to purchase an S510. I was under the delusion that it would probably shoot them OK, it does not nor the other two I have.

All I’m saying is that I would not let any quantity of any particular ammo you currently have affect part of the decision process. As in fact, most rifles are unique due to slight variances in manufacturing so if accuracy is what is most important then you’re going purchase whatever ammo achieves the best results.

You know, as a rimfire shooter I feel like I should have thought of that on my own lol. That’s an incredibly valid point that’s kind of freeing in a lot of ways! I still very much want a .25 for larger pests, but a heavy .22 will likely do me just as well out to much the same distance for most of the hunting I’d do at this point in time, and nothing says I can’t get a .25 later if I still feel the need. Thanks for pointing out what should have been obvious to me already lol.

@Basher, “primarily plinking and pesting, small pest and varmints? At practical ranges (sub 75 yards) yes… Rabbits and squirrels at 125+ yards? Simply very difficult and very dependent on conditions. I use to own the non Magnum 30 fpe .22 Bantam Sniper HR. Yes, I made multiple kills on pigeons out to 104 yards, but they were not the norm. And yes, I “did” lose and wound some birds. In my yard I can shoot over 100 yards, and I do “plink” out to 100 yards. I’ve found through hundreds of rats, starlings, sparrows and pigeon kills. That the majority of my opportunities were sub 60 yards, in many, many instances 25-30 yards. I had to “pass up” a lot of close range opportunities with my Sniper the gun was too powerful for pesting in barns and around equipment. Purchased an .22 Atomic XR which generates 17 FPE and my kill count went up! You are already considering the .22 and I believe its a versatile and economical choice, particularly if you like to plink alot. You make a good point of saying…

“Accuracy trumps all IMO as I’d rather rely on a lower energy shot placed in vitals than sling heavies and hope one connects with my target”

Get the non magnum version if set on that model. Yesterday I was making kills out to 60 yards on pest birds with my 25 FPE, .22 Pathfinder XR. Feel free to PM me or search out my threads I currently own four BRKs and have shooting experience with five different models… Good luck…!

I went back and edited my original post to clear things up some, since it was poorly worded. Targets/plinking out to 125-150y, hunting out to ~75y or so. Not saying I wouldn’t take a longer shot under the right circumstances, but I intend to be as sure of my shot as possible before taking it!

However, I do already have a Benjamin Cayden in .22 that I can turn the TP down on for less FPE, as well as a nice TX200HC in .22, both of which I feel would serve me well for shorter-range uses. That’s part of why I felt driven towards the .25, as I already have two .22s. But a third can’t hurt me if I go for one, and I may eventually let the Cayden go at some point down the road to help fund a higher-quality upgrade (“garbage out, garbage in” as the wife says lol). So I truly do think I want the Magnum version so I can push the FPE some and see if it likes slugs at some point, unless I can find a really good deal on a used non-Magnum (especially if it’s in the grey laminate!).

 

[Luis Leon]

@Basher, you know what “you” want, go get it and then? Post up your impressions…

 

[Dogowski]

I personally really enjoy shooting .25's.

I love the 25 caliber PCP air rifles best as well! I recently got a 22 caliber to add to the collection for bird pesting around the property to cut down on damaging any outbuildings and such and I had a huge supply of 22 pellets!

 

[MountainSportAirguns]

I've had both the .22 and .25 caliber versions, both magnums. That kind of range imo is a bit over what I ever used them for but out to 100 is certainly acceptable with pellets. Beyond that I did have some good results with the .22 version using 20.2gr Howler slugs or NSA..same slug. You could probably push a heavier slug but will need to up the reg pressure and give up some shots obviously. My opinion on that is the guns become very inefficient considering the amount of air they hold. I preferred my magnum.22 shooting around 43 fpe, was more than capable out to 100 or so yards on making headshots on jackrabbits with 20.2's. If I was going out to 150 yards I'd personally be looking at a different gun in .30 caliber that puts out closer to 80+fpe, the Ghost or even the Red wolf Safari would fit the bill. Those Safari stocks are beautiful, especially on the Red wolf.

 

[Basher]

I've had both the .22 and .25 caliber versions, both magnums. That kind of range imo is a bit over what I ever used them for but out to 100 is certainly acceptable with pellets. Beyond that I did have some good results with the .22 version using 20.2gr Howler slugs or NSA..same slug. You could probably push a heavier slug but will need to up the reg pressure and give up some shots obviously. My opinion on that is the guns become very inefficient considering the amount of air they hold. I preferred my magnum.22 shooting around 43 fpe, was more than capable out to 100 or so yards on making headshots on jackrabbits with 20.2's. If I was going out to 150 yards I'd personally be looking at a different gun in .30 caliber that puts out closer to 80+fpe, the Ghost or even the Red wolf Safari would fit the bill. Those Safari stocks are beautiful, especially on the Red wolf.

Thanks for the feedback!

I’ve been doing a lot of reading on various forums, thinking about my uses and applications, and just thinking in general. After all that, I’ve decided on a .22 Magnum model for now. Finding a nice used one with the laminate stock may be the real trick, so I may have to settle for a poly model but we’ll see.

I still plan on a .25 as my next purchase, though. As I’ve seen mentioned many times, I’ll “wind up with them all,” eventually…