Air rifle

[O. hemionus]

Not sure if this is more fitting for the small game board or the shooting board...I am purchasing a Hatsan Model 95 air rifle for my dad's birthday, mostly to target collared doves and starlings. Trying to decide between the .177 (1000 fps) and the .22 cal (800 fps). Any thoughts on what caliber?

[Widgeondeke]

Are those max FPS with the expensive pellets ?
Either way, I'd opt for the faster .177 because those birds are quick.
If he were to target anything larger, the .22 knockdown power would be nice.

I vote .177 

[Fl0und3rz]

I vote .177. It has a flatter trajectory, will work just fine for those types of targets (even larger if you place the shot right), and ammo is cheaper per shot.  Stick with conventional lead pellets, IMO.

[emac]

.177 i shoot the hell out of rock chucks with one and it does one hell of a job

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[W_Ellison2011]

.177 for birds and rabbits. Got my dad a .177 break pellet rifle a few years back. 1200 fps. Those pointed pellets knock the HECK out of a rabbit when you punch them in the head or chest!

[mallard]

Good choice on the Hatsan. I have the 95 QE in .22. I chose the .22 because my game is larger and I don't want to potentially break the sound barrier in urban areas. I think your dad will be happy with the .177 for the reasons others have mentioned.

[jaymark6655]

.22 it will retain velocity further down range and have higher energy at further distance be able to reach out further, same reason it is better to shoot a heavier projectile out of your rifles.  Everyone gets caught up on screaming high MV of lighter projectiles, but heavier and slightly slower is better.

[Squidward]

I'd go 177also. I've heard  if you put a drop of oil on the back of the pellet you'll pick up some speed.

[j_h_nimrod]

.22 it will retain velocity further down range and have higher energy at further distance be able to reach out further, same reason it is better to shoot a heavier projectile out of your rifles.  Everyone gets caught up on screaming high MV of lighter projectiles, but heavier and slightly slower is better.

 

I have both calibers at the same speeds listed and the .22 is the one I grab most often. I get significantly less fly aways with the .22 and it certainly carries better with less wind deflection. Make sure to try a selection of different pellets, accuracy changes drastically with different brands and styles.

Try Teds Holdover on YouTube, he has some good videos of varmints biting the dust.

[KopperBuck]

.22 for the reasons mentioned. I kill birds at 50-70 yards. I don't miss because they're too quick. Nice and quiet too.

Definitely try out different types of ammo. I tried 4 different kinds before I was fairly happy. Still pick up some different brands now and then to fine tune.

[farmin4u_98948]

22 for the same reasons.   I have a 177 and wish I had more energy.

[Bofire]

I have .177 , 22 and 5mm. all are way cool have all in gas and pump up. for shooting birds rats and stuff the 22 hits twice as hard as the 177, 177 works, the 5mm pump up hits harder than either and is flatter. Unless you are shooting farther than about 35 yards the flatness is meaningless. I sit in my back yard and shoot them all the time. With woodpeckers the 177 will kill em but they will fly off a ways first. the 22 and 5mm knock em flat.
Carl

[O. hemionus]

Thanks for the input, everyone. I ended up going with the .22, for the reasons suggested. It will be used for bigger bodied birds (mainly collared doves) at distances of around 20 yards, so I'm not too worried about pellet drop. I have a .177 myself and have ended up with several fly-aways, despite good shot placement (though I have put quite the hurting on the local invasive eastern gray squirrels - 17 in just over a year without leaving my porch). I'll post up some pictures of the Hatsan 95's work on doves once we get it dialed in!