Best airgun gage for hunting small game?

[prybry]

I was just reading the thread about survival guns and how Lewis&Clark used air rifles on their voyage.

Made me wonder which air gun gage is more effective for small game, .177 pellet or .22 pellet? I'm guessing the .177 shoots flatter than a .22, but the .22 probably carries more energy down range.

I like the idea of a air rifle for survival camping... but never thought till now about taking mine. Just always took the 10-22 or .410 along because they were handy.

Thoughts?

[crashdive123]

There's a thread around someplace that I remember (haven't found it yet) where some of the members have talked about their experiences with pellet guns (Klkak I think) and Pict has a video that he put together on quick target aquisition using a pellet gun.

[sh4d0wm4573ri7]

22 cal is superior for hunting small game but the 177 in capable hands will work too I own a RWS germen air rifle single pump 1000fps in 177 its quite accurate but if I were to buy one today I would opt for the 22 I purchased mine when I was younger and the speed thing got to me it will kill racoon size game quite easily but the 22 caliber model would definarely have been the wiser choice

[moses]

Personally i use a 22,i Have a jackel 12000fps,Ive used 177 and they can easirly take a rabbit or sqirral but my 22 has taken a monkjak deer no problem from 18 meters.

[Cleankill47]

In all actuality, a .22 is more effective at anchoring small game, but you will definitely find .177 pellets a lot more easily in any situation.

The up side is that; if you decide to use an airgun, aside from parts, there's nothing to buy but the pellets. No powder, no cases, no primers, and a lot of the pump-pneumatics are almost totally silent. Nothing better than a quiet game-getter.

I have a Benjamin/Sheridan .22 pellet rifle, and I love the thing; it does anything I put it to. But my Gamo Shadow 1000 was just as good, if not better, except for the noise. (the spring-piston airguns are noisy, and you have to worry about the spring. I would probably take my Benjamin as a nice quiet squirrel/rabbit rifle if the SHTF)

[HOP]

The one Meriweather Lewis carried was .38 I beleive , today you can get a modern version in up to .50cal or so. A outdoor show guy uses and promotes Gamo products has dropped some medium size hog with a .177.