Hunting with a .22 verses 1.77

[kiwi]

Hi... I sit here reading all the hunting post one thing I
noticed amost all kills seem to be with a .22. I have never
had much luck useing a .22. Just about all my shots are 30+
meters.  I got a .22 CFX for bunnys but it just sits in the rack
& I use the 1.77 geox CFX copy witch can knock over bunnys  out
to 50 metres. The CFX dosen't seem down on power and it hits
what you aim at but at 50m the bunny just has a scratch and
mutters about pesky fleas. "well  almost" I started useing Preditors
and it was better but then I put them in the 1.77 "GREAT" so the .22
went back in to the rack .
Most of my shots are standing snap shots the bunnys don't hang around long
so 50% of the shots are not kill shots but the 1.77 stops them so you
can get a 2nd away but the .22 they just keep legging it
just read Shadow's post on the possum kill he got with a .22 CFX
 I would almost need to be standing on top of the possum with
a .22  "and HIT it with it"

Any ideas?
I must be doing something wrong

[longislandhunter]

Hi Peter,,,

Me, Ed (Shadow) and quite a few other folks here hunt with both calibers and both calibers do just fine.   I've taken many a squirrel, bunny, even woodchuck with my .177 cal rifles ,,,,  and routinely do the same with my .22's  

I will admit that I prefer to use my .22's for small game hunting, especially the larger tougher critters, but I also break out the .177's periodically and hunt with them as well and they both do a good job.  

The key with any caliber is simply knowing your distance limit and of course shot placement.  Those 2 considerations are paramount in any hunting situation.  

As for your .22 rifle,,,,,,  just wondering,,,, you say you haven't had much luck with it,,,,  have you run any chrony tests on her??  Are you sure she's operating "up to speed" ??  It really doesn't take much to take down a bunny, provided you get a good shot, so if you're hitting bunnies with that .22 and they're just flinching and hopping off than I would think perhaps something is wrong with the rifle  --  not you....  

As for GTA hunters taking game with their .177's,,, just do a search of Ed (Shadow) hunts and you'll find plenty of critters he's taken down with one of his .177's  (and his .22's).  Matter of fact take a look at some of the "Albums" posted by GTA members   (especially Shadows) ,,,, you'll really enjoy them.  

Anyway,,,, let us know how you make out with those shooters.   Also,,,, how bout postin some pics of those harvested bunnies ????  We love pics  !!

Jeff

[tjk]

Just keep practicing with both cals. Beer can bottums at 25 yard,....excuse me 20 meters (?!?!?!) is an exellent way to hone your hunting skills. Later move them to 25 meters and continue to adjust for the distance. I would chroney that .22 and see where you stand. Have fun, tjk

[daveshoot]

I like .177 for longer range ground squirrels, although I admit I only pursue .22s in new acquisitions, now.
I do chrony and model them in Chairgun to see roughly what ft/lbs they will have at a given range. The .177 with enough velocity has a flatter trajectory in the powerful springers, and is a little more forgiving of range estimation errors.
At the ranges I engage they still go clean through the thing so they appear adequate for the job.
The .22 is still more devastating on any given hit, with more energy and a bigger wound channel. But, they can only get so dead.
Really I like them both but for anything heavier than ground squirrels (rabs, possum) I just instinctively reach for the .22.

[JOHNNY QUEST]

I have both calibers also.  I like the knockdown power of my .22's.  I have many pass thru's with my .177 and the static shock is not enough to lay them in place.. I also recomend the chrony on your gun.. My .22 webly pistol wil devistate a squirrel, rabbit, possum etc. out to 15 yds. it only crony's at 400 fps...My whisper is a most deadly gun in .22.  After Mike's tune,  it just screams death to the varmit world...

[shadow]

The CFX in .177 or.22 cal should be able to drop em clean at that range. I've taken rabbit's P-dogs etc. with both cals at longer ranges but as said the right shooter and shot placement are the no.1 factors. Jeff mentioned a chrony reading  which would give you a good idea of what she's pushing em at. Rabbit's should be dropping right there if not close by. I always prefer a head shot over all else but if I have to take a body shot I go for the vital organ's. Ed

[tjk]

It "just screams death to the varmint world",.....LMAO Johnny,...too friggin' funny!!!!! My CDT TT'd 34 screams 'I will dominate you little critter"!!!! Ain't AG's a trip!!! tjk

[kiwi]

Hi..Thanks guys  Think I will just pull this CFX down and see if I can get someone to send some
new bits out here.  talking these dam bunnys in to siting still would also help.
usaly only got 3/5 secs to see the bunny and get a shot away before they are legging it
for cover. Usaly get 1 or 2 when I take the .22  but with the 1.77 5 or 6 may be that
the 1.77 just suites the way I shoot. If I try to rest the gun or use a bipod and line up a kill shot
by the time I'm ready to go the targets got bored and left.
Anyway I'm off out again tonight take the .22 and see what happens.