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donut_212 · New Member

Im thinking of getting an getting an R1 for hunting, and was wondering about caliber. i was thinking that .22 would be better for hunting, but have read some good things about the .20. they would both be kodiaks, and the max power, im thinking would be 20 ft lbs. im sure most would say personal prefference, but im looking for the experiance of other shooters. thanks for any help!!

Rogerflat · Silver Status Member

One consideration is the cost of pellets.

You can get 500 .177 pellets for $8.
You can get 200 .20 pellets for $8.
You can get 200 .22 pellets for $8.

Looking at the 20 and 22 cals specifically, you pay the same for what you get, so you might as well get the .22.

I have both a .20 cal and .22 cal barrel for my talon, and the accuracy and killing effectiveness is the same as far as I can tell.

I do recall hearing somewhere that .20 cal R1's work great, but I honestly think its a matter of personal choice.

fritz · Silver Status Member

Kodiaks in a R1? You would do better with CPH. Kodiaks are not for any but the highest powered springers like the Theoben Eliminator or Beeman RX-2. That's in .20 or .22 of course. .177 Kodiaks in a R1 would likely perform well.

My vote is for .177 for a few reasons. Flat trajectory for hunting, price, availability, you can use it for FT or matches also because it's .177.

What are you hunting by the way? I figure you are shooting starlings, squirrels, rabbits, and VERY close range grounhog/raccoon.

dummyracer36 · Senior Member

i suffer from the "bigger is better syndrome", so i'd say .22 for no other reason than i like that caliber.

yourdaddyjoe · Supporting Member

I wana .25 Cal...

kanyon · Silver Status Member

Crosman140 · Senior Member

I'd say 22. My guess would be you'd increase your energy and decrease your fps. Probably both by only a little.

OH, and welcome to the forum!

dummyracer36 · Senior Member

one more issue to take into consideration.... the comparatively limited selection of .20 pellets versus .22 pellets

fritz · Silver Status Member

If your gun will shoot benjamin cylindricals well enough, they are a good deal at 500 14.3gr pellets for $10-12.

.177 Kodiaks are a decent deal at 500 10.5gr for $15.

broommaster2000 · Moderator

Welcome aboard. I personally prefer .20 or .22, or .25 to destroy things with. .177 just doesn't do the job as well.

fritz · Silver Status Member

You should see what your pellets actually do.

Fire a few into the ground or into a large waterbottle. I found out that RWS HP shed the face and keep driving. What I mean is that what you think will happen likely wont'.

sniper · Silver Status Member

.22 HANDS DOWN!

pirouge · New Member

.177 for feathers, .22 for fur, forget the .20 a compromise is just that, a compromise.

aircube · Veteran Member

Low selection of pellets in .20 cal

.177 tooooo small, I like the thwack of the .22 plus they are a better size for my big fingers and eyes.

I recently bought .22 cal rifles and when I go back to the .177 I have, it just does't cut it for me anymore.

fritz · Silver Status Member

Beeman has the full range of .20 pellets.

Crosman shells the cylindricals for 500/$12, there is also premiers but they are expensive.

HN has a good selection.

I think that .20 is a viable hunting caliber. JUST REMEMBER THAT DEAD IS DEAD NO MATTER WHAT YOU SHOT IT WITH (unless you're GAMO).