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Dust · Member

I have posed this on a rimfire board, but wanted to get opinions from here.

17 hmr/ 22 wmr, or a 45 or 50 big bore

The buy in on the big bore will be more, but the cost of ammo for the rimfire will from what I can tell be higher. Aside from range, what other differences are there? Don't consider the tank as a cost, because it will be included in an earlier purchase.

rsterne · Moderator

It would depend entirely on the purpose.... You couldn't pick two more dis-similar things to compare.... subsonic and heavy versus Mach 2.5 and light.... Rolling Eyes

Bob

Slavia · Moderator

fritz · Silver Status Member

I assume you are talking about killing something?

A 17HMR has about the same energy output as a stock dragonslayer. That fast little bullet will simply explode in big game not penetrating much, I guess leaving a lot of hemmorage and a large open wound. While the large slugs (or RB's) will have enough momentum to continue on through the animal, thus the kill. In smaller game like tree squirrels or rabbits, a 17HMR will still explode... but the game is small enough to be completely destroyed with it. large slugs will also blow up the little critter...

Dust · Member

For coyote to pig sized game. I know that the rimfire shouldn't be used on bigger animals, but this is the discussion I am having with myself right now. Not necessarily a comparison, but more a which should I buy next question

fritz · Silver Status Member

I wouldn't use the 17HMR for either, but the .22WMR is fine for both. A .45 or .50 bigbore putting out around 250fpe is just as effective. I think the .22WMR would likely do more at 100 yards, but under 50 either is perfect.

.45ACP and 9x19mm are commonly used to hunt javelina, the .45ACP a large slow moving projectile, about 350fpe. Tuned Sam Yang 909's (.45) and Career Dragonslayers (.50) can easily surpass that (and are often much more accurate than a pistol.

Dust · Member

Basically it's Remington 597 in HMR/WMR plus ammo. or a big bore plus ammo. Big bore from what I can tell will be quieter, compared to rimfire or centerfire, and could be used in closer quarters than the powder burner. Big bore would be used for hunting pigs on a friends land who doesn't want noise, so I guess it should be rimfire plus crossbow/compound, or a big bore airgun.

fritz · Silver Status Member

Is this friend in Japan or Texas?

Dust · Member

The friend is in Texas, as there are no guns here really. It's for winter break.

fritz · Silver Status Member

Will you have time to wait for delivery on big bore ammo? Do you have time to test everything?

If not I might try to borrow a gun- air or powder. There are many bigbore airgunners in Texas. If you couldn't get a bigbore your friend might have a spare rifle.

Dust · Member

We have pig rifles, we just don't have quiet pig rifles. Hence the bow or the big bore airgun. It would probably be a 9mm or 45 from the YF classifieds if I bought. Don't think it will be used enough to rationalize a high dollar new one. But when did practicality and hobbies ever mingle.

fritz · Silver Status Member

Borrowing a bigbore from someone in Texas may be an option, post on the Adventures in Airguns forum: http://www.network54.com/Forum/414006/

You may have to go shooting with the owner (oh NO!! not shooting Rolling Eyes

!), or delicious, foamy, golden, liquid persuasion may also be needed. The highest cost I can see is buying the guy ammo and having him on the hunt.

If you where to buy a new airgun, then you should not look at 9mm. They just don't have the range of .45 or .50.

Do you have time to wait for ammo deliveries if you use(buy) a bigbore? It may not be an option to use muzzle loader bullets, and you might need to order online.

TONBON · Veteran Member

#1..if you're hunting pigs w/ an air gun.. have a large powder burner on ur hip.
given a choice, based on what youv'e said.
i'd go big bore. for a quiiet pig gun that should work fabulously.
the bigger bullet would be more effective against larger hogs.
w/ a 9mm or rimfire you really woudn't have a much longer range, compared to say a huting rifle in 308 or 223.
but the impact,from a 50, would be devastating.
hunt em' like you would w/ a bow..1 shot, 1 killl
Mr. Green

Dust · Member

1911a1 or 357 would be in the back pocket for sure, and there would probably be a knife too, at least from what I am told it is just as useful with pigs as a gun when they get close.

broommaster2000 · Moderator

Uhm, big bore airguns aren't really quiet guys.