How to Choose an Air Gun: BB, .177 Pellet, and .22 Pellet Guns

Air Guns: What’s the difference?

It can be difficult to choose an air gun, with so many types available, each serving different purposes. For our purposes we’re sticking to rifles today, and not pistols. Let’s explore the key differences between BB guns, .177 pellet guns, and .22 pellet guns in simple terms.

BB Guns:

If you haven’t ever handled a BB gun, or owned one, get one today. These are fun for young and old for plinking, and you can load tons of BB’s without stopping to reload. Set up the cans and go. Daisy is a very well known brand and you can’t go wrong. Pick a style that’s right for you. Even though it’s a BB gun, exercise caution, these can still hurt and maim.

For BB guns, I’m going to recommend the Daisy Adult or Daisy Youth 105 models for their classic styling.

• Ammunition: Daisy BB guns use spherical BBs (ball bearings) as ammunition. I recommend the Crosman Copperhead BB’s
• Caliber: They typically have a caliber of 4.5 mm, which is smaller than pellet guns.
• Power: Daisy BB guns are generally less powerful than pellet guns, making them suitable for plinking and target practice.
• Usage: Commonly used for recreational shooting and basic training.

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Pellet Guns:

You’ve now stepped up from BBs. Pellets are more powerful, and can certainly injure and maim, and even kill so exercise caution as you would with any firearm. The main differences between shooting a .22 and .177 air rifle lie in factors such as caliber, velocity, impact energy, and specific use cases. I’ve summarized a few points here for quick reference. The difference isn’t that great, some will prefer less arc, some will opt for higher caliber. There’s no wrong choice.

My top pick for a pellet rifle is the Gamo Wildcat Whisper .22 Break Barrel Hunting Rifle

Let’s talk about the subtle difference between .177 and .22 Pellet Rifles.

.177 Pellet Guns:

• Ammunition: .177 pellet guns use small, cylindrical pellets made of lead or alloy.
• Caliber: These guns have a caliber of 4.5 mm, the same as Daisy BB guns.
• Power: .177 pellet guns offer a balance of power and accuracy, making them popular for target shooting and pest control.
• Usage: Ideal for precision shooting and competitions due to the accuracy of the pellets.
• Notes:
  • Higher velocities, more accuracy due to less wind resistance.
  • Preferred for target shooting and competitions.
  • Flatter trajectory
  • Suitable for precision shooting at longer distances
  • More widely available pellets and variety

.22 Pellet Guns:

• Ammunition: .22 pellet guns use larger, heavier pellets compared to .177 guns.
• Caliber: These guns have a caliber of 5.5 mm, providing more stopping power than .177 guns.
• Power: .22 pellet guns are more powerful and suitable for hunting small game and pest control.
• Usage: Commonly chosen by those looking for increased impact energy, making them effective for outdoor activities.
• Notes:
  • More susceptible to wind but offers greater impact energy.
  • Greater stopping power, making it more effective for hunting small game and pest control..
  • More pronounced arcing trajectory
  • Effective for close to mid-range shooting.
  • Higher kinetic energy
  • Pellets are widely available, but the selection may be slightly more limited compared to .177.

Targets & Ammunition

If you need something to shoot other than aluminum cans, try picking up the AR500 Steel Targets for unlimited practice and resets. It has multiple targets to challenge your skills. Otherwise cans, milk jugs and other household targets will serve instead.

Don’t forget the ammunition, I recommend the Crosman Copperhead BB’s and the Gamo .22 Combo Pack or the Gamo .177 Combo Pack with its assortment of pellet performance options.

Final Thoughts – Choose an Air Gun That Fits Your Needs

Ultimately, the choice between a .22 and .177 air rifle depends on your intended use—whether it’s precision target shooting, plinking, or small game hunting. Consider factors like accuracy, power, and pellet availability to determine which caliber best suits your needs.

Be aware that there are options for the type of rifle from break-barrel, gamo quick-shot magazines, CO2 cartridge etc. If you want to stay away from extra parts that can possibly break you may choose break barrel, and avoid magazines and the CO2 requirement. There are pros and cons to either system.

In summary, BB guns are lightweight and suitable for casual shooting, while .177 pellet guns offer a balance between power and precision. On the other hand, .22 pellet guns provide more stopping power, making them a preferred choice for hunting and pest control. Choose an air gun type that aligns with your intended use and shooting preferences. These are common as gifts for Christmas. How many kids had a BB gun growing up? If you can’t decide buy both a BB and a pellet rifle and they will last a long time, you can’t go wrong. Stay safe and enjoy your new air rifle.