Airgun Ammo · Comparison
.177 vs .22 air rifle: which caliber should you choose?
Researched by James · Updated September 26, 2026 · Editorial policy
On this page
- Is .22 more powerful than .177?
- Which caliber is more accurate, .177 or .22?
- Which has a flatter trajectory?
- Which caliber is cheaper to shoot?
- Which caliber is better for hunting?
- Is .177 or .22 better for pest control and plinking?
- What about .25 caliber or bigger?
- Can one air rifle shoot both .177 and .22?
- FAQ
- Sources
The energy figures below are computed with the same formula used sitewide (grains × fps² ÷ 450,436, the AAFTA divisor), not measured on a bench. The caliber guidance combines those numbers with published comparisons from Pyramyd AIR and Air Arms, linked in Sources. Full methodology & editorial policy →
Is .22 more powerful than .177?
At matched velocity, yes, and by more than most people expect. Energy scales with weight, and a .22 pellet typically weighs close to double what a .177 pellet of the same design weighs. Run the numbers side by side:
| .177 (4.5mm) | .22 (5.5mm) | |
|---|---|---|
| Common hunting pellet weight | 7-10.5 gr | 14-19 gr |
| Typical PCP muzzle velocity | 900-1,000 fps | 800-950 fps |
| Energy at 900 fps (computed) | 8.44 gr = 15.2 FPE | 18.13 gr = 32.6 FPE |
| Best for | Target, plinking, close pest birds, 10m & field target | Rabbits, squirrels, most hunting |
Computed: FPE = grains × fps² ÷ 450,436. Real rifles don't always push both calibers to 900 fps — a lighter .177 usually leaves the muzzle faster from the same power plant — but even after that adjustment, a well-chosen .22 pellet still lands with meaningfully more energy on target.
Which caliber is more accurate, .177 or .22?
Bore size isn't the deciding factor. Barrel quality, pellet match, and a rifle tuned for a specific pellet's weight and speed matter far more than whether the bore is 4.5mm or 5.5mm. .177 rules 10-meter Olympic shooting and outdoor field target because the target hardware and rules favor a smaller, faster pellet, not because .177 barrels are inherently tighter shooters than .22 ones from the same maker.
Which has a flatter trajectory?
A .177 pellet usually leaves a rifle faster than a .22 pellet from the same power plant, because it's lighter, so it looks flatter out to 30-40 yards. Past that window its lower ballistic coefficient starts to bite: it sheds velocity and drops faster than a well-chosen .22 pellet or slug. That's a big reason .22 is the more forgiving caliber at real hunting ranges, where a misjudged 10 yards shouldn't cost you the shot. For what "real hunting range" actually looks like, see how far a pellet gun can shoot and long-range airgun hunting.
Which caliber is cheaper to shoot?
.177 pellets are the cheapest and most widely available airgun ammunition on the shelf, in the widest range of weights and shapes. .22 pellets cost somewhat more per tin, and purpose-built hunting slugs cost more again, since they're a more complex, more consistent product. If you're burning through a lot of ammo on practice and pest control, that adds up over a season, and it's a real reason plenty of hunters keep a .177 around even after buying a .22 for the field.
Which caliber is better for hunting?
.22 is the standard hunting caliber for rabbits, squirrels, and pest birds because it transfers more energy into the animal on a normal body or head shot. A fast, light .177 pellet can zip through a small animal without dumping enough energy to kill cleanly unless the shot is a precise headshot at sensible range. The quarry-by-quarry energy floors, in FPE delivered to the animal rather than muzzle numbers, are in the airgun FPE chart, and the caliber math behind them is in .22 vs .25 for small game.
Is .177 or .22 better for pest control and plinking?
For everyday plinking and close pest control on rats, sparrows and starlings, .177 does the job well: cheap, flat to 30 yards, and plenty of energy for a head shot on a small pest. Step up to .22 once you're hunting rabbit- or squirrel-sized game, or shooting much past 30-40 yards, where the heavier pellet's energy retention starts to matter.
Verdict
If you're buying one rifle and plan to hunt rabbits, squirrels, or pest birds at real field distances, get a .22. If your rifle is strictly for target work, plinking, or close-range pest control on the smallest quarry, a .177 is cheaper to feed and plenty capable. Plenty of serious airgunners eventually own both.
What about .25 caliber or bigger?
.25 and larger calibers push further past both .177 and .22 in raw energy and pellet weight, trading away some flatness and cheap ammo for a harder-hitting, more wind-resistant projectile. They earn their keep on bigger small game and longer shots. The full comparison, including where slugs change the picture, is in .22 vs .25: best airgun caliber for small game and pellets vs slugs.
Can one air rifle shoot both .177 and .22?
Most air rifles are built around one fixed barrel and bore diameter, so the caliber is set at purchase. A handful of modular PCPs let an owner swap a barrel liner to change caliber, but that's a deliberate parts change on the bench, not something you switch mid-hunt. Check a specific rifle's spec sheet rather than assuming it covers both.
FAQ
Is .22 more powerful than .177?
At the same velocity, yes, by a wide margin. An 18.13-grain .22 pellet at 900 fps carries about 32.6 FPE, versus 15.2 FPE for an 8.44-grain .177 at the same 900 fps: the .22 pellet weighs more than twice as much, and energy scales directly with weight. Real rifles don't always run the same velocity in both calibers, but .22 pellets are still heavier for a given quality tier, so .22 PCPs generally hit harder.
Which caliber is more accurate, .177 or .22?
Neither caliber is inherently more accurate; barrel quality and pellet match matter far more than bore size. .177 dominates 10-meter Olympic shooting and field target because the rules and target geometry favor it, not because a .177 barrel groups tighter than a .22 one in the same rifle line.
Which has a flatter trajectory, .177 or .22?
A .177 pellet usually leaves a given rifle faster because it's lighter, so it looks flatter out to 30-40 yards. Past that, its lower ballistic coefficient means it sheds velocity and drops faster than a well-chosen .22 pellet, which is one reason .22 is the more forgiving hunting caliber at real field distances.
Which caliber is cheaper to shoot?
.177 pellets are the cheapest airgun ammunition to buy, with the widest range of brands and weights on the shelf. .22 pellets cost somewhat more per tin, and dedicated hunting slugs cost more again. Over a season of practice, caliber choice changes your ammo budget more than almost anything else.
Which caliber is better for hunting?
.22 is the standard hunting caliber for rabbits, squirrels and pest birds because it transfers more energy into the animal. A light, fast .177 pellet can pass through a small animal without dumping enough energy to kill cleanly, especially on anything past a headshot. See the full energy targets by quarry in the FPE chart.
Is .177 or .22 better for pest control and plinking?
.177 is the better everyday plinking and close pest-control round: cheaper, flatter to 30 yards, and plenty for rats, starlings and sparrows with a head shot. Step up to .22 once you're hunting rabbit- or squirrel-sized game, or shooting much past 30-40 yards.
What about .25 caliber or bigger?
.25 and larger calibers push past both .177 and .22 in energy and pellet weight, at the cost of a flatter trajectory and cheaper ammo. They earn their keep on bigger small game and longer ranges. The full breakdown is in .22 vs .25.
Can one air rifle shoot both .177 and .22?
Most rifles are built around one fixed barrel and one caliber. A few modular PCPs let an owner swap a barrel or liner to change caliber, but that's a deliberate parts swap, not a switch you make at the bench. Check a specific rifle's spec sheet before assuming it's multi-caliber.
