Best 177 Hunting Pellet

Full review of nine .177 hunting pellets and penetration testing
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[@michaelbritain5546]

Finally a review that recognised .177 is good for accurate hunting, I sold all my .22's and replaced them with .177, never looked back...

[@edgarlombera7066]

Caliber has nothing to do with it… just how good your barrel is and the ammo you use.

[@Zeph_]

never look back while shooting

[@TheDrZero]

I prefer .177 cal vs. .22 cal

[@TheDrZero]

.177 is flatten than .22 cal

[@edgarlombera7066]

@@TheDrZero in sub 12 yes it is, at higher FPS with a heavier pellet, the bigger caliber has a higher Ballistic Coefficient, higher BC equals flyer trajectory.

[@lopez_x7xfortnite287]

Not going to lie this is the best most very well detailed video I’ve ever found

[@griffinweaver7762]

Foreal

[@peterbaugh51]

Truth... How refreshing!

[@deecarter1059]

The problem with this test is that when you're hunting small game, you're not shooting through inches of flesh. You very quickly hit denser material, including bone, which causes very different pellet deformation to that indicated by ballistic gel.

[@sunnysacto]

and perhaps the broken bone also adds to flesh damage when hitting head area

[@paulgreen2416]

If I ever bag any bunny's whilst out hunting I use their heads to test pellets. My BSA scorpion 177 loves h&n barracuda hunter extremes.

[@Embrabrummie]

@@bettaatrium7156 Try BSA Interceptor for sub 12 Ft. Lbs. in .177.

[@shanedenlinger5945]

But if you hit your target in more vulnerable areas, you drastically reduce that

[@Artemissix]

Hi Mr AAR, I just want to let you know, that I really enjoy, and look forward to your videos. You are quite entertaining and I think you present an honest review of what ever your video is about, and when you have an opinion, you let us know that is your opinion. You are one of my favorite KZbin People. THANK YOU, Don from Pennsylvania USA

[@Sorarse]

I've always thought that so called 'hunting' pellets are not much more than a gimmick. For me, the number one priority for any pellet being used on live quarry is accuracy. People comment about over penetration and not all of the energy from a pellet being imparted to a target as a result. Personally, I've never seen a rabbit walk away from a shot that puts a hole in its head from one side right through to the other.

[@flow5718]

I feel the same, and would go with the JSB Exact's. The humane way is to put the pellet right in the brain, I wouldn't take a shot if I wasn't 100% sure of that. And no small or even medium quarry can walk away from that.

[@greekveteran2715]

@@flow5718 Can you please help me sir? I want to get a Weihrauch. Will a Weirauch hw80 with 22 cal, kill a rabbit if the pellet hits the body? I can only use open sights, scopes are not allowed here.. Will the hw80 kill if I miss the head and hit the body, or choose the HW95 with 177, which it will still be without a scope (only open sights). Which one would be better?

[@flow5718]

​@@greekveteran2715 Definitely go with the 22 cal for hunting, a 177 has to be spot on in the brain for it to do its job, a 22 is more forgiving, and does body shots much better but you still have to get the heart or lungs. And it does increase the animal's suffering as it won't be insta killed. Practice until you can hit a coin from 10 yards away 9 times out of 10, learn the anatomy of the animal and read hunting forums for advice on where to place the shot. You can get pretty good with an open sight under 10 yards but above that, it just doesn't offer the level of accuracy I prefer. The rules around scopes are vague at best, so you can catch a combo deal sometimes from a manufacturer or reseller, it depends. In most places with scope restriction they're not allowed to sell a rifle with a scope, but they're allowed to sell it separately, so look for combo deals or sellers specializing in just scopes and accessories. But starting out, I'd recommend practicing your iron sights and then moving onto peep sight for slightly better accuracy. Once you've mastered those, move to scopes. It's a big change that.

[@greekveteran2715]

@@flow5718 Best help I could ever had! I thought I would never add optics, but today, I found out that local people use optics, so... I guess I'll take your advice! I really appriciate it, thank you very much!!

[@armandocolon6076]

i was thinking exactly the same. accuracy is more important for shoot placement. one in the head and is gone dont matter for the penetration or deformation the impact is enough to knock him down. it happens to me one with a co2 air rifle.

[@geojohnson5613]

Thank you Andy, for this test, as well as the test for .22 caliber

[@AirsoftAfterHours]

Thanks for the amazing videos! The information within helps us understand the performance and characteristics of difference pellets, something which we only know through trial and error. Priceless 👍🏼

[@dcspooky6903]

Extremely useful and methodical ammunition review and analysis! Thank you for taking the mystery and guess work out the pellet selection. Cheers 👍😊

[@Knordsman]

Andy, thank you for the amazing video. Very detailed and i appreciated how you included pictures of the tin during each testing phase for easy reference. It makes it easy to watch and follow and will allow for easy quick reference if i am shopping in the store. Have a good one.

[@marlonwest6045]

Love your comparisons, as always!

[@Rob01978]

I’ve recently switched from the JSB exact 8.44gr to QYS streamlined 9.56gr. At 40yards they’re pellet on pellet in my hw100. Absolutely love them and well worth checking out :)

[@sujayghosh3596]

A very well made video. Felt like in a classroom, learning something. Thank you. All your videos are very very informative.

[@airvermincontrol5033]

Have been looking forward to this review, thanks for another great one.

[@damijanslavic4662]

Waited for this test. Nice done. I got a FAC in 4,5mm shooting only JSB Exact Monster 13,43gr. The trajectory of 4,5mm is excellent. Regards from Slovenia.

[@richardwaddams6598]

Fantastic information, thank you for the detailed review, 177 FAC looks surprisingly useful

[@rickysharp4223]

Just found your channel today. You have done the best job of testing and explained the results.

[@edwardchance2543]

Thanks for the great video. Very informative and well thought out

[@IamtheWV17]

Instantly earned the like on that gel strike on the beat! Cracked a massive grin!

[@davidstewart5811]

As another noted, these are seriously informative videos you produce.Very well presented with clear and objective detail.

[@RecoilAddict88]

Outstanding quality review of pellets.

[@Engineerboy100]

Awesome video! I will be picking up tins of .177 and .22 Terminator pellets :) Thank you for posting this, you put a lot of effort into it.

[@1icepounder]

I'd like to say this was a very well made video and informative. Also I appreciate the fact that this isn't sponsored which could add bias. I should also add I'm in the US. I have the Crosman Venom Dusk pellet rifle and would usually just target shoot with it. The pellets I used were the Beeman Silver arrows at 11.57 grains. I haven't chronographed it but it is probably 900+ FPS. I decided I'd like to go squirrel hunting and I wanted to find a pellet that wouldn't over penetrate and pass through. I also wanted good expansion. After researching on forums and by watching videos like yours I decided to try the H&N Terminator. They were far lighter at 7.25 grains and I really wasn't expecting these to be acceptable as far as accuracy. I cleaned and lubed my rifle last night. I went to the 25 yard indoor range this morning. I had to make numerous adjustments to my scope as it was zeroed with the Silver Arrows. I was pleasantly surprised with the accuracy of the Terminator pellets. Once zeroed I was able to shoot a five shot group, all touching, that measured about 3/4". Thanks for taking the time to make these videos.

[@richwielechowski5191]

Thanks for the information and your wife’s hard work making the gel blocks.

[@johndivit5869]

Excellent follow-on to the .22 test Andy. For me, Bisley Magnums do a great job in both my HW100 and Huntsman Regal. Very accurate and consistent, but they do tend to 'drill through' quarry. (Even at 12 ft/lb) This is quite useful for heart/lung shots on avian pests, when a head shot is not an option. I think the old guidance of '.22 for fur and .177 for feather' has some grounding! I just wish I had a Huntsman Classic in .20! Thanks for your efforts, and keep them coming.

[@-smp-scientificmethodpersp838]

These videos are so good, I feel like I should watch it again whist taking notes, like a school lecture. I probably should actually

[@dennissno7872]

Great fun and informative, thank you sir! Cheers from the Netherlands 👍🍻

[@paulgreen2416]

I use barracuda hunter extreme in my BSA Scorpion SE 177. Over 40 - 50 yards range they have no problems with Rats, Phesants, Ducks, Quails, Rabbits, and Hares. Best hunting pellets I've ever used👍

[@loulopez554]

So happy I found your channel!

[@yetiwheeler7972]

Cheers enjoyed that.. as always.

[@nuyabiss]

Your channel will be wildly successful for the same reasons John Cleese is always doing voice overs congratulations

[@MrTowton1461]

Brilliant Andy. Many thanks.

[@extreme.4576]

Andy my Career 707 .22 50fpe loves them out to 60yds past that the group really opens up. My .22 Sumatra Carbine and .22 Career 707 Carbine love the Ultra Shock too. But, past 50yds the groups open up. The Carbines are around 50fps also. Great review really enjoyed it. Thanks my Brother

[@caseyjones6197]

I'm glad that I'm not the only one trying different pellets out that when the testing was complete it looked like I was patterning a shotgun.

[@davebrailsford6699]

Fantastic video as always big thanks..

[@BionicRusty]

Just bought some H&N Baracudas after trying numerous others (Crosman Premier Hollow Points included which were recommended) in my cheap .177 Nova Vista gas ram. Turns out my rifle isn’t rubbish. The grouping with the H&N’s after ~100 shots is fantastic. Just ordered another 2 tins.

[@phillnorth385]

In my setup the. 177 piledriver shoots great and always tumbles inside the intended target. Drops everything its hit so far.

[@keithstewart7514]

Spot on (NO BULL) bulls eye!!! Thanks, new subscriber.

[@marinasilver6572]

This Video helps me a lot! Thank you very much for the very well done video 🙏

[@jason3064]

Great video man, I use the piledrivers ,shooting at 28ftlbs, and they group quite well. I use a hatsan galatian

[@garyelder6799]

Fantastic video. Very detailed and informative. Glad that you included both sub 12 and FAC rifles which shows how the same pellets react differently. This earned a like and a sub from me and I’m going to go back and watch more of your vids. Cheers from Canada, eh?

[@rapalaron6348]

Thanks for this test. Like your video's

[@magnorius]

Great testing and video

[@ukairgunner3267]

Great video Andy, those polymags are pin accurate up to 25 yards in my Daystate!

[@visiter127]

Fantastic video really enjoyed it,

[@BalearicBeatnik]

very useful video for a beginner like me, have subbed to show support. Funny story for you, i was a student in Nottingham years ago, and my halls of residence were next door to Drapers! All these years later i'm watching this! Best wishes from the south coast and love the Notts accent hahah! Makes me miss Hyson Green and Forrest Fields x

[@chaddfry5345]

Great video!

[@johnballantyne6853]

Another great review. I use Hunter Extreme through my .177 sub 12ftlb Ultimate Sporter, but my FAC equivalent loves the Heavy Sovereigns at 10.3gn.

[@cosmospredator436]

When I’m hunting I’ve already gotten used to this and I always hit the head but this was very helpful because I need to get a new hunting pellet because it doesn’t expand on impact and it kicks like a 22

[@munkytaint666]

never used the .177 Ultra Shocks, BUT... my .22 caliber, 34 ft/lb Benjamin Marauder absolutely LOVES the Ultra Shock pellets. they group like a laser beam, deform massively, and i can confirm their lethal efficacy on small game

[@Chime0]

Interesting results, thank you! Odd, that the Hammers scored so low. I've been using them as a cheap alternative (and obviously not so good) for H&N Field Target Trophy with my HW97K (19J power) and at 30m they performed quite satisfyingly. Maybe their production quality is unstable.

[@chrysanthosanastasiades9368]

Good info sir, in my country we are only allowed.177 but no restrictions on power good work

[@bryantitus6634]

I shot a Beeman springer for better than a decade running about 11-11.5 ft/lb. My go to pellet was the H&N Crow Magnum. I routinely got expansion even in that power level when recovering them occasionally if I happened to not have complete pass throughs on game. I shot the terminators some, but the crow magnums were definitely my favorite. My gun shot them better than my brothers and my buddies, but they both ran different model springers. Both of which also liked the pellet but not as much as my gun. Likely in a higher powered gun they'd basically disintegrate or flatten very quickly and have minimal penetration. I feel they would be best suited to stay under 20 or maybe 25ft lb MAX. But I'd love to see them in gel, 177 and 22 cal.

[@kanekesterton672]

Great vid

[@rgeraldalexander4278]

Really helpful, thanks a load for doing my homework!

[@casperboo5465]

Thanks Andy for a nother great comparison, and Mrs AAR, for the gel. very interesting, and informative, Cheers

[@muzahidhussain9971]

Beautiful definition Thank you so much Sir,.. 👍❤️

[@michaelalloway2736]

I have one of the old style .177 caliber pump up single shot pellet guns . I haven't shot it in a long time because I have nowhere to do so . I like it because it is a very good gun and I always used the Crossman .177 pellets with the flat head and always killed what I was aiming at .

[@Rhidongo]

I'd like to start this off by saying that I've been on a bit of a dive for pellet recommendations, but no reviews are actually any good, and I don't exactly have slabs of ballistic gel laying around. This video is perfect, my dude. Thank you so much for actually making a decent review. I came here from another "Review" that was literally just marketing material. Once again, thanks a ton, and keep up the great work!

[@beastmode2990]

That video was very helpful since I am a beginner to this and I I still figuring out what pellets suit me

[@paulandrews3785]

Great work 👍

[@paulmcgrath5259]

You are so professional at your presenting ,interesting too .

[@charliemolesta8677]

love these vids

[@jadamane]

I knew this video was gon be supreme with information when I heard the David Attenborough accent lol thanks mane! Excellent vid

[@sahhull]

I had a lot of success on Rabbits out to 35 yards with .177 RWS Hobby. As a bonus they are fairly cheap. Like always... shot placement and choosing a pellet that is accurate out of your rifle are the most important things. My faves as an FT shooter are JSB Exacts and Crossman Accupel as all 3 of my FT rifles perform well with them.

[@peterbaugh51]

Jsb exacts rule. No joke.

[@brorjordas1979]

Sweet!!

[@carlospunctum]

Excellent material, as always! What about a test of this kind with springer rifles? I know that PCP are more accurate, but many of us prefer the simplicity of a good springer, like TX200/ProSport, HW77/97, LGU/LGV, which, here in Portugal, we can buy with either 16J or 20J. I would love to see such test!

[@BlacktailShadow]

I second the notion and would like to add a Hatsan 95 Vortex .177 to the list

[@justinvzu01]

Personally as a target shooter, I have shot Predator Polymag, as they came with the gun when it was bought from someone else. I shot them through a Umarex Beretta Licensed Cx4 Storm 7.5J. They were incredibly accurate out of that gun, after cleaning the barrel.

[@BionicRusty]

Comment #2. After spending a year with two more guns (TX200HC and an RM8. Both in .177), and also viewing this vid again and again, I’ve convinced myself that no pellet manufacturer caters to sub 12ft/lbs wrt the claim of deformation. It just isn’t there. And so I go for accuracy all day long over a ‘hunting’ pellet that may or may not hit the kill zone. Again, great video, Andy. 👍

[@leighottewell4289]

Just catching up on some of your videos Andy, really enjoy the comparison type videos you post. As a suggestion for a future review how about doing a comparison type test focusing on the bisley range of pellets?

[@LiamDCoughlan]

I think something everyone should take in to consideration is you’re more than likely going to be hitting bone rather than flesh if you’re going for headshots so the expansion would be more significant for both calibre sub 12ft/lb guns.

[@andrewmorrissey2423]

Great video it would be nice to see how the the pellets perform if you put the gel at 40m as this is a realistic distance to shoot quarry at.

[@AAROnair]

Enjoy the video and don’t forget to visit www.vector-air.co.uk and www.aar-OnAir.com for all the latest AAR merchandise follow us on facebook.com/andyairgunreviews

[@TassTRC]

Hi. Great videos 👍 Would you please at some point spent some time making playlists? Divide pistol reviews from rifle reviews and so on. It's a long list to go through looking for specific topics 😉 Have a great day

[@007tallguy]

This is a really great review and pellet test Andy! 👍 Both my 177 and my 22 cals love the terminators! For a very blunt looking pellet, i was surprised how well they group, like dime sized groups at 20 meters! 😯 And for a pellet that looks so much like the crosman destroyers, the accuracy results are quite a bit different. Im guessing its that little bit of extra weight that stabilizes them better. Pete 🇨🇦

[@finesse1570]

Well I’m gonna spend some serious $$$ buying all of these to see which pellet my gun likes. Thanks for narrowing them down Andy.

[@MrFreefonix420]

I got a webley nemesis myself. Let me know what your one likes I need new pellets myself

[@aluckyshot]

That was what I learned also, buy a ton of variety and see what your gun likes.

[@lavernedofelmier6496]

Good information as always Andy. In your opinion what kind of velocity does it take at impact point to deform lead pellets . I’m not talking muzzle velocity but down range 20-30 yards. The 2020 shot show in Las Vegas JSB said they will be producing the hades in.177 possibility by summer. Thanks to you and the misses and crew.

[@SurvivalHiker]

very very nice video !!!

[@maryannmorrison8211]

I am amazed, you are so well spoken Nat Geo needs to have you narrate EVERYTHING, great job and excellent to listen too; David Attenborough watch out.......

[@bradeastbury]

Please could you do a range of rws 177. pellets review. Haven't yet seen you use them on any videos. Great work and love the videos. Stay safe and keep up the good work, we appreciate it 👌

[@peterbaugh51]

Rws superdomes are my fav cuz the price is right! Great pellet. Hits hard, accurate to 30 yards with my 1377.

[@codylockmancl]

I liked your video I have a 12lb Remington express .177 and I was looking for a better pellet than a cheap set , very detailed but also didn't take all day to get to the point :)

[@T888TYL]

I have the same gun what pellets do you use? I have the bisley magnums and they are quite good but I want more distance so I might go for the Hunter extreme although I have the terminators also

[@codylockmancl]

@@T888TYL I use the simple daisy pellets the package with 3 different styles of pellets in the container (flat , round , and hunting)

[@bobbythompson3544]

Love your tests, my old Huntsman loves Bisley Magnums, but they have to be 4.53, do all manufacturers specify the size?

[@jacobsnelson1]

I haven't seen those brands in store, I guess they aren't really popular in southern california. Thank you for this video

[@FirstStateAirgun]

That was a very good comparison. Excellent enjoyed watching it. I don't know if they have Crosman destroyers over there in England. But if they do could you do a test on them? I've had great results in both .177 and .22 caliber.

[@Sideshowbobx]

The HN Excite Hammers in .177 can be fuzzy to shoot and HN got quality shifts from batch to batch, but out to 30m my Weihrauchs turn them into usable groups, my SMK are okay with them, my Diana springs seems to hate them like your FAC. They are plinking pellets after all, maybe good for some FT/HFT training or am minor match with a rifle that likes them. My HW97 can keep them within a beer cap out to 50m, with a little sorting up front. So one could use them when on a budget. Also got couple sticks of them in .22 since they grouped well with anything from my 2240 as PR900 or HW100 - that why I bought the stock of my go to shop up after testing a can from their lot. I'm also a bit surprised by the performance of the JSB Straton, I have been testing them with springer as pcp and they group well with my sub FAC rifles, better then the pointed HN or RWS at least. Very interesting testing results - thanks for going so over into detail!

[@tommybrown9034]

appreciated

[@medwynvermin8772]

Yet another nice review Andy. Can I ask why you swapped between the Exact and the Exact Heavy? I use the Heavy in sub 12 as it is accurate and has better down range energy. Both are very accurate in my set up.

[@ctchsds]

Agreed. Both my sub 12 177 rifles love the heavies (hw97k & fx impact x).

[@TheMcpvideo]

Awesome guns ✌️all I have is a Daisy 880😁

[@Benwell1]

Good effort and helpful, my first PCP is definately going to be in .177 sub 12ft.

[@karlfawdrey5183]

Yeah good review but I think most of us wouldn't even consider these pellets, what about air arms, daystate, Bisley etc

[@peterbaugh51]

Rws superdome.

[@aakilifelder7265]

This men got sun crazy ass scopes

[@f1honda786]

Hi so I have a 22 gamo breakbarell elite. On recommendation whats your opinion on witch pellet is best to use for hunting /target practice . Your videos are very informative and to the point . Chears

[@stuartwagstaff6287]

Good review ... exact or air arms for me diablo. I have played around with loads of pellets. accuracy and repeatability is key for me on 12 ftlbs.

[@TiedTwisted]

Nice jacket!

[@carsmax]

Andy. Do you find pellets called " Artemis Round Pellets " in the UK ?? I use those at my HW 77k sub 12 wich I tuned down from 18 fpe because of the cracking noise the gun had . Very accurate in both versions !!!!!! Just 5 pounds (for 500 pellets !!!!) from Krale Schietsport in the Netherlands . A nice shop ;)) Thanks for sharing the video !

[@peterbaugh51]

For my beeman, rws superdomes are the best hunting pellet (USA Laws apply). I dont use 22 now. For info; Beeman 10616, 0.31" groups @ 30 yards. 998 fps with RWS 8.3 gr Superdome Field Line pellets, 18.3 fpe, silencer, 28 lb cocking, no droop, has open sights, very quiet. Nine pounds with scope. I shoot it like a deer rifle. Test group shouldered with front rest, light grip, 9x scoped. Jsb shoots no better but costs 5x more. The gun out shoots me even as a marksman. Much fun, smooth quiet spring, love this gun. Added a Tasco 3-9x 40mm AO scope and sling, a whopping $190 total package. Comes with a scope good for 20 yds or less. RWS superdomes are 2.6 cents each. They work well at low and high velocities. The gun is rated at 1,200 fps and shoots 1,085 fps with 7.0 gr lead pellets. Gotta love German engineering.

[@peterbaugh51]

A wise man once said, "If you can't hit the darn thing, it' not a hunting pellet". Well something like that. I agree.

[@natalfalzon5021]

Very interesting. I am just starting off as an FT and am looking for the right pellet. High grain or small grain? Wind effect on shape and grain. Thank you for this informative video.

[@Vormulac1]

Interesting. The Polymags are pellet-on-pellet from my sub-12 .22 R10 mk2 at 32m, on a par with the Bisley Magnums for most accurate pellet I've tried.

[@LaciviousX]

Great video! I would love to hear your thoughts on the copper-coated pellets, manufacturers like Norica and others are claiming a 20% increase in speed and that they are better at long range. But some voices out there on the internet are saying that the copper-coated pellets can damage your barrel. I'm new to PCP guns so I'd very much like to know what the facts are in this matter. I just ordered a Dreamline (.177) 24J. But I'm not too sure about what pellets I should use. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@terrynb12]

H&N crow magnum in fac are excellent 177cal hunting pellets also barracuda hunter, which in my opinion are better in expansion and accuracy over the hunter extreme pellet.

[@cheflegere]

Very good lesson. I use .177 polymags. To clear rats and squirrels out of the garden. It is rabbit season now and will use the .22 polymags to clear them out. How about the pellet that is topped with a steel BB? When I did gel tests on those. The BB would go one way and the pellet would deform and spin the other way. I have a beeman sportsman series that has interchangeable barrels. It is a break barrel gun and shoots 22s at 900fps. And 177 at 1200 fps.

[@petermarks5703]

Not at Great British Shooting Show this year Andy..?..looked for you but no luck..Great review by the way..

[@AAROnair]

sadly I’m not in the country, so I couldn’t make it, but I will be at IWA next month all being well. thanks for watching.