Pellet gun, and pellets????

Question

Which OF THESE TWO should i buy for small game hunting?

Gamo Big Cat .177 cal. Breakbarrel

or

Crosman Quest 800X .22 cal. Break-Barrel.....

Also, if im going to eat the game i kill, do i need to buy lead-free pellets? Or is there so little it shouldn't affect the meat?

Answer 1

They can both do the trick if you know how to shoot them and shoot at the right area. (hear-lungs).

It depends on your preferences.  The Crosman is actually based on a Gamo (220/440).  They have pretty much the same interiors and can be modded in the same way.

To light the trigger or get springs and other stuff check http://home.comcast.net/~peterdragin/ind...

I prefer .22 because the pellets are easier to handle to my hands, although the trajectory will have a more accentuated parabolic.

No need to buy lead-free pellets, just field dress it and clean you meat before eating it.

Just be mindful of the laws in your area, in TX, rabbits are non game and can be taken with air rifles, but game animals cannot be taken with air rifles (not even with big bore air rifles).

Answer 2

Check the hunting laws in your area.  The Commonwealth of VA does not allow hunting with less than a 22 cal.  The lead is not an issue but i am concerned that you can hunt with the limited range of the air rifle, which is meant to be shot at 10meters for competition.

Either is a good choice since the .177 will go as fast as 22LR.  the balistic coefficient is low  because of the low weight.  The range is probably around 50 to 60 yards to kill a squirel.  I know that woodchucks are killed easily with the Cossman.

Just keep in mind that break barrel, piston types are h**l on scopes.  you will need to find a very rugged scope.  Odds are that the scope will cost as much if not more than the gun.

If you are looking for a bargan, try air rifles made in china, they shoot almost as well but for half the price.