I am seriously in the middle. I know it is hard to find pellets for the .20. I have some questions. If I get the .20 the pellet will only be traveling 75 FPS faster that the .22 in the same gun.
1. What experience have you had with the two calibers?
2. Is 800 FPS enough for a .22 to hunt small game?
3. Is there even a need for the .20?
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.
Don't go much by the stated velocity ratings put on rifles by the companies making them. Most are inflated to some extent(some by a large margin). What needs to be taken into account is the fpe. the pellet delivers. Then you will see the difference between the calibers.
1.] I have both calibers as well as .177 and .25 calibers.
2.] 800 fps. will do nicely. In .22 caliber I figure 750 fps. as a minimum for a hunting velocity.
3.] The .20 caliber has been considered the best of both worlds. Meaning the best caliber for both hunting and target work. In California the .20 is the smallest caliber one can use for the taking of Turkey's with an air rifle.
The only problem I have found with the .20 caliber is the availability of a good selection of hunting pellets at local sporting goods stores. I personally like the .20 but am preferring the .22 caliber anymore for hunting purposes. Lawdog