.177 calibre
Encyclopedia
.177 caliber is the smallest size of pellets widely used in air gun
s, and is the only caliber generally accepted for formal target competition. It is also sometimes used for hunting small game, and in field target competition, where it competes with .20 caliber (5 mm) and .22 caliber
(5.5 mm) rifles. Compared with a .22 pellet, the .177 travels faster and on a flatter trajectory. This is the reason for it being used in target competitions as the competitor does not have to adjust for drop very much. In hunting, the .177 is often considered inferior to the .22 pellet as it is smaller thus causing less impact damage. However, with the use of heavier pellets such as the Bisley
Magnum the .177 can become a very effective hunting pellet.
Steel BB shot is 0.175 inches (4.4 mm) diameter. Some air guns are designed to accept .177 pellets, or .177 lead shot, or .175 steel BBs interchangeably.
The .17 caliber (actually 0.172 inches (4.4 mm) or 4.37 mm diameter) is the smallest size bullet
that is widely available for use in firearms, both in rimfire (.17 HMR
) and centerfire (.17 Remington
) ammunition
. Production of .14 caliber barrels, rifles and bullets is a cottage industry in the USA, while .12 and .10 caliber rifles have been made on an experimental basis.
See cartridge for a discussion of the recommended uses of most sizes of ammunition.
Air gun
An air gun is a rifle , pistol , or shotgun that fires projectiles by means of compressed air or other gas, in contrast to a firearm, which burns a propellant. Most air guns use metallic projectiles as ammunition. Air guns that only use plastic projectiles are classified as airsoft...
s, and is the only caliber generally accepted for formal target competition. It is also sometimes used for hunting small game, and in field target competition, where it competes with .20 caliber (5 mm) and .22 caliber
.22 Long Rifle
The .22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridge is a long established variety of ammunition, and in terms of units sold is still by far the most common in the world today. The cartridge is often referred to simply as .22 LR and various rifles, pistols, revolvers, and even some smoothbore shotguns have...
(5.5 mm) rifles. Compared with a .22 pellet, the .177 travels faster and on a flatter trajectory. This is the reason for it being used in target competitions as the competitor does not have to adjust for drop very much. In hunting, the .177 is often considered inferior to the .22 pellet as it is smaller thus causing less impact damage. However, with the use of heavier pellets such as the Bisley
Bisley
-Places:* Two villages in the United Kingdom:**Bisley, Surrey**Bisley, Gloucestershire*Bisley Ranges is near the Surrey village and is the headquarters of the National Rifle Association, UK -Others:...
Magnum the .177 can become a very effective hunting pellet.
Steel BB shot is 0.175 inches (4.4 mm) diameter. Some air guns are designed to accept .177 pellets, or .177 lead shot, or .175 steel BBs interchangeably.
The .17 caliber (actually 0.172 inches (4.4 mm) or 4.37 mm diameter) is the smallest size bullet
Bullet
A bullet is a projectile propelled by a firearm, sling, or air gun. Bullets do not normally contain explosives, but damage the intended target by impact and penetration...
that is widely available for use in firearms, both in rimfire (.17 HMR
.17 HMR
.17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire, commonly known as the .17 HMR, is a rimfire rifle cartridge developed by the ammunition company Hornady in 2002. It descended from the .22 Magnum by necking down the .22 Magnum case to take a .17 caliber bullet, and it is more costly to shoot than traditional .22...
) and centerfire (.17 Remington
.17 Remington
The .17 Remington was introduced in 1971 by Remington Arms Company for their model 700 rifles.It is based on the .223 Remington, necked down to .172in , with the shoulder moved back. It was designed exclusively as a varmint round, though it is suitable for smaller predators. There are those such as...
) ammunition
Ammunition
Ammunition is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which embraced all material used for war , but which in time came to refer specifically to gunpowder and artillery. The collective term for all types of ammunition is munitions...
. Production of .14 caliber barrels, rifles and bullets is a cottage industry in the USA, while .12 and .10 caliber rifles have been made on an experimental basis.
See cartridge for a discussion of the recommended uses of most sizes of ammunition.
External links
See also
- 4 mm caliber4 mm caliberThis article lists firearm cartridges which have a bullet in the .172 in / 4.5mm caliber range.*Length refers to the cartridge case length.*OAL refers to the overall length of the cartridge.All measurements are in mm .-Rimfire cartridges:...
- Air gunAir gunAn air gun is a rifle , pistol , or shotgun that fires projectiles by means of compressed air or other gas, in contrast to a firearm, which burns a propellant. Most air guns use metallic projectiles as ammunition. Air guns that only use plastic projectiles are classified as airsoft...
- Pellet (air gun)Pellet (air gun)An air gun pellet is, for the most part, a non-spherical projectile designed to be fired from an air gun. But this is not always the case.Pellets differ from bullets used in firearms because of the pressures encountered; firearms operate at pressures of thousands of atmospheres, while airguns...
- WeaponWeaponA weapon, arm, or armament is a tool or instrument used with the aim of causing damage or harm to living beings or artificial structures or systems...