Is your garden becoming a playground for hungry squirrels? Many homeowners struggle to protect their bird feeders and vegetable patches from these persistent visitors. If you use an air rifle for pest control, you know that accuracy is everything. A missed shot often leads to frustration and wasted time, which is why choosing the right ammunition matters more than you might think.
The market is flooded with endless brands, shapes, and weights for .177 pellets. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the technical jargon like ballistic coefficients and hollow points. Some pellets fly straight but lack impact, while others hit hard but miss the mark entirely. Picking the wrong type can turn a simple task into a difficult chore, leaving you wondering why your shots are not landing where they should.
In this guide, we strip away the confusion to help you find the perfect match for your rifle. You will learn which pellet designs provide the best balance of speed, accuracy, and stopping power for small game. We will also break down how different shapes behave in flight so you can stop guessing and start hitting your targets with confidence.
Ready to improve your precision and take the guesswork out of your next outing? Let’s dive into the best .177 pellet options to help you manage your backyard pests effectively.
Top .177 Pellets For Squirrels Recommendations
- DIAMOND POLYMER TIP: The tough polymer tip helps the pellet fly straight for better accuracy. When it hits, the tip pushes into the lead body, making the pellet spread out evenly.
- HYDRAULIC EXPANSION: This “mushrooming” effect makes the pellet get wider as it goes through the target, which means it hits harder and has more stopping power.
- ACCUTEK AERODYNAMICS: With a new center of mass and a sleeker shape, these pellets group tighter and fly more predictably, even at high speeds.
- DUCTILE LEAD ALLOY: The soft lead is made to fit snugly in the chamber and follow the grooves of the barrel, giving you the best seal for top-notch accuracy.
- LEADER SINCE 1889: Founded from a lead production legacy, Gamo introduced its first airguns in 1961 and expanded worldwide. Today, Gamo is Europe’s largest airgun maker and the world’s largest pellet manufacturer, sold in 50+ countries.
- Caliber: 0.177 inches
- Quantity: 225 pellets
- Style: Single Pack
- Item Type: Hornet Airgun Pellets
- Material: Lead
- .177-CALIBER PELLETS
- DESTROYER-STYLE HEAD - Unique design combines the best attributes of pointed and hollow-pointed pellets
- FOR RECREATIONAL USE
- GREAT FOR SMALL GAME HUNTING - Also use for backyard plinking and target practice
- 250 PELLETS PER TIN
- Excellent for hunting / Max. shock effect
- Content: 400 air gun pellets
- Pellet Caliber/Weight: . 177 Caliber / 9. 57 Grains
- For air pistols / rifles with a minimum muzzle energy of 12 ft. lbs
- Screw-on lid prevents accidental pellet spills
- ADJUSTABLE INTENSITY: Pump the rifle 3 to 10 times to control the speed between 350 and 700 feet per second.
- HUNTING & TARGET PRACTICE: These 7.6-grain pellets are perfect for small game hunting and pest control, along with general target practice.
- CONSISTENT SHOTS: The hollow point shape helps the pellet stay steady in the air for more repeatable hits.
- LARGE QUANTITY: Comes in a resealable 500-count tin to keep your ammunition safe.
- INNOVATION STARTS HERE: In 1924, Crosman introduced the first pneumatic pump airgun, delivering power without powder. Nearly a century later, Crosman remains a worldwide leader in airguns, ammunition, and shooting optics.
- Suggested for: target practice/plinking
- Cone shaped nose giving them excellent penetration capability
- Great for hunting and target shooting with your air gun
- Will not leave excess residue in your air rifle's barrel meaning less maintenance time and more trigger time
- .177 caliber weight: 8.2 grains; .22 caliber weight: 14.5 grains
- .177 caliber quantity: 300 pellets; .22 caliber quantity: 200 pellets
- SLEEK DESIGN: The pointed head and 7.6 grain weight provide a streamlined shape for better travel through the air.
- LEAD CONSTRUCTION: Made from solid lead for reliable weight and dependable expansion upon hitting the target.
- PRACTICE AND HUNTING: These pellets work for backyard target practice and managing small pests or game.
- SECURE STORAGE: Comes in a 250-count metal tin that keeps the pellets from being crushed during transport.
- INNOVATION STARTS HERE: In 1924, Crosman introduced the first pneumatic pump airgun, delivering power without powder. Nearly a century later, Crosman remains a worldwide leader in airguns, ammunition, and shooting optics.
Choosing the Best .177 Pellets for Squirrel Control
Selecting the right .177 caliber pellet for squirrel control is about more than just picking a box off the shelf. Accuracy and terminal performance are your top priorities. A successful shot requires a pellet that flies straight and delivers enough energy to be humane. This guide will help you understand what makes a high-quality pellet for this specific task.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for squirrel pellets, look for weight and shape. Heavier pellets usually perform better in the wind. They retain energy over longer distances. Look for a weight between 8 and 10 grains for most .177 air rifles. Accuracy is the most important feature. If the pellet does not hit where you aim, it will not be effective.
Important Materials
Most pellets are made from lead. Lead is soft, so it grips the rifling inside your barrel well. This creates a good spin and improves flight stability. Some manufacturers coat their lead pellets in copper. This coating helps the pellet stay clean in your hands and prevents it from deforming inside the magazine. Choose lead-based pellets for the best expansion and impact energy.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
- Consistency: High-quality pellets have a uniform shape. If every pellet looks identical, your groupings will be tighter.
- Head Size: Many premium pellets come in different head sizes (like 4.50mm or 4.52mm). Matching the head size to your specific barrel improves accuracy significantly.
- Deformation: Cheap pellets often have dents or bent skirts. These flaws reduce accuracy and should be avoided.
- Ballistic Coefficient (BC): A higher BC means the pellet cuts through the air better. This keeps the pellet on target even at longer ranges.
User Experience and Use Cases
For squirrel hunting, you need a pellet that expands on impact. Hollow point and dome-shaped pellets are the most popular choices. Dome-shaped pellets are excellent for long-range accuracy. Hollow points are better for close-range shots because they dump energy quickly. Always test a few different brands to see which one your specific air rifle likes best. Every barrel has a unique preference for pellet brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are .177 pellets powerful enough for squirrels?
A: Yes, if you use a high-quality air rifle and hit the target accurately. Place your shots carefully to ensure a quick and humane result.
Q: What shape is best for hunting?
A: Dome-shaped pellets provide the best balance of accuracy and energy. Hollow points are also great for close-range shots where expansion is needed.
Q: Does pellet weight matter?
A: Yes. Heavier pellets are less affected by wind and carry more energy downrange. Make sure your rifle has enough power to push the heavier weight.
Q: Can I use steel BBs instead of pellets?
A: No. Steel BBs are not accurate and do not expand. They are not suitable for hunting and can cause unnecessary suffering.
Q: How do I know which pellet my gun likes?
A: You must test different brands. Shoot targets at your preferred distance and see which pellet creates the smallest group.
Q: Should I clean my barrel when switching brands?
A: It is a good idea. Different lubricants on pellets can interact. A clean barrel gives you a fresh start for testing.
Q: Are copper-coated pellets better?
A: They are cleaner to handle and often feed better in semi-automatic rifles. However, they do not always offer better accuracy than pure lead.
Q: What is the effective range for .177 pellets?
A: Most hunters keep their shots within 30 to 40 yards. Accuracy drops significantly beyond this distance for most air rifles.
Q: Why do some pellets have a “skirt”?
A: The skirt expands when the air hits it. This creates a tight seal against the barrel walls, which pushes the pellet forward efficiently.
Q: Can I reuse pellets I find on the ground?
A: No. Pellets are designed to deform upon impact. A used pellet will be bent or misshapen, which will ruin your accuracy.