Airgun calibers from BBs to big-bore slugs: what each is good for, a typical pellet or slug, speed, energy, effective range and point-blank range. Tap a column header to sort.
Made for
Effective range
Power plants
Springer / gas piston: one cock compresses a spring or gas ram. Self-contained but has a jumpy recoil that needs a soft hold.
CO2: cartridge-powered, mostly BB guns and pistols. Power drops in cold weather.
PCP (pre-charged pneumatic): filled from a scuba tank or pump to 3,000–4,500 psi. Most powerful, accurate and quiet; all big bores are PCP.
How MPBR is figured
A scope 1.5" over the bore, sight-in height given at 25 yards, sea-level air and a G1 model. Zones: 2" for pests and small game (head shots are smaller still), 4" for predators, 6" for deer-size big bores. Pellets slow down fast, so point-blank ranges are short.
Keep in mind
Big-bore airgun hunting for deer is legal in only some states; check before you hunt.
Speeds and BCs are typical figures from my own knowledge, not looked up, and vary a lot by gun and fill pressure.
Rule of thumb: about 6 ft-lbs at impact for squirrels and 12+ for rabbits and raccoons.