Can't really say if they run any better in .22 but my .177 is pretty docile compared to other .177 rifles I have, I think the weight of the rifle absorbs a lot of the recoil. I know mine is a mk1 so is the short stroke version and it's been tuned (so have also got rid of the large piston weight) so not sure if that helps either.

Which ever calibre you get, you won't be disappointed.

Pete