Quote Originally Posted by barnetmill View Post
Trajectory hold overs are even more important than accuracy if one is talking distance.

Is there any source of drop tables from the various manufactures. Normally it is the intention with most pellets that they not be injurious at longer range.
At longer ranges I wonder if the typical pellet will be able to penetrate a paper target. I have read of accounts for 5.56/.223 rifle bullets bouncing off of the targets at 1000 yards for example when using less aerodynamic projectiles and wonder if the same would happen to pellets at say 200 yards.
I only use a pellet gun when I want a 'safer' projectile because of human presence near by.
There's an iPhone app called Chairgun which is excellent for calculating trajectory and force over distance. It allows you to input pellet weight, muzzle energy and wind conditions. I recommend it. Long story short, my UK-legal .22 calibre 12 foot-pound Air Arms Pro Sport (underlever spring gun) still has about 5 foot-pounds of power at 100 yards. That would not only puncture paper but also bare flesh, so you still need to be careful.

For an illustration of what power remains after 200 yards, I point you towards this fun video where a shooter hits an exploding target at 218 yards with the same 12 foot-pound spring rifle that I have, the British-made Air Arms Pro Sport. He's using the .177 calibre version, which obviously has a flatter trajectory, but he still has to aim about six feet above the target. When it hits, the pellet still has sufficient energy to set off the reactive target. As you Americans would say, "enjoy!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QaCvOgRIjY