 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (January 2013) |
| .177 Caliber | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Target, hunting |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1940-present |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1940 |
| Manufacturer | Crosman, Gamo, RWS Dynamit Nobel, Haendler & Natermann, etc. |
| Variants | Match, Magnum, Hunter, Ball, Hollow Point, Pointed |
.177 caliber or 4.5 mm caliber is the smallest diameter of pellets and BB shots widely used in air guns, and is the only caliber generally accepted for formal target competition. It is also sometimes used for hunting small game, like fowl. It is also used in field target competitions, where it competes with .20 caliber (5 mm) and .22 caliber (5.6 mm) rifles.
Steel BBs are typically slightly smaller than lead BBs at 0.175-inch (4.4 mm) diameter, although the bore diameter of the barrel are the same. Some air guns are designed to accept .177 pellets, .177 lead shot, or .175 steel BBs interchangeably.