ORIGINAL: zak123
Pellet size does matter. I would go for a .22 pellet gun. A .177 shoots faster and flatter, but they are not as powerful. A .22 shoots slower, but it packs quite a punch. If I were hunting squirrels with a pellet gun, I would want a .177 that shoots 800 fps+ or a .22 that shoots 600 fps+. I would take the .22 over the .177 any day. If you were hunting rabbit, I would use a .177 with 1000 fps, or a .22 with 700 fps. I would again take the .22 over the .177.
However, the .22 is being driven by the same amount of force as the .177. Plus there are .177 pellets that weight up to 12 grains, so that offers about the same ballistic coeffecient.
As for pellet, I would use:
1. Flat nosed pellets
A great choice all around. Especially the better brands.
2. Hollow Points
An even better choice if they group well out of your barrel. This is a problem for some though. Luckily, the best grouping pellets I have found for my barrel are RWS Super Hollow Points. They actually shoot well out of most guns, due to their tight tolerances.
3. Domed pellets
A good choice if you are using a PCP (Pre-charged Pneumatic).
4. Pointed pellets
These group like a bunch of unintroduced friends. Good if you need maximum penetration, but you can't kill what you can't hit, right?
ORIGINAL: zak123
A flat nosed pellet generally shoots more accurately. They also have a large point of impact. This will cause maximum damage.
Hollow points are great pellets, but they are not as accurate. If you get a great hit they will expand and cause maximum damage.
Domed pellets are not as accurate, but they penetrate well. Since the pellet does not expand on impact, it will cause minimal damage. If you miss the vitals, you will only wound the animal. The animal will escape.
Pointed pellet are the least accurate of the mentioned pellets. Since the pellet does not expand on impact, it will cause minimal damage. If you miss the vitals, you will only wound the animal. The animal will escape.
Pretty much right on, however, I have found that the right hollow point will only break your grouping out by about .1 at 30 yards. Well worth the sacrifice in my opinion. The impact wave makes the accuracy far less important.
P.S. Live 2hunt, it takes about 3 FPE to the killzone to kill most small game (about 1 or 2 to the head). Only 1.7 to take most bird life. You may need 10 for stuff like woodchucks/beavers/turkeys though. The Shadow is more than adequate for any legal airgun qurry in my state, and I live in the most liberal of all in regards to that. Anyways, it packs an evil punch. I've dropped a few pigeons off an antenae that is about 50 yards off, and they were all instant kills. Fell to the ground by gravity alone. Crows don't even stand a chance, and they're tough S.O.B.s. Rabbits are nothing for this gun, and you could even take turkey or 'yotes if you felt frisky. All in all, a great springer for killing stuff under the size of an average dog, lol. I recomend it. Especially at the price. $124.95 at WalMart isn't a bad price to pay for a well made European springer.