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The Basics Of Air Rifle Maintenance
From the earliest firearms like the harquebus to modern day guns like the M-4 Carbine, firearms were projectile weapons and the best ones were those that could accomplish their destructive, deadly objective with one press of the trigger. However, there are variations of firearms that are not totally intended to […]
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Gamo PT-85 Blowback Pellet Pistol Clampack 611138254 Review
Buying an air pistol can be a pain at times because of the wide choices available. But you can make your search easier by first looking at the models recommended by long-time enthusiasts. We have the Gamo PT-85 as an example; this air pistol is praised for its highly-inventive take […]
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Smith & Wesson M&P Airgun Air Pistol Review
Pistol airguns are used mainly in small game hunting unlike their genuine counterparts. Usually, big names or models of guns have their airgun/air pistol replicas. Umarex released a CO2-powered version of well-known munitions brand Smith and Wesson’s M&P 45 with fixed sights and manual safety, and we are going to […]
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Crosman Vigilante 357 Co2 Air Pistol Kit Review
On the hunt for an almost genuine air pistol version of Colt’s Python 357 Magnum? You’re in luck, for Crosman has something in store for you. The Vigilante has a wild similarity to the Colt bestseller firearm and it’s designed as a semi-automatic, double-action piece that is capable of firing […]
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Sig Sauer MCX .177 SIG20R Red Dot Air Rifle Review
Looking for the perfect air rifle does not have to be a daunting task as long as you know the basics. When it comes to pieces, you must first know what you need. Do you want to purchase a model that’s perfect for hunting birds or small game? Are you […]
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Riflescopes Comparison
Individuals who are into hunting and related pursuits are often into their gear. They search high and low for the best equipment and add-ons, especially air riflescopes since these make such a difference. However, choosing one can be quite a task since there is a huge assortment of scopes in […]
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Gamo Viper Express Air Shotgun Air Rifle Review
Because of the glut of air rifles and shotguns in the market these days, choosing one that will serve its purpose and at the same time, keep up with your needs and pursuits can be a somewhat tricky task to get into. This is also a major issue with beginners […]
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Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Riflescope Review
In order to get that target, your rifle has to have a good scope. A scope that actually works is one of the important factors one has to consider in order to acquire a good aim. Scopes let shooters zoom right in on the goal. There are plenty of […]
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Benjamin BSSNP27TX Eva Shockey Golden Eagle Hunting Air Rifle Review
A .177 caliber air rifle has been the popular choice of many pellet rifle enthusiasts, being the smallest among caliber kinds, plus it can be shot at maximum velocities at superior accuracies. If target shooting is your chief preoccupation, a .177-caliber model like the Benjamin BSSNP27TX will surely pique your […]
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BESTEK 3-9X40mm Hunting Optics Rifle Scope Review
All guns benefits from a quality rifle scope. When it comes to air rifle concerns, a scope can amplify accuracy and provide other advantages once positioned. Scopes vary in terms of functions and features and nowadays, there are plenty of said add-ons in the market but once you know what […]
Best Air Rifle List For 2020
Under $200
Hatsan 95
Air Rifle
- .177 / .22 / .25 Caliber
- 650 - 1,000 fps
- Spring-piston
- Free Shipping
Most Popular
Gamo Silent Cat
Air Rifle
- .177 Caliber
- Up to 1,200 fps
- Spring-piston
- Free Shipping
Great For Hunting
Benjamin Marauder
Air Rifle
- .177 / .22 / .25 Caliber
- 900 - 1,100 fps
- PCP (Precharged Pneumatic)
- Free Shipping
Top German Made
RWS Model 34
Air Rifle
- .177 / .22 Caliber
- 740 - 1,000 fps
- Spring-piston
- Free Shipping
A Guide to Choosing the Right Air Rifle
The best air rifle is affordable, meets your needs and fits within your skill level. While all levels can shoot a .177 caliber rifle, you wouldn’t expect a child to shoot a .357+ caliber. These models are too powerful and will have a higher recoil, which could potentially hurt the shooter.
Before reading any air rifle reviews, you need to know what you’re up against. After all, you want to make a smart investment.
Type of Air Rifle
There are four main air rifle types. These types dictate how the pellet is propelled out of the barrel. Mostly, you’ll find break-barrel models on the market, but there are other options available as well.
- Spring-Piston / Break Barrel: The most common type. There’s no pumping or cartridges to worry about. Using an underlever, top-lever or side-lever, you’ll cock the rifle and be ready to take a shot.
- Pneumatic / PCP: These are pump rifles. You force air into the rifle and prime it before a shot. You’ll find high caliber rifles often only come in PCP.
- Gas Ram: Much like the spring-piston option, a gas ram is cocked using a lever. These gas ram cylinders last for years and are very easy to shoot.
- CO2: These rifles use a CO2 cartridge, which can run out and require a cartridge switch. If you’re hunting, this may not be ideal. Temperature can also change the power of a shot, which isn’t ideal.
I don’t prefer CO2 models simply because cartridges can go dead and need to be replaced. PCP is good for bigger caliber rifles, but pumping is not ideal when hunting smaller game. Gas Ram and Spring-Piston / break-barrel are both great options. The springs can break and may need to be replaced, but this is not common.
Caliber Options and Shooting Needs
The caliber you choose will directly correlate to your shooting needs. There are a few facts to consider first:
- Larger calibers are best for bigger game hunting.
- Small calibers will travel faster than large calibers.
- Large caliber pellets are more expensive.
For most people, you’ll want to choose a .177 or .22 caliber rifle. These are smaller and ideal for target shooting and killing pests or small game. Ideally, if your goal is to do some light hunting, choose a .22 caliber. The .177 is so small, it often goes through the animal, but doesn’t kill it.
Larger calibers, .357, .50 and .58, are normally found with PCP type rifles and are meant for killing medium to large game. Small deer or boar would fit into this category. However, these pack much more power, and you’ll have to deal with more recoil. For the beginner or younger shooter, these rifles may be too much to handle.
Honestly, it’s hard to find any .58 caliber options on the market today, so you’ll be lucky to find any of these models available.
Scopes
Air rifle scopes allow you to zero in on a target and add magnification into the mix. You’ll find various scope magnification ranges. You’ll want to keep the following in mind:
- Scopes that offer 1X – 4X are ideal for big game hunting if in a 200-yard range.
- Scopes that offer 3X – 9X are ideal for big game hunting if you’re 200 yards or further away.
- Scopes that offer 6X – 24X magnification are the right choice when tracking small quarry.
The standard for objective lens sizes is 40 – 44 mm, so this isn’t a concern. Turrets or adjustment knobs and parallax adjustments allow for fine-tuning and the utmost in accuracy.
Most shooters don’t like scopes that come on lower end rifles. You may even be able to swap yours out for an aftermarket scope if you like.
FPS
Feet per second, or FPS, refers to how fast your pellet will travel. The only time this is a concern is when hunting, but there’s a bigger issue: higher calibers always have a slower FPS. You can find models that boast as high as 1600 FPS or as low as 700 FPS.
The one issue is that the lightest pellets are used during testing, so you probably won’t get the same FPS as advertised.
Does it all matter? Not really. A .22 that has 800 – 1000 FPS will be a killing machine.
Weight
Weight only becomes an issue with a child or when you’re holding your rifle for an extended period of time. The norm is 7 – 10 pounds, but it can be higher or lower depending on the caliber of the gun.
When a heavy-duty scope is added, your rifle will weigh more.
If you’re just starting, try to find a rifle that weighs between 8 and 10 pounds.
Price Ranges
Prices can vary greatly with air rifles. The best air rifle can cost hundreds of dollars, but you can find some options that are very affordable and best sellers. Let’s take a look at a few price ranges:
- $100 and under: You’ll find mostly .177 caliber options without scopes in this range.
- $100 - $200: You can find great rifles in this price range. From .22 calibers with decent scopes to .177 and even the rare .25 caliber option, you’ll find it all. There are exceptional .177 with great scopes in this range. Check out the best air rifles under $200 here.
- $200+: In this range, you’ll find all calibers with exceptional scopes. You’ll also be delving into the higher calibers, such as .357 where you can expect to pay $500 - $600 for a decent model.
Obviously, stick within your budget and read air rifle reviews before making your purchase. There are a lot of models in the $100 - $200 range that compete with models in the $600 dollar range.
If you’re new to shooting, stick with rifles that are below $300.
Maintenance
Many shooters worry about maintenance and upkeep -- it's crucial that you properly clean and take care of your air rifle, otherwise it may not shoot as well as you'd like. Lubing the trigger and cleaning out the barrel every 500 – 1000 shots is normal… and recommended. Make sure to read the owners manual of whatever air rifle you buy and keep it somewhere safe. It's always helpful to reference it if you ever forget the proper way to clean it. Remember, a well maintained rifle will always shoot better and last longer! If you lost or can't find your owner's manual, usually the brand's website will have a digital copy.
What’s the perfect air rifle for you? Following the advice I laid out, you should have a good understanding of what to look for with your next purchase.