The Best Air Rifles For 2023

We may monetize the products available on this site and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more >

Updated on February 2, 2023 at 12:59 p.m.

There has never been a better time to buy an air rifle than now. Of course, with all the high-tech options and different makes and models available to potential buyers, it can get a little confusing, especially if this is your first air rifle. When you start researching air rifles, you'll notice a lot of jargon and acronyms: pellet, PCP, BB, variable pump, detachable barrel, and more.

If you still think of airguns as the Daisy Red Rider of your childhood, this will open your eyes. Sure, a Ralphie air rifle, 200 rounds, a production model, with a compass in the stock and something that said it was cool back then, but there's so much more to the history of air guns. They have a long history that spans several centuries. Indeed, on their famous expedition, Lewis and Clark brought with them a Girandoni .46 caliber air rifle that could fire 22 shots at a time.

The best air rifles: reviews and recommendations

Best Snack: Gamo Varmint

If you're new to air rifle shooting and aren't sure you want to continue, you probably don't want to spend a lot of money. Then the Gamo Varmint is the best air rifle for you. This air rifle is spring-piston operated with a muzzle brake and is capable of 1,250 feet per second with a .177 caliber bullet. Plus, the included Gamo 4x32 scope means it's ready to go right out of the box with no additional setup costs.

With an overall length of 43.3 inches and a 17.8 inch barrel, the Gamo Varmint weighs just 5.47 pounds. It's lightweight, accurate, and an affordable option for beginners looking for the best air rifle for their money. Or, if you're a seasoned pro, it's a great gun to have on hand just for fun or to introduce someone new to the world of airguns.

Best PCP Semi-Auto: Benjamin Marauder Semi-Auto

Semi-automatic firearms are more than common today, but not with air rifles. Since an air rifle has no capsule, getting it to work properly is easier said than done. Undaunted, Benjamin managed to recycle some of the air used to re-fire the cartridge so it would flow properly and prepare the shooter for the next shot.

The semi-automatic version of the Benjamin Marauder is a .22 caliber PCP rifle that uses a 10-round magazine. The air tank can fire around 50 rounds at around 900 feet per second, which burns pellets at an impressive rate. If you go this route, be sure to pack a few extra magazines. The half version retains all the accuracy of its bolt-action predecessor, so you can hunt with this version as well.

Best BB: Crosman M4-177

Ammunition isn't cheap and easy to find these days, but airguns are affordable and plentiful! Almost everyone has an AR now, and the Crosman M4-177 is a great air rifle if you want to practice on a familiar rig while keeping costs low. With a few sections of Picatinny rail and slingshot eyelets, you can slide the M4-177 Air Rifle as close to your "real thing" as possible.

This steel barrel can fire pellets and pellets, and you can expect velocities of around 600 seconds per second with both bullets. The magazine holds 350 rounds and the detachable magazine holds clips that can be loaded with five rounds. The magazine also has room for a scope adjustment tool. You can remove the bezels if you want a sleek, understated design for your choice of optics. The interchangeable pump design makes it ideal for left-handed shooters!

Best Large Drill: Hatsan Pile Driver

Some people just have to have the best and the worst of all products. When it comes to large caliber air rifles, the Hatsan PileDriver is for you. Firing a .50 caliber bullet at 850 feet per second and generating over 800 foot-pounds of energy, the PileDriver is a weapon to be reckoned with.

Well, it's true that the AirForce Texan is about 150 lb-ft faster, but the Hatsan PileDriver has more power and delivers an average of 200 lb-ft more. If you plan to hunt with a large air rifle, you may find that the extra power is more beneficial than the extra speed.

Featuring an adjustable cheek and butt plate, bullpup lever and two-stage trigger, the PileDriver air rifle offers an exceptional all-around hunting air rifle.

Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Air Rifles

How will you use your new air rifle? Do you want to use an air rifle for hunting? Want to show off the most powerful air rifle? Or perhaps the most accurate air rifle of all time?

Just like "powdered vodka", it needs cartridges. Depending on what you release, it could be pellets, BBs, etc. You will need something else - air. Depending on the type of air rifle you choose, you may need to purchase covers etc. That's okay, but something to keep in mind if your only airgun is a shotgun where all you need is muscle power to pump and fire.

PCP rifles

The pre-cocked air pistol, or PCP, is one of the most effective air pistols in the world. These airguns use on-board reservoirs that store air under extreme pressure to propel pellets at speeds ranging from normal to stun. With the speeds they can achieve, PCPs are generally one of the best airguns for hunting.

You'll need a way to fill your air rifle's on-board tank if you want to get into a pre-loaded air game. The most common option is the larger external tank, which can be filled up to around 4,500 psi. If you like cardio, you can choose a hand pump that will work with every filling. Or you can buy a special high-pressure compressor that keeps your tanks full.

shotguns

The term "firearm" covers a lot of real estate. Basically, a handgun is anything designed to fire a pellet, including most air rifles. A typical shotgun caliber starts at .177 and goes up to .50 and beyond. But most Hummingbirds are .177 to .25 caliber, perfect for pest control, small game hunting, and feathering. Unlike so-called BB guns, shotguns are fired from barrels, which adds recoil and increases accuracy.

Pellets come in different forms. The tips are usually pointed, domed, rounded, hollow, flat or cotton, depending on the purpose. The back half is usually hollow, which helps with weight distribution and serves to stabilize the pellet in flight. This part, sometimes called the casing, expands as the bullet is fired to seal the barrel. It also engages the gun to create precise spin.

please BB

Air rifles use two basic types of ammunition: pellets and pellets. Shot is made of lead or another soft alloy, while shot is usually made of a harder material. Most BBs are made of steel and are sometimes coated with another material like copper or zinc to prevent corrosion. Because they do not deform on impact, BBs should never be used with steel or other reactive targets.

The bullets that go into air rifles are about the same diameter as BB size bullets. They are commonly referred to as .177 caliber, but are actually 4.5mm. Their rounded shape isn't the best for aerodynamics, but they don't reach high enough speeds to be a limiting factor. Since ricochet can be a problem with solid bullets, be careful not to shoot into concrete or other hard surfaces.

Big game hunting with compressed air

Hunting squirrels, rabbits and pigeons used to be the only game that could be run on compressed air, but that has changed. Large-barreled aerial weapons, capable of delivering enormous energy, have increased the size of animals that can be ethically hunted not in days, but in hours. Some daring hunters even took down bison and American bison with air rifles and probably nerves of steel. Boars, deer and predators such as coyotes have become commonplace.

As in many other cases, the law is catching up. The number of states that allow big game hunting with airguns continues to grow, but many states still do not officially allow it. If you want to try shooting big game with your high powered air rifle, check with your state game and fisheries department first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is the best air rifle caliber, .22 or .177?

When trying to determine whether a .22 or .177 rifle is the best air rifle, you should first ask yourself what you will be using the rifle for and what features are most important to you. Most target shooting is done with .177 rifles, while hunting is more often done with .22 rifles. The .177 caliber has a higher muzzle velocity with less muzzle energy, while the .22 caliber has a lower muzzle velocity with more muzzle energy. They are both of good caliber; You just need to ask yourself what the main purpose of your weapon is before choosing a caliber.

Q: Can a .177 pistol kill a deer?

In short, no. You can't kill a deer with a .177 pistol. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule (never say never, right?), but the bottom line here is the ethics of hunting. If you want to take a deer humanely, it is recommended to use an air rifle of at least a .40 caliber for a medium sized deer.

Q: Can you kill a coyote with a .22 air rifle?

As long as you have a .22 air rifle capable of high velocity with plenty of muzzle energy and are confident of a good shot, yes you can kill a coyote with a .22 air rifle. Although it's best to have something in the .30 caliber range, it can be done.

Final Thoughts on the Best Air Rifles

With so many great designs available, it's really hard to make the wrong choice. Ultimately, the best air rifle is very subjective. This is a question that has many answers. If you are looking for a large caliber air rifle, consider the Hatsan PileDriver or the AirForce Texan. A good entry level air rifle is the Gamo Varmint. If you need a semi-automatic air rifle, choose the Benjamin Marauder. For affordable training alternatives on familiar rigs, choose the Crosman M4-177.

Best PCP Air Rifle 2023 - Only 4 For Today