10 Best .22 Air Rifles

Looking for the most powerful and accurate .22 air rifles? Read on as we go through the Best .22 air rifles.

There are plenty of reasons why you might be searching for .22 air rifles. Air rifles are great recreational items used in enjoyable sports such as target shooting and hunting. Such outdoor activities are both great ways to relax and form a connection to nature.

Nevertheless, a hunting or target shooting experience will only be great and fascinating if you are using the right air rifle. Air rifles are safe to use when hunting because if you miss your target, the round won’t go much farther and risk anyone.

On the other hand, you might be looking for an air rifle to teach your kids the responsibilities of owning a gun in your household.

There are many great .22 caliber air rifles on the market, however, when the major companies in existence are so good, the list narrows down a little. The major manufacturers of the .22 air rifle are Benjamin, Ruger, Gamo, and Crosman.

Great air rifles are not great without proper care and maintenance.

Best .22 Air Rifles

More .22 Air Rifles

Product		Image	View Price
	Raptor Whisper Air Rifle		See Price $ Features
	Benjamin Marauder Synthetic Stock Pellet Air Rifle		See Price $ Features
	Gamo Wildcat Whisper Air Rifle		See Price $ Features
	Hatsan Model 95 Combo .22 Rifle, Walnut Stock		See Price $ Features
	Benjamin Trail NP XL Air Rifle air Rifle		See Price $ Features
	Ruger 2244029 Pellet Air Rifle		See Price $ Features
	Crosman Nitro Venom Break Barrel Air Rifle		See Price $ Features
	Hatsan 125 Sniper Air Rifle Combo, Camo air rifle		See Price $ Features

Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best .22 Air Rifles

 A .22 air rifle will serve you well because they are all-rounders and can do almost every task that you need. So, you have decided that you want the knock-down power that the .22 air rifle provides.

Now, you will need to decide which are the best .22 air rifles that fit your needs best. We have compiled a number of factors you should look out for when selecting the best .22 air rifles.

Accuracy and Precision

You obviously want your air rifle to be accurate so that you can hit your targets easily. Certain guns provide accuracy over certain distances. For instance, there are those air rifles which provide accuracy over 25 meters while others provide accuracy over 100 to 200 meters.

The accuracy of a rifle is important, especially when it comes to the best .22 air rifles which are used in hunting rabbits and squirrels. Rabbit and squirrels are small and quick, therefore not only is missing them easy, but it also makes making a second shot highly unlikely.

When hunting, you want to ensure that you kill animals faster. This is not only more humane but it also reduces the chances of the target animal running away before they are captured. It’s for this reason that you require an accurate .22 air rifle.

Scope

The question of whether or not you will need to have a scope boils down to what kind of game you intend to hunt or what kind of activity you intend to use your .22 air rifle for. Nevertheless, if you plan on using a pellet gun, the odds are it’s a small game such as squirrels and rabbits and a good and quality scope will suit you well.

You should, therefore, check whether the scope you select is made for your air rifle. Firearm scopes and air rifle scopes are very different from one another, mainly in the way they are cushioned.

You should also consider the zoom of your scope since a good zoom will not only help you with small targets but also enable you to find elusive ones that might be tricky to catch because of natural camouflage.

Don’t forget to check if your scope has an adjustable objective, which helps bring the target and crosshairs into focus at the same time.

Power

As far as the power of your air rifle is concerned, there is a wide range of options. The pellets that you decide to use will have an impact on which power system you settle on.

It is always a good idea to use a spring gun with the correct power level for the job at hand. It is not a good idea to purchase a gun with far more power than is needed to do the job.

You should, therefore, look at what you plan to hunt in order to decide the power that is ideal for your needs. The best .22 air rifles are powerful.

Type of Rifle

When it comes to the type of .22 air rifle to go with you can select between PCP, spring, or gas rams. Spring and gas ram rifles require a power scope compared to PCP. They are also self-contained in that they require cocking before shooting.

On the other hand, PCP rifles require charging before firing but also provide more power. Since PCP air rifles have no recoil, you don’t necessarily need a powerful scope. Prior to selecting PCP, gas ram, or spring air rifles, assess your needs and determine what will be suitable for you.

Intended use

How do you intend to use your air rifle? Some people buy them for a combination of uses while others buy them for specific tasks.  If you intend to use your air rifle for a combination of activities, deciding what percentage will be dedicated to each activity will be important.

For example, you might be looking for an air rifle to use for 50%target shooting and 50%pest control. Each model is designed to suit the needs of different markets. Knowing what you intend to use the air rifle for will help you start narrowing down the available options.

You will find guns designed for general shooting and others for hunting and target shooting.it is therefore important that you get a gun designed for the specific purpose you intend to use it for.

Knowing the power of the air rifle should also guide you when doing the selection. The four power categories of air rifles are; super-magnum, magnum, medium, and light.

If you intend on using your air rifle for plinking, pest control, or target shooting up to about 35 yards, a light-powered .22 air rifle will be the best one for you. Medium-powered air rifles will lengthen your range to 50 yards followed by a magnum at 65 yards and a super magnum at 75-80 yards.

If you intend to use your .22 air rifle in hunting within 80 yards, you should get a super magnum .22 air rifle and if you are looking to shoot pests with 40 yards, the medium-powered rifle will be the best.

Trigger quality

Trigger sensitivity in air rifles varies from one air rifle to the other. Trigger sensitivity will vary depending on the price and the intended use of the air rifle.

Most adult air rifles are factory set at 3lbs of pull but they can be adjusted down to about 1-1.5lbs. Nevertheless, if a lighter pull is required, look at a match gun with a match trigger that is designed to be set to mere ounces of pull. Don’t expect a sports model to have a match grade trigger or you will end up frustrated.

Rifle Features

People have different ideas on what makes an air rifle great. The features of an air rifle will, therefore, vary as you move from one rifle to the other. PCP air rifles have more features than gas rams and spring rifles.

Adjustable power is a feature offered on some PCP that is unavailable on spring rifles. PCPs offer more styles of guns and have higher power levels and more stock options.

Some PCP air rifles have traditional looks while others have a paramilitary look and appeal. Knowing which features you require will refine the selection process, making it much simpler to narrow down the choices available. Features vary between side cockers, break barrel weight, adjustable power, and stock.

Fit and finish

This is a subject that is important to many shooters although it actually has very little to do with how well a gun shoots but it is an important factor to be considered when shopping.

Fit and finish can make a huge difference to a shooter. When we mention fit and finish, we are talking about factors such as the shape of the stock, the quality of the bluing, the overall looks of the air rifle, and other cosmetics factors. When a shooter is comfortable with the way the rifle feels, then he/she is more likely to shoot with more confidence which could lead to better shooting results.

FAQs

• What makes a good .22 air rifle?

If you are in the market searching for a good .22 air rifle, there are some things you should be looking for.  You will need a gun that will be durable, comfortable and accurate, provide good performance, powerful, noise-free and weatherproof.

• How can I make my .22 air rifle more powerful?

There are some things you can do to make your air rifle more powerful. One effective thing to do is to change the length of the piston stroke. The longer the piston stroke, the greater the volume of air that gets compressed which results in more power being produced.

• Are .22 air rifles legal?

Air gun laws vary from state to state and country to country. For most parts worldwide, you will need a license for your .22 air rifle. All air rifles which deliver 20 joules or more of energy require a license. This includes all .22 air rifles.

• How do I clean my .22 air rifle?

It is essential to always keep your air rifle clean. To clean it here is how to do it;

1. Remove the bolt. Ensure that the rifle is unloaded, then turn the safety off.
2. Apply bore solvent to the bore. Bore solvent helps break up stick on fouling and copper dust. Soak patch with bore solvent and push through the rifle beginning at the breech end. Once it is done to the other side, pull it back through.

• Can a .22 air rifle kill a person?

.22 air rifles aren’t ideal for self-defense, but they can kill a person if it hits a vital organ.

Why .22 Air Rifles

1. Noise-free

Air rifles are significantly quieter than firearms. Most people prefer guns that are completely noise-free.  A noise-free air rifle protects your ears from noise damage and is also beneficial to those who carry out their shooting activities near public areas or other people residences. A noise-free air rifle is also good for hunting as animals will remain close and won’t run away because of unnecessary noise.

2. Comfortable

Most .22 air rifles are lightweight and comfortable to carry and use.  They have shock wave absorbers that help add comfort to the air rifle when using it. This causes shots to have minimal impact on the user.

3. Pest control

.22 air rifles are very useful in pest control. If you reside in an area where pests are a common nuisance, the .22 air rifle can really come in handy. They are ideal for shooting birds, rabbits, squirrels, rodents or other pests that are just too big to step on.  The .22 rifle’s accuracy makes it easy to target small animals and the air rifle has no danger of exceeding the target limit making for a swift, humane kill.

4. Ease of use

.22 air rifles are easy to use and operate. Some beneficial features that they own which make them easy to use include smooth cocking, smooth shooting, and a textured grip with no spring fatigue.

5. Quality

One amazing quality of the .22 air rifles is the versatility they possess. They are ideal for target shooting, pest control as well as hunting. Arguably, the best use of a .22 air rifle is target shooting sport which continues to grow in popularity. You can also use this air rifle to take down a deer, or any other medium-sized animal.

Disadvantages

• The .177 air rifle has better velocity than the .22 air rifle. .22 has a lower initial velocity and lower kill zone range.
• The .22 caliber pellets have the shortest range of the 3 calibers, the .177 and the .20 calibers.
• The .177 caliber gives more accuracy compared to the.22 caliber.

Conclusion

You now have a piece of good working knowledge on what to look out for when searching for the best .22 air rifles.

Take your time to research which air rifle works best for you before you make your final decision and you will then be able to make an informed decision on the ideal .22 air rifle for your needs.

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