6 Best Air Rifles for Squirrels and Rabbits

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Looking for the best air rifles for squirrels and rabbits you came to the right place, we look at the best on the market and their features and pros.

Small game- hunting for rodents such as squirrels and rabbits appears easy but can be a frustrating venture if you are not prepared with the appropriate hunting equipment.

The easy part is usually finding the hunting spots while the difficult part is acquiring the appropriate ammo for the same.  A shooter is presented with many options for the equipment ranging from rimfires and short guns but settling for the one is not easy. Air rifles are popular and preferred for their accuracy and less noise.

Let’s go through some of the best air rifles for squirrels and rabbits.

 

Best Air Rifles for Squirrels and Rabbits-Our Top Picks

 

Gamo 6110017154 Varmint Air Rifle .177 Cal

Gamo 6110017154 Varmint Air Rifle .177 Cal

 

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This Gamo Varmit Air Rifle is preferred by many because it is lightweight and easy to use. This rifle is very effective for hunting squirrels and rabbits thanks to its ability to shoot .177 PBA platinum alloy pellets at 1250fps.

It comes with a 4x 32mm scope and an all-weather molded synthetic stock with non-slip texture on the pistol grip and forearm. Definitely one of the best air rifles for squirrels and rabbits for consideration.

Features

  • Magazine capacity single slot
  • Break barrel: single cocking system
  • Stock: synthetic
  • Spring powered
  • Manual trigger safety
  • Trigger: two-stage adjustable
  • Velocity: 1250 feet per second (fps) with PBA

Specifications

  • Scope: 4x32mm air rifle
  • .177 caliber pellets
  • Trigger length: 14.2 in
  • Trigger pull: 3.5 lbs
  • Weight: 5.47 pounds
  • Total length: 43.3 in
  • Cocking effort: 30 lbs
  • Barrel length: 17.8 in

 

Gamo Silent Cat air rifle

Gamo Silent Cat air rifle

 

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This Gamo Silent Cat rifle is famous and a choice for many as it comes fitted with a silencer. Most shooters have praised this air rifle as they do not have to get any complaints from neighbors while hunting. The Gamo air rifle has a beautiful look and a lot of power for achieving accuracy. Gamo Whisper Silent Cat shoots at .177 cal PBA grade pellets at 1200 fps. This however decreases to 1000 fps when using .177 lead bullets.

As one of the best air rifles for squirrels and rabbits, it has a synthetic stock that is resistant to weather conditions and is quite stocky for comfort and efficiency. The rifle uses a single shot system that enhances accuracy.

It has an additional base mounting to support its 4x32mm scope. It has a rubber pad that is ventilated to prevent recoil and provide safety for the shooter. The Gamo’s break barrel system and spring cylinder are highly dependable for both beginners and experienced shooters.

Features

  • Gamo whisper-silent cat
  • Break barrel
  • Single-shot
  • Two stage-adjustable Smooth Action Trigger (SAT)
  • Fiber optics sights
  • Synthetic thumbhole stocks
  • Whisper noise dampener reduces up to 52% of noise

Specifications

  • Caliber: .177” (4.5mm)
  • Max velocity: 1200 fps
  • Barrel length: 18.0”
  • Overall length: 46.0”
  • Scope: 4x32mm with rings
  • Weight: 5.28 lbs
  • Cocking effort: 30 lbs
  • Trigger pull: 3.79 lbs
  • Shot capacity: 1
  • Front sight: fiber optic
  • Rear sight: Adjustable for windage and elevation

 

Raptor Whisper Air Rifle

Raptor Whisper Air Rifle

 

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This Gamo Raptor Whisper rifle is known for its high velocity and durability. This rifle comes with the Inert Gas Technology (IGT) piston that allows higher velocity and less vibration than the traditional spring rifle air guns.

This rifle also has the whisper noise reduction technology offered by Gamo making it efficient in an urban kind of environment.

Unlike other rifles, the Raptor Whisper Air rifle has a Smooth Action Trigger (SAT) which ensures a smooth pull and therefore very comfortable to use and does not require a lot of energy to pull.

The SAT also guarantees accuracy and precise clear shots. With this rifle, comfort is given especially as a result of the improved recoil pad. The recoil pad has a Shock Wave Absorber (SWA) that helps absorb the recoil of the rifle during shooting.

The Raptor Whisper Air rifle as one of the best air rifles for squirrels and rabbits provides you with the comfort you need while shooting. This rifle will control your shot and give you perfect accuracy. The whisper noise-suppressing technology has brought a lot of praise to this rifle.

Features

  • .177 Cal pellet single cocking break barrel
  • Whisper noise reduction technology by Gamo
  • 4 x 32 shockproof scope
  • Inner Gas Technology (IGT) with a velocity of 1300bps
  • Smooth Action Trigger (SAT) with smooth action pull
  • Synthetic ambidextrous all-weather stock
  • Lightweight design

Specifications

  • Weight: 5.64 lbs
  • Caliber:.177
  • Barrel: fluted polymer jacketed rifled steel barrel
  • Velocity: 1300 feet per second (fps) with PBA platinum
  • Total length:44.5 in
  • Length of pull:14.4 in
  • Trigger pull: 3.53 lbs
  • Trigger: Two-stage trigger
  • Optics: GAMO 4 X 32 scope with rings

 

Daisy Adult Red Ryder BB Rifle .177 air Rifle

Daisy Adult Red Ryder BB Rifle .177 air Rifle

 

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The adult Red Ryder BB Rifle has been in existence since the 1940s and has been so much fun to use. The original Daisy Adult Red Ryder used to be smaller in comparison to the new model.

Most people who loved to hunt when they were young use this rifle to relive their childhood memories.

The adult version is bigger by 1.35” in length. It weighs 2.95 lbs which are considerably light and easy to use. The Daisy Adult is fitted with a lever cocking spring air action. It is a .177 caliber 4.55mm BB making it efficient and reliable. Its body has a smooth bore still barrel and a cross bolt trigger block safety.

Features

  • .177 caliber 4.5mm BB
  • Blade and ramp front/ adjustable open rear sights
  • Cross bolt trigger block safety
  • Lever cocking spring air action
  • Spring piston power plant
  • Wooden stock and forearm
  • 650 shot BB reservoir
  • Lever action repeater

Specifications

  • Manufacturer: Daisy
  • Gun weight: 2.75lbs
  • Ammo type: pellets
  • Overall length: 36.75lbs
  • Fire mode: repeat
  • Magazine capacity: 650
  • Velocity: 350 fps
  • Action: level action
  • Front sights: Blade and ramp
  • Rear sights: Adjustable
  • Trigger Adjustability: single-stage
  • Safety: manual

 

Benjamin Marauder Synthetic Stock PCP-Powered Multi-Shot Bolt-Action Pellet

Benjamin Marauder Synthetic Stock PCP-Powered Multi-Shot Bolt-Action Pellet

 

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This Benjamin Marauder Synthetic Stock Rifle is the perfect air gun for a shooter who wants to achieve great accuracy. This rifle is very quiet and the only sound you will hear is that of the shot hitting the target.

This rifle is also ambidextrous with an adjustable raised comb. Also, this rifle is fitted with a rugged all-weather synthetic stock and therefore you do not need to be worried about different weather conditions. Another great feature of Benjamin Marauder is that it does not have recoil therefore a lot of safety for the shooter.

Features

  • .177 Cal Synthetic Marauder, 10 round magazine
  • Uses compressed air up to 3000 psi
  • Choked barrel delivers superior accuracy
  • 2- stage adjustable metal trigger
  • Internal shroud which makes it quiet
  • Built-in air pressure gauge (manometer)
  • 11mm dovetail accessory rail
  • Raised Aluminum breech for easier loading of circular magazine
  • 10-shot repeater with auto-indexing feature
  • Can be adjusted for different velocities
  • 215cc Air reservoir

Specifications

  • Manufacturer: Benjamin
  • Caliber: .177
  • Ammo type: pellets
  • Fire mode: repeater
  • Velocity: 1100 fps
  • Action: bolt action
  • Gun weight: 7.30
  • Overall length: 42.80
  • Barrel length: 20.0.
  • Barrel: rifled
  • Rail: 11mm dovetail
  • Shots per fill: 32
  • Trigger Adjustability: Two-stage adjustable
  • Safety: manual

 

Gamo Swarm Magnum, Multi-Shot Air Rifle

Gamo Swarm Magnum, Multi-Shot Air Rifle

 

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The Gamo Swarm Magnum Rifle has a 10x quick shot plus knockdown power. Its 10-round rotary-style magazine provides faster loading for repetitive shooting. This rifle also features a Custom Action Trigger (CAT) and the Whisper Fusion noise-suppressing technology, the quietest Gamo technology.

This is a .22 Cal high power hunting single cocking break barrel air rifle that is able to shoot at velocities of 1300 fps with PBA Platinum

Features

  • 10 X Quick-Shot technology
  • Whisper fusion technology
  • Inter Gas Technology (IGT) Mach 1 piston
  • Custom Action Trigger
  • Shock Wave Absorber (SWA) recoil pad
  • Recoil Reducing Rail
  • 3-9 X 40 scope
  • Tough all-weather ambidextrous stock

Specifications

  • Magnification: 3-9 X
  • Caliber: .22
  • Velocity: 1300 fps
  • Scope rail: 11mm with scope stop
  • Eye relief: 3.5”
  • Length of pull: 15”
  • Tube: 1”
  • Objective lens: 40mm
  • Field of view: 40ft to 12ft
  • Reticle: 30/30 with fine crosshairs
  • Total length: 13.5”
  • Adjustment: 1st and 2nd stage
  • Shot: multi
  • Trigger: custom action trigger
  • Weight: 6.88 lb
  • Length: 49.2 in
  • Cocking effort: 41lbs

 

Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best Air Rifles for Squirrels and Rabbits

Most shooters especially beginners find themselves confused when looking for air rifles. To make a sound and informed decision it is important to factor the following.

Previous hunting experience-This is a very important factor to consider when choosing the best air rifles for squirrels and rabbits, an experienced shooter might have developed a preference for a particular rifle in terms of structure and other features. For beginners, it is important to go through the details for each rifle in order to make the best decision.

Choice of power plant-This is very important and you decide if you want a spring-piston rifle or a PCP. The spring piston can be a conventional- coiled spring or a gas ram while a PCP can be regulated or unregulated.

Shooting distance-Another important factor to consider is the distance you are shooting. There are four power categories; light, medium, high (magnum), and super magnum. Every rifle has the distance of shot indicated on its features.

Trigger Quality-Trigger adjustment is vital so as to know about the power of the rifle. The trigger can be smooth or hard therefore as a shooter you will know which one is perfect for you.

Weight-A heavy rifle will require energy put into using it while a light rifle deserves less energy. If you need to move around then you might consider buying a lighter rifle.

Conclusion

Air rifles are quitter which prevents spooking the animals, affordable and versatile. Hunting squirrels and rabbits is an interesting venture and using air rifles makes it more fun.

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