Looking for the Best Backyard Air Rifle for hunting, pigeons, squirrels, pest control, small game, and more? Read on as we comprehensively go through the best on the market.
Air rifle shooting is an activity enjoyed by many. Over the years, the demand for backyard air rifles has seen a tremendous increase. People use air rifles to practice shooting and gun safety in the comfort of their backyards, yards, or private spaces.
Backyard practice also helps you improve your target skills which can be a life-changing experience if you want to advance your shooting/hunting skills.
Here are some of the best backyard air rifles you’ll find available on the market today.
Best Backyard Air Rifle-Our Top Picks
Gamo Raptor Whisper Air Rifle
The Raptor Whisper Air Rifle is a single cocking break barrel rifle with a gas piston power type. It shoots .177/.22 caliber pellets with a maximum firing velocity of 1300fps( .177) and 975 fps (.22). It produces less vibration, consistent power, and a smooth and constant cocking effect which makes it easy to operate. This air rifle is designed to provide an ultra-quiet operation. It features the famous Whisper Noise Reduction Technology patented by Gamo. It’s noise-free to avoid spooking game or creating noise disturbance in your neighborhood. For greater shooting accuracy, the air rifle comes with a smooth action trigger and a 4×32 shockproof scope. The lightweight design makes it easy to carry in the field, while the shock wave absorber recoil pad has rubber inserts designed to give you a secure grip and absorb the recoil. This air rifle also features a 1-year warranty and a synthetic ambidextrous stock that’s durable and weatherproof. Features
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Bear River TRP 1300 Suppressed Hunting Air Rifle
This Bear River TRP 1300 is the best backyard air rifle for budget-conscious buyers. It features a spring-piston power type and a high-powered break barrel action which provides great long-range accuracy and consistency. This air rifle is built to last. The 18-inch rifled barrel is made of alloy steel to ensure long-lasting durability and enhance accuracy. It comes with a 6” Picatinny rail where you can mount any accessory that you want. The air rifle is designed to shoot .177 caliber pellets up to 1,300fps. The included 4×32 scope helps you spot your targets easily and ensure accurate shot placement. Moreover, this high-powered pellet gun has an attached suppressor to keep noise to a minimum. You won’t have to worry about spooking game or disturbing your neighbors. Features
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DPMS Full Auto SBR CO2-Powered Air Rifle
This DPMS SBR is a dual-action BB air rifle that’s powered by CO2. It runs on two 12-gram CO2 cartridges which provide a maximum firing velocity of 430fps. Thanks to the dual-action design, you can select between semi and full-auto capability. This air rifle is designed to make backyard shooting fun. It has a 25-round drop-out magazine that gives you fast follow-up shots and a 6-point adjustable rear stock for comfortable shooting. A quad rail is also included to give you a limitless mounting platform for flashlights, lasers, and any other accessory. When it comes to safety, this air rifle has a thumb-selector style which ensures proper and safe handling. Besides that, it comes with a removable pop-up sight and an adjustable rear sight which keeps you locked on the target. Features
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Gamo Varmint Air Rifle .177 Cal
Here is another budget air rifle suitable for backyard shooting. This air rifle is available in a bundle of two items, a Gamo air rifle, and an air venturi .177 pellet pen. It is a spring piston break barrel air rifle that shoots .177 caliber pellets up to 1250 fps. The air rifle offers great value for money. If you are looking to start your shooting hobby by practicing in your backyard, this affordable air rifle suits you. It has a lightweight design which makes it easy to handle and a user-friendly design suitable for beginners. Another good thing about the rifle is its durable and eye-catching design. It features a fluted polymer jacket Monte Carlo stock with dual raised cheekpieces to provide the most comfortable shooting position. A 4×32 scope is also included to improve your accuracy. Features
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Ruger Blackhawk Air Rifle
This Ruger Blackhawk is your ideal option if you are looking for a multi-purpose air rifle. This spring-piston, break barrel rifle is ideal for backyard shooting, pest control, small-game hunting, and target shooting. It has an ambidextrous stock with checkered areas in both the pistol grip and forearm area. This gives you a secure and snug grip even in wet conditions. This rifle shoots a single .177 pellet out of its rifled steel barrel at 1000fps. It has fiber optic sights that improve your accuracy by providing easy and quick target acquisition. A 4×32 air rifle-rated scope is also included to help you spot your targets easily. Lastly, the Ruger Blackhawk weighs 1kg only, so you’ll have an easy time carrying it in the field. Features
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Daisy 880 Powerline Air Rifle Kit
This Daisy 880 Powerline Air Rifle Kit has everything you need to start shooting in your backyard. It comes with a 4x15mm scope, safety glasses, 500 Daisy pellets, and 750 BBs. The multi-pump pneumatic rifle shoots .177 caliber pellets or BBs. With BBs, the air rifle shoots a single BB out of its barrel at 750fps and up to 715fps with the .177 pellets. This air rifle features a 50-shot BB capacity for fast follow-up shots. Pump it three times for backyard shooting and indoor target practice then ramp up to 10 times if you want to achieve the maximum velocity. The rifled steel barrel helps you achieve greater accuracy, while the blade and ramp front sight keep you locked on the target. Additionally, the rifle features an adjustable rear sight which allows for greater precision on the target. Features
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Crosman .177 Bolt Action Variable Pump Air Gun
If you are looking for the best backyard air rifle for family use, the Crosman .177 Bolt Action Variable Pump Air Gun suits you. It features an easy-to-use variable pump which makes it ideal for both kids and adults. The adjustable stock fits every shooter, while the lightweight design makes it for you to carry it. The air rifle features a cross-bolt safety that prevents accidental firing. This ensures proper and safe handling, particularly with the kids. It also works well with .177 caliber pellets and traditional steel BBs. With the variable speed control, you can adjust the firing velocity from 350fps to 700fps depending on what you are shooting. This is a multi-purpose air rifle. It’s ideal for backyard target shooting, pest control, plinking, and skill development. To ensure all-weather reliability, it comes with a durable and water-resistant synthetic design. It also features a dual-aperture rear sight and an adjustable front sight to keep you locked on target. Features
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Choosing the Best Backyard Air Rifle
These are some of the key factors you should consider when looking for the best backyard air rifle.
- Air Rifle Caliber
You need to consider which air rifle caliber is best for your needs. The most common air rifle calibers are .177 and .22. Most .177 air rifles shoot both pellets and BBs. They are great for plinking, small game hunting, pest control, and backyard shooting. Best of all, .177 caliber air rifles are the cheapest.
The .22 caliber is slightly bigger than the .177. This makes it ideal for hunting small and medium game. When an accurate shot is placed, a .22 pellet provides an instant and more humane kill than the .177 pellet.
- Propulsion Method
Air rifles have different propulsion methods. The main methods are CO2-powered spring piston and pre-charged pneumatic.
CO2-powered air rifles are propelled by CO2 cartilage or canister. These types of air rifles are the quietest and easiest to learn how to shoot. They require no cocking effort. However, they are less reliable as the firing power can change when the temperature fluctuates.
Spring piston air rifles have some of the highest velocities. They are highly accurate and mostly used by adult shooters. These air rifles use a strong piston and air piston for propulsion. You’ll find that spring pistons air rifles have different locking mechanisms with the most common ones being barrel-coking, side-coking, and under-lever.
Pre-Charged Pneumatic air rifles are the most accurate and powerful of the three. They feature high-quality craftsmanship which makes them last longer. They are also the most expensive models. If you are a serious shooter, this air rifle is your best choice.
- Cost
Air rifles fall into different price categories. How much you spend will largely depend on your budget. If you are a beginner, it’s a good thing to start with a budget air rifle and then get a high-end one after you have developed your shooting skills. But if you are a professional looking for a model with high-end features, be ready to pay more.
- Features
Every shooter out there has their own idea of what makes an air rifle great. While some prefer fine wood stocks, others prefer a certain style and shape. It is always a good thing to know what features you would like so you can get a model that has those needs.
Features vary from one air rifle to the other. Typically, PCP air rifles offer a wide selection of features to choose from than spring or gas-powered air rifles.
These rifles are available in different calibers ranging from .177 to .25. Nevertheless, every gun type has its unique set of features that make it stand out.
Is a Backyard a Good Choice for Shooting?
Yes. Since air rifles are low-powered, they are ideal for both recreation and formal shooting in the backyard. They make the best tool to train young shooters how to shoot and introduce new shooters to the basics of gun safety.
Is Backyard Shooting Legal?
It depends. In most states, shooting in the backyard or garden is legal. However, it’s a good thing to check with your local state laws and regulations and know what rules have been set in place.
Are Kids Allowed to Shoot?
Yes. Teaching your kids how to shoot is an exciting feeling. However, there are certain rules and regulations that you must follow.
Conclusion
We hope that you have found this post insightful. If you are considering getting an air rifle for shooting in the backyard, safety should be your number one priority.
This is particularly important if you reside in an area where there can be people nearby when you are shooting. Exercise great caution to prevent accidental injuries and major accidents.
See Also
- Best Benjamin Air Rifles
- 7 Best Break Barrel Air Rifle Scopes
- 7 Best Springer Air Rifle Scopes
- 8 Best Scopes for Pellet Guns/Air Rifles
- 7 Cheap Night Vision Air Rifle Scopes
- 8 Best Small Game Hunting Air Rifles