Who Makes the Best Break Barrel Air Rifle? Read on as we comprehensively cover the Best Break Barrel Air Rifle for Hunting.
A break barrel air rifle uses either a spring or gas piston for propulsion. The former comes with a metal spring on the inside which is squeezed whenever the barrel is cocked then released whenever you squeeze the trigger. The latter on the other hand comes with a cylinder that’s filled with gas which you compress when cocking the barrel. Whenever you pull the trigger, the gas expands rapidly and fires the pellet.
Quality break barrel air rifles are very reliable when hunting. They can achieve different velocities suitable for hunting at various ranges. This makes them the ideal choice for hunters who hunt different game at different ranges.
With that in mind, here are some of the best break barrel air rifles for hunting available on the market today.
Best Break Barrel Air Rifle for Hunting-Our Top Picks
Raptor Whisper Air Rifle
This Raptor Whisper Air Rifle is a single cocking break barrel air rifle with a gas piston power type. It’s available in .177 and .22 calibers. With the .177 version, it delivers a maximum firing speed of 1300fps and up to 975fps with the .22 version. It has a smooth and constant cocking effect which makes it easy to operate and delivers fewer vibrations thanks to the inert gas technology. This air rifle shoots very quietly. It features the famous Whisper Noise Reduction Technology patented by Gamo. The noise-free operation helps prevent spooking of game when hunting and reduces noise disturbance in your neighborhood. It also features a shockwave absorber that absorbs recoil when shooting. With this air rifle, you don’t have to buy a scope separately. It comes with a 4×32 shockproof scope that should help you improve your accuracy. This scope is also shockproof and fog proof so you can use it in any weather condition. The lightweight design makes it easy to carry in the field as you track your game. The high-grade ambidextrous stock has inserts on the side designed to give you a secure grip even when your hands are sweaty or wet. Lastly, this air rifle is made in Spain and comes with a 1-year warranty. Features
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Black Ops Break Barrel Sniper Air Rifle
This break barrel sniper air rifle has a spring-piston power type. It shoots .22 caliber pellets with a maximum velocity of 1,000fps. This makes it ideal for long-range hunting. You also get a 4×32 scope to increase your accuracy at this range. The air rifle comes with an adjustable cheek rest for comfortable shooting. You can also adjust the bipod during long hunting sessions to the most comfortable position. Additionally, the air rifle comes with a 6” Picatinny rail that you can use to add your choice of optics and accessories. Features
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Gamo Wildcat Whisper Air Rifle
If you are looking for a break barrel air rifle that offers the quietest operation, you can hardly go wrong with this Gamo Wildcat Whisper Air Rifle. This air rifle has the famous Whisper noise reduction technology patented by Gamo. The air rifle has a single cocking break barrel. It is powered by Inert Gas Technology, a gas piston that delivers more terminal velocity up to 1300fps with the .177 caliber pellets. This technology also delivers more consistent power, fewer vibrations, and a smooth cocking effort which makes it easy to operate. The air rifle also shoots .22 caliber pellets at 975fps. At only 5.64lbs, the air rifle is fairly light and portable. You’ll have a comfortable time carrying it in the field as you track your game. This pellet rifle also features a high-grade ambidextrous stock suitable for all weather conditions. The stock is tough, durable, and very comfortable on your hands. You also get a 4×32 shockproof scope to help you spot smaller targets easily. Features
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Umarex Ruger Targis Hunter Max .22 Pellet Rifle
If you are looking for a quality yet cost-effective break barrel air rifle for hunting, this Umarex Ruger Targis Hunter is your best option. It comes with 3-9×32 scope to help you spot small game smoothly. The scope has an adjustable objective to help eliminate parallax and increase your accuracy. This air rifle is designed to provide a quiet shooting performance. It has a built-in SilencAir suppressor which provides excellent noise reduction. This helps prevent spooking of game. The ergonomic, all-weather stock has checkered rubber grip inserts to give you a secure grip regardless of the weather conditions. The stock also has a snug rubber butt pad, a sling stud, and an adjustable nylon sling. Utilizing the break barrel action, the gas piston inside the air rifle allows for seamless and accurate shooting. For added accuracy, the air rifle has a built-in Picatinny rail for mounting optics and other accessories of your choice. Features
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Hatsan Mod 95 Vortex Combo Air Gun
Here is another great-quality break barrel air rifle suitable for hunting. This air rifle is designed to make your hunting experience worthwhile. It has a Vortex gas piston which eliminates spring fatigue and gives you an easy shot cycle. It also features a rifled steel barrel for greater precision and an integrated muzzle break. This air rifle has an 11mm dovetail optic groove machined in its cylinder. The TruGlo fiber optic sights with fully adjustable rear sight keep you locked on the target for added accuracy. When it comes to construction, this high-powered rifle features an advanced polymer synthetic stock with a textured grip. It also features a Trio pad rubber recoil shoulder pad for a comfortable shooting experience and a SAS shock absorber that absorbs recoil and reduces vibrations. Features
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Bear River TPR 1300 Suppressed Hunting Air Rifle
The Bear River TRP 1300 is ideal for small game hunting, pest control, and target shooting. This hard-hitting air rifle features a high-powered break barrel action which provides unmatched long-range accuracy and consistency. It comes with a built-in noise suppressor to avoid spooking game and keep noise at a low level. This hunting air rifle is made to last. It features an 18-inch rifled barrel that’s made of alloy steel. It not only enhances long-lasting durability but also increases your accuracy. For added accuracy, the air rifle comes with a 6” Picatinny rail where you can mount any accessory of choice and a 4×32 scope to help you spot your targets easily and ensure accurate shot placement. Lastly, this well-made air rifle shoots .177 caliber pellets up to 1,300fps. Features
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Choosing the Best Break Barrel Air Rifle for Hunting
Given the wide range of air rifles available on the market today, here are some of the important factors you should look for in a quality break barrel air rifle.
- Piston Type
Break barrel air rifles have a gas piston or spring piston power type. The former has a cylinder filled with gas on the inside that gets compressed when you cock the barrel. When you pull the trigger, the gas expands, firing the pellet. On the other hand, a spring-piston has a metal spring on the inside which is squeezed when you cock the barrel and released whenever you squeeze the trigger.
Spring piston air rifles are powerful and more reliable than their gas-piston counterparts. They also perform well in all weather conditions, unlike gas piston air rifles that are affected by cold weather conditions. However, gas piston air rifles are reasonably affordable, easier to shoot, and can stay cocked for long hours between shots.
- Caliber and Velocity
Break barrel rifles are available in different calibers. They range from .177 to .58, but the most common calibers are .177 and .22. Both .177 and .22 are suitable for small game hunting. If you plan on hunting medium and large game, go for a higher caliber rifle.
With velocity, most break barrel rifles have a maximum velocity that ranges anywhere between 600 and 1,300fps. Typically, velocity is inversely proportional to the size of the caliber. Higher caliber rifles shoot slower, while the smaller caliber rifles offer the highest velocity.
- Noise
Break barrel rifles are louder than other air rifles, particularly the spring-piston models. Whenever the spring is released, it makes a loud crack. However, there are some break barrel air rifles that have sound dampening technology to reduce the noise. Go for such a model to avoid spooking game when hunting.
- Pellet Capacity
The other important factor you should consider is the pellet capacity of your air rifle. Break barrel rifles have different pellet capacities. Some hold one pellet at ago, so you’ll have to reload them after every single shot. If you want to have fast follow-up shots, avoid such rifles. Instead, look for a model that can hold as many pellets as possible, so all you’ll need to do is to repump the piston between the shots.
- Accessory Attachment Points
Every hunter wants to mount additional accessories on their air rifle to improve their accuracy. This calls for an air rifle that has extra space to mount the accessories. Go for a break barrel air rifle that comes with a Picatinny or Weaver rail on top. Some models even feature attachment points on the bottom which provide additional space for mounting your accessories.
- Weight
It is also important that you look at how heavy the air rifle weighs. Try to look for the lightest model possible. A lightweight break barrel air rifle is not only easy to carry in the field but also easy to shoot. Lightweight air rifles also produce smaller recoil so your eyes will be protected from recoil injury.
How Much Should You Pay for a Break Barrel Air Rifle?
Break barrel rifles fall into different price categories. You can get a low-quality entry-level model which can cost you as little as $50. However, you should be ready to part with more than $100 if you want a reliable model that will give you a decent level of accuracy.
Do Break Barrel Air Rifles Have a Safety?
The majority of air rifles have safety. The safety only differs from one model to the other. While some models have a manual safety that you have to re-engage whenever you are done shooting, others have an automatic one that you don’t have to disengage manually.
Conclusion
If you have been contemplating getting a break barrel air rifle for hunting or need to get a new one, we hope that this Best Break Barrel Air Rifle for Hunting review will be of great help.
Remember the hunting range and the size of game that you intend to hunt will largely determine the type of air rifle that you choose. Use our buying guide above and increase your odds of success this hunting season.
See Also
- 10 Best Gamo Air Rifles
- 6 Best Break Barrel Air Rifles
- 7 Quietest Break Barrel Air Rifles
- 7 Best Break Barrel Air Rifle Scopes
- Best Backyard Air Rifles
- Best Nitro Piston Air Rifles