Are you on the market for the best pellet pistol for hunting? In this post, we look at the best pellet pistols suitable for every avid hunter out there. Over the past years, the demand for pellet pistols for hunting has been on the rise.
The best pellet pistols offer the best hunting experience. They are easy to aim and shoot, easy on your hands, and enjoyable to shoot with.
Modern-day pellet pistols are powerful, accurate, and suitable for multiple hunting activities. There are also available in hundreds of models, so you should not have a problem finding an ideal model. Without wasting any more time, let’s take a look at the top pellet pistols suitable for hunting.
Best Pellet Pistol for Hunting-Top Picks
1) Crosman SNR357 177-Caliber Pellet Snub Nose Revolver
This Crosman SNR357 is your ideal hunting pistol if you are looking for quality and performance. It is designed to be used for hunting and skill development training. This pistol shoots .177 caliber pellets and traditional steel BB. Fueled by a 12g CO2 cartridge, you get a maximum firing speed of 400fps with BBs and a whole 500fps with .177 caliber pellets. This makes it suitable for taking down small games such as rabbits and squirrels at the right range. The Crosman SNR357 is built to last. It features a sleek black, full-metal body for long-lasting durability. In terms of accuracy, this pistol comes with a fixed blade front sight for quick and easy focusing, and an adjustable rear sight for greater long-range accuracy. For your own convenience, the pellet pistol is lightweight and portable. Weighing just 2 pounds, you’ll have an easy time walking around the field as you search for targets. Besides, it comes with a removable grip panel for simple CO2 placement. It also comes with slide safety to ensure safe and proper handling. Features
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2) Umarex Brodax .177 Caliber BB Air Pistol Revolver
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3) Smith & Wesson M&P 40 .177 Cal. Air Pistol
If you are on a budget, the Smith & Wesson M&P 40 .177 Caliber BB Air Pistol is your best pellet pistol for hunting. It’s made to be an exciting multi-role air pistol. You can use it for hunting or as a marksman’s tool. This air pistol shoots .177 caliber steel BBs. It is powered by one 12-grams CO2 capsule housed in the magazine. It delivers a maximum velocity of 300fps which is great for shooting small game. It also features a 15 round drop-free CO2 magazine for fast follow-up shots. Weighing just 0.54kgs, this air pistol is lightweight, easy to carry, and comfortable to use. It has replaceable back straps to match your hand shape and size and ensure a perfect, non-slip grip. For greater hunting accuracy, the air pistol comes with an integrated accessory rail. You can easily attach your favorite air gun scope, laser, or light and improve your accuracy. It also features fixed front and rear sights for easy target acquisition and better long-range accuracy. Features
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4) Umarex Colt Peacemaker Air Pistol
Here is another budget-conscious air pistol suitable for any hunter who’s looking to save a few bucks. This Umarex Colt Peacemaker Air Pistol is an authentic and realistic air pistol that’s easy and fun to shoot. This eye-catching air pistol shoots .177 caliber steel BBs. It has a 6 round magazine capacity and runs on a 12g CO2 cartridge. It shoots individual cartridges up to 410 fps which is enough to take down small game in the right shooting range. When it comes to construction, the durability of this air pistol is commendable. It is built with the quality and durability that people expect from Colt. Another big plus about the air pistol is the authentic revolver action. It gives you the realest revolver shooting experience. Overall, it is a high-performing air pistol with consistent and reliable shooting power. It’s also light, so you can have an easy time carrying it in the field. Features
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5) HK Heckler & Koch USP .177 Caliber BB Gun Air Pistol
The HK USP .177 BB air pistol is another high-quality hunting pistol from Umarex. It is a multipurpose pellet pistol suitable for hunting, target practice, and skill development. This CO2-powered air pistol shoots .177 caliber steel BBs. It is powered by a cost-effective 12g CO2 cartridge which gives a maximum firing speed of up to 400FPS. This high-quality air pistol comes with a drop-free magazine. It holds a whole 22 rounds of .177 caliber steel BBs for a fast follow-up shot. This is a handy feature for every hunter. At 1.68 pounds only, the air pistol is lightweight and easy to shoot. It also features an ambidextrous mag release and a realistic hammer movement for great comfort during use. Lastly, the air pistol comes with an accessory rail where you can mount your sight, light, or scope. Features
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6) Crosman P10 CO2 Powered Air Pistol
If you are a beginner, this Crosman P10 Kit CO2 Powered Air Pistol is the best pellet pistol to start with. As a kit, it comes with everything you need to start hunting. It includes P10, copperhead BBs, 2 CO2 cartridges, and shooting glasses. This pistol is powered by CO2 cartridges. It has a 20 round drop-out magazine and a removable grip for easy replacement of the CO2 cartridge. The accuracy of this air pistol is incredible. It has a fixed blade front sight for quick and easy focusing, and a rear fixed notch sight for greater long-range accuracy. The repeater action air pistol is built to last. It offers a steel barrel that offers long-lasting durability.For added convenience, the air pistol offers an under-barrel accessory rail. You can easily mount your accessories on the rail and make your hunting experience more competitive. Features
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Choosing the Best Pellet Pistol for Hunting
Whether you are buying the first pellet pistol for hunting or looking for an upgrade, here are some of the important factors to consider.
- Air Pistol Action
Action selection in air pistols largely depends on the activity you plan to use the air gun for. The action of air pistols ranges from semi-automatic, bolt action, single shot, and revolving cylinder. The high-powered pellet pistols will either have a single shot or bolt action power.
- Velocity
The other important factor to consider is the velocity of the pellet pistol. Velocity is a major factor to consider when it comes to hunting. Without proper velocity, you’ll have a hard time making an instant kill. High velocity is important to make adequate penetration and humane killing.
- Power Source
Pellet pistols are mainly powered by one of these three sources, CO2 cartridge, break barrel, and PCP. The majority of pellet guns for hunting are powered by a CO2 cartridge. These guns are easy to use and reasonably affordable. Besides, they are faster to reload and fire than their counterparts.
However, CO2-powered pellet pistols have the drawback of being relatively limited in shots fired. They have a smaller magazine capacity, so you’ll be required to refill the magazine frequently.
- Caliber Selection
The calibers for pellet guns are different. However, the most common caliber pellets you should choose from are BB, .177, and .22 pellets.
BBs are great for general plinking and target practice. They are cost-effective and can be reused if collected in a trap. However, they are quite weak for hunting.
.177 caliber pellets are small and lightweight. They offer the highest trajectory speed. However, they have a smaller muzzle velocity. You can only use them for small pest control or for hunting small game such as rabbits.
.22 caliber pellets are heavier than the .177 counterparts. They have a smaller trajectory speed but more muzzle velocity. This makes them the best pellet for hunting. You can use them for hunting squirrels, rabbits, and small pests.
- Budget
Pellet pistols like other firearms vary in price. Luckily, pellets pistols aren’t reasonably affordable. The price largely depends on the power and quality. The best way to choose from the wide prices available is by factoring in what you need from the air gun as well as how much your budget is. That way, you’ll get a gun that suits your needs and your wallet as well.
Best Pellet Pistol for Hunting FAQs
- Is a pellet pistol dangerous?
Under normal circumstances, a pellet pistol isn’t powerful enough to kill a person. While they can’t kill, they are not toys to play with. A pellet pistol can cause permanent eye damage if the shot hits the eye. We recommend that you keep any gun away from the reach of kids to prevent accidents. You should also wear protective eyewear when shooting.
- How many shots can a CO2 cartridge deliver?
It depends on the type of air pistol you are using. One CO2 cartridge can give you 50-80 shots. Air revolver pistols are more CO2 efficient than their blowback action models. But, the two will give you a realistic shooting experience.
- Are pellet pistols legal?
Yes. In most states, pellet pistols are legal. You are allowed to use them for hunting, plinking, target shooting, and skill development. However, some states have extra rules and regulations pertaining to pellet pistols ownership. So, check on your state laws before you make a purchase.
- Are pellet pistols noisy?
Yes. Pellet pistols make noise when shooting. However, usual CO2 pellet pistols produce minimal noise. You won’t cause noise disturbance to your neighbors when hunting in the backyards. These pistols are also quiet enough to not spook game when you are hunting.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this buying guide has given you insight into the best pellet pistols for hunting and you are now able to make the right buying decision. All the pellet pistols listed above are powerful and reliable when used correctly. Get any one of them and be more competitive this hunting season.
See Also
- 7 Best Biometric Gun Safes for Pistols
- 10 Best Air Guns for Self Defense
- 8 Best Small Game Hunting Air Rifles