7 Best Pellet Rifles under $500

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Are you on the market for the best pellet rifle under $500? We are here to help. These rifles are not only cost-effective but also quality. They offer the most value for your money and are suitable for multiple outdoor activities.

Whether you are looking for your first air rifle or looking for an upgrade, there are top-notch models to choose from. However, given the wide selection of air rifles available on the market, it becomes hard to identify the best model. To help, we have reviewed some of the best pellet rifles available for sale. Without further ado, let’s take a look.

 

Best Pellet Rifle under $500-Top Picks

 

1) DPMS Full Auto SBR Air Rifle

DPMS Full Auto SBR Air Rifle

 

 

This DPMS Full Auto SBR Air Rifle is the go-to pellet gun if you are looking for power and precision. This gun packs an array of high-quality and impressive features at a price that’s hard to beat.

For starters, the air rifle shoots 4.5mm steel BBs. It has a whole 25-round dropout magazine for fast follow-up shots. It’s fueled by (2) 12g CO2 cartridges which deliver an impressive speed of up to 430 FPS.

Weighing about 6.21 pounds, the air rifle is fairly light and easy to handle. Besides, it has an adjustable stock with 6 different adjustable positions. You can easily adjust it to a position that’s snug for you to handle and shoulder.

Air rifles can cause serious injuries if not taken good care of. To ensure proper and safe handling, this air gun has a thumb-selector safety that prevents accidental firing.

Overall, this gun offers great value for money. You can use it for skill development, training, and recreational shooting.

Features

  • 25 round drop out magazine
  • Adjustable stock
  • Powered by 2 12g CO2 cartridges
  • Removable pop out sight and adjustable rear sight
  • Thumb-selector safety for proper and safe handling
  • Shoots traditional 4.5 mm steel BBs
  • Up to 1400 rounds per minute
  • Velocity- 430 fps
  • Easy 6 adjustable positions for shouldering and handling
  • 4.5 mm steel BBs
  • Ideal for  skill development, training, target practice, and fun

 

2) Gamo Raptor Whisper Air Rifle

Gamo Raptor Whisper Air Rifle

 

 

When it comes to durability and consistent shooting power, you can hardly go wrong with the Raptor Whisper Air Rifle. It uses the Inert Gas Technology which delivers more firing power, less vibration, and smooth cocking effort. if you are looking for the Best Pellet Rifle under $500 by Gamo this rifle should be on top.

This air rifle is available in .177 or .22 Caliber pellets. It has a tremendous 1,300fps with the .177 pellets and up to 975fps with the .22 version.

One big advantage of the air rifle is the Whisper Noise Dampening Technology. If you are shooting in your backyard, you’ll never have to worry about causing noise disturbance to your neighbors.

Another impressive feature of the air rifle is the shock wave absorber. The recoil pad with rubber inserts is made to absorb recoil better than standard recoil pads and let you shoot comfortably.

Thanks to the lightweight design, this gun is very comfortable to carry in the field. It is also backed by a 1-year warranty, so you are assured that it’s a quality product.

Features

  • Lightweight design
  • .177 or .22 Cal
  • Ambidextrous stock
  • Length of pull: 14.4in
  • 4×32 shockproof scope
  • Backed by a 1-year warranty
  • Cocking effort: 30 lbs
  • Shockwave absorber recoil pad
  • Whisper noise dampening technology
  • Single cocking break barrel
  • Inert gas technology
  • Velocity-1300 fps  for .177  and 975 fps for .22cal
  • Weighs 5.64lb

 

3) Gamo Varmint Air Rifle .177 Cal

Gamo Varmint Air Rifle .177 Cal

 

 

Here is another quality air rifle from Gamo. This Varmint Air Rifle is renowned for its high performance. It’s a perfect match for beginners and seasoned shooters alike.

This is a spring-piston break barrel air rifle. It shoots .177 caliber pellets which are suitable for small game hunting, pest control, and recreational shooting. It also delivers a whole 1,250FPS suitable for shooting at varying ranges.

For greater accuracy, the air rifle features a decent 4×32 scope and mount. The scope is shockproof to enhance durability and fog proof to provide clear views regardless of the weather condition.

Another impressive feature of the air rifle is its ease of use. It is simple to shoot and very snug to handle. This makes it an excellent air gun for training young people about gun safety. Additionally, its lightweight design makes it comfortable for you to carry in the field.

With all these features, the air rifle comes at a price that’s hard to pass. It’s also durably made to ensure that you get many years of field use.

Features

  • Spring-piston air rifle
  • Velocity: 1250 (fps) with PBA.
  • Durable and powerful
  • Single Shot magazine capacity
  • Fairly light and easy to use
  • Shoots .177 caliber pellets
  • Weighs 5.47 pounds Cocking Effort: 30 lbs.
  • Includes a decent 4×32 scope and mount
  • Multipurpose application
  • Manual safety anti-beartrap mechanism
  • Dual raised cheek piece
  • Single Cocking Breal Barrel System
  • Two-stage adjustable trigger

 

4) Umarex Legends M1A1 Blowback Air Rifle

Umarex Legends M1A1 Blowback Air Rifle

 

 

If you are looking for a high-quality air rifle but at a reasonably affordable price, the Umarex Legends M1A1 Air Rifle is your best option. This air rifle offers great shot count and excellent accuracy.

This gun shoots .177 caliber steel BBs at up to 435fps. It’s powered by a 12g CO2 cartridge which is economical and easy to find. Furthermore, this air gun has a 30 rounds drop-free high-capacity magazine for fast follow-up shots.

The air rifle is built to last. It features a durable all-metal frame construction which makes it as functional as it is eye-catching.

Weighing about 7.75 pounds, this air rifle is fairly lightweight and well-balanced. It’s not only easy to carry in the field but also comfortable to handle.

To top it all, the air gun is multipurpose. You can use it for small game hunting, pest control, target shooting, or skill development.

Features

  • 30 round drop-free magazine
  • Open bolt-style blowback action
  • Powered by 12g CO2 cartridge
  • Fixed blade front sight
  • Metal barrel
  • Durable all-metal housing
  • Fairly lightweight and portable
  • Ideal for multiple shooting conditions
  • Eye-catching design
  • Shoots .177 cal steel BBs at 435 fps

 

5) Ruger Blackhawk .177 Caliber Pellet Gun

Ruger Blackhawk .177 Caliber Pellet Gun

 

 

The other top-quality pellet gun under $500 is the Ruger Blackhawk .177 Caliber Pellet Gun Air Rifle. It is fun to shoot and highly accurate as well. This is a spring-piston air rifle. It is lightweight and very easy to use. Besides, it has a 30lbs cocking effort which makes it fun and less hectic to shoot.

Another impressive feature of the air rifle is its comfortable design. It has an ambidextrous stock with a checkered grip for a comfortable non-slip grip even during wet weather conditions. You’ll also appreciate how comfortable the stock is to lay your cheeks.

When it comes to shooting accuracy, the air rifle features standard front and rear fiber optic sights. The rear sight is adjustable for windage and elevation. It also has a 35 yards parallax setting and a decent 4×32 scope for better target views.

This air rifle shoots lead pellets at 1,000fps and 1200 fps with alloy pellets. With such a firing speed, you’ll have an easy time taking down small game and pests in the correct shooting range.

Features

  • Spring piston powered
  • 35 yards parallax setting
  • 14.5-inch length of pull
  • Comfortable stock and grip
  • One year limited warranty
  • 30lbs cocking effect
  • Lightweight
  • 3.3 lb trigger pull
  • Standard front and rear fiber optics sights
  • All-weather composite polymer stock
  • Multipurpose application
  • 4×32 scope and mounting rings
  • Length- 44.8 inches

 

6) Crosman Air Rifle

Crosman Air Rifle

 

 

If you prefer to shoot the .22 caliber pellets, the Crosman Air Rifle is your best pellet gun under $500. This air rifle is not only cost-effective but also powerful.

With a relatively light cocking effect, you’ll find it less hectic to cock even if you are a beginner. Not to mention that it has a two-stage adjustable trigger which lets you know when exactly the firing will happen.

As earlier mention, the air gun shoots .22 caliber pellets. It delivers a highly consistent maximum velocity of 950FPS which you’ll find effective at different ranges.

Another big advantage of the air rifle is its impressive accuracy. It incorporates a micro-adjustable rear sight that enhances your long-range shooting accuracy and fiber optic front sight for quick and easy focusing. A CenterPoint 4x32mm scope is also included for extra accuracy. You can use the air gun for various outdoor activities which include target shooting, small game hunting, and pest control among others.

Features

  • Lightweight and well-balanced design
  • Ambidextrous hardwood stock
  • Two-stage adjustable trigger
  • Light cocking force
  • 950fps with alloy pellets
  • Spring-powered break barrel
  • CenterPoint 4x32mm precision scope
  • Multipurpose application
  • 45 inches length

 

7) Sig Sauer MCX .177 Cal CO2 Powered Air Rifle

Sig Sauer MCX .177 Cal CO2 Powered Air Rifle

 

 

This CO2-powered air rifle is your weapon of choice if you are looking for durability and power. It offers the ultimate reliability and unmatched performance regardless of the shooting activity you engage yourself in.

The Sig Sauer MCX .177 Cal air rifle shoots .177 caliber pellets at a maximum velocity of 700fps. It is powered by a CO2 cartridge which is easy to find and economical as well.

At only 1kg, the air rifle is incredibly lightweight and well-balanced. It is easy to shoot and comfortable to handle and carry for long sessions. With a 1-4×24 scope, this air gun offers decent long-range accuracy. Besides, it has an 18” rifled steel barrel which gives your greater accuracy.

You can ideally use it for training, target practice, and small game hunting as well.

Features

  • Shoots .177 caliber pellets
  • Powered by CO2 cartridges
  • Picatinny optics & accessory rail
  • Manual safety control
  • 18-inch steel rifled barrel
  • Muzzle Velocity: up to 700 fps
  • Synthetic handguard
  • Flip-up front and rear sight
  • Patented 30-round magazine
  • 7 lb (31 N) Trigger weight
  • 90 Gram CO2 operating system

 

Choosing the Best Pellet Rifle under $500

When choosing the best pellet rifle under $500, here are some of the important factors you should put into consideration before making a purchase.

  1. Intended Use

What you intend to use the pellet rifle for will largely determine which model you should choose. For basic pest control, plinking and small game hunting, look for an air rifle that has a lightweight design and consistent power. It should be highly accurate as well.

  1. Precision and Power

A pellet rifle under this price range should offer decent power and great accuracy. An accurate gun helps you take down targets with ease. It also makes it easier for you to shoot small targets at varying ranges.

When it comes to velocity, you’ll need a pellet rifle that offers consistent velocity. An air rifle is considered high-speed if it has a high FPS. A heavy pellet/BB combined with a high velocity gun makes for a more accurate shot.

  1. Accessories

The accessories needed for pellet rifle under $500 aren’t many. However, there are those accessories that you’ll need to make your shooting experience competitive and a success. Try to look for an air rifle that comes with a scope, front and rear optic sights and shooting glasses.

  1. Caliber

Majority of pellet rifles work with either .177 or.22 caliber pellets. The .177 caliber is mainly used for precision target shooting, small game hunting and pest control. On the other hand, the .22 pellet is widely used for hunting and self-defense. Both pellets are good for air rifles under this price range.

Best Pellet Rifle under $500 FAQs

  • Which are the best air rifle accessories?

Some of the best air rifle accessories that you should always have are CO2 cartridges, scope, safety glasses, sights, grips and green gas.

  • What are the uses of pellet rifles?

Pellet rifles are suitable for multiple activities. You can ideal use them for hunting, pest control, tactical shooting and skill development.

  • Are pellet rifles legal?

Yes. In most states, pellet rifle 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 pellet rifle ownership. So, check on your state laws before you make a purchase.

  • How many shots can a CO2 cartridge deliver?

It depends on the pellet gun that you are using. One CO2 cartridge can give you 50-80 shots. Regardless of the pellet rifle you are using, any CO2 cartridge should give you a realistic shooting experience.

Conclusion

I hope that this review has been of great help in choosing the best pellet rifle under $500. Keep in mind that what you intend to use the pellet gun for will primarily dictate which model perfectly suits your needs. All guns listed above are quality, powerful and fun to shoot.

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