6 Best Pellet Rifles for Hunting

Looking for the Best pellet rifles for hunting? Read on as we go through the best on the market.

People use pellet guns for a variety of reasons, but most people use them for sport shooting and hunting small game. Pellet rifles are a great way for hunting beginners to get into the sport as well as a great way for experienced hunters to add to the challenge and excitement of bagging game.

Pellet rifles provide maximum takedown power with the minimum number of shots required to kill faster and humanely. Pellets are also much more accurate because of their aerodynamic shape.

Best Pellet Rifles for Hunting

Choosing the Best Pellet Rifles for Hunting

When you decide to invest in the best pellet rifles for hunting, you will want to get the most power possible for the money you intend on spending.

It is good to remember that not all pellet rifles are created equally and there is a huge difference between pellet guns and air rifles. When shopping around for your air rifle, consider the following factors which will help guide you in selecting the best pellet rifles for hunting.

Caliber and power

The first thing to consider when selecting the best pellet rifles for hunting purposes is the type of caliber. The common calibers normally available are .177, .22, .25 and .20. For hunting purposes, the .22 and .177 calibers are recommended because of certain reasons.

The .177 caliber is ideal for targeting feathered animals while .22 is ideal for hunting furred animals. This means that the .22 caliber is perfect for hunting small animals such as rabbits and squirrels and you can accurately target birds with the .177 caliber.

On the power part, there are different options. The pellets that you decide to use will have an impact on the power system which you will settle on.

For this reason, you will have to first consider the type of animal you are going to hunt. In stores or only, you can find some guides or manuals which show the different levels required for targeting specific small animals at certain distances. With these guides, you will be able to establish the power you will require.

Scope

Whether or not you should get a scope for your pellet rifle depends on what game you intend to hunt. Nevertheless, when using a pellet rifle, the odds are it’s a very small game and a good quality scope will be ideal for you.

When looking for the suitable scope that will suit your pellet rifle first look at whether the type of scope that you select is designed for a pellet rifle. Firearm and air rifle scopes are not similar, mostly in the manner in which they are cushioned.

In addition, the pellet guns power plant can also alter the cushioning and a scope made for a pump-up pneumatic gun, if you try to use it on a Co2 powered gun, it may quickly shake itself apart. This means that you have to choose a scope based on the gun you intend to use.

Further, you should also consider zoom factors since a good zoom on your scope can not only help you hit smaller targets accurately but also help you find elusive ones that may be hard to see because of natural camouflage.

Before purchasing the scope, check and see if the scope comes with an adjustable objective that can help you in bringing both the target and crosshairs into focus simultaneously.

Use

It is a good thing to segregate how you intend to use the pellet rifle. This will help you determine your expectations from the pellet rifle and select one accordingly.

A hunter who shoots at a closer target will require a different pellet rifle from the one who is interested in shooting over a lengthy distance. Once you have figured out what your intended need for buying the rifle is, you will automatically figure out what features you are looking for in it.

Accuracy

When selecting a pellet rifle, aside from its speed, you should also look into its accuracy especially if you are using it for hunting. Selecting a pellet rifle based on its accuracy is very crucial.

Remember, your targets will often be quick and small which makes them not only difficult to shoot or easy to miss, but also makes it difficult to get a second shot.

It should be each and every gun ought to be as accurate as possible, however, there are other considerations that can make a hunter select a less accurate gun.

For instance, if being less penetrative is crucial for you, it might, therefore, be better to get a gun that is suited for wadcutter-style pellets, and that will be less accurate. The loading mechanism of your gun can affect its accuracy. You can consider a pellet gun with a unique loading system to affect accuracy, but then there can be a gun that is more accurate even without having a scope.

Type of pellet

The pellet type that you plan on using will have an impact on the type of pellet gun which you end up buying. The pellet which you select affects a number of factors, but mainly penetration and accuracy.

Domed pellets are the commonly used pellets in most pellet guns. They are normally domed on top, which enables them to have a better spin as well as makes them more accurate in the majority of pellet rifles.

For most hunting activities, especially small game hunting, the domed-shaped pellets are the most preferable style of pellet to use.

On the other hand, if you are hunting pest birds as you try to get them out of the barn but you don’t want to shoot holes in your roof, wadcutter pellets may be a better fit. Because of the flathead that they have, they tend to be less accurate, however, the advantage comes that they are less penetrative.

Features and Accessories

Every hunter has their own idea of what makes a great pellet rifle. There are people who love fine wood while others like a certain shape and style.

It is therefore important to know what features you would like to own when selecting a pellet rifle. Knowing which features are important to you further refines the selection process.

Pellet Rifles for Hunting FAQs

Which pellet weight is the best?

There is no definite answer to this question. The best pellet weight has a lot to do with preference and what you plan to hunt. It also has a lot to do with the velocity of the pellet rifle which you use to shoot.

Low power pellet rifles may require a lighter pellet so that the downward trajectory is minimal. However, with a lightweight pellet, you will have to deal with more wind drift

On the other hand, heavier pellets will lessen the wind effect however, they will have more drop at longer ranges compared with light pellets shot at a given velocity.

Another factor is energy retention. Heavy pellets retain more energy than at a given distance and velocity. They are therefore suitable for hunting.

Which caliber of pellet rifles is best for hunting?

The best pellet rifle for hunting has a lot to do with preference and what game you plan on hunting. Normally, a lot of hunters select .22 or .20 for pest control and hunting.

Nevertheless, .177 caliber can still be used for hunting and pest control as well. Normally, larger calibers retain downrange energy better, therefore, they impact more energy onto the target.

Should a pellet gun come with a warranty?

Certain items you purchase will come with a warranty and others will not; however, when it comes to buying an expensive item you should consider having a warranty, at least with a minimum of at least one year.

Having a warranty will give you peace of mind knowing that the money spent will be backed up by the brand you invested in.

Which are the best pellet rifles for hunting?

The best pellet rifle for hunting will depend on the level of sound, difficulty, and time spent reloading. It may also vary by the type of game and wilderness environment.

For instance, you may find that the best pellet rifle for bird hunting is a different model than the best air rifle for hunting squirrels. Therefore, a certain amount of preference and subjectivity about the best hunting pellet rifle will come into play.

However, in general, the old-school break barrel pellet rifles are quite fast, quiet and reliable. In fact, many hunters select break barrels as their choice as air rifles for small game and bird hunting.

What state regulations exist for pellet rifle hunting?

Most states permit pellet rifle hunting in general. However, it is important that you consult with your state’s game and fish regulatory commission to see if there are any special questions or cases that exist.

Certain states permit big game hunting with big bore air rifles. Ensure that you consult your state rules and regulations for caliber and other restrictions.

Should I invest in a scope for pellet gun hunting?

This relies on several factors and it may be possible that a particular pellet gun is used with its scope at a certain time and at other times without.

Pellet guns scopes can be effective when hunting as long as the hunters are not shooting beyond the guns range and the scope has been zeroed on a target range before the hunt.

Advantages

Accurate

For the relatively short ranges, they are used for hunting, pellet guns are very accurate. This is important for the small game they are used to hunting as the kill zone is usually very small, usually about the size of a dime for a squirrel.

Pellet rifles are quieter than firearms

With few exceptions, pellet guns are significantly quieter than firearms. The primary reason for this is that pellet rifles’ velocities are usually sub-sonic which means that the pellets are not breaking the sound barrier.

The low noise levels pellet guns produce will not scare away target animals which is great if you want to take multiple shots. In addition, to not disturb your neighbors, the decibel levels are low enough that the rifle won’t cause the hunter hearing damage.

Versatility

One amazing benefit of pellet guns used for hunting is the versatility they possess. Certain pellet guns are capable of taking down animals from the largest to the smallest.

Pellet guns are capable of taking down deer, fox, hog, and coyotes among other medium-sized animals as well as small-sized game such as rabbits, rodents, and squirrels. A properly placed pellet gun will kill an animal just effectively as a firearm and with less tissue damage.

You can use them in areas where firearms are not allowed

Pellets rifles are popular in countries where firearm ownership is heavily regulated. They are also used in some cities or towns which have firearms ordinances but permit air rifles.

Disadvantages

The power and low noise of pellet guns are great, however, it does come at the cost of reduced range. While longer shots can be taken, you will need a well-tuned rifle and some experience with it.

Conclusion

We know that pellet guns will never fully replace firearms, however, they do make a fantastic alternative when the situation dictates. There is a lot to know about pellet guns and selecting the best one for your needs.

Remember to consider all your needs, as well as where you plan to use them for. Taken together, such factors, along with the pellet rifle review above, will help you select the best pellet rifles for hunting.

See Also

• 7 Quietest Break Barrel Air Rifles
• 6 Best Break Barrel Air Rifles
• 6 Best BB Guns for Squirrels Hunting
• Best Scopes for Pellet Guns