Table of Contents
When I think of hunting with an air rifle, I think of small game. Here in the UK, that means rabbits, mainly, perhaps squirrels if your taste is up to it, and birds such as pigeons. The smaller the game, the harder it is to hit – you knew that, though.
When I go hunting, it’s purely for rabbits – squirrel is a bit too fiddly for me.
However, a hunting air rifle will do the job of pest control nicely – provided you are good with it. So you can take our rats and other pests too.
In the US, restrictions vary but if you can get a higher power air rifle, you may even be able to take down deer. You need to familiarise yourself with the relevant laws for your area, however. In the UK it’s simple, I’ll go into it in a bit more detail later.
Hunting is also a preoccupation of preppers, especially here in the UK. The fact is, it’s much easier to get hold of an air rifle than a firearm because of the gun laws here. If you are a prepper and are looking for a gun to catch your supper AND potentially ward off any zombie hordes, read on.
| Rifle | Price | Calibre | Shot Count | Weight | Length | Magazine Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AirMaks Katran | Expensive | .177/.22/.25/.30 | 100/80/60/40 | 3.2 kg | 102 cm | 14 |
| Daystate Alpha Wolf | Expensive | .177/.22/.25/.30 | 400/300/200/150 | 3.5 kg | 97 cm | 11/13 |
| BSA Ultra CLX 160 Commemorative Edition | Moderate | .177/.22 | 50/60 | 2.6 kg | 82 cm | 10 |
| Gamo Phox Mk2 | Inexpensive | .177/.22 | 70/100 | 3.2 kg | 98 cm | 10 |
| Weihrauch HW 100T | Moderate to Expensive | .177/.22 | 75/50 | 3.8 kg | 96 cm | 14 |
1. AirMaks Katran
- A high-end PCP air rifle that combines near-target rifle levels of adjustability with the practicality of a folding stock.
- Available in four models: Katran C/CB, Katran/B, Katran L/LB, and Katran X/XB.
- Features a thumbhole stock made from quality oiled walnut, finger grooves in the fore end, an anti double loading mechanism, two 14-shot magazines, a silencer, and a Hawke Eclipse AO IR Mil-Dot scope.
Pros:
- A multi-role performer that can handle hunting and target shooting.
- A very attractive and ergonomic design.
- A silky smooth side lever action.
- A lifetime guarantee and free services for life from The Airgun Centre.
Cons:
- A relatively expensive option.
- A limited availability in the UK market.
2. Daystate Alpha Wolf
- An advanced electronic PCP air rifle that blends looks, technology and performance to give it true supergun status.
- Available in four calibres: .177, .22, .25, and .30.
- Features a digital regulator, a touch screen display, a carbon fibre bottle, a Huma-Air regulator, a side lever action, an 11/13-shot magazine, and a single shot tray.
Pros:
- A very accurate and consistent shooter with a high shot count.
- A user-friendly interface that allows for easy adjustment of settings and modes.
- A sleek and modern appearance with a soft-touch stock.
- A versatile rifle that can handle various types of shooting and hunting scenarios.
Cons:
- A very expensive option.
- A complex and sophisticated system that may require more maintenance and care.
3. BSA Ultra CLX 160 Commemorative Edition
- A limited edition PCP air rifle that celebrates the 160th anniversary of BSA Guns.
- Available in two calibres: .177 and .22.
- Features a side lever action, a new regulator, a new magazine system, a shrouded barrel, an adjustable trigger, and a walnut stock with laser engraving.
Pros:
- A high-quality and reliable rifle that offers excellent performance and accuracy.
- A compact and lightweight design that is easy to handle and carry.
- A handsome and elegant appearance that reflects the heritage and history of BSA Guns.
- A competitive price tag for a limited edition rifle.
Cons:
- A limited availability due to its commemorative nature.
- A relatively low shot count compared to other PCP rifles.
4. Gamo Phox Mk2
- An affordable PCP air rifle that offers great value for money and features for beginners and experienced shooters alike.
- Available in two calibres: .177 and .22.
- Features a multi-shot magazine system, a silencer, an adjustable trigger, a synthetic stock with rubber inserts, and a Gamo 3-9×40 scope with mounts.
Pros:
- A budget-friendly option that includes everything you need to start shooting right away.
- A powerful and accurate rifle that can handle pest control and hunting tasks.
- A durable and weather-resistant design that can withstand harsh conditions.
- A comfortable and ergonomic stock that suits various shooting positions.
Cons:
- A basic and plain appearance that may not appeal to some shooters.
- A loud report that may require additional sound moderation.
5. Weihrauch HW 100T
- A classic PCP air rifle that has been one of the most popular choices among hunters and target shooters for years.
- Available in two calibres: .177 and .22.
- Features a thumbhole stock made from quality oiled walnut, an ambidextrous design, a side lever action, two 14-shot magazines, a silencer, an adjustable trigger, and a Hawke Eclipse AO IR Mil-Dot scope.
Pros:
- An outstanding build quality that ensures durability and reliability.
- An accurate and consistent shooter that delivers excellent results in various situations.
- An attractive and ergonomic design that provides stability and comfort.
- A lifetime guarantee and free services for life from The Airgun Centre.
Cons:
- A relatively heavy and long rifle that may not suit some shooters.
- A high demand that may result in limited stock availability.
Can you hunt with an air rifle?
As I said above, I think of small game hunting when I think “airgun”. In the UK it is illegal to hunt deer with an air rifle, due to provisions in the Deer Act. There isn’t much for shooting here, actually. Rabbits though – rabbit, rabbit, rabbit.
If you are a good shot, even a .177 will comfortably take out a rabbit, rat, squirrel, pigeon etc. If you can make a headshot from your hunting distance, then you’re golden – and a good shot to boot.
Before you go hunting, you need to make sure your sights are properly zeroed. You may be able to get this done at a range, but I would suggest learning to do it yourself. Since you presumably have somewhere to hunt, you can zero your sight there. That way you know the approximate range at which you’ll be shooting and whether your sights are accurate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su9CNet7270
A .177 will shoot straighter with less drop off than a .22, which means you are more likely to be able to get a clean kill. With a .22 you need to adjust your sights or your aim depending on the range of your quarry, which means you need to guesstimate that distance. If you’ve got experience setting your sights up you should find it easier to do this on the fly.
Law
In the USA, the law on airguns and hunting varies from state to state. Although the federal government doesn’t regulate air guns – it d efines a firearm as, well, a firearm, that is a gun which uses an explosive propellant – there are restrictions in place in certain states. For instance New Jersey and Rhode Island, according to Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_gun_laws#United_States) define all guns are firearms.
You really need to check up before you commit yourself to anything, a great place to start is here:
https://www. crosman.com/pdf/HuntingRegsChart.pdf
I also read that you can’t hunt bullfrogs in Kansas with an air rifle. Well, whaddya know? I’d never even considered shooting a frog before. As a general rule, if you use a .22 air rifle with a velocity of 600fps, you are okay. Nonetheless, check up before hand – some states require 1000fps or greater than .22 calibre, and it all depends on your quarry too!
Another good resource for American shooters is this website.
https://www.umarexusa.com/blogs/airgun-news/is-airgun-hunting-allowed-in-your-state
What equipment do you need?
Obviously, just like with fishing, or most any endeavour, you can’t just go out with one tool and hope to do a good job. If you just had an airgun, what would you do with your kill? Yeah, exactly.
So, before you head off to catch supper, what equipment do you need?
Scope
Although not technically essential, it’s a great tool to have. It will give you a bit more confidence in your shot and seems to me to be a bit more precise than using iron sights. Also, unless you have great eyesight (I don’t), you might find that little B ugs is no more than a blur at 40 or 50 yards.
Pellets
The pellets you choose should suit your gun, of course. Some guns do better with different brands – although they should all be made to the same or very similar specs.
A hollow point disperses its energy quickly on impact, so some people recommend these for hunting. The downside is that they catch the wind a bit more and so you won’t get a good tight grouping at a distance. Perhaps keep them for close range encounters.
I would suggest using the pointed hunting pellets, or simple round head pellets. They have good aerodynamic properties, and so they will be a bit more accurate at a distance than hollowpoints. The drawback to pointed hunting pellets, I find, is that they get damaged. I don’t know if it’s a big drawback, but the deformed heads might lead to decreased accuracy.
Knife
As good a shot as you may be, you will probably have some instances where you need to dispatch a wounded animal quickly. A knife allows you to achieve that by bleeding them out. You may also want to dress your catch in the field, although I would wait until I’m home so that I can do it cleanly and dispose of the waste safely.
A fixed blade is quite attractive, but I always go for a folding blade knife with a locking system. If you’re only hunting small game, you don’t need to go all Rambo on us. I’ve dressed a rabbit with a small Opinel No.10. No biggie needed.
Game bag
You’ll look like a right bumkin if you have your rabbits dangling from your belt, won’t you? Something to carry them home in might come in handy if you’re a good shot! A game bag serves to keep your quarry nicely packed in your rucksack or satchel. You don’t need the huge ones, but it’s a good thing to have.
What to look for in a hunting air rifle?
Calibre
Calibre – this is a mighty discussion. .22, .177? .25 even? In the UK, the discussion is stifled somewhat because the maximum power of a non-FAC air rifle is 12ft/lbs so a .22 or a .177 will deliver the same amount of power. And bigger guns aren’t really worth the hassle, for me anyway.
The benefits of a .177 are that it is more accurate than a .22 at a distance, all else being equal. This is because the trajectory of a .22 pellet is slightly more curved, it will drop off faster, whereas a .177 shoots in more of a straight line. That’s not to say that a .22 is inaccurate – it does take more experience though.
A .22 has a bit more poke to it though, so it will deliver more force to your quarry making it likely to produce a clean kill. A .177 or a .22 can definitely give a clean kill for any small game, however – but you need to get a headshot to be sure with a .177.
If you’re planning on eating your kill, you should be confident of a headshot anyway – I HATE biting down on a bit of shot. Hollow points can fragment, and you may find bits spread throughout the carcass.
My recommendation is a .22, but it may take a bit of practice to master your sharpshooting abilities.
Accuracy
As I said above, there is a bit of a difference between the performance of a .22 and a .177, especially at range. A .177 will be more accurate, all else being equal, but a bit of wind can take the lighter pellet off course more easily than a .22. It’s also imperative that you are a good marksman with a .177 – the last thing you want to do is horribly wound an animal and leave it suffering.
With that it mind, you should definitely brush up your sharpshooting skills if yu want to try your hand at hunting or shooting pests.
Bear in mind that with small game such as rabbit, which is probably the biggest of the small game that I would tackle, you’re aiming for an area about one to two inches across. That’s pretty small.
You will also have to be honest with yourself about the range at which you can take a shot – better to get a clean hit than to waste a shot. About 30-40 yards is about right for hunting with an air rifle, in my opinion. Heck, you’ll find you get more game at a shorter range if you just lie patient and downwind of your quarry.
Power
The power of an air rifle in the UK is restricted to 12ft/lbs, so it’s a moot point. Just get the most powerful air rifle you can, it will be more than adequate. Especially if you’ve read and understood all I’ve said above about having a good shot and the importance of calibre in selecting a hunting gun.
In the USA, things are a little different. You can get something like a Benjamin Marauder (you need a FAC in the UK to buy one) which is like a cannon, basically.
In my opinion, it’s unwieldy, expensive and unnecessary. I’m not shooting deer or bears or, I dunno, whales or whatever. I would get specialist advice if you hope to hunt big game with an air rifle, because I’m not really the best source on that topic!
Putting it all together
So, what is the best air rifle for hunting? Answer: it depends.
The big thing you have to take into account is the range and your skill as a marksman. You can hunt with a .177, and indeed with a .22. If you’re hunting small game, you simply need to be sure that your pellet will land where you want it to. A .177 pellet to a limb or even the torso of a rabbit will just wound it – however, a .22 pellet to the torso may be enough to kill if you are within range.
Look at the table above and choose any of those guns – you’ll be golden.
Thanks!
Jos