Pellet guns, airsoft guns, bb guns, they are all fun to have around, but they can also serve a bigger purpose. A great pellet gun can act as your own personal hunting rifle, and you don’t even need a license or a background check. This is because they are typically not lethal to humans, even if they might be mistaken as such. Squirrels and rabbit, on the other hand, are another story. The best pellet gun for hunting small game will not only be fun to have around, but they can also land you a good lunch or dinner for the whole family.
Small Game
People grossly underestimate the prize for taking down small game. A big buck in the wild is an easy target compared to a sketched out rabbit or a frantic squirrel. Small game hunting is nothing to sneeze at. The problem is, if you tried to take out a squirrel with an actual rifle, you would destroy all the meat and fur upon impact. And unless you have been studying close with a Zen master at the art of small game catching with your bare hands, a buck knife isn’t going to do you any good.
Caliber
In terms of caliber, you are looking at the high impact and high-pressure air force. You want the shot to be fast and accurate. Further, you want the trigger to be on point. The last thing you want is a touch trigger that will go off with the slightest touch. On the other hand, you don’t want a trigger that is too tough to pull, meaning it won’t shoot right when you have the rabbit in your crosshairs. For this reason, the most common pellet guns are .177 and .22.
Best Pellet Gun for Hunting Small Game: 5 to Die For
1. Gamo
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The Gamo is your classic long rifle airsoft gun. It delivers 1250 fps of muzzle velocity from a single cocking break barrel. You’re getting a .177 caliber with this gun, and it’s got a fluted polymer jacketed rifle steel barrel, so you know it’s made to last. This rifle has a shock proof scope and an adjustable second stage trigger, so you can set up a safety to avoid a touchy trigger. The stock is ambidextrous, so it can work for you on both sides of the body. Finally, it has a one year warranty, so if anything goes wrong in that first year, send it back.
2. Ruger Targis
The Ruger is a .22 caliber rifle with a single piston break barrel. You’ll get an adjustable fiber optic rear sight and a fixed fiber optic front sight. You’ll also get a scope that comes with mounts and an automatic safety, so you won’t accidentally shoot off your toe instead of a squirrel. All in all, this is a good rifle for the money and for the game.
3. 880 Power Kit
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This Powerline comes as a whole shooting kit. You get the gun, .177 caliber pellets, shooting glasses, a scope, and targets. You can practice with this gun before you take it out to hunt for small game. It’s got a woodgrain stock and forearm, and the scope is adjustable for windage. You can load up to 50 BB’s into the gun and then use pump action to shoot targets at low velocity or shoot small game at high velocity. It is a great practice rifle for first-timers.
4. Crosman
If you are looking for an airsoft gun that looks like a machine gun, this is the one for you. It will hold up to 350 .177 caliber BBs at a time and is pneumatic pump action. It comes with an adjustable stock and a dual aperture scope. You can load and refill magazines as you need to.
5. Raptor Whisper
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This is the air gun of air guns. You can get it in .22 or .177, it has a gas piston, which causes less vibration and a more smooth shot, and it has whisper technology. This means that you won’t scare away your game as soon as you get your first shot off.
Final Thoughts
This one is a no brainer. Browse your options, and buy the air rifle that you fall in love with at first sight.
