If you watch any of today’s hunting shows, you have probably seen commercials for the best air rifles for hunting squirrels. If you like squirrel hunting, you can’t help but want to try one on your next trip to the woods. There is much more to these marvels of technology than you think. Let’s look at the top air rifles for squirrels and what separates them from the pack.
Keeping Up with the Times
You may know how to hunt squirrels, but have you kept up with air rifle technology? Let’s take a minute to get everyone up to speed on the technology used by today’s air rifles. The two most preferred types are the break-barrel and the pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air rifles. You can still find the CO₂ and multiple-pump air rifles, but the CO₂ lacks the power needed for squirrels, and multi-pumps are just not practical to hunt with. Bow hunting small game is easier than hunting with a multi-pump air rifle.
Break-Barrel Air Rifles
Break-Barrel air rifles use gas pistons or springs to compress the air needed to propel a pellet. The barrel breaks over much like a double-barrel shotgun. Load the pellet and, when you snap it back into place, it compresses the air and cocks the gun. This produces 600-1500 FPS, depending on whether you are using a gas-powered rifle or a springer.
The breaking action can be stiff, and most young hunters cannot break it over. Break-Barrel air rifles are not as accurate as PCP models, but you’re talking about a small difference in most cases. The loss in accuracy is because you’re relying on the barrel and scope to hinge and snap back to the same position every time. This design sacrifices a small degree of accuracy, but it is still deadly.
PCP Air Rifles
The PCP air rifle has a compressed air tank with highly compressed air. These tanks are filled to around 3,000 psi. They are more accurate and quieter than other types of air rifles. They allow you to take multiple shots far quicker than break-barrel air rifles and have less kick.
You can generally get 20-30 shots on a single tank but will need to refill after that. Your Walmart compressor is not going to fill PCP tanks. You will need to go to a scuba shop or use a hand pump to refill the reservoir.
To maintain constant pressure throughout the firing cycle, some models use an air regulator to maintain a constant pressure on the firing valve. The regulator greatly improves shot group consistency, but it can be an expensive option.
The drawbacks to the PCP air rifle are cost and hassle. They are more expensive than most break-barrel air rifles. For many, the cost is a deal-breaker. Others don’t want the hassle of filling tanks, especially if they are traveling.
Top Air Rifles
Gamo Swarm Magnum (22-caliber 10-shot break-barrel air rifle)
One thing you will find with any Gamo air rifle is they are all highly accurate. From the low-end to the high-end models, they are all accurate. Two features to love about this model that others don’t have? It is quieter than some models, and the 10x Quick-Shot technology lets you shoot up to 10 times without reloading. Gamo is now using a 33mm cylinder to deliver 1,300 feet per second (fps) in .22 caliber. Load up the hunting dogs — The Gamo Swarm is ready to hunt.
Benjamin Marauder Rifle Regulated
The Marauder is a PCP-powered, multi-shot .22 caliber air rifle that is really hard to find. If you can get your hands on one, don’t hesitate to buy it. It’s almost too pretty to take to the field but too accurate not to. It shoots lead pellets at 850 seconds, making it very quiet. Details like the adjustable-comb stock make this a joy to shoot, but all this adds up and this model is not cheap.
Umarex Ruger Targis Hunter Max
This .22 caliber break-barrel air rifle shoots up to 800 FPS. It has a sturdy Picatinny rail that secures a 3-9x32 scope, which is included. It is a very quiet model and comes stock with the SilencAir noise dampener. The reliable Turbo Nitrogen Technology (TNT) delivers consistent groups from the bench and above-average accuracy in the field.
Hatsan Model 125SN Spring Combo .25 Cal. Air Rifle
This break-barrel, single-shot air rifle is a joy to shoot. The 2-stage adjustable Quattro trigger comes from the factory set at under four pounds. The rifled barrel comes with an integrated moderator that is backyard quiet. The stock optics are nothing to write home about, but you won’t miss a squirrel because of the scope. This magnum-class air gun boasts 31 foot-pounds of energy. A .25 caliber air rifle pushing a lead pellet at 800 FPS is a definite squirrel killer.
Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1
This .22 caliber single shot break-barrel model is fast, easy to shoot and highly accurate. The IGT MACH 1 gas piston is the quietest noise-reduction technology offered by Gamo. The cocking mechanism is smooth, and the Recoil Reducing Rail (RRR) absorbs much of the recoil, increasing the lifespan of the scope and keeping the Whisper Fusion accurate for years to come. The Custom Action Trigger (CAT) is sweet and lets you really bear down on squirrels at a long distance.
BROCOCK Commander XR
The Brocock Commander XR is an exceptional choice for small game hunting, blending precision engineering with user-friendly features. Its ergonomic side lever operation ensures smooth and effortless cocking, making it quick and easy to get ready for the next shot. The heart of its performance is the Huma-Air Regulator, which provides consistent shot-to-shot power delivery, maximizing accuracy over distances.
Precharged from either a dive cylinder or a high-pressure pump, the Commander XR boasts an impressive shot capacity, reducing the need for frequent refills. Hunters can tailor the shooter's power to their specific needs with multiple power settings accessible via a side power adjuster.
The built-in fully baffled silencer, with an adaptor for an additional silencer, ensures quiet operation, making the Brocock Commander XR not just powerful and precise but discreet — ideal for the stealth required in squirrel hunting.
Umarex Origin
The Umarex Origin is a fantastic starting point for new hunters looking into PCP air rifles. This pellet gun is designed to be easy for beginners, and it comes with a hand pump that makes filling it up straightforward and cost-effective. You won’t need to buy expensive equipment to get started — less than 100 pumps will give you 40 shots. This rifle is also quiet, making it neighbor-friendly, and it delivers a high number of shots before needing a refill.
It’s a bit on the lighter side, weighing 6.8 pounds, and can handle both .22 and .25 pellets, making it versatile for different types of small game hunting. The Origin is designed for ease, with a two-stage adjustable trigger for better shot control and an integrated suppressor for quiet shooting. Though it has a few downsides, like a shorter length of pull and the need for a proprietary fill probe, its advantages far outweigh these minor issues.
Hatsan Flashpup QE .25
The Hatsan Flashpup QE, a .25 caliber air rifle, is perfect for hunters who love a compact, easy-to-handle gun. It’s light at just 6.1 pounds and short at 32 inches, making it easy to carry and move around with, especially in thick woods or brush. It packs a punch, too, with enough power to efficiently take down squirrels and rabbits. You’ll get about 25 powerful shots with each fill, and it’s relatively quiet, which helps you stay unnoticed while hunting.
Its bullpup design means it’s shorter without sacrificing barrel length, keeping shots accurate. The adjustable trigger lets you set it to your comfort level. While it has a unique fill probe and the lever is slightly too close to your face, these are small adjustments to get used to. Given its performance and reasonable price, the Hatsan Flashpup QE is a standout choice for anyone looking to step up their hunting game without spending a fortune.
To Try One Is to Love One
These are some of the best airguns available. There are others that are just as good, but it’s hard to find many better ones. This year, instead of watching commercials with celebrities killing squirrels with an air rifle, pick one out for yourself. It’s a whole new world out there, and these air rifles are game-changers.
