The 11 Best Air Rifle Caliber For Small Game 2026 - Highly rated

Overview

While you may have a favorite caliber for bigger game, there are still challenges in trying to come across that perfect rifle when hunting smaller game like gophers or rabbit. Find out some of the best options that you can use.

Read More: Top 14 Best Air Rifle Caliber For Hunting Rabbits

1

Gamo 611006875554 Swarm Whisper Air Rifle, .22 Caliber,Black

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• ARS Mark

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  9.2
• Brand
  Gamo

• The Whisper Technology makes this gun really quiet, and you will appreciate the reduced recoil thanks to the buttpad equipped with the Shock Wave Absorber
• The GAMO Swarm Whisper Air Rifle features the IGT (Inert Gas Technology) piston that allows higher velocity, less vibration and a longer lifespan than traditional spring powered airguns  more

2

Hatsan BT65 Big Bore Carnivore QE PCP Air Rifle.35 Caliber

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  7.8
• Brand
  Hatsan

• Integrated scope rail accepts Weaver or 11 mm mounts - no open sights
• Max Velocity- Lead- 760 FPS; Max Muzzle Energy- 105 FPE; Velocity & Energy results may vary due to pellet weight, shape, material, temperature, elevation, as well as other factors  more

3

Ruger Targis Hunter Max Pellet Gun Air Rifle with Scope,

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  9.0
• Brand
  Umarex

• Stock features checkered rubber inserts for a sure grip in hot or cold, wet or dry; Fitted with a comfortable rubber recoil butt pad. Sling studs matched with an included adjustable nylon sling
• The 5-chamber SilencAir sound dampener is permanently affixed to the air rifle to reduce down range noise and maximize stealth  more

4

Benjamin Armada BTAP22SX PCP-Powered Multi-Shot Bolt Action .22-Caliber Pellet Hunting

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  8.8
• Brand
  Benjamin

• REVERSIBLE BOLT-ACTION - For right and left-handed sportsmen.
• MACHINED RECEIVER AND 5-INCH PICATINNY RAIL - Add your favorite accessories.  more

5

Hatsan Piledriver Big Bore PCP Air Rifle with Included SLA

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  10.0
• Brand
  Wearable4U

• Genuine bullpup design, manual loading, side-lever action, pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) Air Rifle
• IN THE BOX: 1 x Hatsan PileDriver Big Bore PCP Air Rifle; 1 x Pack of Solid Lead Ammo .50 cal., 550 grain (20 ct.) Air Rifle Pellets  more

6

Hatsan Hercules Bully PCP Air Rifle.45 Caliber

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  7.2
• Brand
  Hatsan

• 480cc carbon fiber air bottle mounted in the forearm; Detachable folding and adjustable sights with fiber optics
• Lengthy 21” combination optics rail accepts both 11 mm and picatinny scope mounts  more

7

Benjamin Trail NP XL 1100 .22-Caliber Nitro Piston Break Barrel

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  8.4
• Brand
  Benjamin

• Ideal for varmint and small game hunting
• Includes 3-9x40 mm AO optic from CenterPoint  more

8

Umarex Hammer .50 Caliber PCP Pellet Gun Air Rifle

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  9.0
• Brand
  Umarex

• The most powerful production air rifle on the planet; Dumps a ton of energy into its target instead of carrying the energy with it through the target
• Very quiet shooting; Includes two 2-shot linear mags; Straight pull bolt with a 2-pound pull weight and 2 inches of travel; Two safeties: mag lock-out (won't fire without mag) and trigger block safety  more

9

GAME FACE GFRPKTGS Ghost Affliction Full-Auto Airsoft BB Rifle And

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  8.4
• Brand
  Game Face

• SPRING-POWERED 15-ROUND AIRSOFT PISTOL - With speeds up to 280 fps
• FULL-AUTO AIRSOFT RIFLE - With speeds up to 200 fps  more

10

Gamo 6110068754 Swarm Whisper Air Rifle, .177 Caliber,Black

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  9.0
• Brand
  Gamo

• Sport type: Exercise & Fitness
• Muzzle velocity 1300 FPS  more

11

Gamo Swarm Fusion 10X GEN3i Inertia Fed .22 Caliber Break

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  9.0
• Brand
  Gamo

• ✅ [Gas Piston Power] The IGT Gas Piston replaces the standard spring power plant with an Inert Gas Cylinder
• ✅ [High Powered Air Rifle] Up to 1,000 FPS with alloy .22 Cal. Pellets  more

Last update on 2023-05-04 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

Buying Guides

Buying Guides when buying best air rifle caliber for small game

There are a few factors to consider picking the right air rifle caliber for small game hunting:

- Bullet weight and size: The heavier the bullet, the more powerful it will be. But make sure you don't overshoot your target by using too heavy of a bullet; they can cause damage beyond just stopping an animal in its tracks. Instead, choose a weight that's appropriate for the range you'll be using your firearm at.

- Velocity: Air rifles shoot projectiles at a much higher velocity than handgun rounds do, so make sure the caliber you choose is fast enough to bring down small game quickly without causing too much damage.

- Barrel length: As with any type of shooting, a longer barrel will help produce accurate shots over a wider range. But keep in mind that air rifles can be quite loud - if privacy is important to you when hunting, stick with calibers that don't blast projectiles far away from where you're standing.

FAQs

FAQs for best air rifle caliber for small game

What is the best air rifle for small game?

There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on several factors, including the type of small game you are targeting and your own personal preferences. 

However, some of the most popular air rifle calibers for small game that is good accuracy and power at a relatively low cost, making them ideal options for hunting smaller animals like squirrels, rabbits, and other small mammals.

• Gamo 611006875554 Swarm Whisper Air Rifle, .22 Caliber,Black

• Ruger Targis Hunter Max Pellet Gun Air Rifle with Scope,

• Hatsan BT65 Big Bore Carnivore QE PCP Air Rifle.35 Caliber

How many calibers does an air rifle have?

Most air rifles come with a rifle calibers of .177, .22, .25 and .30.

What is the best caliber for hunting small game?

Choosing an air rifle caliber for small game can be tricky. There are so many different types of pellets and bullets available on the market, it can be hard to know what will work best for your specific needs.

Here are a few tips to help you choose the right caliber for small game:

-First, make sure you have a good understanding of the hunting laws in your state. In some cases, certain calibers may not be legal to use in certain areas.

-Next, think about how fast you want your pellet to travel. Some calibers are designed to travel faster than others. Faster pellets tend to penetrate deeper into animals, which can result in longer shots and more meat damage.

-Finally, consider your budget and other preferences. Some calibers are pricier than others, but may offer better performance overall.

Explore further:

• Top 11 Best Air Rifle Caliber For Hunting Rabbits - (Newtest)
• The Best Single Shot Rifles And Shotguns For Any Budget
• 11 Best 56Mm Rifle Scopes Under 1000