11 Best Bb Guns For Squirrels of 2026 With Humane Knockdown Power

1

Daisy Outdoor Products 992880-603 880 Rifle with Scope, Brown.177 Caliber

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  8.3
• Brand
  Daisy

Key specs2

Powerplant and Velocity

Multi-pump pneumatic up to 800 FPS

Backyard Pest Suitability

Firing single .177 pellets through the rifled steel barrel gives the accuracy needed for humane squirrel control, avoiding the erratic flight of steel BBs.

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Multi-pump pneumatic system scales up to 800 FPS for squirrel-stopping energy
• Rifled steel barrel guides single .177 pellets for tight backyard shot placement
• Included 4x15 scope provides target magnification to clearly identify vitals
• Built-in 50-shot reservoir allows casual steel BB plinking between pest duties

Cons

• Single-shot pellet chambering requires manual loading for every follow-up shot
• Multi-pump design requires repetitive pumping before each discharge

2

Daisy 880 Powerline Air Rifle Kit, Dark Brown/Black, 37.6 Inch/.177

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  9.0
• Brand
  Daisy

Key specs2

Included Kit Hardware

• Daisy 880 multi-pump air rifle
• Fogproof and shockproof 4x15 scope
• 500-count tin of pellets and 750 BBs
• Protective shooting glasses

Pumping Effort vs Velocity

Adjusting between 3 and 10 pumps controls speed, allowing lower power for close plinking or full 800 FPS output when humane squirrel removal demands maximum energy.

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Variable 3 to 10 pump action reaches up to 800 FPS for humane pest dispatch
• Complete bundle includes safety glasses, 500 pellets, and 750 steel BBs
• Fogproof and shockproof 4x15 scope features an adjustable cross-hair reticle
• Bolt-action loading feeds single .177 pellets cleanly into the rifled bore

Cons

• Pumping up to 10 times per shot can cause fatigue during extended shooting
• Dual-ammo design requires careful loading to prevent jamming BBs into pellet mode

3

Barra Airguns Sportsman 900 Air Rifle, BB Gun, Guns for

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  9.5
• Brand
  Barra

Key specs2

Sighting Versatility

Equipped with both adjustable fiber optic sights and an included 4x15 scope, allowing quick target acquisition in dim yard lighting or magnified aim at distance.

Barrel Length

20 inch rifled barrel

Pros & cons42

Pros

• 20-inch rifled barrel delivers consistent stabilization for .177 pellets
• Reaches up to 800 FPS with premium pellets for clean backyard pest control
• Comes equipped with both adjustable fiber optic open sights and a 4x15 scope
• Smooth bolt-action operation simplifies single-shot pellet loading

Cons

• Weighs 5 pounds, making it heavier to hold offhand than polymer youth models
• Steel BB use from the 50-shot reservoir lacks the precision of single pellets

4

Daisy Outdoor Products Model 1938 Red Ryder BB Gun, Wood

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  9.1
• Brand
  Daisy

Key specs2

Rodent Control Assessment

This smoothbore BB plinker lacks rifled pellet support and verified knockdown velocity, creating high risks of wounding squirrels rather than achieving humane pest control.

Stock Configuration

Wood grain finish, 35.4-inch length

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Classic wood grain stock provides authentic handling and traditional aesthetics
• Compact 35.4-inch overall length is easy to maneuver in tight spaces
• Lightweight lever-cocking platform works well for casual backyard tin-can plinking

Cons

• Manufacturer lists no pellet compatibility, making it unsuitable for humane squirrel dispatch
• Lacks velocity specifications and optical mounting rails for precision pest control

5

KNINE OUTDOORS Resetting Shooting Target Airsoft Rimfire Pellet BB Gun

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  8.4
• Brand
  KNINE OUTDOORS

Key specs2

Caliber Rating

Rated for .177 and .22 caliber airguns

Pre-Hunt Zeroing Use

Provides hands-free target reset for confirming scope zero and pellet groupings before attempting precise, humane shots on nuisance squirrels.

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Resetting steel target design eliminates the need to walk downrange after hits
• Rated specifically for .177 and .22 caliber airguns as well as rimfire and airsoft
• Provides instant audible and visual feedback to verify rifle zero before pest control

Cons

• Target accessory only, requiring a separate air rifle to use
• Heavy steel construction requires a stable, level ground surface or backstop

6

JolliLudo 4 Pcs BB Gun Targets Set Steel Hunting and

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  8.4
• Brand
  JolliLudo

Key specs2

Target Silhouette Profiles

• Squirrel silhouette for pest practice
• Rabbit target design
• Bird outline plate
• Bear profile steel target

Backyard Practice Function

Allows shooters to practice shot placement on squirrel silhouettes from realistic yard distances before taking live shots on garden pests.

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Includes four distinct animal profile targets: bear, bird, squirrel, and rabbit
• Durable steel construction withstands impacts from air guns, slingshots, and rifles
• Squirrel silhouette provides realistic vital-zone practice for backyard pest management

Cons

• Standalone target accessory that provides no shooting mechanism on its own
• Requires a safe residential backstop behind the steel plates to stop ricocheting BBs

7

Daisy Model 25 Pump-Action BB Gun air Rifle

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  8.7
• Brand
  Daisy

Key specs2

Pest Management Limitation

Firing round steel BBs without pellet support or optical sights makes this pump gun inappropriate for ethical squirrel control where precise shot placement is mandatory.

Action Mechanism

Manual pump-action BB cycling

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Pump-action cocking mechanism offers fast cycling for casual recreational shooting
• Classic air rifle platform suited for plinking paper targets and metal cans
• Compact frame offers lightweight handling for backyard practice sessions

Cons

• Dedicated BB gun without listed pellet support or rifling for humane rodent dispatch
• Unspecified velocity and lack of optical sights create severe squirrel wounding risks

8

Walther P22 Spring Powered 6mm BB Pistol Airsoft Gun, Clear

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  9.0
• Brand
  Umarex

Key specs2

Airsoft Incompatibility

With a peak velocity of 260 FPS firing lightweight 6mm plastic BBs, this spring pistol must never be used for pest control, as it cannot humanely dispatch rodents.

Velocity and Projectile

Up to 260 FPS with 6mm plastic BBs

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Lightweight polymer construction weighing under 0.75 pounds for effortless handling
• Includes an extra airsoft magazine and 400 plastic 6mm BBs in the package
• Clear body design allows quick visual checks of internal spring components

Cons

• Maximum velocity of 260 FPS with plastic BBs is incapable of dispatching squirrels
• Airsoft toy design lacks the kinetic energy and rifled accuracy needed for pest control

9

Smith & Wesson M&P 40 .177 Caliber BB Gun Air

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  8.6
• Brand
  Umarex

Key specs2

Powerplant and CO2 Source

Operates on a single 12-gram CO2 cartridge housed in the grip, delivering up to 410 FPS for paper targets but falling short of humane pest control energy.

Ammunition and Sights

• Shoots .177 caliber steel BBs
• 19-shot drop-free magazine
• Built-in fiber optic sights
• Integrated accessory mounting rail

Pros & cons43

Pros

• 19-shot drop-free magazine enables rapid firing for target shooting sessions
• Integrated accessory rail allows mounting tactical lights or targeting lasers
• High-visibility fiber optic sights assist with rapid open-sight target alignment
• Reaches up to 410 FPS using standard 12-gram CO2 power

Cons

• 410 FPS with steel BBs lacks the terminal energy required for ethical squirrel removal
• Smoothbore BB pistol design creates erratic trajectories and high ricochet risks off fences
• CO2 cartridges are not included and lose velocity during rapid shooting or cold weather

10

Umarex NXG APX Multi-Pump Pneumatic Youth .177 Caliber Pellet or

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  7.4
• Brand
  Umarex

Key specs2

Scope Mounting System

Features an integrated tactical-style scope mounting rail designed to lock down the included 4x15mm scope, preventing zero drift during multi-pump charging.

Dual-Ammo Capability

Dual .177 caliber pellet or steel BB

Pros & cons52

Pros

• Multi-pump pneumatic powerplant hits up to 800 FPS for reliable pest dispatch
• Shoots either .177 pellets for pest control or steel BBs for casual plinking
• Includes a 4x15mm scope with an integrated tactical mounting system that locks zero
• Ergonomic progressive stock and narrow grip offer steady control at just 3.4 pounds
• Automatic safety and easy-load pellet ramp enhance safety and loading speed

Cons

• Multi-pump action requires repetitive effort between each shot
• Youth-scaled stock dimensions may feel compact for larger adult shooters

11

Umarex Replacement BB Gun and Pellet Gun Paper Targets (Pack

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  8.3
• Brand
  Umarex

Key specs2

Target Quantity

100 paper targets per pack

Sighting-In Application

Essential paper targets for sighting in 4x15 rifle scopes and verifying pellet accuracy at 15 to 20 yards before tackling garden squirrels.

Pros & cons32

Pros

• 100-pack bundle provides plenty of targets for extensive practice and optic zeroing
• Printed specifically for both BB gun plinking and precise pellet rifle sighting
• Offers clean visual scoring rings to verify pellet grouping tight enough for pest duty

Cons

• Consumable paper accessory that provides no shooting equipment or backstop frame
• Requires a dedicated pellet trap or safe backboard to catch stray rounds outdoors

Last update on 2026-09-23 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

Will a standard steel BB ethically take down a squirrel?

Standard round steel BBs fired from low-powered guns generally lack the pinpoint precision and blunt impact needed to take down a squirrel cleanly. Steel BBs can easily bounce off hard surfaces like fences or shed walls, and lower velocities around 410 fps increase the risk of merely wounding the animal. For dependable, humane backyard pest control, loading a single .177 caliber pellet into a multi-pump rifle produces significantly better energy transfer and lethal accuracy.

Do I need to shoot pellets instead of BBs for backyard pest control?

Yes, single-shot .177 pellets are far better suited for garden pest management than round steel BBs. While multi-pump air rifles such as the Daisy Powerline 880 allow you to store BBs in a built-in reservoir, switching to single-shot pellet mode engages the rifled barrel. Lead or alloy pellets flatten slightly on impact to drop nuisance squirrels on the spot, whereas smooth steel shot tends to pass through or deflect unpredictably.

How much velocity do I need to cleanly dispatch squirrels?

Look for multi-pump pneumatic airguns that can reach up to 800 fps with .177 caliber ammunition. Rifles like the Barra Sportsman 900 and Daisy 880 achieve this 800 fps mark when fully charged with the maximum manufacturer-recommended 10 pumps. Operating at these higher speeds gives the projectile enough knockdown power to eliminate pests quickly, avoiding the prolonged suffering caused by underpowered shots.

Can low-powered spring airsoft pistols or BB handguns work on squirrels?

No, spring-powered 6mm airsoft pistols and basic .177 BB handguns shooting around 410 fps should never be used for live rodent control. These low-impact guns are designed for casual target shooting or plinking, and their projectiles do not generate enough force to penetrate vitals humanely. Attempting backyard pest control with an underpowered handgun only causes unnecessary injury to the animal and frustrates your efforts to protect feeders and siding.

Why is a rifled barrel important when targeting garden pests?

A rifled barrel, such as the 20-inch barrel found on the Barra Sportsman 900, imparts spin on the pellet to keep it flying true over typical yard distances. Squirrels offer a very small vital target, and the erratic flight paths common to smoothbore BB guns make precision head shots difficult. Consistent spin ensures that your shot lands exactly where the crosshairs sit, minimizing missed shots and stray projectiles near neighboring properties.

How do scopes and sights help prevent missed shots in residential yards?

Mounting an included 4x15 scope or using adjustable fiber optic sights lets you clearly identify your target and confirm a safe backstop before pulling the trigger. High-visibility optics are crucial in suburban yards, where fences, garden decor, and tree limbs can obscure your sightline. If you want to teach younger shooters proper sight alignment and safe handling before taking on yard pests, reviewing suitable youth air rifle options can help build disciplined shooting habits early.