Best Pellet Guns On The Market [Updated for 2020]
Pellet guns are used for a variety of activities – it might be plinking in your backyard or hunting small game. Either way, choosing a pellet gun can be a daunting task.
That is why we created this Best Pellet Gun Buying Guide. Here, we will be aiding you in your search for the perfect pellet gun. At first, we will discuss the importance of choosing your pellet gun carefully and go over the factors you need to pay attention to.
Moreover, at the end of this Buying Guide, we will analyze the most common and reliable pellet gun models present in the market.
*Notice: On mobile devices, scroll right to see entire table.
Product Name | Our Rating | Check Price |
|---|---|---|
Best Pellet Rifles | ||
Best Pellet Pistols | ||
Things to Consider...
When it comes to pellet guns and pellet gun-related products, it is important to exercise extra caution. A pellet gun cannot be chosen in a couple of minutes – it is a gun, after all. I recommend spending sufficient amount of time for choosing your pellet gun.
In fact, you have to know what you are looking for when buying a pellet gun – it is necessary to know the characteristics that you would like to have in your gun. Bear in mind, that the pellet gun that you will buy will be by your side for some years to come – thus, you would not want to make an unreasonable investment.
You also would want to know in advance which type of pellet gun you want to buy.
It is also very important to know how to choose high-quality pellet guns. Poorly manufactured pellet guns tend to be very unreliable. Thus, they often appear subject to breakage.
What To Look At When Choosing A Pellet Gun?
Just as I said before, there is a number of things to consider prior to buying a pellet gun to make sure you are doing a wise investment decision.
Propulsion Methods
There are so many propulsion mechanisms of pellet guns to choose from - spring loaded, pre-charged pneumatic, gas ram, CO2…To be honest, here, it is all down to your preference.
- Spring-loaded guns usually take longer to load, since you need to cock a large spring each time you want to fire a pellet. However, these guns also tend to be cheaper. They do recoil, and I suggest letting this happen, rather than trying to control it - since the recoil will allow for more accurate shooting.
- Pre-charged pneumatic pellet guns come with a reservoir of compressed air that is able to fire multiple pellets between filings. This implies that you can fire succeeding shots in a speedy way.
- CO2 powered guns are mostly used as fun guns – for target shooting or plinking in the backyard. They have no recoil. Their bolt action cocking makes them very popular among beginners.
Calibers
You will need to think about the desired caliber before you buy your pellet gun. The caliber of the pellet gun determines many things when it comes to the performance of the gun. Let’s look at some of the most popular caliber of pellet guns.
.177 caliber
This caliber performs best at target shooting and pest control. These guns will be too small for hunting bigger animals, but you can manage to kill a rat with it.
Normally, .177 caliber guns are cheap and easy to find. This caliber will suit you if you are not planning to do any serious hunting with your pellet gun.
.22 caliber
.22 caliber pellet guns are good for hunting small game. However, you will not be able to shoot larger animals with it, the same as with .177 caliber.
These guns are a little bit more expensive than .177 caliber pellet guns, but they are a lot of fun to shoot when you are not putting too many rounds in one sitting.
.22 caliber guns will be a perfect choice for you if you plan to hunt rabbits, small birds, squirrels, or any other rodents.
.25 caliber
.25 caliber and anything above is a good choice for some serious hunting. Go for the .25 caliber if you plan to hunt anything bigger than a rabbit.
Velocity
The power of your pellet gun and the distance at which it is able to shoot will depend on ammunition and caliber you choose. We discussed these factors above.
- Spring powered pellet pistols are able to shoot up to 1,250 FPS with 4.5 mm pellets. The higher the velocity of gun, the more unstable shot will be. Thus, I would recommend opting for a gun with lower velocity or choosing a lower caliber gun – this will provide you with a great level of accuracy.
- Multi-stroke pneumatic guns are able to shoot up to 1,000 FPS, where the single –stroke guns offer slightly less power - around 500 FPS. The singe-stroke guns tend to be more accurate and easier to handle.
- Pre-charged pneumatic guns and CO2 guns normally shoot at around 700 to 750 FPS with proper pellets.
- BB guns are capable of shooting anywhere from 300 FPS to 1,000 FPS with 4.5 mm caliber steel BBs.
For most of the pellet gun models, velocity is highly dependable on the weight of pellets used and the design of a gun. Shorter barrels usually offer lower velocity and vice versa. Moreover, the power plant of a gun influences velocity of the gun to a great extent, as well.
Choosing The Right Pellet Gun
In this section, we will discuss the most reliable and common models of pellet guns available on the market. For your convenience, we have broken down the models of the guns to the following categories:
We will go over each of the pellet gun models in details, focusing our attention on the key characteristics, functions and abilities of the candidates. At the end of each section, we will choose the winner based on the versatility and reliability of a pellet gun. Fasten your seatbelts, we start our journey!
Best Pellet Rifle
Crosman Benjamin Trail NP XL 1500 .177 Caliber Nitro Piston Air Rifle
Technical specifications
- Caliber: .177 caliber
- Type: Break-barrel, nitro-piston single-shot
- Weight: - 8.5 lb. without scope
- Velocity: - Up to 1500 fps
Source: crosman.com
Overview
The Crosman Benjamin Trail NP XL 1500 .177 Caliber Nitro Piston Air Rifle is Nitro Piston Technology powered rifle. The Nitro Piston Technology ensures that the shot is quieter and the recoil is reduced while increasing velocity and consistency in energy.
In fact, the Nitro Piston Technology (Benjamin Nitro Piston powered break barrels) are 70% quieter than the spring powered airguns. These rifles, belonging to the Magnum series, have been developed to provide improved power while maintaining energy at the highest levels.
As much as 25 foot pounds of energy (FPE) can be generated with these rifles with up to 1500 foot per second FPS in lead-free pellet velocity. The Crosman Benjamin Trail NP XL 1500 .177 Caliber Nitro Piston Air Rifle comes along with a CenterPoint precision scope (3-9 x 40mm) that has an adjustable mil-dot reticle and objective.
The Crosman Benjamin Trail NP XL 1500 .177 Caliber Nitro Piston Air Rifle is not only power but a piece of beauty as well. It has an impressive hardwood stock that is checkered and adds character to it. In a relatively small game, with its 25 FPE energy level (muzzle energy) along with its shot velocity (that can reach up to 1500 FPS), the game is over even before it begins!
Source: crosman.com
In addition, this Crosman Benjamin Trail NP Air Rifle offers very smooth cocking effort. With one simple cocking motion this gun delivers fast, easy and quiet follow up shots. This gun can be easily called the most accurate pellet rifle out there!
The Air rifle features a bull barrel and a Picatinny mounting rail system. It also comes with already inbuilt sling mounts and a ventilated rubber recoil pad for superior convenience.
The key features of this Crosman Benjamin Trail NP Air Rifle can be summarized:
- Breakbarrel
- Bull barrel
- 70% less noise than other break barrels
- Unmounted CenterPoint Optics 3-9x40AO scope
- Textured grip and forearm
- 9.70 lbs. with included scope & mount; 8.50 lbs
- Hardwood stock
Ruger Blackhawk Combo Air Rifle
Technical specifications
- Caliber: .177 caliber
- Type: Spring powered single stroke break barrel
- Weight: 6.95 lbs
- Velocity: 1000 FPS
Source: ruger-firearms.com
Overview
The Ruger Blackhawk is a spring powered single stroke break barrel Air Rifle that comes with the synthetic black stock, which is able to withstand all weather conditions. This air rifle’s stock is suitable for both left and right-handed shooters.
The Air rifle’s stock features special checkered grip areas located in both the grip and forearm of the gun. These areas allow for better accuracy of the gun, while providing the shooter with the superior level of control.
Moreover, this Ruger Blackhawk is capable of shooting pellets at the speed of 1000 FPS, which is a great advantage. The gun provides a great level of accuracy thanks to its fiber optic sights mounted front and back. The front sight of this Air rifle is fixed, while the rear can be easily adjusted.
Source : ruger-firearms.com
The metal finish of the gun and its rubber recoil pad add more sturdiness to this Ruger Blackhawk Air Rifle.
This Ruger barrel break is able to shot .177 caliber lead pellets, while the alloy pellets can reach higher velocities. Complementing the other great features of this Ruger Blackhawk Combo air rifle, its nitrogen filled 4x magnification scope adds extra value to the gun. The scope of Ruger pellet rifle is very robust – it is waterproof, shockproof and fog proof.
The scope of this Ruger Blackhawk Combo air rifle needs to be re-zeroed for different types of pellets, due to their different flight trajectories. This gun is perfect for plinking and hunting rodents.
Summarizing the key highlighting features of this Ruger Blackhawk Combo air rifle:
- Spring-piston
- Single shot
- Breakbarrel
- Sturdy stock for better control
- Metal finish
- Fiber optic sights
- 4x32 scope & mount
- 1000 FPS velocity
- Checkered grip areas
- Rubber recoil pad
Black Ops Tactical Sniper Air Rifle Combo Air Rifle
Technical specifications
- Caliber: .177 caliber
- Type: Gas-piston or Spring Piston, Single-shot
- Weight: 9.6 lbs.
- Velocity: 1250 fps
Source: blackopsusa.com
Overview
Black Ops Tactical Sniper Combo Air Rifle is a gun with a perfect mix of accuracy and power. This pellet gun features a synthetic stock that contributes to the high durability of the gun. The gun has with its bipod and 4x32 scope that are made of metal, which is adding to its sturdiness.
This Black Ops Tactical Sniper Combo Air Rifle is a great choice for those, who search for the realistic looking tactical pellet gun.
This pellet air rifle comes with a special silencer located at the end of its barrel for quieter performance. The Black Ops Tactical Sniper Combo Air Rifle is a .177 caliber gun, which makes it perfect for hunting small game or plinking. This Black Ops Sniper pellet rifle can easily be called the best hunting pellet gun.
Also, this single shot pellet rifle has a clip that allows for the speedier process of loading and reloading the gun. In fact, the rifle needs to be reloaded after each shot. But in case with the Black Ops Tactical Sniper Air Rifle, reload process becomes much easier, thanks to its ability to hold up to 30 pellets in the clip.
Source: blackopsusa.com
Additionally, this high-powered pellet gun is very durable. While being a break barrel pellet gun, it also features the bolt action. However, its bolt action is a cosmetic detail.
The pellet gun is very customizable – its adjustable comb enabled shooter to fit rifle as per the size of his/her body. Furthermore, this pellet sniper rifle includes Weaver/Picatinny optics rail and adjustable fiber optic sights.
Its bipod is also adjustable, which allows for greater balance. The Black Ops Tactical Sniper Air Rifle’s bipod can be adjusted anywhere up to 10 inches.
This Black Ops Tactical Sniper Air Rifle weighs around 10 pounds, with its barrel being a long as 18 inches.
Some of the main features of this Black Ops Tactical Sniper Air Rifle include:
- Breakbarrel
- Single-shot
- Adjustable comb
- Bipod legs extend from 8" to 10", foldable
- Rifled steel barrel
- Weaver/Picatinny optics rail
- Adjustable fiber optic sights
- Adjustable comb
- Synthetic stock
- 44 inches long
- Includes 4x32 scope (unmounted)
Verdict
We have discussed three great modern pellet rifle models. Considering that all presented models are reliable and highly functional units, each of them could make a great gun for you or your loved one.
However, I see a clear winner in the Crosman Benjamin Trail NP Air Rifle due to its unique Nitro Piston Technology. This technology will make sure your shots are quiet and powerful. In addition, this gun’s construction specifically aims to reduce the recoil, while at the same time advancing velocity and accuracy.
The Crosman Benjamin Trail NP Air Rifle also can be seen as the best pellet gun for the money, taking the value behind its numerous functions into consideration.
Best Pellet Pistol
In Our Opinion The Best Pellet Pistols
Umarex Colt Peacemaker Air Gun
Technical specifications
- Caliber: .177 caliber
- Type: 6-shot BB pistol
- Weight: 2 lbs
- Velocity: up to 410 FPS
Source: umarexusa.com
Overview
The Umarex Colt Peacemaker Air Gun is a BB-cartridge-loading revolver. In addition, it is a Single Action Army (SAA) revolver and it looks and feels exactly like the legendary Colt Peacemaker. This pellet gun pistol also has some features that are similar to those of the famous .45 Colt Peacemaker sidearm.
This pellet pistol is the replica of one of the most iconic firearms in the US history. The original gun was introduced back in 1837. This Umarex Colt Peacemaker Air Gun is a perfect embodiment of the famous Colt Peacemaker. All of the details are scrupulously copied: this Umarex Colt Peacemaker Air Gun’s weight is also the same as the one of the true Peacemaker.
Source: umarexusa.com
The controls of this Umarex Colt Peacemaker Air Gun are very reliable. When cocking back the hammer of this pellet pistol, you will hear three clicks as cylinder rotates and trigger resets. The construction of this pellet gun allows opening loading gate and sliding back the ejection rod, thus dropping out the shells.
This Umarex Colt Peacemaker Air Gun is one of the most powerful pellet pistols available on the market. This gun can be used for plinking and target shooting.
This .177 caliber revolver has a metal frame and fixed front sight mounted on its 5-inch barrel. The grip of this pellet pistol includes a 12-gram CO2 cannister that shoots steel BBs. The maximum velocity of this gun reaches up to 410 FPS.
Overall, the key features of this Umarex Colt Peacemaker Air Gun comprise:
- All metal frame
- 6-shot BB pistol
- Fixed front sights
- Length: 10.75"
- Barrel: 5"
- Weight: 2 lbs.
- Capacity: 6-shot
- Caliber: .177
- CO2 cannister in the grip
- Colt Single Action - Blued version
Crosman 2240 Bolt Action CO2-Powered .22 Pistol
Technical specifications
- Caliber: .22 caliber
- Type: Single-shot Bolt-action
- Weight: 1.8 lbs
- Velocity: up to 460 FPS
Source: crosman.com
Overview
This Crosman Bolt Action CO2 powered pistol is a perfect choice for those, who are in search for an affordable, yet practical pellet pistol. This Crosman Bolt Action CO2 powered pistol is quite inexpensive and very functional model. The grip of this Crosman pellet pistol features ergonomic design. It is also suitable for both right-handed and left-handed shooters.
The Crosman Bolt Action CO2 powered pistol is a highly customizable gun - you are able to adjust the gun as per your likings. You can see it as a building base – it is possible to modify and transform your pistol.
The manufacturing company of this Crosman pellet gun has created special accessories that are easily available to the users. Notably, the accessories from other Crosman models are also compatible with this Crosman Bolt Action CO2 powered pistol.
Source : crosman.com
The Crosman Bolt Action CO2 powered pistol is a .22 caliber pellet gun. It is a bold-looking and highly effective gun. It is able to shoot pellets at a high speed up to 460 FPS.
Even though this gun is not the right choice for serious hunting, it is a splendid option for pest control. However, this Crosman pellet gun can also make a great pellet handgun for race gun shooters, who want to practice before using a professional race gun.
The Crosman Bolt Action CO2 powered pistol has cartridges that hold 12 grams of CO2. The body of this pellet pistol is made of metal, which makes it very durable. The rear sight of this Crosman pellet pistol is open, which gives the shooter an opportunity to adjust it as needed..
The key highlighting features of this Crosman Bolt Action CO2 powered pistol comprise:
- Ergonomically designed ambidextrous grip
- .22 caliber
- Power Source: CO2
- Single-shot Bolt-action
- Pellet capacity: 1
- Length: 11.1"
- Highly customizable
- Synthetic stock
- Rear sight is open and fully adjustable
Conclusion
Both of the above presented pellet pistols are a great choice for those, who consider buying one. Remember, the decision making is totally dependent on your personal preferences.
However, I personally would stick with Umarex Colt Peacemaker Air Gun, since it is one of the most powerful pellet pistols available on the market. This gun looks and feels exactly like the legendary Colt Peacemaker. Be ready to feel like a cowboy with this great replica of "the gun that won the West."....and remember, if you're into paintball, then look here for our guide on buying the best paintball guns
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