Best Air Rifles for Backyard Plinking
Over the recent years, the popularity of air rifles has been on the rise. In this day and age, an air rifle is a versatile weapon that fills so many niches. With the modern air rifle technology, having a good air rifle will make your backyard plinking a reality.
The best air rifles for backyard plinking are simple to shoot, reasonably affordable than rifles and fun to shoot with as well. However, the market offers a multitude of air rifles that finding the best model can difficult. For your convenience, we have a list of the best air rifles for backyard plinking suitable for you. Let’s take a look.
Best Air Rifles for Backyard Plinking
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Benjamin Bulldog .357 PCP Hunting Rifle with Reversible Sidelever Bolt Action
The Benjamin Bulldog is one of the best air rifles for backyard plinking. Its powerful, efficient, reliable and easy to use. It comes with a baffle-less SoundTrap technology for a quiet shooting operation. This way, your plinking will be comfortable and you don’t have to worry about disturbing your neighbors.
This air rifle is built tough to last long. It has a durable synthetic design and a 36-inch bullpup configuration which makes it easy to carry in the field. It also features a reversible sidelever bolt which works well for both left and right-handed shooters.
You can use this rifle for multiple shooting applications not just plinking. The rifled steel barrel delivers up to 910 fps which is sufficient for backyard plinking and most hunting applications. Additionally, this rifle comes with a 5-shot magazine, a cleaning kit and a 26-inch picatinny rail that you can use to mount any accessories of choice.
Features
- Durable synthetic design
- Baffle-less sound trap
- Reversible side lever bolt action
- Rifled steel barrel
- Maximum velocity: 910fps
- 26-inch picatinny rail
- 5-shot magazine
- Fairly light and easy to carry
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Benjamin Marauder Wood Stock Air Rifle
Benjamin is well-known for its quality air rifles and the Marauder Wood Stock Air Rifle is no different. This air rifle has everything you need to make your backyard plinking better and more fun. It’s not simple to shoot, but also great for all users regardless of their skills and expertise in shooting.
This model shoots .177 caliber pellets up to 1100 fps. It operates on a Precharged pneumatic power plant which provides relentless performance. Better yet, it has a rifled and shrouded steel barrel for greater accuracy and a rebalanced wood stock that’s durable, stylish and very comfortable. It also has a resonance dampening for a noise-free shooting. Besides plinking, you can use this air rifle for pest control, small game and varmint hunting.
Features
- Shoots .177 caliber pellets
- Rebalanced wood stock
- Rifled and shrouded barrel
- Precharged pneumatic power plant
- Simple to shoot
- Maximum firing speed: 1100 FPS
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Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1 6110063254 Air Rifles .177 3-9×40
Power and speed best describe the Whisper Fusion Mach 1 air rifle from Gamo. This is a high-quality air rifle with a powerful gas piston technology. It shoots either .177 caliber pellets or .22 caliber pellets. Thanks to the large 33mm gas cylinder, it’s able to shoot the pellet at up to 1420fps. Such a velocity is more than enough for backyard plinking.
This air rifle provides a very quiet shooting operation. It features the Whisper Fusion technology which is patented by Gamo. Weighing about 6.61 pounds, it’s fairly light and easy to carry around. The synthetic stock features a snug, ambidextrous cheek piece for comfortable shooting.
Another good thing about this air rifle is its accuracy. It comes with a Gamo 3-9×40 scope to help improve your accuracy. The recoil reducing rail absorbs the harsh recoil of the air rifle so the scope will last long. Above all, this model delivers consistent cocking efforts and constant power and performance.
Features
- Compatible with both .177 and .22 caliber pellets
- 1420fps maximum firing velocity
- 5-year warranty
- Fairly light and easy to carry
- Gamo 3-9×40 scope
- Snug, all-weather synthetic ambidextrous stock
- Custom action trigger
- Whisper Fusion technology
- Consistent cocking effort, powerful and accurate
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Umarex Fusion .177 Caliber Pellet Gun Air Rifle Fusion 1
The Umarex Fusion .177 Caliber Pellel Gun is another great air rifle for backyard plinking. It utilizes Umarex’s SilencAir 5-chamber noise dampening system for an amazingly quiet shooting operation. This way, you don’t have to get into trouble with your neighbors for causing noise disturbance.
With this air rifle, you don’t have to buy a scope separately. It comes with a 4×32 that you can use to improve your accuracy. Besides that, this scope shoots .177 caliber pellets with the highest speed being 750 fps. It’s powered by 2 12-gram CO2 cartridges which provide great power. Fusion also features an ergonomic all-weather synthetic stock with a rubber recoil pad for comfortable shooting. Lastly, it comes with an 11mm dovetail rail for mounting your accessories of choice and an automatic safety.
Features
- 4×32 scope
- Powered by 2 12g CO2 cartridges
- Very quiet
- 11mm dovetail rail
- Rubber recoil pad
- Automatic safety
- Ergonomic, all-weather synthetic stock
- Shoots .177 caliber pellets up to 750fps
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Crosman 1077 RepeatAir Semi-Automatic CO2- Powered .177-Caliber Pellet Air Gun
If you are on a tight budget and you are looking for a cheap but quality air rifle, you should go with the Crosman 1077 RepeatAir air gun. This is a reliable semi-automatic air rifle that’s powered by CO2. It shoots .177 caliber pellets with a maximum firing speed of 625fps. For most backyard plinking practice, this will suffice.
Featuring a 12-shot rotary pellet clip, this air gun gives you fast-follow up shots and allows you to shoot longer. Also, it comes with an adjustable notch rear sight which helps you stay locked on target and a fiber optic front sight for greater accuracy. It’s sturdily built to last long and comes with a durable synthetic stock and foregrip for comfortable shooting.
Features
- Easy to shoot
- Cost-effective
- CO2-powered
- Available in .177 caliber
- Maximum firing speed: 625fps
- 12-shot rotary pellet clip
- Adjustable notch rear sight and fiber optic front sight
- Durable synthetic stock and foregrip
- Lightweight design
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Gamo Wildcat Whisper Air Rifles
Here is another excellent air rifle for backyard plinking for those on a budget. This air rifle is available in .177 or .22 caliber pellet. With the .177 model, you get speeds up to 1300fps and 975fps for the .22 counterpart. That’s a lot of punch for plinking.
Featuring a whisper noise dampening technology, this air rifle gives you a quiet shooting operation. The IGT gas piston provides more terminal velocity, more consistent power and less vibration. It also makes it easy to shoot.
The durable make of this air gun ensures that it’s passed from one generation to the other. It’s sturdily made to last long and comes with a tough, all-weather ambidextrous stock. The lightweight design makes it easy to carry in the field, while the rubber recoil pad helps protect the scope from damage. Above all, a 4×32 shockproof scope is included.
Features
- Whisper noise dampening technology
- 1 year warranty
- 4×32 shockproof scope
- Single cocking break barrel
- Automatic cocking safety system
- Lightweight design
- Tough, all-weather ambidextrous stock
- Rubber recoil pad
- Fluted polymer jacketed steel barrel
- Inert Gas Technology IGT gas piston
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Bushmaster BMPWX Full Auto MPW CO2-Powered BB Air Rifle
Next on our list is the Bushmaster MPW Air Rifle. This is a CO2-powered air rifle which shoots BBS at a whole 430fps. It has a 25-round magazine round that gives you fast follow-up shots and an accessory rail mounted red dot sight to help you stay locked on your target.
Fueled by 2, 12-gram CO2 cartridges, this air rifle provide consistent power and reliable performance. You can adjust its stock to 6 different positions for easy and comfortable handling. The lightweight design makes it comfortable to shoot, while the blow back action helps reduce recoil. To top it all, this air rifle comes with removable pop-up sights and an adjustable rear sight for added accuracy.
Features
- 25-round drop out magazine
- Compatible with traditional 4.5mm steel BBs
- Accessory rail mounted red dot sight
- Powered by 2, 12-gram CO2 cartridges
- Maximum speed: 430fps
- Durable synthetic design
- Adjustable stock
- 1400 rounds per minute
- Blowback action
- Adjustable rear sight
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Daisy Adult Red Ryder BB Gun (1938ARR)
Here is another quality BB gun that’s perfect for backyard plinking. Its simple to shoot and suitable for both adults and kids. It also features an ultra-light design which makes shooting a breeze.
The overall length of this BB gun is 35.4”. This makes it very comfortable to carry in the field. The crossbolt trigger block enhances safe handling by preventing accidental firing. The stamped metal receiver provides a comfortable shooting, while the lever action spring air action makes it simple to cock.
This air rifle has a 650-capacity and shoots .177 caliber/4.5mm BBs up to 350fps. It has a maximum shooting distance of 195 yards which is sufficient for backyard plinking. Lastly, it shoots quietly and comes with an adjustable open rear sight as well as a blade and ramp front sight.
Features
- Stained solid wood safety
- Cross bolt trigger block
- 650-shots capacity
- Lever cocking spring air action
- Smooth bore steel barrel
- Maximum velocity: 350fps
- Overall length: 36.75”
Choosing the Best Air Rifles for Backyard Plinking
Here are some of the key factors you should consider when choosing the best air rifles for backyard plinking.
Budget
Just like any other firearm, the price of air rifles varies from one model to the other. With most air rifles, you don’t have to spend a fortune to buy one. This what makes the suitable for target practice. You can spend about $100 for a basic model and up to $1000 and above for the top-tier models. Put into account what features you need in the air rifle then choose the model that suits your budget.
Precision and Power
For backyard plinking, precision and power shouldn’t be a big deal for you. However, it doesn’t mean that you get an air rifle with poor precision. Instead, get a model that’s offers consistent velocity and reliable power.
Durability
Everyone wants an air rifle that’s durable made so it can give them many years of field use. For backyard plinking, you should consider factors such as synthetic design, weatherproof and durable make. This will ensure that you get many years out of your air rifle.
Safety
The other important factor you should consider is the safety features that the air rifle. Even if air rifles are less lethal, they can inflict an injury that can be deadly. So, make sure that you choose a product with safety features. Safety features such as a crossbolt trigger block ensure safe handling.
Weight
It’s also important to look at how heavy the air rifle is. If you want to get the most out of your plinking and make it pretty simpler, look for a lightweight air rifle. A heavy model is not only difficult to shoot, but cumbersome to carry around.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Air Rifles for Backyard Plinking
Can I shoot rats in my garden with an air rifle?
Yes. Typically, an air rifle is the best weapon for shooting rats in your garden. Air rifles are safer, effective and fun to shoot with. Make sure that you are using the right pellets for shooting rats.
Is BB or pellet gun stronger?
Both BB and pellet guns can inflict serious injury, particularly when fired at close quarters. However, pellets guns are the stronger option. Heavier pellets are capable of taking down a target on the first shot.
What is better gas or spring air rifles?
Gas-powered air rifles have a faster firing cycle which makes them perfect for those looking for speed. However, their recoil can be pretty snappy. Spring-powered air rifles on the other hand have more velocity and lesser recoil. They are also highly accurate.
Conclusion
We hope that this post has been insightful. If you never though of having an air rifle for backyard plinking, it’s time to get one. An air rifle offers multiple benefits. You can use it safely and effectively in places where you can use any other firearm. Use our guide above and gift yourself, your family member or friend the best air rifle for backyard plinking.