Best Air Rifles for Hunting Big Game
Are you in the market for the best air rifles for hunting big game? You are in the right place. This article sheds light on powerful and versatile air rifles that are perfect for hunting big game.
In recent years, air rifles have evolved. They have become more powerful, versatile and reliable. As a result, hunters now depend on them for hunting a wide range of game including big game.
These firearms are also ideal for hunting in a wild range of environments, showcasing their accuracy and stealth.
However, in a market full of air rifles from different brands, not all are ideal for big game hunting. In this guide, we will delve into the very best air rifles for hunting big game and help you make an informed purchase.
We have also put up a comprehensive guide with the key factors you need to take into consideration during your selection process.
Whether you are a seasoned hunter or just a beginner, here is a list of air rifles for hunting big game ideal for you. Let’s take a look.
Best Air Rifles for Hunting Big Game-Our Top Picks
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Samyang Dragon Claw Dual Tank Air Rifle
Coming first in our list is the Samyang Dragon Claw Dual Tank Air Rifle. This air rifle is built with the avid hunter in mind and comes with an array of features to take your hunting to the next level.
It is a monster hunting with tow air reservoirs. It shoots 0.50 caliber pellets and has a maximum muzzle velocity of 679fps. Over and above that, it has two power levels for you to choose from and fills pressure up to 3000 psi through the female quick disconnect fitting underneath the air reservoir.
Another facet that makes it one of the best air rifles for hunting big game is versatility. It is powerful and fun to shoot with either lead ammo or air bolts.
With the rifled barred, it makes the air bolts so deadly that it can take out big game with the first accurate shot.
Other noteworthy features included are a fixed front sight, built-in manometer and raised right hand cheekpiece.
Features
- Built-in pressure gauge
- 11mm scope rail
- Hardwood Monte Carlo stock
- Fully adjustable removable rear sight
- Bolt action with longer cocking handle
- Rifled barrel
- Dual air chambers
- 3,000 psi maximum fill pressure
Pros
- Accurate and powerful
- Ease of use
- Versatile
Cons
- Loud
- Big budget
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Winchester Big Bore 70-35 PCP Air Rifle
Winchester Big Bore 70-35 PCP Air Rifle is an adult precision air rifle that is designed and engineered to provides exceptional performance in the shooting range or hunting fields. It is powerful, accurate and very fun to shoot with.
The air rifle is a .35 caliber with a six-shot magazine that ensures fast follow up shots. It comes with a smooth slide lever action that requires very little effort to operate.
Besides, it delivers stunning consistency across two magazines, producing up to 132 foots pounds of energy when you use 81.02 grain pellets.
Furthermore, the air rifle is built with beechwood stock that gives it an elegant look. It is also built with a rubber butt plate and a shrouded barrel for basic noise reduction.
Features
- Beechwood stock
- 800FPS muzzle velocity
- Side-lever cocking action
- Shrouded barrel
- Adjustable 2 stage trigger
- 11mm dovetail scope mount
Pros
- Solid construction
- Powerful and accurate
- Low noise
Cons
- Heavy
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Benjamin Bulldog .357 PCP Hunting Rifle
Benjamin standards for hunting air rifles are unmatched. It makes high-quality line of powerful air rifle and this is clear with the Bulldog .357 PCP Hunting Rifle.
The air rifle is not just powerful, but also efficient, accurate and easy to use. As such, it is perfect for use by hunters of all levels including beginners.
Moreover, it is compatible with a full line of Benjamin accessories to ensure that you have extra value for your money.
As one of the best air rifles for hunting big game, this model is built with a durable synthetic design that guarantees long term use. Besides, it is built with a rifled steel barrel which delivers high muzzle velocity up to 910fps.
The Bulldog also features a reversible side lever bolt action for left and right-handed users. On top of that, it boasts a baffle-less sound trap for big bore sound suppression.
Features
- 5-shot magazine
- Durable synthetic design
- PCP-powered
- Reversible sidelever bolt action
- Rifled steel barrel
- 26-inch picatinny rail
- Short 36-inch bullpup configuration
Pros
- Ambidextrous
- Ease of use
- Unmatched power and accuracy
- Sleek appearance
Cons
- Comes with no sights
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Gamo CO2 Pellet Pistol Revolver
This is another modern firearm ideal for big game hunting. It is CO2 powered and shoots both .177 caliber pellets and BBs with a maximum muzzle velocity of 495 feet per second.
The pellet clip of this pistol holds 16 rounds at a go. This is essential in ensuring that you can take fast follow up shots. Besides, the pistol is outfitted with a rifled metal barrel for precision shooting in all environments.
Another defining feature of this firearm is lightweight construction. It weighs a mere 2.29lbs so it is convenient to carry in the field. Other than that, it comes fitted with fixed front sight and windage-adjustable rear sight for honing your shooting precision.
Features
- 16-round rotary clip
- Manual safety
- Rifled metal barrel
- .177 caliber
- Singe/double action
- Fixed front sight
Pros
- Lightweight
- Ease of use
- Smooth trigger
- Fast and accurate
Cons
- Not durable
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Seneca Double Shot .50 Cal Air Rifle
Seneca Double Shot .50 Cal Double Barrel Shotgun Air Rifle is built for performance and versatility. It has one of the most flexible big bore systems on the market. This makes it an ideal air rifle for hunting medium and large game.
The air rifle employs a patent-pending air distributor that helps shooters perform quick follow up shots seamlessly. This innovative PCP uses a 244cc cylinder. When filled to 3000psi, it provides 5 full powered shots per fill.
The high-pressure results to incredible velocities up to 1,130fps with shotshells and 600fps with round balls. Moreover, the air rifle has an ambidextrous hardwood stock that gives it an eye-catching look.
A front bead sight is included to fine tune your shooting accuracy. You also get an optional 11mm dovetail scope rail to add optics and any other accessory of choice.
Features
- On-board pressure gauge
- Front bead sight
- Ambidextrous hardwood stock
- Rubber buttpad
- Precharged pneumatic
- Two smooth bore barrels
- 244cc air cylinder
Pros
- Detailed design
- Accurate
- Versatile
- Ease of use
Cons
- Not enough power
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Umarex Hammer .50 Caliber Air Rifle
Umarex Hammer .50 Caliber PCP Pellet Gun Air Rifle, marks the next pick in our list of the best air rifles for hunting big game. The knock-down generating impact it creates makes it perfect for hunting medium and big game such as deer and moose.
This air rifle is built with a modern stock with M-LOK locations. It is also built with a patent-pending lightspeed valve and a Carl Walther precision barrel that guarantees powerful and precise shooting.
Another impressive facet about the air rifle is its built with safety in mind. It comes with two safety features, a mag lock-out that won’t fire without the mag and a trigger block safety.
And that’s not all. All Hammer .50 Caliber PCP Pellet Gun Air Rifles have one full tank that delivers 4 full power regulated shots and one finishing shot. They also provide a very quiet shooting thanks to the sound absorbing composite full barrel shroud.
Features
- Ultralight 4500psi
- 1130fps muzzle velocity
- Shoots 50 caliber pellets
- Two 2-shot linear mags
- Trigger block safety
- Three full power shots
- Modern stock design
- Carl Walther precision barrel
- Sound absorbing composite full barrel shroud
Pros
- Plenty of power
- Accurate
- Reliable performance
Cons
- Quality issues
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Umarex Ruger Targis Air Rifle
To maximize your airgun hunting, you need an accurate and powerful air rifle like the Umarex Ruger Targis Hunter Max. It is designed with the ardent hunter in mind and is suitable for hunters of all levels.
The foundation of this air rifle is its ergonomic all-weather stock. Both the stock wrist and fore-end have checkered rubber grips which provide a secure grip in all weather conditions.
Additionally, the stock features a comfortable rubber butt pad and sling studs. This air rifle fires .22 caliber pellets and shoots up to 800fps. It has a SilencAir Noise Dampener included for noise dampening.
On top of that, it utilizes break barrel action and gas piston on the inside to ensure smooth and accurate shooting.
Features
- Ergonomic, weatherproof stock
- 800fps max muzzle velocity
- Integral nucleus rail platform
- 5-chamber SilencAir sound dampener
- Rubber recoil butt pad
- 3-9x32mm scope included
Pros
- Lightweight
- Powerful and accurate
- Fun to shoot with
Cons
- Cheap scope
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Daisy Powerline Pellet/BB Rifle
Lastly in our list of the best air rifles for hunting big game is the Daisy Powerline Model 35 Camo Air Rifle. It weighs less than 3lbs so it is a great choice for the youth and beginners in hunting.
This air rifle shoots .177 pellets and BBs. At full charge, it generates a muzzle velocity of 625fps. It will hold 50BBs in the reservoir, but shoots single pellets with the multi pump pneumatic action.
Furthermore, the air rifle is molded with checkered grips on both the stock and forearm. It also comes with a bland and ramp front sight as well as an adjustable rear sight to fine tune your shooting accuracy.
Features
- Shoots both 177 pellets and BBs
- Multi-pump pneumatic action
- Adjustable rear sights
- 625fps maximum velocity
- 50 shot BB reservoir
Pros
- Beginner friendly
- Lightweight
- Good value for the price
- Quality construction
Cons
- Hard to pump
You may also like:
- Best Break Barrel Air Rifle for Small Game Hunting
- Best Nitro Piston Air Rifle For Hunting
- Best Break Barrel Air Rifle for Small Game Hunting
Best Air rifles for Big Game Hunting Buyer’s Guide
Here are the key things to consider when buying an air rifle for big game hunting.
Caliber
You should start your selection process by determining the right caliber. Big game hunting unlike small game hunting and pest control calls for large calibers. We recommend air rifles that shoot .35, .45 and .50 calibers for this kind of hunting.
Power Source
The next thing to consider is the air rifle’s power source. It can either be gas-piston or pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) mechanisms. For medium and big game hunting, PCP rifles are the best as they provide more consistent power and accuracy.
Weight
How heavy an air rifle weighs can make or break your hunting expedition. You will want a lightweight air rifle that is easy to maneuver with in the field as you look for game. Lightweight air rifles also have the added advantage of being fun to shoot as they hardly cause fatigue.
Velocity
In air rifles, muzzle velocity varies from one gun to the other. It is important that you opt for a model that has a high muzzle velocity of at least 800fps. The faster the pellet travels, the deeper the penetration it provides. The best air rifles for hunting big game also have high muzzle velocity to ensure better energy transfer.
Best Air rifles for Big Game Hunting FAQs
- Are air rifles suitable for hunting big game?
Yes. Some air rifles are ideal for hunting all type of game including the large game. They are powerful enough to provide deep penetration on the game and cause an ethical kill on the first shot you take.
- What caliber is best for big game hunting?
. 357, .45 and .50 calibers are the best for big game hunting. These calibers are large enough to deliver more stopping power on any age no matter the size. They also have high muzzle velocity which is essential in ensuring better energy transfer.
- How far can an air rifle shoot accurately?
The effective range of air rifles varies from one firearm to the other depending on factors such as caliber and rifle design. Generally, you can expect to shoot between 50 and 100 yards with a quality air rifle.
Conclusion
Hopefully, our article has given you all the information you need about the best air rifles for hunting big game. The choice of air rifle will depend on your hunting habits, specific hunting conditions and preference. Whatever you have in mind, there is an air rifle out there for