Best Break Barrel Air Rifle for Small Game Hunting

Best Break Barrel Air Rifle for Small Game Hunting

If you like to hunt small game, you should get a quality air rifle. Whether you are hunting squirrels, rabbits, racoons or any other small game, it is cheaper and simpler to use an air rifle than using a real rifle. Besides, air rifles are fun to shoot with and perfect for both adults and youths.

One of most preferred air rifle types is the break barrel. In this post, we have a list of the best break barrel air rifle for small game hunting available on the market today. These air rifles provide the power you need to take down small game within the first shot. They are highly accurate and ideal for both close and mid-range hunting. With that in mind, let’s get started.

Best Break Barrel Air Rifle for Small Game Hunting-Top Picks

  1. Gamo Swarm Maxxim Multi-Shot Pellet Rifle

Gamo Swarm Maxxim G2 .22 Cal Multi-Shot Pellet Rifle

 

The Gamo Swarm Maxxim G2 is a multi-shot pellet rifle that shoots any .22 caliber pellet. It has a firing velocity of up to 1,300fps which is ideal for small game hunting. It has a lightweight design that makes it easy to carry and shoot with.

The air rifle boasts a 10x quick shot technology which allows you to shoot up to 10 pellets without the need to reload. This allows for fast follow up shots. It also comes with a whisper fusion noise dampening technology that enables you to shoot quietly so you don’t spool the game.

Moreover, the air rifle has a checkered design on the grip and forearm to provide a non-slip grip. It also comes with a shock wave absorber recoil pad that absorbs recoil and an 11mm recoil reducing aluminum rail that you can use to mount your accessories of choice.

Other notable features that the scope has are all-weather synthetic stock, manual and automatic safety systems and a Gamo 3-9×40 air rifle scope with rings.

Features

  • 10x Quick-shot technology
  • Maximum velocity: 1300fps
  • Whisper fusion noise dampening technology
  • Gamo 3-9×40 air rifle scope included
  • Rifled steel barrel
  • Two-stage independently adjustable CAT
  • Checkered grip and forearm
  • Recoil reducing rail
  1. Raptor Whisper Air Rifle

Raptor Whisper Air Rifle

 

The Raptor Whisper Air Rifle is a great joy to shoot. It is simple to shoot with and highly accurate. It has a single cocking break barrel and it shoots .177 caliber pellets with a high speed of up to 1300fps.

What makes this air rifle stand out among similar products is the smooth cocking effort. It has an Inert Gas Technology that replaces the spring for easy cocking. Additionally, it has a smooth action trigger that not only maximizes your accuracy, but also has a clear and crisp feel.

With this air rifle, you don’t have to purchase a scope separately. It comes with a 4×32 shockproof scope to enhance your accuracy. It also features a Whisper noise reduction technology for quiet shooting. Above all, it comes with a synthetic ambidextrous all-weather stock and a lightweight design for easy portability.

Features

  • Smooth cocking effort
  • 4×32 shockproof scope
  • Lightweight design
  • 1 year warranty
  • Ambidextrous all-weather stock
  • Single cocking break barrel
  • Maximum velocity: 1300fps
  • Smooth action trigger
  1. Beeman RS2 Air Rifle Combo

Beeman RS2 Air Rifle Combo

 

If you are looking to hunt small game at a distance, you should use a quality air rifle like the Beeman RS2 Air Rifle. It has a break barrel action and shoots .177 caliber pellets up to 1000fps.  This high speed is enough to kill a squirrel, rabbit or any other small game on the first shot.

This air rifle is designed to provide great shooting accuracy. It comes with a 4×32 scope that makes it easy for you to spot the game with ease regardless of how small they are. It also comes with fiber optic front and rear sight that keep you locked on your subjects for accurate shooting.

Weighing just 9lbs, this air rifle is easy to carry and simple to shoot with even for the youth. It comes with an automatic safety that helps prevent accidental firing. To top it all, it has a stock made from durable European hardwood which gives it a stylish look.

Features

  • Adjustable trigger
  • Compatible with .177 caliber pellets
  • 4×32 scope included
  • Maximum velocity: 1000fps
  • Automatic safety function
  • Durable European hardwood stock
  • Fiber optic front and rear sights
  • Lightweight and portable
  1. Crosman Air Rifle (0.22 cal Crosman Optimus)

Crosman Air Rifle (0.22 cal Crosman Optimus)

 

Next on our list is the Crosman Air Rifle. The air rifle is both eye-catching and powerful. It has a spring piston break barrel that shoots .22 caliber pellets with a speed of up to 950fps with alloy pellets.

The air rifle is great for both beginners and seasoned hunters. It requires a small cocking force and is light as feather for easy portability. Moreover, it has a two-stage adjustable trigger and comes with a dovetail mounting rail when you can add any accessory of choice. For greater accuracy, the air rifle features a rifled steel barrel, an adjustable rear sight and a fiber optic front sight.

Lastly, it comes with a 4×32 scope for simple and rapid target acquisition.

Features

  • Micro-adjustable rear sight
  • Fiber optic front sight
  • 4×32 scope
  • Dovetail mounting rail
  • Shoots .22 caliber pellets
  • Rifled steel barrel
  • Durable and all-weather hardwood stock and foregrip
  1. Umarex Ruger Targis Hunter Max Pellet Gun Air Rifle with Scope

Umarex Ruger Targis Hunter Max Pellet Gun Air Rifle with Scope

 

If you are looking to maximize your small game hunting, you should get the Umarex Ruger Targis Hunter Max air rifle. This hard-hitting air rifle fires .22 caliber pellets with a maximum velocity of up to 800fps.

The air rifle is well-built to handle the rough field handling. It has an ergonomic, all-weather stock ideal for use in any weather condition. Besides, both the stock and the fore-end have checkered rubber grips which provide a positive grasp even in wet conditions. The stock also comes with a rubber butt pad for comfortable shooting.

Another noteworthy thing about the scope is that it comes with a built-in Picatinny rail for mounting an optic or any other accessory. It comes with a built-in noise reducer for quiet shooting and a 3-9×32 adjustable objective scope that aids in quick target acquisition.

Features

  • Non-removable noise reducer
  • Ergonomic, all-weather stock
  • Built-in Picatinny rail
  • 3-9×32 adjustable objective scope included
  • Shoots .22 pellets up to 800 FPS
  • Checkered rubber stock and fore-end
  1. Gamo Wildcat Whisper Air Rifles

Gamo Wildcat Whisper Air Rifles

 

As one of the best break barrel air rifles for small game hunting, Gamo Wildcat Whisper Air Rifles features the well-known Whisper noise reduction technology for quiet shooting. With this technology, you don’t have to worry about spooking game or causing noise disturbance in your neighborhood if you will be hunting small game in your backyard.

The air rifle comes with a single-cocking break barrel. It shoots .177 caliber pellets with a speed of up to 1,300fps. It also features an Inert Gas Technology which delivers more consistent power and less cocking effort.

When it comes to construction, the air rifle has a synthetic all-weather stock ideal for both left and right-handed users. The stock has a rubber recoil pad that absorbs both shock and recoil for a more comfortable shooting experience. It also features a lightweight design for easy portability.

Features

  • 4×32 shockproof scope
  • Lightweight design
  • Synthetic, ambidextrous all-weather stock
  • Rubber recoil pad
  • Quiet shooting
  • Shoots .177 caliber pellets
  • Maximum velocity: 1300fps
  • Smooth cocking effort
  1. Ruger Air Magnum Break Barrel Spring Piston Air Rifle

Ruger Air Magnum Break Barrel Spring Piston Air Rifle

 

The Ruger Air Magnum pellet air rifle is multi-purpose hard-hitting air rifle ideal for small game hunting, pest control, plinking and more. It is available in .177 and .22 caliber pellets. It fires .177 caliber pellets out of its rifled steel barrel at a speed of up to 1,400 fps and 1,200fps with the .22 caliber pellets.

The air rifle comes with an all-metal lockdown rail which provides a solid platform for mounting an air rifle scope or any other accessory. In terms of construction, it features an all-weather composite stock that is checkered in all the important spots for comfortable, non-slip grip and a rubber recoil pad for comfortable shooting.

Other noteworthy features it boasts are automatic safety, adjustable rear sight, fixed fiber-optic front sight and a 4x32mm scope with duplex reticle.

Features

  • Rifled steel barrel
  • Durable, all-weather composite stock
  • Lockdown all metal custom mount
  • Available in .177 and .22 calibers
  • Spring piston break barrel
  • Fiber optics sights
  • Automatic safety
  • Lightweight design
  • 4×32 scope with duplex reticle included
  • 1-year limited warranty

See Also

Choosing the Best Break Barrel Air Rifle for Small Game Hunting

Precision and Power

When hunting small game, the reliability of an air rifle is determined by its precision and power. You will want your air rifle to be powerful enough to kill the game instantly so the kill will be more humane. You don’t want the rabbit or squirrel to escape with injuries then later on succumb to them. Look for an air rifle is precise and offers high velocity and high muzzle energy as well.

Durability

Air rifles are great investments. You will want to get a unit that is well-built so you will be able to use it for small game hunting for many years. When looking at the durability, consider the quality of the stock and fore arm and the type of material used. Make sure that these two parts are fully weatherproof.

Scopes and Sights

Scopes and sights are handy items to have for small game hunting. A scope will help you identify your game with ease, regardless of how small they are or how far they might be. This aids in fast target acquisition.

Additionally, front and rear sights help improve your shooting accuracy. They will keep you locked on the target and increase your odds of placing an accurate shot.

Weight

The other important factor you should consider is the weight of the air rifle. Whether you will be hunting small game in your backyard or in the field, it’s important to get a rifle that is lightweight. It will be easier to carry as you move from place to place in search of game. A lightweight rifle is also simpler to shoot with especially for beginners.

Repeater Mechanism

It is best to get a break a barrel air rifle that has a repeater mechanism. It will allow you to shoot several shots before you need to reload it again. The advantage of having a repeater mechanism is that it lets you kill the animal instantly before they escape.

Quiet Shooting

Break barrel air rifle that produces the least noise are the best for small game hunting. If the air rifle is too loud, it will frighten the game you are hunting and have them escape before you shoot them. It will also cause noise disturbance and get you in trouble with your neighbors. So, ensure that you choose an air rifle that shoots quietly.

Best Break Barrel Air Rifle for Small Game Hunting FAQs

  • Are break barrel air rifles good for small game hunting?

Yes, they are. Actually, most hunter prefer to use break barrel for small game hunting. They are powerful enough to kill a squirrel or a rabbit on the first shot. They are also highly accurate and fun to shoot with.

  • Is .22 or .177 better for small game hunting?

Both are ideal for small game in different conditions. For far-off hunting, it’s best to use the .177 caliber pellet as it is able to reach further distances. On the other hand, it’s best to use the .22 caliber for close-range hunting such as in the back yard.

  • How far does a pellet gun shoot?

It largely depends on the pellet gun that you are using. Nevertheless, most air rifles have a maximum range of about 400 yards/366m. But they are only capable of causing serious damage in distances not more than 150 yards/137m.

Conclusion

Break barrel air rifles make handy weapons for small game hunting either in the backyard or out in the field or farm. As you have seen, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing the best break barrel air rifle for small game hunting. Use our guide above and choose the air gun that works best for your hunting needs.