The Best Air Gun

We would like it to be accurate, quiet, easy to use... If it is used for hunting pest or small game it needs to be relatively powerful. (No air gun is very powerful when compared to similar firearms.) The most powerful air guns are seldom the quietest, or easiest to use... Like most things, air guns with strong attributes in one area are often offset by weakness in other areas. The best air gun will be the one with the best balance of attributes for your use.

With that said, the best guns keep getting better and better.
Air gun technology seems to be advancing rapidly.

For many people price is the difference between knowing about the best
air gun, and owning the best air gun. The best air gun is also one we can afford to buy.

It's difficult to know where to start, with such a wide variety of air guns, and uses. Keep in mind as you read that the scope of this page is limited. To keep from repeating myself too much I'll refer you to my other pages.

Caliber is as good a place to start as any. The .177 caliber is by far the most popular air gun. I'll enrage some by saying that it is simply the best air gun caliber for most uses.

It's generally the most accurate. It has the highest velocity (fastest) when compared to the larger calibers used in the same gun.

Higher velocity means it will have less drop over a given range. Less drop can also translate into more accuracy.

All pellets are not created equal, some heavy, pointed pellets start slower but will fly better over longer distances. Still, I'm keeping this simple and assume the typical air gunner is not going to get too involved in the ballistic coefficient of pellets.

The other calibers .20, .22, & .25 can offer one 'significant' advantage; slightly more killing power. Their only reason for existence is hunting. Some would argue that they are less affected by the wind, and that their larger size makes them a little easier to load.

In our country the .22 pellet is relatively popular. When comparing spring air guns offered in both .177 and .22 caliber: The .177's often have an advertised muzzle velocity around 1000 fps. and the .22's around 800.

A .177 pellet's mass is about 8 grams, and the .22 around 12 grams. The .22 at 800 fps. will have slightly more energy, (impact) with the trade-off
in velocity.

The .20 caliber is said to be the perfect balance with most of the .177's speed and the .22's killing power... or worthless. It depends on
who you talk with. I'm simply going to say stick with the .177 until you know more.

In my opinion .22 pellet rifles are for hunting, but only when used in one of the more powerful guns. Remember there is no cartridge, powder... the gun produces the air power.

I would especially consider a .22 in a pre-charged pneumatic gun.
It seems these guns are a little more capable of pushing the bigger pellets effectively. (This would also be the place for the .25 caliber, if it has one.)

Click on the rifle to shop!

Now that I've mentioned power-plants, what's the best?
Is the best pellet gun CO2, pneumatic, or spring air powered?

Simple answer, if you want the most firearm like look and feel; CO2. The most power at the least cost; pump-up pneumatic. The most raw power; pre-charged pneumatic. The best over-all balance of features; spring air.
If it were only that simple!

The CO2 guns are popular in our country, especially inexpensive handguns for plinking. Many CO2 guns are repeaters and can be shot rapidly, much like similar cartridge firearms. This is a good place to start
if you want to shoot for fun, and don't mind paying for CO2.

The pump-up pneumatic may be your best air gun if your on a strict budget. Many people in our country know this gun as 'the pellet gun'. A pump-up Crosman pistol for around $50 will shoot a .177
pellet near 600 fps. Only a few pellet pistols beat that at any price.

Some of the low priced pump-up rifles shoot around 900 fps. These guns are bargains. The BIG disadvantage is pumping them. It takes multiple pumps, effort, movement, and noise, to get ready for a shot.

The pre-charged pneumatics are gaining in popularity;
especially for hunting. They can be pumped up with a hand pump,
but are often filled from a big air tank. Once they are "charged" they can be ready for a shot without the noise and movement of pumping or cocking.

These guns are usually powerful and accurate; but not cheap. Their main disadvantage is a limited number of shots before recharging. Run out of air away from the pump or tank, and the gun is useless. When hunting sometimes we only need a few shots and this may not be a problem.

The spring-air guns are often the best air gun because of their balance of features. Most know the old lever action Daisy which is an example of a very low power spring-air BB gun.

Europe has been making serious spring-air pellet guns for a long time.
They are generally quiet, require one pump (cock) action, relatively powerful, and accurate.

These guns can be found in a wide variety of price, quality, and power. Their main disadvantage for hunters is that spring powered guns should not be carried around cocked. Most (some new models don't use springs) should be cocked and shot to keep the spring "healthy".

Another spring air disadvantage is their backward recoil from the spring piston upon firing. Most shooters get accustomed to it with time. Note: Their reverse recoil will eventually wreck any scope unless it is made for use on spring-air guns.

What is the best? I'd like to try one of the new guns which works like a spring air gun but uses gas or air rather than a spring. You'll have to decide for yourself. Read my other pages and everything you can find to help you choose your best air gun. :-)

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