10 Best Pellet Guns 2023
With the cost of ammunition rising, more and more shooters are transitioning from conventional firearms to pellet guns. Pellets cost only a fraction of what regular ammunition does, and since pellet guns effectively replicate the experience of shooting traditional ammunition, they allow you to hone your shooting skills without breaking the bank.
Modern pellet guns even have enough power to hunt small game, making them a preference for many cost-conscious hunters.
To meet the rising market demands, more and more companies are manufacturing models of air rifles and air pistols. Having so many to choose from makes it increasingly difficult and confusing to decide just which one to purchase, so use the information and reviews we’ve compiled here to help you determine the best pellet gun to meet your shooting needs.
Top 10 Pellet Guns Ultimate Table
| Picture | Name | Power Plant | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Black Ops Break Barrel Sniper Air Rifle .22 Caliber | Spring piston | $ | 4.9 |
 | 2. Umarex 3-9X32 Scope Ruger Targis Hunter .22 Air Gun Combo, Black | Spring piston | $$ | 4.5 |
 | 3. Benjamin Maximus Air Rifle | Pre-charged pneumatic | $$$ | 4.4 |
 | 4. RWS .22 Pellet Model 34 Combo Rifle (Wood, Large) | Spring piston | $$$$ | 4.4 |
 | 5. Crosman P1322 American Classic Multi Pump Pneumatic .22-Caliber Pellet Air Pistol, Black | Variable Pump | $ | 4.4 |
 | 6. Ruger Blackhawk Combo air rifle | Spring piston | $$ | 4.3 |
 | 7. Gamo Raptor Whisper Air Rifle | Spring piston | $$ | 4.3 |
 | 8. Crosman CCNP2SX Crusher Air Rifle, .22 Cal with Scope | Spring piston | $$ | 4.1 |
 | 9. Benjamin Trail Nitro Piston 2 Air Rifle with Scope | Spring piston | $$$ | 4.1 |
 | 10. Crosman Nitro Venom Dusk Break Barrel Air Rifle (.22) powered by Nitro Piston | Spring piston | $$ | 4.1 |
Picking the Perfect Pellet Gun
Focusing on the main ways you intend to use your pellet gun will help you cut through the confusion and narrow down your field of choices. Consider this basic information before you purchase.
Pellet guns fire pellets by using the energy produced by one of four distinct types of power plants. Each type has advantages and disadvantages. Your specific shooting needs will influence which type of power plant you want for your pellet gun. Here is a quick breakdown of the four different power plant types.
- Variable Pump. Pellet guns with a variable pump must be manually pumped before each shot. The upside to a variable pump is that there are no air cartridges that must be changed in the field. Propulsion is just a simple matter of charging the self-contained on-board pump. Pellet Guns with variable pumps are convenient, but are often only effective short range, making them best suited for target shooting.
- CO2. Some pellet guns use a 12-gram CO2 cartridge for propulsion. Most shooters find they can get 40 to 60 shots before needing to change their gun’s cartridge. Pellet guns with a CO2 power plant are consistently accurate and effective at shorter ranges; this makes them good choices for the target shooter or backyard plinker.
- Spring Piston. Spring tension is used in this type of power plant. When the coiled spring is released, it causes air pressure in a piston to force the pellet down the barrel of the gun. This type of pellet gun has a lever which must be cocked before each shot; this can be inconvenient when rapid firing is necessary, yet offers unlimited shots when in the field. The spring piston also generates more power than some other types, making them a favorite choice of small game hunters.
- Pre-Charged Pneumatic (PCP). PCP pellet guns have an air reservoir which must be refilled with either a pump or pressure tank. These types of pellet guns typically generate more power than those with other power plants. They are also known to be consistent and accurate at longer ranges. Because of the power and effective range of this type of power plant, hunters often choose them for hunting small game.
Different pellet guns require different pellet sizes. Caliber refers to the diameter of the pellet being fired. The three most common pellet calibers are:
- .177 caliber. This is the caliber pellet used in competitive target shooting. Its weight makes the pellet capable of faster air speeds, which increases accuracy. It is usually not considered effective for most hunting scenarios, although it can be used for hunting very small game at close ranges.
- .22 caliber. The most common pellet size for hunting, the .22 caliber pellet is heavy enough to take down most small game species.
- .25 caliber. These heavy-weight pellets pack a bit more punch than smaller caliber pellets. The extra weight does tend to decrease velocity and make them less effective for longer range shooting; this is a good caliber for hunting small to medium game, pests, and predators at shorter ranges.
Top 5 Best Pellet Gun Reviews
1. Black Ops Break Barrel Sniper Air Rifle
If you want a cool tactical look paired with top notch performance, then this is the pellet gun for you. It features solid construction, fast pellet speed, and precision shooting even at long distances. When paired with a quality scope, this pellet gun becomes a legitimate sniper rifle.
The Black Ops Break Barrel Sniper Air Rifle may fire .22 pellets, but it looks just like the .50 caliber conventional rifles that the military uses. It is surprisingly powerful, sturdy, and accurate, and the synthetic stock holds up in all kinds of weather conditions. Whether you’re looking for a pellet gun that works well for pest control and small game hunting or just target shooting in your backyard, this is definitely the best pellet gun for the job.
2. Umarex 3-9X32 Scope Ruger Targis Hunter
This combo comes with everything you need to start small game hunting or target shooting. Included in the package is the powerful, high-velocity Ruger Targis Hunter pellet air rifle, a comfortable yet rugged sling, and a 4×32 scope with mounts. You can almost shoot this pellet gun right out of the box.
The silence air system features a non-removable five-chambered suppressor that makes for seriously quiet shooting. When hunting small game, this enables you to fire off several shots without alerting other nearby game. This solid, well-built pellet gun also has an all-weather stock so you can hunt in whatever weather Mother Nature throws your way.
3. Benjamin Maximus Air Rifle
This single shot, bolt action, pellet rifle shoots both .177 and .22 pellets. It features a built-in pressure gauge, synthetic all-weather stock, and fiber-optic front and rear sights. It is lightweight, yet solid and well-balanced. The sights are easy to line up, and the Benjamin Maximus Air Rifle has surprising accuracy for target shooting out to 100 yards. Although, for small game hunting, where target penetration is key to success, its most effective range is probably 35 yards or less.
The air tank is easy to fill, even with a hand pump. The manual safety is easy to apply, giving the shooter full control over the rifle. However, the most surprising feature of the Benjamin Maximus Air Rifle is the price. PCP powered pellet guns tend to run on the pricey side, but this model is one of the most affordable on the market.
4. RWS .22 Pellet Model 34 Combo Rifle
Perhaps the most striking feature of the RWS Model 34 Combo Pellet Rifle is the balanced and attractive Monte Carlo hardwood stock. The design of this gun just speaks class and will remind you of the pellet rifles your grandfathers used. It may not have some of the fancy bells and whistles that some more expensive model pellet guns have, but you certainly won’t be disappointed in the appearance, handling, or accuracy of this pellet gun.
It has an adjustable trigger and easy cocking mechanism, making it simple and fun to use for shooters of all ages and experience levels. It loads in .177 caliber pellets for plinking or target shooting. When loaded with .22 caliber pellets, it makes a deadly weapon against small game and bothersome pests.
5. Crosman American Classic Multi Pump Pneumatic
If you want your pellet gun in pistol form, the Crosman P1322 American Classic is a fabulous choice. It is lightweight, easy to both cock and load, and its rifled steel barrel provides the same level of accuracy that some long barrel pellet guns provide. It is well-built, solid, and shoots rather quietly, especially when compared to conventional pistols.
It is incredibly powerful despite its compact size and is a great option for rabbit and squirrel hunting as well as for around-the-yard pest control. It also makes for a great pellet gun for target practice or fun backyard plinking.
