Air Rifles

About Air Rifles & Guns

An air gun comes in a range of classifications; BB guns, pellet air rifles, air pistols. Air guns are designed to shoot BBs, pellets or sometimes both using air-powered propulsion such as CO2 or pre-charged pneumatic air tanks. Air rifles start at .177 caliber and reach up to .50 cal. Air pistols mostly come in .177 or .22 caliber.

Having helped thousands of customers find just the right air rifle, here are some things we think you should consider before you buy.

Tips for buying air rifles:

• Choose the right caliber for the intended purpose.
• Consider the power you need, not only the velocity listed.
• There are different power plants available on today's market and each one has its own unique considerations.

If you are looking for plinking fun in the backyard or target shooting, especially at distances under 50 yards, you might consider a .177 caliber air rifle. There are not only many options to choose from, but the pellets are very affordable. If you're planning on stretching out the distance beyond 50 yards, consider .22 or .25 caliber options. These calibers are also good for shooting pests or small game, with .25 caliber being the better choice. While most websites, even ours, publish the velocity numbers in feet-per-second (FPS), this is only one factor to consider when purchasing an air rifle. High velocity does not mean better accuracy, and it doesn't represent how powerful a rifle is - power depends on velocity and the weight of the pellet.

We've touched upon caliber and power, but it's also important to consider the powerplant, in other words, the part of the gun that controls the air. Break barrels are usually the best compromise between cost, power, and convenience, but they can require a bit of a learning curve to shoot them well. CO2 cartridges are cheap and convenient but don't provide a lot of power nor do they work in cold weather, while pre-charged pneumatics (PCPs) can be very powerful and accurate but require an external air source. Regardless of your skill level or intended purposes, we have the options you need when shopping for air rifles. Pick up a high-powered option today for varmint hunting, small pest control or just plinking in the backyard. No matter what you are looking for, you will find the right gun at the right price here at Airgun Depot. Shop our large selection of air rifles, pellet rifles and BB rifles from top brands including Crosman, Benjamin, FX, Weihrauch, RWS, Hatsan and many others.

What is an Air Rifle?

An air rifle is a compressed air gun, that fires pellets down the rifled barrel. There are many different types of air rifles, but all use compressed air to fire a projectile. Air rifle powerplants are divided into three groups. The spring-piston, which utilizes energy stored in the spring. Pneumatic, which uses internally stored pressurized gas. Last we have, compressed gas (most commonly CO2), which uses external sources of pressurized gas. Air rifles can be used for small game hunting, pest control, and even recreational shooting (commonly known as plinking). There are also competitive sports such as the Olympic 10m and Field Target (FT). So no matter what you want your air rifle for, it can meet those needs.

If you have questions about any of the air rifles we feature in our inventory, please contact us for further assistance. We are always happy to help, and we look forward to hearing from you.