We all love those fluffy little critters when we are out at the park with our families. Their cute little tails and fun personalities as they chase each other around trees and through the grass. But, while those cute little squirrels may be fun at the park, it’s a whole other situation when they chew through the wiring in your attic or your new truck’s wiring harness. Yeah, they can be cute, but they also cause millions of dollars of damage each year. It’s why one of the most asked questions we get from new airgunners is, “what’s the best airgun for taking out squirrels.” While almost any airgun pushing eight or more foot pounds “can” drop one of those little tree rats where they stand, some airguns are better suited than others. Let’s take a look at some decent options based on customer reviews and our personal experiences. Also, while .177 caliber airguns can certainly do the job, we recommend .22 cal or higher for their greater energy on target and better accuracy at long range. So, here are our top five “squirrel getting” airguns listed from the most affordable to the most expensive.
Gamo Swarm Fusion 10x Gen 3i .22
The Gamo Swarm Fusion 10x Gen 3i .22 is a great airgun for taking out squirrels. The previous model, the Gen 2, has been the mainstay airgun for Gamo’s annual Squirrel Master Classic, held each February at the Southern Sportsman’s Hunting Lodge. It has some great features like a bundled 3-9×40 scope, 10-shot magazine, an adjustable CAT Trigger, and a great lightweight synthetic stock. It’s the only breakbarrel on our list, earning that place primarily due to Gamo’s Swarm multi-shot system. Sure it’s accurate and easy to shoot, but having ten follow-up shots on tap gives it the edge over other break-barrel airguns. So if you have a pest problem in your backyard, the Gamo Swarm Fusion 10x Gen 3i could be your answer.
Air Venturi Avenger .22
PCP Airguns are easy to shoot, accurate, and powerful. Additionally, most are either very quiet or can be made very quiet. If stealth is your thing, then something like the Air Venturi Avenger is a wonderful option. Not only is it very quiet, but it’s completely tunable for power output. So if you are only dealing with small pests in the backyard, you can turn the power down, reducing your shot report and increasing your shot count. If or when you need more power for bigger pests or shooting further out, you can adjust the Avenger for more power and get the job done. The Air Venturi Avenger has become a fan favorite for sure.
Umarex Origin .22 Pump Combo
The Umarex Origin .22 Pump Combo hit the scene back in 2020 and has really delivered one of the best “First PCP” airgunning experiences since Benjamin introduced the Benjamin Discovery. If you’ve been looking into PCP airguns, you already know they shoot great but require high-pressure air. Shooters need to either pump by hand, buy a personal compressor, or possibly get an HPA tank and have it filled and serviced regularly. Umarex USA solved all that with this one airgun package. Not only do they provide the pump in the box, but the Origin is designed with an integrated pressure booster that maximizes the stored pressure, making each shot more consistent, and requiring less than half the total amount of hand pumps of a typical PCP. The Umarex Origin is a dream squirrel gun that is powerful, accurate, lightweight, and easy to operate.
Diana Model 48 .22
Being self-contained has a lot of advantages. It’s no fun being out on a hunt to realize that you’ve used all the air in your PCP and the closest refill is miles back at the truck. This is where a high-end spring airgun can make all the difference. The Diana Model RWS 48 is a fixed barrel side lever single-shot spring air rifle that’s been around a very long time. It’s made in Germany and comes with the T06 trigger. It’s a great trigger that’s fully adjustable to under one pound. In .22 caliber, it can easily reach game out to 50+ yards and drop it with authority. If I were a squirrel living in the backyard of an RWS 48 owner, I’d be looking to move right away.
Benjamin Cayden
The last airgun on our list is a new airgun from Benjamin. The Benjamin Cayden .22 is built in Turkey and comes with a beautiful Turkish walnut stock, 10 shot magazine, a fully adjustable trigger, and 1/2 UNF threaded muzzle. It’s a traditional PCP airgun that’s not regulated. However, it’s built with a great balance between power and shot count, creating a very usable shot curve with excellent consistency. It’s easy to fill and operate, fun, and easy to shoot. With hunting accuracy out to 50 yards and beyond, the Benjamin Cayden is a great option for someone who wants to take out those squirrels and also get in some serious target practice once the threat in the back 40 has been fully eliminated.
So many squirrels, so little time
We haven’t even scratched the surface of “squirrel” airguns, but we’ve given you a good starting point. There are airguns that are less expensive and more expensive than what we have listed here, should you be looking for something a little different. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to call us. We’d be pleased to work with you to help eliminate any tree rats you may have. We are always here to help.
