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Best Air Rifle for Squirrels: Winners
- Best For Beginners: Hatsan Air Rifle
- Best BB Option: DPMS Full Auto BB Air Rifle
- Best Value For Money: Benjamin Trail Air Rifle
- Best FPS: Crosman Benjamin Trail Air Rifle
- Best Splurge: Benjamin Marauder Air Rifle
- Best Budget: Winchester Dual Ammo Air Rifle
Squirrel hunting is a popular sport in many parts of the world. This is due to the fact that the sport doesn’t require a lot of upfront investment, is cleaner compared to other forms of hunting, and can generally be done right in your backyard.
Although squirrels are pretty small and don’t require a large gun to hunt, you do need a capable and reliable air rifle to be able to hunt them.
In this article, we’ll review the best air rifle for squirrels, take a look at their features, weigh their pros against their cons, and discuss their functions.
Quick Guide
In a hurry? Check out our quick buyer’s guide for the best air rifle for squirrels based on different kinds of requirements.
| Model | Size | Features | Weighs | User Rating (Out of 5) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Hatsan air Rifle | 47 x 7 x 3 inches | -Max Velocity - 1, 300 FPS alloy/1, 000 FPS lead -Max energy - 22 ft. Lbs. -2-Stage adjustable Quattro trigger -Sass shock absorber -Optima 3-9x32 scope with rings included | 7.6 Pounds | 4.5 |  |
 DPMS Full Auto BB Air Rifle | 30 x 9 x 4 inches | -FULL SIZE, REAL FEEL, DUAL ACTION - Durable synthetic design and up to 1400 rounds per minute -FUELED BY (2) 12-GRAM CO2 CARTRIDGES - Delivers speeds up to 430 fps (CO2 cartridges not included) -ADJUSTABLE STOCK - 6 adjustable positions make the rifle easy to handle and shoulder | 6.21 Pounds | 4.6 | |
 STRAPT Belly Band Holster | 52 x 9.1 x 3.2 inches | -Benjamin Trail NP2 Hardwood .22 Break Barrel Air Rifle with Scope | 12.25 Pounds | 4.2 | |
 Crosman Benjamin Trail Air Rifle | 52 x 11.5 x 3.25 inches | -. 177-CALIBER NITRO PISTON POWERED BREAK BARREL AIR RIFLE -CHECKERED HARDWOOD STOCK AND RIFLED STEEL BARREL – Produces 70% less noise -UP TO 1500 FPS – Ideal for small game hunting | 1 Kilograms | 4.1 | |
 Benjamin Marauder Wood Stock Air Rifle | 48 x 8 x 4 inches | -.22 Caliber Pellet Rifle/Upto 1000 FPS Precharged -Pneumatic Power Plant -Rebalanaced Wood Stock | 9.5 Pounds | 4.5 | |
Winchester Dual Ammo Air Rifle | 37.6 x 2 x 6 inches | -Dual ammo .177 caliber BB or pellet -1, 000 FPS with alloy pellets -Multi-pump air rifle -4x32 scope and open sights | 3.1 Pounds | 4.3 | |
Best For Beginners: Hatsan Air Rifle
“This gun is powerful. Probably one of the most powerful air guns [1] you can get in this price range. Will make quick work of any bird, rat, squirrel, rabbit, possum you put in your sights.”
Best BB Option: DPMS Full Auto BB Air Rifle
“This gun is so much fun to shoot! Full auto mode leads to spontaneous giggling from the shooter and spectators alike. Weight and balance are very much like the real thing.”
Best Value For Money: Benjamin Trail Air Rifle
“Best air rifle you can buy for the money. Over the years I have owned many different air rifles. Including pump, spring, and nitro piston. This has always been my favorite.”
Best FPS: Crosman Benjamin Trail Air Rifle
“I set up a target about 75′ from my position where I had planned to adjust the sights. I then let my daughter take a few shots. The first shot was dead center.”
Best Splurge: Benjamin Marauder Air Rifle
“This pellet rifle from Benjamin is a seriously nice piece of gear. It’s sturdy, built well, accurate, and I found the quality and workmanship to be top of the line. So far I have enjoyed every shot I’ve taken with this rifle.”
Best Budget: Winchester Dual Ammo Air Rifle
“This is a great rifle for beginners or back porch plinkers. BBs lose their accuracy about 20 feet from the rifle. Pellets are another story, very accurate once it is sited in. Very good and safe gun, easy to pump and fairly light weight.”
Hatsan Air Rifle
The first best air rifle for squirrels on our list, this air rifle from Hatsan comes with a 1000 feet per second (FPS) speed when used with an alloy bullet. The maximum energy given out by this rifle is 22 feet lbs.
The rifle comes with an adjustable Quattro trigger for a more convenient shooting experience, along with a sass shock absorber for a smoother shot. There’s also an optima 3-9×32 scope on the gun with rings included, giving you a better shot (check out our list of the best air rifle scopes for 2023).
The rifle is quite loud, and should not be operated in closed areas. According to a verified Amazon customer, “It is loud. Shooting this indoors you might have to wear ear protection depending on the layout of the room and your own tolerances for noise. I’m a metal head so it doesn’t bother me.”
Product Specifications
- Brand: Hatsan
- Color: Walnut
- Caliber: 0.22
- Frame material: Plastic
- Max velocity: 1,000 FPS alloy/800 FPS lead
- Item dimensions: 47 x 7 x 3 inches
- Item weight: 10 pounds
Pros
- The gun is quite reliable and reviewers have said that it will work great for squirrels and other small animals
- Comes with a sass shock absorber for easier shooting
- Optima scope included with the rifle makes it easier to aim and shoot
Cons
- Quite heavy, will not be suitable for smaller men and women
- Quite loud, should not be used in closed spaces
DPMS Full Auto BB Air Rifle
Unlike the rifle from Hatsan, this air rifle from DPMS comes in a semi automatic design that can fire up to 1400 rounds per minute. There’s an adjustable stock present on the rifle that makes it easy to place on your shoulder and shoot.
The gun is fueled by CO2 cartridges that deliver a speed up to 430 FPS, which is quite low compared to the previous option. For aiming, the gun has a removable pop-up sight and adjustable rear sight, as well.
The loading tool of this gun might not be the best option in the range. According to a verified Amazon customer, “The loading tool is temperamental at best, jamming frequently. It is made of light plastic that feels like it will break at any moment.”
Product Specifications
- Brand: DPMS
- Color: Black
- Caliber: 4.5
- Frame material: Plastic
- Max velocity: 430 FPS
- Item dimensions: 30 x 9 x 4 inches
- Item weight: 6.21 pounds
Pros
- Design of the gun is great, making it look like a real submachine gun
- CO2 fueled design gives you the freedom to shoot more rounds per minute
- Thumb selected safety lock for handling it properly
Cons
- BBs and CO2 cartridges are not included and will have to be purchased separately
- Reviewers have claimed that the loading tool is not of the best quality
Benjamin Trail Air Rifle
Unlike previous options on the list, this rifle comes with a proper scope on top to ensure you get the best aim. The long barrel of the gun also ensures more accurate aiming.
The gun comes in a 0.22 caliber design with a 1100 FPS maximum velocity, which is more than both previous options on this list. The rifle works on a gas piston design and comes in a brown wooden color.
Some reviewers have claimed that the rifle will be loud in the beginning. According to a verified Amazon customer, “I have had the rifle a while now. It has gotten better with use. I have fired about 500 shots through it. It has gotten significantly quieter as it has broken in.”
Product Specifications
- Brand: Benjamin
- Color: Brown
- Caliber: 5.6
- Frame material: Wood
- Max velocity: 1100 FPS
- Item dimensions: 45.80 x 1.50 x 6.50 inches
- Item weight: 8.3 pounds
Pros
- Comes with a proper scope for the best accuracy
- High FPS speed
- Reviewers suggest that the gun is very accurate and has a smooth trigger
Cons
- The gun can be loud in the beginning, but will become more quiet after some use.
- Can be quite difficult to cock, and won’t be easy for smaller men and women
Crosman Benjamin Trail Air Rifle
Coming in a 0.22 caliber design, this rifle from Benjamin has a nitro piston and comes with a 3-9 x 40 mm scope which is brilliant for aiming and accuracy. The stock of the rifle is made out of hardwood, giving it a raw, authentic look, and also has a thumb hole to make holding it steady easier.
The rifle also comes with a high maximum velocity of 1500 FPS, which is higher than other options on this list. For making it easy on your shoulders during recoil, the rifle also has a ventilated rubber recoil pad.
Some reviewers have suggested that the gun is too heavy and needs a lot of strength to use. A verified Amazon customer said, “My only issue is that loading the gun takes a lot more muscle than I think it should, but that may be an issue with breaking it in.”
Product Specifications
- Brand: Benjamin
- Color: Brown
- Caliber: 0.22
- Frame material: Wood
- Max velocity: 1500 FPS
- Item dimensions: 49 x 8.50 x 3 inches
- Item weight: 10.6 pounds
Pros
- Scope included with the gun
- Ventilated rubber recoil padding for shoulder protection
- Nitro pistons offer 70% noise reduction over spring powered rifles
- Stock is made out of hardwood and has a thumb hole for better stability and grip
Cons
- Cocking the gun can be quite difficult
- The scope rings included with the gun are not of the highest quality
Benjamin Marauder Air Rifle
This air rifle from Benjamin is another addition by the company to the list, and comes with a precharged pneumatic power plant that makes it an excellent rifle for squirrel hunting. This is a 0.22 caliber air rifle, and has a shrouded barrel for accuracy and resonance dampening.
The muzzle velocity is available up to 1000 FPS, making it quite fast. The frame is made out of metal, making this a powerful air rifle for squirrel hunting.
The gun will need to be filled with air and you’ll need an air tank or a pump. According to a verified Amazon customer, “After you fill the gun with air, you should be able to get about 30-40 shots from it before you need to fill it again. It shoots very accurately, until the pressure gets below 1500-1750.”
Product Specifications
- Brand: Benjamin
- Color: Wood
- Caliber: 0.22
- Frame material: Metal
- Max velocity: 1000 FPS
- Item dimensions: 48 x 8 x 4 inches
- Item weight: 9.5 pounds
Pros
- The metal construction of the frame gives the gun proper accuracy and reliability
- Comes with a precharged pneumatic power plant for maximum power
- Has a decent muzzle velocity of 1000 FPS
Cons
- Quite heavy, which might not be the perfect choice if you’re planning on carrying it around. Reviewers suggest that you should get a sling.
- Filling in air in the rifle manually can be a tedious job
Winchester Dual Ammo Air Rifle
This best air rifle for squirrels from Winchester [2] comes in a 0.177 caliber and a dual ammo design, making it a great option for a variety of shooting needs.
If you want to learn more about this, check out this article on the difference between 0.177 and 0.22 air rifles.
Even though the rifle is smaller and lighter than the other options on the list, it comes with a high maximum velocity of 1,000 FPS. This might add some recoil to the rifle, but it will not mess with the accuracy.
Several reviewers have claimed that this is an excellent rifle for not only shooting squirrels and other game, but also for teaching their children the art of responsible gun ownership.
The dual ammo nature of the gun means that you can use both BB or pellets [3]. However, this might not work for everyone.
According to a verified Amazon customer, “Hard to load pellets in the small loading area under the scope, kids with smaller hands than an adult might have better luck. Pellets sometimes get stuck down in the BB feed hole at the rear of the breech.”
Product Specifications
- Brand: Winchester
- Color: Black
- Caliber: 0.177
- Frame material: Metal
- Max velocity: 1000 FPS
- Item dimensions: 37.6 x 2 x 6 inches
- Item weight: 3.1 pounds
Pros
- The rifle comes in a lighter weight and still has a maximum muzzle velocity of 1000 fps, making it a good option for smaller men and women.
- Multi pump design
- Stock and forearm design comes in a rugged and durable construction
- Most affordable air rifle on the list
Cons
- Loading pellets can be difficult because of the small loading area under the scope
- Reviews suggest that pellets can sometimes get stuck in the BB hole
Final Thoughts
If you hunt squirrels or other small animals for sport, or if they’re just being a menace around your house, you need a reliable, accurate air rifle that can help you get a proper shot.
In this article, we reviewed the best air rifle for squirrels available today based on specific requirements when it comes to muzzle velocity, speed, size, and weight.
We hope that this article has helped you pick out the best option for your squirrel hunting needs. If you want to learn more about other gear such as air rifles, pocket knives, and tactical pens, please feel free to check out our other articles, as well!
