Best Air Rifles for Target Shooting
Air rifles can be fun to use without the dangers of a real rifle. Target shooting at the target range with your friends is fun and entertaining. The best air rifles for target shooting are air rifles that help you in your quest to have fun while still get in some target practice.
This guide compiles the best air rifles for target shooting on the market to help you find one that is ideal for you.
Here is a quick list
| PRODUCT | IMAGE | PRICE |
| Gamo 611006325554 Whisper Fusion Mach 1 Air Rifle .22 Cal |  |
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| Daisy Outdoor Products Model 1938 Red Ryder BB Gun |
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| Black Ops Sniper Rifle S – Power Piston .177 Caliber Break Barrel |  |
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| Gamo 6110017154 Varmint Air Rifle .177 Cal |  |
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| Crosman M4-177 Tactical Style Bolt Action Variable Pump .177-Caliber Pellet and BB Air Rifle |  |
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| DPMS Full Auto SBR CO2-Powered BB Air Rifle with Dual Action Capability
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| Raptor Whisper Air Rifle |  |
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| Umarex NXG APX Multi-Pump Pneumatic Youth .177 Caliber Pellet or BB Gun Air Rifle |  |
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| Gamo Swarm Magnum, Multi-Shot Air Rifle |  |
Best Air Rifles for Target Shooting Reviews
These are 9 of our favorite air rifles ideal for target shooting.
#1) Gamo 611006325554 Whisper Fusion Mach 1 Air Rifle .22 Cal
Gamo is a leading airgun manufacturer and the Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach is among its products. It is one of the best air rifles for target shooting for its premium features and high performance. It comes with the Whisper Fusion Technology which is a sound moderator that makes it one of the quietest air rifles on the market. Pellets go through two different chambers to compress and prevent noise expansion.
It also features the innovative Custom Action Trigger that allows you to independently adjust the first and second triggers to your preference. Another cool feature is the inert gas technology that comes in a pneumatic cylinder which gives you more terminal velocity, more consistent power, and less vibration.
It is fitted with a shock wave absorber that increases recoil absorption increasing the rifle’s durability. Additionally, a recoil-reducing rail helps in absorbing recoil increasing the durability of the scope provided by Gamo.
Features
- Shock wave absorber for recoil absorption
- 3-9X40 scope
- Recoil rail reducing
- A custom action trigger that lets you adjust the triggers
- Whisper Fusion Technology makes this one of the quietest air rifles.
#2) Daisy Outdoor Products Model 1938 Red Ryder BB Gun
The Daisy Outdoor is a reasonably priced air rifle that is liked by many shooters. It is built from solid wood stock and a classic styling lariat logo. As one of the best air rifles for target shooting, The Red Ryder BB shoots at a maximum velocity of up to 350 fps, and can fire up to 195 yards. To propel, the Lever cocking spring air action is used.
It also features an adjustable rear sight.
Features
- 650 shot capacity
- The rear sight is adjustable
- Stained solid wood stock
- Blade and ramp front
- Spring sir action lever cocking
Specifications
- Optics: Iron sights
- Weight: 2.2 lbs
- Maximum shooting distance: 195 yards
- Caliber: 177 BB
- Length: 35.4
- Power plant: Spring
- Length of pull: 13.75″
#3) Black Ops Sniper Rifle S – Power Piston .177 Caliber Break Barrel
As one of the best air rifles for target shooting, the Black Ops Sniper Rifle is a classic rifle that comes with an adjustable comb that gives you a comfortable hold while you shoot. It comes with a 4×32 scope and a 6-inch tactical rail that allows you to mount any accessories of your choice.
It is fitted with an integrated suppressor that gives makes the rifle a quieter rifle. However, the first few shots will be loud as it is burning off excess oil used in the manufacturing process. It is a break barrel action rifle, powered by piston technology for exceptional performance.
Features
- A riffled steel barrel
- A 6-inch Picatinny rail
- Includes a 4×32 scope
- Bipod legs are adjustable
- Adjustable fire optics
- Gas piston break barrel
- Integrated suppressor
Specifications
- Muzzle velocity: 1300 fps
- Caliber: .177
- Trigger pull: smooth
#4) Gamo 6110017154 Varmint Air Rifle .177 Cal
As a well-known air gun manufacturer, Gamo yet again makes it to our best air rifles for target shooting list. The Gamo Varmint Air rifle comes with all the features that enhance your shooting experience. It comes with a spring-piston that delivers a muzzle velocity of up to 1250 fps with PBA pellets.
It features a 4x32mm scope that helps you see targets at a distance. It is fitted with a molded synthetic stock that has non-slip texturing on the forearm and grip. This gives you a comfortable hold while you use the air rifle.
It comes with a rubber recoil pad that ensures the buttstock stays strong on the shoulder. A check pad also helps in aligning your eye with the scope.
Features
- A 4x32mm scope
- Fires a .177 PBA alloy pellet at a muzzle velocity of up to 1250 fps.
- Spring powered
- A rifled steel barrel
- An ambidextrous all-weather stock
- Two-stage adjustable trigger
Specifications
- Barrel Length: 17.8″
- Trigger Len: 14.2″
- Weight: 5.47 pounds
- Total Length: 43.3″
- Cocking Effort: 30 lbs
- 1 Year Warranty
#5) Crosman M4-177 Tactical Style Bolt Action Variable Pump .177-Caliber Pellet and BB Air Rifle
As one of the best air rifles for target shooting, the Crosman M4-177 comes with a synthetic, water-resistant design that provides durability capabilities. It features a rifled steel barrel and can fire up to 600 fps with pellets and 625 fps using BBs.
A cross-bolt safety is fitted to provide safe and proper handling of the air rifle. It also comes with an ambidextrous stock that makes it comfortable for use by both left and right-handed users.
#6) DPMS Full Auto SBR CO2-Powered BB Air Rifle with Dual Action Capability
Another air gun on our best air guns for target shooting list is the DPMS Full Auto SBR air rifle. It comes with a synthetic design that gives it a real feel. It can fire up to 1400 rounds per minute with a muzzle velocity of 430 fps.
It comes with an adjustable stock that has 6 adjustable positions making it a very easy to shoulder and handle rifle. To help you stay on target, it is fitted with an adjustable rear sight and a removable pop-up sight. Additionally, it is fitted with thumb-selector safety that provides safe handling capabilities.
Another feature is the quad rail that allows you to mount any accessory you deem fit.
Features
- 25-round drop out magazine
- A 6-position adjustable stock
- Adjustable rear sight and a removable pop-up sight
- Can shoo up to 1400 rounds per minute
- CO2 powered cartridges
- Thumb-selector safety
Specifications
- Length: 25.6″
- Power plant: CO2
- Stock Style: Adjustable
- Barrel: steel
- Weight: 6.21lbs
- Muzzle velocity: up to 430 fps
#7) Raptor Whisper Air Rifle
This is one of the best air rifles for target shooting on the market today. The Raptor Whisper Air Rifle from Gamo comes with features that any gun enthusiast appreciates. For starters, it comes with the whisper noise reduction technology that makes it one of the quietest air rifles on the market. Inert gas technology replaces the spring providing less vibration, more power, and muzzle velocity. This air rifle can fire pellets at a muzzle velocity of up to 1300 fps.
A smooth Action Trigger gives the rifle a smooth action pull and maximizes its accuracy.
You also get a 4×32 scope for additional accuracy.
Features
- You can use either the .177 caliber or .22
- Shock wave absorber that absorbs recoil
- An ambidextrous stock
- Whisper noise reduction technology
- Inert gas technology that gives it a smooth cocking effect
- Smooth action trigger
#8) Umarex NXG APX Multi-Pump Pneumatic Youth .177 Caliber Pellet or BB Gun Air Rifle
A reasonably priced, ergonomically designed air rifle that is one of the best air rifles for target shooting. It is compatible with both the steel BBs or .177 caliber pellets.
It comes with an easy-load pellet ramp and a multi-pump action that is ideal for both left and right-handed users. It also features a fiber optic front sight and an adjustable rear sight.
Features
- Multi-pump pneumatic caliber
- Rifled barrel
- Rubber texture dual raised cheekpiece
- 11mm dovetail rail mount
- Picatinny style rails for mounting
Specifications
- Barrel length: 20.0 in
- Front sights: Fiber optics
- Overall length: 39.0 in
- Front sights: Fiber optics
#9) Gamo Swarm Magnum, Multi-Shot Air Rifle
This is has been ranked as one of the best air rifles or hunting which makes it ideal for target shooting. It comes with an upgrade of the Inert Gas Technology (IGT) to IGT MACH 1 technology which still offers less vibration and consistent power but with much higher velocity compared to the IGT.
It is also fitted with the whisper fusion noise reduction technology that makes it a very quiet air rifle. A custom action trigger lets you adjust the first and second triggers independently. A Gamo 3-9×40 scope is provided and it also comes with a recoil-reducing rail that absorbs the scope’s recoil impact ensuring it lasts longer.
Features
- IGT MACH 1 technology
- Whisper Fusion noise suppression technology
- A 3-9×40 scope
- Recoil reducing rail
- Custom action trigger
- An ambidextrous all-weather stock
- Magnum powered
Specifications
- Weight: 6.88 lbs
- Optics: 3-9X 40mm
- Barrel: rifled steel break barrel
- Length: 49.2″
- Stock: Synthetic
- Length of pull: 15”
Factors To Consider When Buying the Best Air Rifles for Target Shooting
Settling on an air rifle isn’t quite as easy as some people believe. You should answer some of these questions.
- What material was used to build it?
- What’s the rifle’s shooting velocity?
- What caliber does it use?
- Can I afford the ammunition?
- Safety features?
Range: What range will you be shooting at?
What distance will you be shooting? There are four categories of rifles- Super high-powered, high-powered, medium, and light. All these are great for shooting at different ranges. If you will be target shooting at distances of up to 80 yards, a super high-powered rifle is ideal. For distances of up to 35 yards a light rifle is recommended.
Useful accessories- You need to factor in accessories you will need for your rifle and their cost. These accessories include?
Scope- Some air rifles come with scopes and some don’t. You might need to buy a scope for your rifle or swap out the provided one for a better one.
Cleaning tool- You need to get tools for cleaning your air rifle for it to last longer.
Green gas- This is a lubricating agent that keeps your air rifle smooth and reduces friction.
Types of rifles
The market has three different types of rifles, Pneumatic, CO2 powered, or Spring powered.
The pneumatic rifle– With this rifle, you have to pump air into the chamber after every shot. Regardless, this rifle has some advantages. It is a versatile rifle in that it can fire both BBs and pellets and it is inexpensive.
CO2 Powered- They come with gas cartridges or reserves that need to be changed after you fire many shots. Compressed gas is what is used to shoot every pellet. Unlike a pneumatic rifle, you do not need to pump after every shot you take. However, it can be quite expensive to refill CO2 in the long run.
Spring powered- Spring-powered pistons typically deliver high accuracy and high velocity. Air is compressed within the chamber to deliver a powerful shot. They come in three different types, break barrel. side lever and underlever. It is a powerful rifle and it is easy to use as you will not keep replacing the CO2 or pumping after every shot.
Conclusion
We have included a variety of air guns that are among the best air rifles for target shooting. We hope this guide helps you in getting the best air rifle that perfectly suits you!