Minimum pellet gun for Rabbits, other small game

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Smash05

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Jul 16, 2007
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I have been looking at various .177 and .22 pellet guns. Pistol or rifle, what would you say the minimum characteristics are for target/rabbit and small game are?
 
For humane kills in 177 cal keep it at least 700 fps for a range upto 30-50 yards. Rabbit are weak at heart and a shot at the right place would kill them easy. You are always better off with a .22 cal air rifle with some power to spare. The Benjamin Discovery in 22 caliber is an awesome rifle for the money with good power.
 
I've got a .22 Crossman Phantom. Great Air rifle. Can easily get rabbits, raccoons, squirrel and other small critters.
 
A lot depends on shot placement for a humane kill. As ranges extend, the advantages of a heavier pellet become important. Inside a barn or normal backyard, a .177 caliber Beeman R9 is a good choice though I got a .20. .22 pellets can do some damage to decorative fences and barn tin if you miss.

You didn't mention price range but, your post suggests something pretty cheap. Stick with a quality name, avoid the Chinese junk that blow seals easily and, if you can afford to save up a Beeman R-7 or R-9 are hard to beat.
 
I think for small game a .22 cal pellet air rifle with a speed of 800 fps would suffice. I also recommend a high end brand.
 
Get an accurate .22 air rifle, that will make about 1000 fps.
This is the recipe for airgun hunting happiness, and will eliminate many irritating hold-over errors.

Buy good German pellets. Inaccurate, junky Chinese pellets are only good for making noise.
 
As Erasmus says... I used to hunt rabbits with my Benjamin pump-up .22. Seemed quite effective; I'd stalk as close as possible and go for a chest shot.

This was Waaay back....Mid-60s. I too found that the commercial US-made pellets at the time were awful; I used to order RWS pellets from Germany through the wonderful old Herter's catalogue.
 
Find you an old Sheridan Blue Streak in .20 cal. and have it "steroided" by Mac1 Airguns. Mine has Phillips peep sights and holds quarter size groups at 30yds. I've taken numerous rabbits,squirrels and several grouse and pheasant. A very capable small game "sneak gun".--KV
 
maverick3981 said:
R7 is underpowered for bunnies unless they are max 10 yards away.
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R7 is a great airgun, but I'd tend to agree. (My R7 has the best trigger of any gun I've ever fire, by a large margin)

The R9 is very similar but a fair amount more powerful and more of a hunting air rifle.

I did a ton of research on which air gun to buy and it came down to if I was going to be solely shooting targets in the back yard, the R7 was definately the way to go because it was lighter, easier to fire, etc. If I wanted to also hunt pests, etc., the R9 was recommended for its higher power.
 
I'd say 20 or 22, although my 177 rws model 48 with some rws superdome or crosman hollow points would be able to take rabbit.
 
A lower power air rifle is fine (.22 at 600ft/sec or .177 at 800ft/sec), you just have to creep closer (not more than 30-35yds) and do a brain shot for a clean kill.
 
This question generates endless debate in airgun circles. Best question is, "Is it the calibre of the gun or the calibre of the shooter that matters?"

My observations:

Airguns can be quite sensitive to pellet choice. Worth trying plenty of different pellets with your gun at the range to find those that group best. Pellet weight vary.

Power is not the same as muzzle velocity.

Broad generalisation, for similar power, .177s tend to have a flatter/straighter trajectory and less sensitive to wind so maybe you're more likely to hit the target and rangefinding is less critical. At higher powers the difference may be less. Obviously - I rate shot placement.177 is the standard for target shooting. over power.
 
maverick3981 said:
R7 is underpowered for bunnies unless they are max 10 yards away.
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I agree. The R7 is borderline with 6 to 7 ft/lbs of muzzle energy. It take 4 ft/lbs to kill a rabbit with a good hit. The R9 or something like that will do a much better job. It gets about 12 to 14 ft/lbs of muzzle energy.

The Brits do quite well with 12 ft/lbs out to 50 or so yards.

Take a look at this dealer. They have all the specs on most air rifles and they have a very good forum. http://www.straightshooters.com/
 
I hunt squirrels regularly with my RWS Diana 52 in .22 cal, but it's too weak to take a rabbit in one shot. It will kill a rabbit after several shots, but I prefer not to let the animal suffer. The gun is putting out 900 FPS with 20 grain pellets. It's plenty accurate, just not quite powerful enough for rabbits. Try .30 cal or .35 cal? You might also try slingshotting the rabbits or using a .22 short.
 
FriskyDingo said:
I hunt squirrels regularly with my RWS Diana 52 in .22 cal, but it's too weak to take a rabbit in one shot. It will kill a rabbit after several shots, but I prefer not to let the animal suffer. The gun is putting out 900 FPS with 20 grain pellets. It's plenty accurate, just not quite powerful enough for rabbits. Try .30 cal or .35 cal? You might also try slingshotting the rabbits or using a .22 short.
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You must have some tough rabbits in your area. You are supposed to shoot them in the head. A body shot with the average air rifle won't do the job quickly.
 
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