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Videos Episode 22 – How to select the right airgun: Pt. 2 – Small game hunting

Episode 22 – How to select the right airgun: Pt. 2 – Small game hunting


Hunting is one of the top reasons people buy air rifles. They’re safer than firearms because the projectiles don’t travel as far as those from a firearm, and they’re also not as loud as most firearms. That makes them ideal for suburban areas, where small game such as possums, raccoons and woodchucks often invade. Watch the video to find out how much power and energy you’ll need in order to humanely dispatch small game. Accuracy is important, too, so be sure you select an air rifle that can put 5 out of 5 shots in a 1″ circle. If your airgun can’t do that, you should select another gun that can. Below are the guns mentioned in this video.
Read more about airgun hunting in this article on Pyramyd Air’s website.

The Benjamin 392 and Benjamin 397 are multi-pump pneumatics — .22 caliber & .177 caliber, respectively.

A precharged pneumatic, the Benjamin Discovery air rifle runs on high-pressure air. You can buy the Benjamin Discovery with a hand pump or you can get the Discovery without a hand pump.

Benjamin Trail Nitro Piston Hardwood air rifle has a thumbhole stock and includes a CenterPoint 3-9x40AO scope & Weaver rings.

RWS Diana 34P Striker air rifle combo includes an RWS Lock-Down mount and Leapers 4x32AO scope.

Beeman RX-2 Elite Series air rifle comes with a Bushnell Trophy XLT 4-12x40AO scope. Instead of a metal spring, the RX-2 has a gas spring. You can also get the Beeman RX-2 air rifle without the scope.

author avatar
Tom Gaylord (B.B. Pelletier)
Tom Gaylord, also known as B.B. Pelletier, provides expert insights to airgunners all over the world on behalf of Pyramyd AIR. He has earned the title The Godfather of Airguns™ for his contributions to the industry, spending many years with AirForce Airguns and starting magazines dedicated to the sport such as Airgun Illustrated.

4 thoughts on “Episode 22 – How to select the right airgun: Pt. 2 – Small game hunting”

  1. If .22 caliber is far superior to .177 for hunting, as all of the pros insist, why do they make so many hunting rifles, and pellets, in .177, including my rifle which is called the Gamo “Varmint Hunter”? That is a strange name to give an air rifle not suitable for hunting varmints. BTW, I’ve long since lost count of the number of varmints I’ve eliminated from my back yard. No, not all have been perfect, humane kills, as they would be in a perfect world.

  2. Bru8ce,
    “They” also called the Pontiac GTO a Gran Tourismo Omligato, but it wasn’t. “They” do things to sell products. I tell my readers what really works and what doesn’t. A .177 is okay for hunting if your shot placement is just right, but a .22 is far more forgiving.
    Tom Gaylord.

  3. I realize this is an older video and thread, but something caught my attention and wondered about the opinions.
    I recently purchased a RWS 34 (.22) specifically for hunting/varmint control and the video mentions this rifle as an option but states “at closer ranges”. My question is what does that really mean?
    I understand it is based on a combination of pellet weight and shooter ability to hit a target, but seems vague to a novice like me. My question I guess is what are realistic expectations for range, given a .22 spring rifle using moderate weight ammo like a 18-21 grain pellet??
    Another topic that may be helpful for folks like me that are just tipping a toe into these waters is pellet selection for intended use. My understanding is most non-wadcutter ammo would be a good match for hunting, but this would be a helpful topic to tie into the hunting discussion since noobs like me are working to match ammo to rifle to get the desired results against critters…
    /r
    Allen

    • Allen,
      You are correct in most of your assumptions, other than the pellets. Stay wi9th Crosman Premiers and JSB Exact 15.89 grain domes with your 34. The heavier pellets won’t be as accurate.
      The max range for you is the distance aty which you can keep 10 out of 10 pellets inside a one-inch circle. That may be 35 yards now and out to 45 yards after you familiarize yourself with the rifle.
      Tom

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