Page 11 of 16 - Pellet Rifles

What is a Pellet Rifle?

A pellet rifle is an air-powered long gun designed to fire lead or alloy pellets with precision and power. Unlike BB rifles, which shoot round steel BBs, pellet rifles use shaped projectiles that offer greater accuracy and impact. Available in various calibers, including .177, .22, and even larger sizes, pellet rifles are commonly used for target shooting, hunting, pest control, and competitive shooting. With multiple powerplant options, including spring piston, gas piston, CO2, and pre-charged pneumatic (PCP), pellet rifles cater to shooters of all skill levels.

How Does a Pellet Rifle Work?

Pellet rifles use compressed air or gas to propel a pellet through the barrel at high velocity. The method of propulsion depends on the powerplant:

• Spring-Piston Pellet Rifles -- A coiled spring is compressed when the rifle is cocked. When the trigger is pulled, the spring releases, pushing a piston forward to generate air pressure and propel the pellet. These are known for their reliability and consistency.
• Gas-Piston (Nitro Piston) Pellet Rifles -- Instead of a traditional coiled spring, these rifles use a gas-filled cylinder to generate pressure, resulting in smoother cocking, reduced recoil, and improved longevity.
• CO2-Powered Pellet Rifles -- These use small CO2 cartridges to provide consistent power with minimal recoil. Many CO2 rifles offer semi-automatic or even fully automatic firing capabilities.
• Pre-Charged Pneumatic (PCP) Pellet Rifles -- High-performance rifles that store compressed air in a built-in reservoir, delivering exceptional accuracy, high shot counts, and adjustable power. These are favored for competition shooting and hunting.
• Multi-Pump Pneumatic Pellet Rifles -- These allow the shooter to control shot power by pumping air into the chamber multiple times before firing, offering flexibility for different shooting scenarios.

When you look through the online store at Pyramyd AIR, you will find a pellet rifle that's suitable for all types of shooting, from target practice to small-game hunting and everything in between. The rifles listed for sale here come from top manufacturers and cover every budget level, so you can find everything from a dependable and affordable basic model to a high-end version with astounding accuracy for Olympic-style competition, all in the same place.

Pellet Rifle Calibers

Pellet rifles come in a large variety of calibers, all of which you can find here at Pyramyd AIR. The most popular pellet rifle calibers range from 0.177 to 0.50 and everywhere in between.

Pellet Rifle Velocity

Although pellet guns can help you perform a variety of tasks, many people are interested in the power a rifle can generate, which is determined by a combination of the velocity and caliber of the pellet. Each caliber has a particular use and while you may see smaller calibers with higher velocity (feet per second) you will get more power (foot-pounds of energy) from higher caliber pellet rifles, such as 0.25-0.50.