Best Air Rifle for Hunting Medium Game.
Over the past years, the popularity of air rifles for hunting and shooting has been growing steadily. Today, modern air rifles provide the accuracy and power required to take down medium-sized game. Taking out medium game requires power and these rifles offer plenty of it.
They are easy to shoot, accurate, and fun to shoot as well. And they are cheaper than the standard firearms. If you are searching for the best air rifle for hunting medium game, we have a list of the best rifles that you can choose from. Let’s take a look.
Best Air Rifle for Hunting Medium Game-Our Top Picks
Benjamin Armada Air Rifle BTAP22SX
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Elite Force Umarex AirSaber PCP Powered Arrow Gun Air Rifle
If you are looking for one of the most powerful air rifles for medium and big game, the Umarex Air Saber PCP Arrow Air Rifle is your ideal option. Unlike other air rifles that either shoot caliber pellets or traditional BBs, this rifle shoots arrows. It uses high-pressure air to shoot 376-grain arrows at a maximum velocity of 450fps when the air tank is filled fully. With up to 169 ft-lbs. of energy, this air rifle is powerful enough to take out both medium and big game. The air rifle can accurately launch an arrow out to 70 yards. An Axeon 4x32mm scope included lets you spot your targets with ease for accurate shot placement. Other than that, the air rifle is made with a durable, all-weather stock to ensure reliable performance in any condition. The integrated Picatinny mount lets you mount your accessories of choice for greater accuracy. The rifle has a lightweight design so it’s easier to carry in the field. Features
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Benjamin Armada Air Rifle BTAP22
Hunting medium game requires power and the Benjamin Armada Air Rifle BTAP22 has plenty of it. This PCP-powered air rifle shoots .22 caliber pellets with a maximum velocity of 1000fps. It is multi-shot capable and comes with a 10-round rotary clip magazine for rapid follow-up shots. This air rifle is built to last. It is made with high-quality materials for long-lasting durability. Other than having a stylish look, the air rifle is fairly light so you have an easy time carrying it in the field. Thanks to the reversible bolt action, this rifle is ideal for both left and right-hand hunters. Other than that, this rifle features a modular versatile design with a rifled barrel, an on-board pressure gauge and a machined receiver with 5-inch Picatinny rail space for mounting your favoring hunting accessories. Features
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Umarex Hammer .50 Caliber PCP Powered Pellet Gun Air Rifle
This Umarex Hammer .50 Caliber PCP Air Rifle is a hard-hitting air rifle suitable for every modern hunter. On one full tank, the air rifle delivers 3 full power regulated shots and 1 finishing shot. It shoots .50 caliber pellets with speeds up to 1130fps. If you are shooting medium game at a distance, this velocity will be sufficient. The air rifle is lighter than it appears. This rifle is lightweight and easy to carry for long hours as you track down your targets. The air rifle also features a Carl Weather precision barrel which offers great accuracy. Thanks to the sound-absorbing composite full barrel shroud, you are able to shoot quietly and avoid spooking the game. Other than that, the rifle has an 8.5-inch Picatinny rail with up to 20 slots where you can mount any optic or hunting accessory of choice. For added safety, the rifle features two safety mechanisms, a magazine lock-out so it won’t fire without the mag and a trigger block safety to prevent accidental firing. Overall, this is a great rifle for shooting medium game at long distances. Features
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Benjamin Bulldog .357 PCP Hunting Rifle
This Bulldog .357 is the go-to hunting rifle if you want to step out for medium-game hunting. Featuring a rifled steel barrel, the air rifle is capable of delivering speeds up to 910fps. The high velocity makes it ideal for shooting targets at long distances. When it comes to durability and reliability, you can expect the Benjamin Bulldog .357 to perform. It has a durable synthetic design with a short 36-inch length for convenient carrying in the field. The 26-inch Picatinny rail allows you to add any accessories of your choice, while the 5-shot magazine provides fast follow-up shots. The Bulldog also features a reversible side-lever bolt for left and right-handed shooters and a baffle-less SoundTrap technology for quiet shooting. This prevents spooking of game. A cleaning kit is also included so you have everything you require for your next hunting excursion. Features
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See Also
- 6 Best Air Rifles for Small Game Hunting
- 10 Best Scopes for Medium Game Hunting
- 9 Best Scopes for Gamo Air Rifles
Choosing the Best Air Rifle for Hunting Medium Game
Given the wide range of air rifles available on the market today, finding the best model for medium game hunting can be overwhelming. Here are the key factors you should look for.
- Foot Pounds of Energy (FPE)
Foot pounds of energy show how powerful the air rifle is. It is a measure of how much energy the pellet carries as it leaves the barrel. FPE is particularly important when hunting medium or big game. It determines whether the target can be taken out within the first shot or not. For small deer and wild pigs, look for an air rifle with at least 100 FPE and more than 150 FPE for medium deer and wild hogs.
- Caliber
Air rifles are compatible with different caliber pellets. Caliber measures the diameter of the pellet. Generally, large caliber pellets deliver more FPE, but they travel at a smaller velocity. When you get an air rifle that shoots the appropriate caliber, you are likely to find that it produces enough FPE to be effective. With medium game hunting, you should begin by looking at higher caliber air rifles. If you are hunting smaller deer or wild pigs, look for a .357 caliber rifle or larger. On the other hand, if you are hunting medium deer or large deer and wild hogs, .40 caliber rifles or larger ones will suffice.
- Maximum Range
The maximum shooting range largely depends on the air rifle. The powerful the air rifle is, the longer the shooting range. Where you hunt and your hunting style will determine how far you need to shoot. In most cases, you’ll need to shoot long-range if you are hunting medium or large-size game. However, if you are shooting small game at longer distances, you need to choose the type of rifle and caliber carefully. Shooting a small game at long range is more difficult than shooting a big game at the same range.
- Propulsion Method
There are 4 air rifle propulsion methods CO2, pneumatic, pre-charged, and spring pistons.
Pre-charge pneumatic (PCP) air rifles are the best for hunting medium or big game. PCP air rifles are powered by an attached compressor air tank which provides the air pressure to move the pellet out of the barrel. These rifles have the ability to shoot heavier pellets at higher velocities than any other air rifle type. Moreover, PCP air rifles are highly versatile. Other than big and medium game hunting, they make great air rifles for hunting varmints, coyotes, and small game. Their major drawback is cost. They are more expensive compared with the other types of air rifles. Plus, they are the least reliable. You must have an external air source to operate the rifle which can be cumbersome especially when hunting.
CO2-powered air rifles are majorly used in shooting competitions. They are more convenient and have consistent shooting power. All you need is to insert a CO2 cartridge into the rifle and after cocking it the first time, it’s ready to shoot until the cartridge gets depleted.
Pneumatic propulsion is mainly found in low-cost, entry-level air rifles. You’ll be required to pump the rifle to create compressed air to shoot the pellet. Pneumatic air rifles come in either single or multi-stroke options. In single-stroke, you only pump the air rifle once while the multi-stroke allows you to pump it several times to increase the shooting power.
Spring-piston air rifles depend on the user to retract the spring, pushing forward an air change when pulling the trigger. Spring piston air rifles are the cheapest among the four air rifle types.
- Aiming Aids
When hunting, an air rifle with several aiming aids is important for a successful hunting expedition The most basic aiming aids are front and rear sights. They help make your hunting more successful by helping you focus on the target. Some air rifles come with long rails where you can mount your accessory of choice. Others come with adjustable scopes or red dot sights.
- Weight
The other important factor you should look for is weight. If you want to have an easy time carrying your air rifle in the field as you look for game, make sure that it is lightweight. Try to look for an air rifle whose weight doesn’t exceed 10lbs. That way, it is heavy and difficult to carry or shot even after you add multiple accessories.
Best Air Rifle for Hunting Medium Game FAQs
- Can an air rifle kill a deer?
Yes, you can use an air rifle to kill a deer. Besides, using an air rifle to kill deer and any other medium-sized game is legal in most states and countries. Modern air rifles are powerful and very accurate which makes them ideal for hunting deer-sized game.
- Can you kill a deer with a .22 air rifle?
It depends. A seasoned hunter can use the .22 air rifle and be able to kill a deer. This is because he knows where to aim. However, a novice hunter might not kill a deer with a .22.
- Which is the best caliber for medium game hunting?
The majority of hunters use large-sized calibers for hunting medium game. This includes .20, .25, and .30 when hunting medium game and above .357 when hunting big game.
Conclusion
We hope that this review will help you make the right buying decision. It’s really not difficult if you know what to look for. Compare the multiple options available based on the cost, performance and power then choose a model that’s best for your needs.