Looking for the Best Air Rifles for Pigeons? You came to the right place.
Pigeons can cause a lot of damage to our homes and farm.
Their droppings discolor buildings and car paints and expose humans to diseases. When they invade your farm, pigeons can cause great damage to your crops.
They are nuisance pests and you need to take them out as soon as they start building nests in your house or farm.
There are different methods of controlling pigeons as pests. One of the best methods to get rid of pigeons is to use air rifles for pigeons. With an air rifle, you can shoot pigeons in their nests, sheds, or on top of buildings. With that in mind, let’s now look at the best air rifles for pigeons.
Best Air Rifles for Pigeons-Top Picks
1) Gamo Wildcat Whisper Air Rifle
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This Gamo Wildcat Whisper Air Rifle is a top-notch pigeon hunting air rifle. You can use this air rifle to take out pigeons on the farm, in their shelters, and on top of buildings. This gun shoots quietly. It has noise reduction technology which helps you shoot pigeons quietly without spooking them or causing noise disturbance in your area. The Gamo Wildcat Whisper Air Rifle is available in .177 or .22 caliber pellets. With the .177 caliber pellets, you get a maximum firing velocity of up to 1,300 fps and 975fps with the .22 version. This will suffice taking out pigeons at close or mid-range. The IGT gas piston replaces the spring piston to give you high terminal velocity, minimal vibration, more consistent power, and easy cocking effort. The rifle is also light, so it’s comfortable to carry in the field. The air rifle is built to last. It features a durable all-weather ambidextrous stock made with the highest quality materials. The stock is designed to fit every shooter and align perfectly with the scope. Features
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2) Crosman Benjamin Trail NP XL1500 Air Rifle
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3) Ruger Blackhawk Air Rifle
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Power and value best describe the Ruger Blackhawk Air Rifle. This is a spring-piston-powered air rifle ideal for shooting pigeons, target shooting, and small game hunting. At 1,000fps, this air rifle will help you eradicate the menace pigeons bring. The air rifle is ideal for all weather conditions. It has an all-weather composite polymer black stock which is comfortable for both right and left-hand shooters. It has checkered grip areas in the pistol grip and forearm for an ultra-firm grip. This air rifle shoots a single .177 caliber pellet at 1200fps with alloy pellets and 1000fps with lead pellets. This is enough to take out pigeons in their shelters or on top of buildings. The front and rear light-collecting fiber optics provide greater target acquisition. You also get a 4×32 scope for easy target identification. Features
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4) Daisy 880 Powerline Air Rifle Kit
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If you are new to pigeon shooting, the Daisy 880 Powerline Air Rifle Kit is the best way to start pigeon shooting. The kit has almost everything you need to start target practice. This includes one multi-pump pneumatic air rifle, safety glasses, 500 Daisy pellets, 750BBs, and a 4x15mm scope. The multi-pump pneumatic rifle is lightweight, easy to carry, and easy to use. It shoots BBs and .177 caliber pellets. You can pour up to 50BBs in the BB magazine for faster follow-up shots. You can pump the air rifle three times for indoor target practice. However, for pigeon shooting, you should pump it up to 10 times to achieve the maximum velocity of 750fps for BBs and 715fps for pellets. The air rifle comes with a cross-bolt trigger block to prevent accidental firing. Other than that, the air rifle has an adjustable rear sight, fiber optic front sight, and a 4×15 mm scope for better target identification. Features
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5) Gamo 6110017154 Varmint Air Rifle
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If you are on a budget, you should go for the Gamo 6110017154 Varmint Air Rifle. The maximum velocity of this air rifle is 1250fps which makes it ideal for shooting pigeons at a distance. Besides shooting pigeons, you can use it for all-around pest control, target practice, and small-game hunting. The tough ambidextrous stock is suitable for all weather conditions. The stock is specially made to provide a comfortable shooting position and offer the perfect scope alignment. The stock also has a rubber recoil pad to absorb shock. The air rifle offers great shooting accuracy. It has a grooved polymer jacketed rifled steel barrel for better accuracy and non-slip grip. Besides, the gun comes with a 4×32 shockproof scope for better target identification. Features
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6) Crosman Classic Rifle
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This Crosman Classic Rifle is another budget-friendly air rifle suitable for pigeon shooting. This rifle shoots BBs or .177 caliber pellets. It has a non-removable 850 BB reservoir and a variable shooting velocity from 400fps to 800fps. Featuring a durable, water-resistant design, the air rifle is built to last. It has a rifled steel barrel for greater accuracy. The elevation-adjustable rear sight and a fiber optic front sight keep you locked on target for that accurate shot. You also get a 4×15 scope for added accuracy. Besides pigeon shooting, the Crosman Classic Rifle is ideal for small game hunting, skill development, target shooting, and all-around pest control. It comes in a lightweight design so it’s easy to carry in the field. Features
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See Also
- 7 Best Air Rifles for Varmint Control
- 7 Best Air Rifles under $100
- 7 Best Air Rifles for Squirrel Hunting
- 6 Best Air Rifles for Rabbit Hunting
- 8 Best .177 Hunting Air Rifles
Choosing the Best Air Rifles for Pigeons
If you are buying your first air rifle for pigeon shooting or looking to add to your collection, here are some of the important factors you should put into consideration.
- Budget
Air rifles vary in price just as they vary in quality, performance, and durability. For a basic air rifle, it’s possible to find a quality gun under $100. But, if you are looking for a high-end air rifle, it’s possible to spend upward of $1,000. How much you are willing to spend will play a big role in which air rifle you go for.
- Precision and Power
For pigeon shooting, you are going to need an air rifle that offers great precision and power. Precision here refers to a consistent velocity of the pellet or BBs. An air rifle that offers consistent velocity will help you take out pigeons easily.
You’ll also want the air rifle to be powerful enough to take out the pigeons humanely and on the first shot. Air guns with a high FPS provide more power when shooting pigeons at a distance. The BB or pellet should offer more muzzle power.
- Weight
The other important factor to consider is the weight of the air rifle. Heavy air rifles absorb recoil better for accurate shooting. This also makes the air gun steadier to hold, but only for a short period of time. The main drawback of heavy air rifles is the fact that they are difficult to shoot for youths and less-built adults.
A lightweight gun is easy to shoot for both youths and adults. It is easy to carry in the field and comfortable to hold for long hours.
- Single-Shot or Multi-Shot
The pellet in single-shot air rifles is pushed centrally into the breech. This makes single-shot rifles more accurate. Additionally, single-shot air rifles are simpler to operate, budget-friendly, and generally more dependable.
On the other hand, multi-shot air rifles ensure faster follow-up shots. This is an essential feature when hunting pigeons. In case you miss your first shot, you are able to fire another shot before the pigeons fly away. Multi-shot air rifles are also more enjoyable to shoot as you can reload the gun while keeping your eyes on the target.
- Durability
How durable is the air rifle? You’ll want an air rifle that’s made with the highest quality materials to ensure many years of use. Try to look for an air rifle with an all-weather stock so you can use it even in extreme weather conditions. The air rifle should also have a rubber recoil pad for shock absorption.
- Accessories
The accessories need for shooting squirrels are few. However, these accessories can make your shooting experience better, more comfortable, and more enjoyable. The common accessories such as scopes and sights will assist in the accurate target acquisition of distant targets. Another essential accessory is shooting eyeglasses for protecting your eyes.
Best Air Rifles for Pigeons FAQs
- Will an air rifle kill a pigeon?
Yes. Air rifles that fire .177 or .22 caliber pellets can kill a pigeon. An air rifle provides a more humane way to take out pigeons and eradicate the menace they create in our homes or in the farm.
- What should I look for in an air rifle?
For basic pigeon shooting, small game hunting, and pest control, you should look for an air rifle that’s durable, water-resistant, and safe. If you are a beginner or trainee, try to look for an air rifle that’s light, easy to use, and easy to reload. You should also consider the muzzle energy, accuracy, and power if you intend to shoot distant targets.
- Which pellet kills a pigeon?
Most people use the .177 or .22 pellets to shoot pigeons. All you need is a good air rifle with plenty of power and less noise. If you are shooting pigeons at a distance, make sure that the pellet has more FPS and high muzzle energy to provide instant kill.
- Do I need a license to shoot pigeons?
It depends. However, pigeon shooting is legal in most states. Pigeons are classified as pests so you are allowed to shoot them as a way of pest control. You may be required to have a basic hunting license to shoot these birds, so always check with your local residence laws and restrictions.
Conclusion
Pigeon shooting is an activity that requires time and patience to perfect. If you have resorted to using an air rifle to eradicate pigeons in your home or farm, I hope that you have found this post helpful. Use this guide to get the best air rifle for pigeon shooting.