Airgun Hunting · Comparison
.22 vs .25 air rifle for rabbit hunting: which caliber wins?
Researched by James · Updated · Editorial policy
On this page
- Is .22 or .25 better for hunting rabbits with an airgun?
- How much more energy does a .25 have than a .22?
- Which caliber has the flatter trajectory and handles wind better?
- How far can you shoot rabbits with a .22 vs a .25?
- Does a .25 use more air and get fewer shots per fill?
- What does each caliber cost per shot?
- Is a .25 louder than a .22?
- Which air rifles come in .25?
- Which caliber should you buy, by hunter type?
- FAQ
- Sources
Pellet weights, rifle specs and prices come from the maker, retailer and test pages in Sources. Energy numbers are computed (grains × fps² ÷ 450,436, as in the FPE calculator). The trajectory table is a computed estimate from Hard Air Magazine's measured ballistic coefficients, not a field test. Full methodology & editorial policy →
Is .22 or .25 better for hunting rabbits with an airgun?
.22 is better for most rabbit hunters, because rabbits do not need .25 energy and the .22 is cheaper to feed. Rabbits are thin-skinned with light bone. The working floor here is 9-12+ FPE delivered to the head (see the airgun FPE chart), and a PCP in either caliber clears it by a wide margin. So the real differences are pellets, air and wind. For the wider picture, including .177, see .177 vs .22 and the small-game caliber guide.
How much more energy does a .25 have than a .22?
At the same speed a .25 pellet carries 40-87% more energy, because energy is weight × speed² and JSB's .25 pellets weigh 25.39 and 33.95 grains against 18.13 for the .22 Jumbo Heavy. Hard Air Magazine's scales averaged 18.15 and 33.97 grains, so the labels hold up. Computed energy at four muzzle speeds:
| Pellet | Weight | 700 fps | 800 fps | 900 fps | 1000 fps | Speed for 12 FPE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .22 JSB Exact Jumbo Heavy | 18.13 gr | 19.7 | 25.8 | 32.6 | 40.2 | 546 fps |
| .25 JSB Exact King | 25.39 gr | 27.6 | 36.1 | 45.7 | 56.4 | 461 fps |
| .25 JSB Exact King Heavy | 33.95 gr | 36.9 | 48.2 | 61.1 | 75.4 | 399 fps |
Computed: FPE = grains × fps² ÷ 450,436. Even the heaviest .25 pellet needs only about 400 fps to reach 12 FPE.
Real rifles don't run both calibers at the same speed. Three examples with a listed or measured velocity behind them:
| Setup | Pellet | Speed | Energy (computed) | Speed source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Venturi Avenger .22 | JSB 18.13gr | 930 fps | 34.8 FPE | Airgun Depot test, default setting (retailer lists 34 ft-lbs) |
| Air Venturi Avenger .25 | 25.39gr (weight not listed) | 900 fps | 45.7 FPE | Retailer lists 900 fps, 45 ft-lbs; 25.39gr at 900 fps computes to 45.7 |
| Kalibrgun Cricket .25 | JSB King Heavy 33.95gr | 860 fps | 55.7 FPE | Measured by Varminter (reported 56 FPE) |
Box numbers need a footnote: Umarex lists the Gauntlet 2 at 33 FPE in .22 and about 51 FPE in .25, but those imply light pellets of roughly 13 and 24 grains. Chronograph your own load.
Which caliber has the flatter trajectory and handles wind better?
At similar muzzle speeds the two calibers drop almost the same inside 50 yards, but at equal energy the .25 is slower and drops more; its real edge is wind. Setup A is the .22 Avenger load above, B the measured Kalibrgun .25 load, and C the same .25 pellet slowed to 680 fps to match A's energy. These are illustrative setups, not one rifle in three calibers. Cells read holdover / drift / energy.
| Range | A: .22 18.13gr, 930 fps (34.8 FPE) | B: .25 33.95gr, 860 fps (55.7 FPE) | C: .25 33.95gr, 680 fps (34.9 FPE) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 yd | +0.1 in / 0.6 in / 29 FPE | +0.2 in / 0.4 in / 49 FPE | +0.6 in / 0.5 in / 31 FPE |
| 30 yd | +0.2 in / 1.2 in / 27 FPE | +0.2 in / 0.9 in / 46 FPE | +0.4 in / 1.0 in / 30 FPE |
| 40 yd | −0.3 in / 2.2 in / 25 FPE | −0.3 in / 1.6 in / 44 FPE | −0.7 in / 1.8 in / 28 FPE |
| 50 yd | −1.3 in / 3.4 in / 23 FPE | −1.5 in / 2.5 in / 41 FPE | −2.7 in / 2.8 in / 26 FPE |
Computed estimate: 1.5-inch scope height, 35-yard zero, G1 drag, ballistic coefficients 0.035 (.22 18.13gr) and 0.046 (.25 33.95gr) as measured by Hard Air Magazine. Positive = above point of aim. Drift = 10 mph full-value crosswind × (flight time − range ÷ muzzle speed). Hard Air Magazine measured at least 73% energy retained at 60 yards for the .25 pellet; the model gives about 70%.
A vs B: the .25 at 860 fps drops just 0.2 inch more at 50 yards and drifts about 26% less (2.5 vs 3.4 inches). A vs C: at equal energy the .25 drops 2.7 inches against 1.3, so a low-power .25 really is loopy, as Air Arms says of UK-legal power. In rabbit terms, the kill zone is golf-ball size, about 1.7 inches, and a 10 mph crosswind pushes either pellet out of it by 50 yards. No caliber fixes that; pass on the shot.
How far can you shoot rabbits with a .22 vs a .25?
Both are ethical out to the same distance, the range where you reliably hit a golf-ball zone, which for most hunters is 25-45 yards. Energy is not the limit: A still carries about 23 FPE at 50 yards and B about 41. Air Arms puts .25's sweet spot at 30-45 yards at its power levels. More in how far a pellet gun can shoot and long-range airgun hunting.
Does a .25 use more air and get fewer shots per fill?
Yes: expect fewer shots per fill from the same rifle in .25, because a 6.35mm bore has about a third more base area than a 5.5mm one (1.33 times). Airgun Depot's test counted about 30 shots from the .22 Air Venturi Avenger at its default setting; the retailer spec for the .25 lists 24, and magazines shrink from 10 rounds to 8. Those figures come from different sources, so treat them as direction, not a lab test. Air Arms says .22 capacity per fill is typically higher too. See how to fill a PCP.
What does each caliber cost per shot?
A .25 pellet costs roughly 1.5 to 3 times as much as a .22 pellet of the same make. JSB .22 Jumbo Heavy ran 3.7-4.4 cents each when Hard Air Magazine tested it, and Airgun Depot lists a 150-count at $9.99 (about 6.7 cents). Pyramyd AIR lists JSB .25 King Heavy at about 9.7 cents and .25 King at about 10.7 cents. That is roughly $40-$70 per 1,000 .22 pellets against $100-$110 for .25. Air Arms adds that fewer makers produce .25 pellets, so stock is patchier. See best pellets for hunting.
Is a .25 louder than a .22?
Not by a margin I could verify: I found no like-for-like decibel test of one rifle in both calibers, so don't choose a caliber for noise. Every speed in this guide is below the speed of sound (roughly 1,100 fps at room temperature), so neither caliber cracks, and shrouding and pellet choice matter more. For the legal side, read how to quiet an air rifle.
Which air rifles come in .25?
Several beginner-to-mid PCPs come in .25. Specs and prices below are from maker or retailer pages in late September 2026; listed velocities are maximums.
| Rifle | .25 listing | Price I saw | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Venturi Avenger | Up to 900 fps, 45 ft-lbs; 8 rounds | $349.99 (Pyramyd AIR) | Regulated, adjustable to 3,000 psi; fill to 4,351 psi; 6.4 lb |
| Umarex Gauntlet 2 | 980 fps, about 51 FPE; 8 rounds | $439.99 (Umarex USA); SL25 $479.99 | Regulated; fill to 4,500 psi; Umarex lists the SL25 as slug-compatible |
| Benjamin Marauder Gen3 | 12 rounds; "up to 1,150 fps" per Crosman | $829.90 (Crosman list) | Adjustable regulator; fill to 3,625 psi; 9.2 lb |
AirForce's Condor SS is also sold in .25, but I did not verify its specs, so check AirForce's site. Choosing a first rifle? Start with the best air rifles for rabbit hunting and the best PCPs by budget.
Which caliber should you buy, by hunter type?
Buy a .22 unless you shoot a regulated high-power PCP at 40-50 yards in regular wind, or you also take raccoon-size animals.
| Hunter | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner, first PCP, or backyard cottontails inside 35 yards | .22 | Cheaper pellets, more shots per fill, more pellet choice, energy far above the floor |
| Squirrels and rabbits on the same trip | .22 | One pellet, one zero, easiest ammo to find |
| Open-country hare and jackrabbit hunters, shots to 50 yards, regular wind | .25 on a high-power regulated PCP | About 26% less drift in the model, 41 vs 23 FPE left at 50 yards; the FPE chart suggests 20+ FPE at the muzzle for jackrabbits |
| Hunters who also take raccoon- or groundhog-size animals | .25 | The FPE chart lists 20-40 FPE and .25 or larger for them |
| Slug shooters | Either | A .22 with slugs reaches .25-pellet energy: my .22 Impact M4 shoots 40.1gr slugs at about 950 fps, roughly 80 FPE (pellets vs slugs) |
My .22 FX Impact M4 vs my AirForce Texan in .257 on collared doves. The Texan's valve failed mid-hunt, so this is a reliability story more than a clean caliber test.
A .257 is its own caliber, close to .25. Full write-up: FX Impact M4 vs Texan .257; my rabbit approach: complete rabbit hunting guide.
Verdict
Get a .22. Its 18.13gr pellet makes about 35 FPE in a typical regulated PCP, drops about the same as a fast .25 inside 50 yards, costs less to feed and gets more shots per fill. Step up to .25 only on a high-power regulated rifle for 40-50 yard shots in wind, or if you also hunt raccoon-size animals. Then spend the savings on practice: the standard in either caliber is a headshot inside the range where you can hit a golf ball every time.
Pellets and rifles mentioned here
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FAQ
Is .22 or .25 better for hunting rabbits with an airgun?
.22 is better for most rabbit hunters. An 18.13gr .22 pellet at 930 fps makes about 34.8 FPE, almost three times the 12 FPE a rabbit needs at the animal, and .22 pellets cost less and get more shots per fill. Choose .25 only for a regulated high-power PCP and shots past 40 yards in wind.
Is a .25 air rifle overkill for rabbits?
In energy, yes: a 25.39gr .25 pellet at 900 fps makes 45.7 FPE against a 9-12 FPE floor. It is not crueler, just more than the job needs, and you pay for it in pellets and air. A head shot kills cleanly with either caliber.
How many FPE does a .22 JSB 18.13gr pellet make?
FPE = grains × fps² ÷ 450,436, so 18.13gr makes 32.6 FPE at 900 fps and 34.8 FPE at 930 fps. A 25.39gr .25 pellet at 900 fps makes 45.7 FPE, and a 33.95gr pellet at 900 fps makes 61.1 FPE.
Does a .25 shoot flatter or drop less than a .22?
Not at equal energy. Computed with Hard Air Magazine's ballistic coefficients and a 35-yard zero, a 33.95gr .25 at 860 fps drops about 1.5 inches at 50 yards against 1.3 inches for an 18.13gr .22 at 930 fps. Slowed to .22 energy (680 fps), the .25 drops about 2.7 inches.
Does a .25 PCP get fewer shots per fill than a .22?
Usually. Airgun Depot's test counted about 30 shots from the .22 Air Venturi Avenger and its .25 spec lists 24. A 6.35mm bore has about a third more base area than a 5.5mm one, so each shot uses more air.
How much do .25 pellets cost compared with .22?
Roughly 1.5 to 3 times as much per pellet. JSB .22 Jumbo Heavy runs about 4-7 cents each, while Pyramyd AIR lists JSB .25 King Heavy at about 9.7 cents ($28.99 per 300) and .25 King at 10.7 cents ($15.99 per 150). Prices change.
Sources
- Hard Air Magazine — JSB Exact Jumbo Heavy 18.13 grain .22 pellet test (weight, BC 0.035)
- Hard Air Magazine — JSB Exact King Heavy MkII 33.95 grain .25 pellet test (weight, BC 0.046)
- Pyramyd AIR — JSB Exact King Heavy .25, 33.95 grains, 300ct
- Airgun Depot — Air Venturi Avenger .25 (listed .22 and .25 velocity and energy)
- Air Arms — .22 vs .25 calibre air rifle: is there a case for going bigger?
- Varminter — JSB Exact King Heavy .25 range report (Kalibrgun Cricket)
