Buyer's Guide · Squirrels
Best air rifle for squirrel hunting
Researched by James · Updated September 26, 2026 · Editorial policy
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Rifle specs and test results below come from manufacturer spec sheets and independent reviews (Hard Air Magazine, Outdoor Life, Airgun Depot), all linked in Sources — not from my own hunting with these specific rifles. My own squirrel-and-pest rig is an FX Impact M4 in .22. Full methodology & editorial policy →
Why squirrels are a tougher target than they look
Anyone who's hunted both will tell you: squirrels soak up hits that would drop a rabbit. Thick hide, dense shoulder and neck muscle, and a will to reach the nearest tree hollow before anything else registers. That's why the energy floor for squirrels sits at the same 9-12+ FPE at the animal as rabbits, and why the placement rule is absolute — head, or don't take the shot. The full energy-by-quarry breakdown is in the airgun FPE chart, and the exact aim points are in airgun shot placement.
What actually matters in a squirrel rifle
- Caliber: .22. It hits harder than .177 at the same pellet-weight class and keeps ammo cheap, without the extra drop of a .25 at typical tree-stand ranges.
- Quiet report. A full-length shroud and a pellet kept below roughly 950 fps avoids the sonic crack that ends a hunt after one shot.
- Enough shots per fill to work a tree line without stopping to top off. 25-30+ is comfortable for a morning sit.
- Weight you can hold steady for the minutes it sometimes takes a squirrel to present a clean head angle.
Squirrel-ready PCPs compared
Disclosure: I haven't hunted with these specific rifles — my own setup is an FX Impact M4 running slugs. The numbers below come from manufacturer specs and the independent tests linked in Sources; the "squirrel fit" judgment is mine, based on those numbers.
| Rifle (.22) | Fill / air source | Shots per fill | Weight | Squirrel fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benjamin Marauder | 3,000 psi, hand pump friendly | ~30 | ~7.3 lb | Full shroud, very quiet, Hard Air Magazine's 88% Gold-award pick |
| Air Venturi Avenger | 300 bar (~4,350 psi); tank or compressor for full shot count | ~30 at factory settings | 6.4 lb (synthetic) | Regulated and tunable; Outdoor Life's .25 test rifle averaged 0.44" at 45 yds |
| Umarex Gauntlet 2 | 4,500 psi, tank or compressor | 70+ | 8.5 lb | Long strings for an all-day sit, shrouded, 33 FPE max |
| Quality gas-piston break-barrel | None — self-contained | Unlimited (one at a time) | ~7-8 lb | Budget-proof; needs a practiced artillery hold to group |
How you feed a PCP matters as much as the rifle itself — a hand pump covers the Marauder comfortably, while the Avenger and Gauntlet 2 are happier with a tank or compressor. The full comparison is in how to fill a PCP, and total startup cost is broken down in the first PCP buyer's guide.
Pellet choice for squirrels
A heavy domed pellet that your specific barrel groups well is the right call inside 40-50 yards — the range where nearly all squirrel hunting actually happens. Skip slugs here; they're built for distance and barrel systems most squirrel rifles don't have. Run a simple pellet test (a handful of brands, five-shot groups, same distance) before the season starts, covered in best airgun caliber for small game.
Where and how to hunt them quietly
Still-hunt into the wind along a tree line with mast (acorns, walnuts, pine cones) on the ground, and glass branches and trunk forks before you move. Once you've taken a shot, stay put for a few minutes — a quiet PCP often lets a second squirrel settle back down within range. That patience is where the quiet-rifle investment actually pays off.
Good fit
- Hunters who want repeated shots in one spot without pushing game out
- Anyone starting their first PCP who also wants a rabbit- and pest-capable rifle
- Backyard or small-acreage hunters where noise matters
Look elsewhere
- You want one rifle for squirrels and raccoon-sized game — you'll need more power for the latter
- You're not willing to add a hand pump or tank to a PCP purchase
Squirrel-ready picks
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Verdict
A shrouded .22 PCP making 9-12+ FPE at the animal, matched to a domed pellet your barrel likes, beats a bigger, louder rifle for squirrels almost every time. Quietness and a strict head-shot rule do more work here than raw power.
FAQ
What is the best air rifle for squirrel hunting?
A shrouded .22 PCP that delivers 9-12+ FPE at the animal, such as the Benjamin Marauder or Air Venturi Avenger. Both are quiet enough for repeated shots in one tree line without pushing every squirrel out of range.
What caliber is best for squirrels?
.22 is the standard choice: it carries enough energy from almost any hunting PCP, hits hard enough for a reliable head shot, and pellets are cheap. .177 works with disciplined head shots but leaves less margin for a slightly off hold.
How much FPE do you need to kill a squirrel?
Plan on 9-12+ FPE delivered to the squirrel with a head shot. Squirrels are tougher than rabbits for their size, so treat that as a floor, not a target, and confirm it with a chronograph rather than the box number.
Do squirrels need a quiet air rifle?
For repeated shots in the same spot, yes. A loud crack sends every squirrel in earshot back into the canopy after the first shot. A shrouded PCP staying under about 950 fps with the pellet you're using keeps the report down and lets you keep hunting the same tree line.
Are slugs better than pellets for squirrels?
No, pellets are the better choice at typical squirrel ranges. A quality domed pellet your barrel groups well handles anything inside 40-50 yards. Slugs earn their keep at longer range in a PCP built to stabilize them, which is more rifle than most squirrel hunting calls for.
What's a good beginner PCP for squirrel hunting?
The Benjamin Marauder in .22 — it fills to 3,000 psi so a hand pump runs the whole system, and Hard Air Magazine gave it 88% and a Gold award in testing. The Air Venturi Avenger is a strong regulated runner-up around $350-$400.
Can a break-barrel air rifle kill squirrels?
Yes, a quality gas-piston break-barrel in .22 making 12+ FPE at the muzzle handles squirrels fine at sensible ranges. The tradeoff is the springer's whiplash recoil, which demands a correct artillery hold to group consistently.
