Best .22 Air Rifles of 2024, Range and Field Tested

I’ve been airgun looking for 20 years and have shot practically each .22 air rifle obtainable. With that have searching with and reviewing airguns, I’ve put collectively an inventory of the most effective .22 air rifles.  

I’ll begin with my commonplace disclaimer for some of these articles. The “greatest” rifle is a subjective measure that is dependent upon its finish use and your private preferences. These are weapons that I might select based mostly on standards akin to accuracy, energy, measurement and weight, cocking motion, journal capability, set off, or the price of possession.

It could be simple simply to pick out my total favourite airguns and say, “I’ll take the .22 model of that.” Nonetheless, I’m going to start out with a clear slate, ask myself what I’d need particularly in a .22, have a look at what’s obtainable available on the market, and share my prime picks.

How I Selected the Greatest .22 Air Rifles

My prime .22 airgun picks are a mixture of air rifles I’ve area and vary examined alone and weapons from the Outdoor Life air rifle test. Air rifles from the take a look at will embody group and chronograph knowledge. Teams had been shot at 45 yards with the ammo listed for every air rifle. We shot all of the air rifles of their inventory tune and it’s secure to say with tuning, the teams could possibly be improved.

The entire choices under are extremely correct in the proper fingers and which you select will rely in your finances and meant use case.

Greatest .22 Air Rifles: Evaluations & Suggestions

Greatest Total: Brocock Commander XR

Key Options

• Huma-Air adjustable regulator
• Lother Walther polygonal barrel
• Tactical inventory, AR-style inventory, and pistol grip
• Shrouded barrel with built-in baffles

Professionals

• Very correct long-range capabilities
• Quiet
• Ergonomic and adjustable
• Quick, clean biking of sidelever

Cons

• Costly
• Picatinny rail below bottle could possibly be longer

The Brocock Commander XR is light-weight, compact (with the inventory folded), and simple to pack over lengthy distances. The sidelever motion and journal are dependable and might cycle shortly with out coming off course. When taking pictures off sticks or with a bipod hooked up, I discover this rifle is an absolute tack-driver on long-range prairie canine shoots. When searching at distances over 100 yards with an air rifle and an 18-grain pellet, every part on the gun has to work properly and work the identical approach each time, which the Commander does, and it’s why this rifle makes the grade. 

It has a bottle-forward design that’s configured to simply accept an AR-compatible inventory and pistol grip. The rifle makes use of a sidelever cocking and loading system that cycles the 10-shot journal. The cocking deal with is snug to make use of and solely wants a brief straight pull to cycle. Air administration is supplied by the HUMA regulated air supply system that works with the adjustable hammer and valve to offer a high-level consistency. 

You’ll be able to select from an aluminum or carbon air cylinder. The aluminum is inexpensive, and the carbon fiber is lighter. Twin air gauges monitor each regulator stress settings and the air provide standing. An influence adjuster — positioned on the right-hand aspect of the breech block — works properly for on-demand tuning.

If you’re searching for a gun that’s each a great all-around small sport rifle and will be set as much as attain out for longer vary small sport and pest management taking pictures, the Brocock Commander XR is tough to beat. With adjustable energy, versatile airflow administration, a precision barrel, a design that gives a steady and stable taking pictures platform, that is one which I felt snug making my choose for the most effective .22 air rifle for searching total.

One other nice long-range searching air rifle: FX Dreamline

Greatest Funds: Umarex NOTOS .22 PCP Carbine

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Key Options

• Regulated for constant velocity output
• Sidelever motion
• Seven-shot rotary journal
• Totally shrouded barrel
• Compact, adjustable inventory

Take a look at Outcomes

• 45-Yard Group Common: 0.96 inch
• Pellet Used: JSB 15.9
• Set off Pull Weight: 4 lbs 2.3 oz
• Common Pace: 722 fps

Professionals

• Good accuracy and energy for plinking or searching
• Regulated, uncommon characteristic at this value level
• Three constant magazines (21 photographs) per fill

Cons

• Regulator setting isn’t adjustable.
• Left aspect cocking lever won’t attraction to some shooters.

I consider the NOTOS is a close-to-perfect automobile for a .22 caliber small sport gun. It generates round 18 foot-pounds, is correct, ergonomic, and really fairly priced. With the adjustable inventory, the NOTOS can be excellent for a younger hunter, performs at a stage that will develop with the beginner shooter, or be an ideal addition for the skilled hunter that wishes an excellent mild and compact rig for squirrel searching within the fall woods. This little carbine is an absolute blast to shoot. 

Throughout the 2024 air rifle take a look at, this little air rifle shot a .96-inch, 5-shot group common. It shot a 15.9 grain JSB pellet at 722 fps. That’s loads of accuracy and energy for small sport searching.

The Umarex NOTOS .22 PCP Carbine comes with all of the elements to configure it as a big handgun or a sub-compact carbine, making it one of the versatile choices I’ve examined shortly. The inventory is a black artificial materials with a pistol grip and an adjustable AR-style inventory. It’s also among the finest airgun values you’ll discover, at properly below $300, but it affords options discovered on air rifles which might be far more costly. One other fascinating truth in regards to the NOTOS is that it’s a devoted .22, the one caliber it’s supplied in, and as a bonus, this carbine may be very ammunition tolerant.

Learn our full review of the Umarex NOTOS

Key Options

• Interchangeable barrels and slug liners obtainable
• FX Easy Twist X Barrel
• Adjustable regulator and energy plenum
• AR15-style grip, CNC aluminum inventory, adjustable recoil pad (peak)

Take a look at Outcomes

• 45-Yard Group Common: .41 inch
• 100-Yard Group Common: 1.53 inches
• Pellet Used: Air Arms Diablo Field 25.4 grains
• Set off Pull Weight: 1 lb 8 ounces
• Common Pace: 896.8 fps 

Professionals

• Extraordinarily correct
• Adjustable match set off
• Carbon-fiber tank: 480 cc Normal, 300cc Compact
• Shot depend: roughly 130 photographs per fill
• Multi caliber

Cons

• Costly
• Sophisticated to arrange for brand spanking new shooters

I’m not a severe aggressive shooter, although I often compete and have had an opportunity to look at and converse with a number of the greatest opponents on the circuit. Lots of the prime shooters I’ve talked to have advised me with out reservation why the Impression is without doubt one of the greatest .22 air rifles for benchrest and pace silhouette. And when a bunch of the most effective comes near a consensus, I’m going to concentrate. That accuracy proved to be truth when on the Out of doors Life 2024 air rifle take a look at, the Impression shot the most effective teams within the area. It averaged .44 inch, five-shot teams at 45 yards for 3 completely different set off pullers.

The FX Impression is a bottle-forward bullpup constructed on a CNC aluminum inventory with an adjustable recoil pad and an AR-style pistol grip. It makes use of a sidelever motion that shortly and easily cycles. The 2-stage adjustable set off makes use of a publish and blade configuration and affords extremely mild and tactile responsiveness. There are a number of barrel choices, and they’re interchangeable.

Airgun competitions within the U.S. and Europe are gaining reputation, particularly benchrest, high-speed silhouette, and area goal. The FX Impression has develop into one of the extensively used and profitable platforms competing in benchrest and silhouette, and it’s as a result of each side of the gun has a laser give attention to wringing each little bit of accuracy. I’m not a aggressive shooter, however I’ve an Impression .22 arrange for long-range prairie dogging, and it’s fairly merely one of the correct air rifles ever constructed. The FX Impression’s observe report for unimaginable accuracy and consistency is why it’s my choose for essentially the most correct .22 air rifle.

Greatest Modular Design: Air Venturi Avenge-X

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Key Options

• Adjustable regulator
• Modular design
• Adjustable energy
• Sidelever motion
• Vary of caliber choices (.177, .22, .25)
• Totally shrouded barrel

Professionals

• Extraordinarily configurable
• Correct and highly effective
• Reasonably low sound signature

Cons

• No frill, workmanlike design and manufacture
• Model-new providing and inventories could deplete shortly

I actually like the truth that this rifle is out there in a number of configurations, sporter, bullpup, and tactical, however what I feel enhances that is that the Avenge-X collection is really modular. The Avenge-X is exclusive within the market, with a spread of optionally available elements (barrels, air storage, and shares), that are each simply obtainable and fairly priced.

The Air Venturi Seneca Avenge-X is troublesome to offer a concise description of as a result of it may be configured in so some ways. The product line leverages key expertise and classes discovered from the Avenger rifle and bullpup. Whereas different producers tout a modular design, what I admire in regards to the Avenge-X is that the components can be found, priced fairly, and will be modified by the standard consumer.

Learn our full review of the Air Venturi Avenger.

Greatest for New Airgun Hunters: Umarex Komplete NitroAir

Take a look at Outcomes

• 45-Yard Group Common: 0.86 inch
• Pellet Used: JSB 10.4
• Set off Pull Weight: 1 lb 3.3 oz
• Common Pace: 935 fps
• *We examined the Komplete in .177

Key Specs

• Powered by the NitroAir NCR cartridge system
• Facet lever cocking
• Two stage set off, adjustable take up, 2.25 lb pull weight
• Inside (non-adjustable) Regulator
• SilencAir noise suppression
• Obtainable in .177 and .22

Professionals

• PCP with no further fill gear required
• Cartridge powered PCP
• Low price of entry to PCPs
• Highly effective and correct
• Regulated for about 45 photographs per cartridge

Cons

• Worth proposition varies relying on utilization
• Included scope high quality is suboptimal

The Komplete NitroAir stands out in a crowded area of value-oriented PCP air rifles as a result of it makes use of a proprietary nitrogen fuel cartridge. The cartridge resembles a big CO2 cartridge, however a CO2 cartridge is barely crammed to 800 psi. The NitroAir cartridge is charged to 3600 psi, which is sufficient fuel for about 45 regulated photographs. Apart from a excessive shot depend, the single-use nitrogen cartridges provide the efficiency advantages of a PCP without having to put money into a expensive compressor or air tank.

It’s the least costly PCP with respect to startup prices, although at about $10 per cartridge (sold in packs of two), the working prices could possibly be larger relying on how a lot you shoot. After 1,900 photographs, you’ll spend $400 on 20 packing containers of cartridges, which is about the price of a small compressor. That’s why this airgun isn’t perfect for high-volume shooters, but it surely does make plenty of sense as a yard pest rifle, plinker, or small sport airgun.

Greatest Spring Piston: Beeman R9

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Take a look at Outcomes

• 25-Yard Group Common: .59 inch
• Pellet Used: JSB 15.89
• Set off Pull Weight: 2 lbs 14 oz
• Common Pace: 605 fps

Key Options

• Powerplant: Standard Spring-piston
• Size Total: 43.25 inches
• Size of pull: 14.25 inches
• Weight: 8.5 kilos 
• Single shot break barrel
• Barrel Size: 16.5 inches
• Set off: two-stage adjustable Rekord set off
• Cocking effort: 40 kilos
• Sighting: Open sights, adjustable rear sight, 11mm Dovetail for scope

Professionals

• Probably the greatest spring piston triggers ever produced
• Excessive stage of match and end
• Excellent ergonomics
• Some of the correct spring piston airguns ever constructed
• Nice steadiness of accuracy and energy
• Simple to cock 

Cons

• Incorporate a resettable security (can’t be reset after releasing)
• It’s on the heavy aspect, however to be anticipated with this kind of gun in wooden.
• That is virtually the proper springer, if such a factor exists.

The R9 was by far the most effective spring airgun at this 12 months’s air rifle take a look at. It had the smoothest taking pictures cycle, the most effective set off, and yielded the most effective accuracy. However you’ll pay $530 for that stage of efficiency, which is greater than double the worth of the others examined.

The Rekord set off on the R9 is a two-stage adjustable design that got here out of the field at 2 kilos 14 ounces.

In our 25-yard accuracy testing, the smallest group was .21 inch, the biggest was 1 inch, and the 4 group common was .53 inch. That’s some good taking pictures for a springer, however most notably, the accuracy got here simply. Different spring rifles we examined had been finicky and wanted particular holds to shoot properly. The R9 simply carried out with out fuss.  

This gun was arrange at low energy, producing 605 fps with the 15.89 grain JSB Diabolo pellet. The R9 was producing an influence output just a bit above the UK authorized restrict of 13 ft-lbs. I do know that to firearms shooters this appears very low, however for context take into account the British have been bagging small sport with sub 12 ft-lb weapons for many years.

The R9 makes use of a wooden Monte Carlo inventory with a refined cheekpiece that permits it to be shot comfortably right-handed or left-handed. Everybody within the take a look at group gave the R9’s ergonomics excessive scores. With a cocking effort of roughly 38 kilos, it ought to be manageable for many shooters.

Learn Subsequent: PCP Air Rifles 101

Greatest Funds Spring Airgun: Gamo Swarm Maxxim 10x Gen 2

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Take a look at Outcomes

• 25-Yard Group Common: 1.13 inch
• Pellet Used: JSB Precise 18.13 grain
• Set off Pull Weight: 3 lbs 12.3 ounces
• Common Pace: 611 fps

Key Specs

• Break barrel motion
• IGT Inert Gasoline Expertise Gasoline Piston energy plant
• Journal with 10 shot capability (Horizontal orientation)
• Two-stage adjustable set off
• Whisper Maxxim sound suppression system
• Shockwave Absorber recoil pad

Professionals

• Multi-shot journal
• Low cocking effort
• Easy taking pictures cycle
• Ergonomic

Cons

• Bundled scope is low high quality
• Set off out of field has plenty of creep
• Just one journal included

The Swarm Maxxim 10X Gen 2 was a pleasing taking pictures rifle with a reasonably tame firing cycle, and the multi-shot journal labored flawlessly throughout testing. The cocking effort was low, and the general ergonomics had been good.

Its accuracy wasn’t spectacular, but it surely’s loads correct for searching small sport inside 30 yards or enjoyable taking pictures within the yard. One observe is that you simply’ll wish to study a correct artillery hold if you happen to’re going to personal this airgun. Or on the very least tackle the air rifle in a constant method. We discovered that this gun’s level of affect would shift relying on the place and the way a lot stress was utilized to contact factors.

Key Options

• Worth pricing
• Adjustable regulator
• Shrouded barrel
• Correct and highly effective

Professionals

• Wonderful efficiency out of the field
• Responsive set off and sidelever motion
• Rugged and dependable journal
• Totally adjustable regulator permits optimization for particular projectiles and functions
• Excessive-capacity and high-pressure air storage supplies a excessive shot depend

Cons

• Inventory has a hole and plasticky really feel
• If the regulator is about excessive, a excessive stress (4351 psi) fill is required

For a rifle to be an ideal entry-level gun, it must be simple to arrange and shoot, supply the efficiency to permit a brand new shooter to attain success and see enchancment, and proceed to assist the shooter’s wants as their expertise stage grows. The Avenger does an excellent job of addressing this requirement.

The usual Avenger is a full-sized PCP rifle in a black artificial sporter fashion inventory that may match most shooters properly. The air reservoir sits under the barrel and supplies a surprisingly excessive shot depend as a result of excessive fill pressures it may well accommodate. The rifle is cycled with a sidelever motion utilizing a well-designed cocking lever that reliably auto indexes the magazines. Two stress gauges show the standing of the air storage and the regulator setting.

The Avenger is a superb instance of a gun that may adapt to the shooter’s wants. It is a superb selection for novice PCP shooters and airgun aficionados who wish to tune and modify a gun to make it their very own.

I’ve used the Avenger .22 to hunt squirrels and rabbits with commonplace Diabolo pellets, and dialed it in to work with airgun slugs for long-range prairie canine shoots. The intrinsic accuracy, tactile set off, clean cocking motion, and total ergonomics make this a straightforward gun to shoot precisely. The low value makes it a beautiful rifle to buy, and the options and performance guarantee it should proceed to offer worth as a brand new shooter positive factors expertise. And for all of those causes, the Avenger was my choose for greatest finances .22 air rifle.

Key Options

• Semi-auto motion
• Folding inventory
• Excessive energy
• Shrouded barrel

Professionals

• Correct
• Highly effective
• Dependable
• Compact and light-weight

Cons

• Occasional misfeeds with some ammo (capabilities reliably with most pellets)
• Makes use of plenty of air and pellets

There are just a few semi-auto PCP air rifles available on the market, however not many good ones. I’ve been taking pictures the HP Carbine for just a few months now, and apart from having a great observe report for reliability, they’ve constructed this gun on a smaller body and saved each the dimensions and the worth down. AEA appears to have discovered the candy spot.

This can be a tactical design with a folding AR-style buttstock, pistol grip, and bottle-forward configuration. The gun folds for straightforward packing and transporting, deploys shortly, and affords an ergonomic and steady taking pictures platform that I like for offhand taking pictures. The shrouded barrel does a great job of lowering the sound signature.

It’s correct, highly effective, and spits out pellets as quick as you possibly can pull the set off. I feel this caliber is without doubt one of the greatest .22 air rifles for plinking or searching. With this gun, you’ll eat plenty of air and plenty of pellets, so you have to guarantee you could have entry to each. I might counsel that you concentrate on investing in a compressor, so that you all the time have air obtainable.

One other nice semi-auto airgun: Hatsan Invader

Learn how to Select One of many Greatest .22 Air Rifles

To pick out the most effective .22 air rifle you have to reply three questions:

• What’s your finances?
• How will you employ the air rifle? 
• Are you keen to put money into an air compressor or air tank? 

In case your finances is over $1,000 you could have plenty of correct and highly effective .22 air rifles to select from. I’d counsel a PCP for max accuracy and energy. You then simply have to resolve if you happen to’d like a goal rifle just like the FX Impression or a searching air rifle just like the Brocock Commander XR. Within the $500 vary you possibly can select from glorious PCPs just like the Air Venturi Avenger or a springer just like the Hatsan Mannequin 65. The deciding issue shall be if you happen to desire the simplicity of a springer or the precision of a PCP. Within the $250 vary you possibly can nonetheless discover glorious PCP and springer fashions just like the Gamo Swarm and Hatsan Flashpup QE. 

Learn Subsequent: The Best PCP Air Rifle Compressors

FAQs

Remaining Ideas on the Greatest .22 Air Rifles

The .22 caliber is arguably the most well-liked caliber being utilized in PCP air rifles, and proper behind the .177 in spring piston weapons. If we glance particularly at searching functions, the .22 might be essentially the most extensively used caliber. 

They’re the most well-liked for good purpose. There’s a broad collection of .22 rifles; they’re flat taking pictures, and have good terminal efficiency. There’s additionally an enormous vary of reasonably priced pellets in various designs and weights. I’d advise you to have a look at the web retailers when selecting pellets in your .22 air rifle, as they may have a significantly better choice and infrequently higher costs than you’ll discover in an enormous field retailer. In case you select the proper gun and the proper projectile, among the finest .22 air rifles will serve you properly whether or not you plink, shoot competitors, or hunt.