“I’m hunting rabbits!” I guess that reference may be lost on the younger generation, but for us old folks, we get it. And if you’ve ever done some rabbit hunting, you probably used a shotgun or maybe a .22 long rifle. If you are pesting or just hunting for recreation, then it’s not a problem. But, if you want to harvest the little critters to put meat on the table, then there may be a better way. Airguns are a great way to quickly and humanely dispatch the furry critters with minimal damage to the meat. And who wants to pick out shotgun pellets out of your rabbit pot pie? Let’s get started.
Optimal Caliber and Distance
Rabbits are very easy to put down. They have very weak hearts and thin pelts, so it does not take much to dispatch them. With that said, we recommend using a .22 caliber airgun if you are hunting them. You don’t need to go “magnum,” but the added weight and knock-down power in a .22 will give you a higher success rate.
When it comes to range, it’s really more about shot placement and your ability to make the shot reliably. We have an article on how to test your effective range when hunting small game. If you have questions, please take a look at that article. Basically, you need to be able to put the shot within a 1” circle 9 out of 10 times. If you can do that, then you are “in range.”
Top 5 Rabbit Airguns in No Particular Order
The Crosman Prospect is an entry-level PCP that delivers regulated performance in an easy-to-shoot package. Putting out over 26 foot pounds, the Prospect can deliver the power on target. It uses a side lever action, a ten-shot magazine, and an adjustable trigger. The all-weather stock is perfect for getting out in the field without worrying about damaging your “finer” wood stock airguns. If you are new to the airgun world and want an affordable, effective, 50-yard hunting airgun, the Prospect may just be the ticket.
The Barra 250z is a brand-new offering from Barra Airguns. It’s a regulated PCP that’s fully user-adjustable. You can adjust the reg pressure, hammer spring, and trigger. All without taking it out of the stock. What sets the 250z apart is the air storage. Where most airguns have a tube or bottle somewhere on the frame, Barra chose to incorporate the air right into the barrel shroud. The 250z looks more like a traditional firearm than any other PCP to date. And it shoots like a dream producing over 40 foot-pounds and maintaining a constant velocity across 40 shots. Best of all, like the Crosman Prospect, it is very affordable.
The Hatsan Mod 95 Vortex is a traditional breakbarrel airgun manufactured with wood and steel. The hardwood stock is simply beautiful. It’s gas ram driven, producing around 20 foot-pounds. It has a fully adjustable trigger along with great open sights. It comes with a basic scope to get you started, but it’s certainly deserving of an upgrade if you want to maximize its potential. The QE version features a shrouded barrel with an integrated moderator. It’s an outstanding choice for traditional breakbarrel airgunners.
The Gamo Swarm Magnum 10X Gen 3i is a breakbarrel based on the best and most powerful options from Gamo USA. It can produce up to 30 foot-pounds of energy from a single cock of the barrel. Better than that, the 10-shot SWARM system keeps 10 shots on tap for quick follow-up shots. There are other multi-shot spring guns, but nothing else matches the Swarm Magnum for power, range, accuracy, and reliability.
We are going to swing for the fences with our last suggestion. The .22 FX Wildcat MKIII is an expensive PCP that falls squarely into the “boringly accurate” airgun category. It’s so accurate that skilled shooters use it for bench rest, when not out taking small game. The FX Wildcat MK III delivers on all fronts. With its buttery smooth action, adjustable match trigger, adjustable hammer spring, and 100-yard accuracy, it’s a small game-hunting machine.
And there are so many more!
We just ran through 5 great options for rabbit-hunting airguns. If you have more questions about what may be the best fit for your hunting needs and your budget, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are always here to help.
