Target shooting is a rewarding and accessible sport that combines skill, focus, and precision. Whether you’re practicing in your backyard or at a formal range, the right air rifle is crucial for accuracy, consistency, and enjoyment. The market offers a wide variety, from classic single-shot models to advanced pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) rifles, each with unique strengths.
Selecting the best tool depends on your experience level, preferred shooting style, and performance needs. This roundup examines ten excellent options for target shooting, highlighting key features like caliber, velocity, and action type. From nostalgic beginner models to high-performance systems, there is an ideal air rifle here to help you hit your mark.
Our Top Picks for Target Shooting Air Rifles
- Gamo Varmint Breakbarrel .177 Caliber Pellet Air Rifle
- Daisy Outdoor Products Model 1938 Red Ryder BB Gun
- Daisy 5880 Shadow Kit air Rifle
- Gamo Swarm Magnum 10X GEN3i .22 Caliber Break Barrel
- Crosman Legacy Variable Pump .177-Caliber Pellet/BB Air Rifle
- Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1 Air Rifle
- Umarex Origin PCP .22 Caliber Pellet Gun Air Rifle
- Diana Stormrider Gen2 .177 Caliber PCP Air Rifle
- Seneca .25-Caliber Avenger Air Gun Magazine, 8 Rounds (2 Pack)
- Benjamin Marauder Synthetic Stock .22 Caliber PCP Air Rifle
Gamo Varmint Breakbarrel .177 Caliber Pellet Air Rifle
This spring-piston air rifle from Gamo is built for power and reliability, making it a strong contender for target shooters. It generates a velocity of up to 1250 feet per second with .177 caliber pellets, offering a flat trajectory that is beneficial for accurate shot placement at various distances. The breakbarrel single-shot design is straightforward and promotes a deliberate shooting pace.
The rifle’s construction is robust, and its operation is simple, which is ideal for those who appreciate a traditional airgun experience. It is well-suited for developing fundamental marksmanship skills without the complexity of magazines or pumps. This model represents a solid entry into higher-velocity spring-piston air rifles for serious practice.
Daisy Outdoor Products Model 1938 Red Ryder BB Gun
The Daisy Red Ryder is an iconic lever-action BB gun that brings nostalgia and simplicity to casual target shooting. Its wood-grain finish and overall design are classic, offering a fun and low-pressure introduction to the sport. With a smoothbore steel barrel and a large 650-shot capacity, it allows for extended plinking sessions without frequent reloading.
While its maximum velocity of 350 fps is lower than pellet rifles, it is perfectly adequate for close-range paper targets and tin cans. This rifle is an excellent choice for beginners and younger shooters, focusing on fundamental safety, sight alignment, and trigger control in a user-friendly package.
Daisy 5880 Shadow Kit Air Rifle
The Daisy Shadow Kit is a comprehensive option for new shooters, as it often includes useful accessories like targets and safety glasses. This .177 caliber rifle fires at 750 fps, providing a good balance of power and control for learning proper technique. Its one-year warranty offers added assurance of its build quality.
This rifle is designed to be a user-friendly platform for developing accuracy. The included scope mount allows for easy optics attachment, which can help shooters improve their precision. It’s a practical kit that removes the guesswork from starting out, providing nearly everything needed for immediate practice.
Gamo Swarm Magnum 10X GEN3i .22 Caliber Break Barrel
For shooters who want high power and multi-shot convenience, the Gamo Swarm Magnum is a standout. Its .22 caliber pellets deliver significant impact, and the Inertia Fed 10X GEN3i magazine system holds ten rounds. The process is efficient: simply break the barrel to cock the rifle and automatically load the next pellet.
With velocities up to 1,300 fps using alloy pellets, this rifle offers a powerful and rapid-follow-up shooting experience. The combination of magnum power and a 10-shot capacity makes it suitable for extended target sessions where minimizing downtime between shots is a priority.
Crosman Legacy Variable Pump .177-Caliber Pellet/BB Air Rifle
This versatile pump-action rifle from Crosman provides exceptional control over power, with a variable velocity range from 750 to 1000 fps. The shooter decides the power level with each pump, making it adaptable for different target distances or shooting environments. Its synthetic stock is durable and weather-resistant.
The rifle features a rifled steel barrel for accuracy with pellets and a built-in reservoir for BBs, offering great flexibility in ammunition choice. This dual-ammo capability and adjustable power make it an excellent training tool for mastering various shooting scenarios with one airgun.
Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1 Air Rifle
The Whisper Fusion Mach 1 is engineered for high performance and reduced noise, a benefit for backyard target shooters. It achieves a remarkable velocity of up to 1420 fps with .177 caliber pellets, resulting in a very flat trajectory that aids in long-range accuracy. Its integrated sound suppression technology is a notable feature.
This breakbarrel rifle combines extreme power with a quieter report, making practice sessions more pleasant and less disruptive. It is a serious tool for target shooters looking to push the limits of spring-piston velocity and precision while maintaining consideration for their surroundings.
Umarex Origin PCP .22 Caliber Pellet Gun Air Rifle
The Umarex Origin offers an accessible entry into the world of Pre-Charged Pneumatic (PCP) rifles, as it includes a necessary hand pump. Its Ever-Pressure EPT Tank System is designed for easier pumping and provides consistent shot velocity, which is critical for tight target groups. The side-lever cocking and 10-shot magazine enable quick follow-up shots.
This package delivers the main advantages of a PCP system—high consistency and multi-shot capability—without requiring a separate investment in a filling system. It’s an ideal step-up for shooters ready to experience the superior shot-to-shot uniformity that PCP platforms provide.
Diana Stormrider Gen2 .177 Caliber PCP Air Rifle
The Diana Stormrider Gen2 is a compact and lightweight PCP rifle built for precision. It fires .177 caliber pellets at 1050 fps, offering an excellent balance of speed and accuracy for target work. A key upgrade in this generation is the improved Diana 2-stage adjustable trigger, which allows shooters to fine-tune the pull for a cleaner break.
As a bolt-action repeater, it promotes a controlled shooting rhythm. Its design and adjustable trigger make it a particularly strong candidate for shooters focused on technical accuracy and those who may use it in competitive or formal target practice settings.
Seneca .25-Caliber Avenger Air Gun Magazine, 8 Rounds (2 Pack)
This product is an essential accessory for owners of compatible PCP air rifles, like the Seneca Avenger in .25 caliber. The two-pack of 8-round magazines significantly extends your range time by minimizing reloading interruptions. This allows you to maintain focus and practice longer shooting strings.
The magazines are designed to replicate the realistic function of firearm magazines, enhancing the tactical training aspect of your session. For dedicated target shooters with compatible rifles, having spare magazines on hand is a practical upgrade that improves the overall flow and efficiency of practice.
Benjamin Marauder Synthetic Stock .22 Caliber PCP Air Rifle
The Benjamin Marauder is a highly respected name in PCP airguns, known for its accuracy, quiet operation, and reliability. Its synthetic stock is durable and stable, while the .22 caliber provides a great balance of pellet weight and energy for target shooting. The rifle is known for its consistent performance and tight grouping capability.
As a multi-shot PCP rifle, it features a bolt-action mechanism and an integrated sound suppression system. It is a favorite among serious airgun enthusiasts for its out-of-the-box precision and robust construction, making it a top-tier choice for demanding target shooters and competitors.
How to Choose the Best Air Rifle for Target Shooting
Choosing the right air rifle for target shooting can feel overwhelming with all the options out there. I’ve found that focusing on a few key factors makes the decision much easier. The first and biggest choice is the powerplant: spring-piston, gas-piston, PCP, or CO2. For a beginner, a good quality spring-piston or gas-piston rifle is often the best starting point. They are self-contained, meaning you don’t need extra gear like pumps or tanks, and they offer great accuracy for the price. PCP rifles are the top choice for serious competitive shooters due to their smooth, recoilless shot cycle and incredible consistency, but the initial cost for the rifle and a filling system is much higher.
Next, consider caliber. For punching paper, .177 caliber is the standard. Its flatter trajectory and lower cost per pellet make it ideal for target work. While .22 has its place, especially for field target shooting at longer ranges, .177 is what you’ll see on most target lines. Then, look at the trigger. A good, adjustable trigger is non-negotiable for precision. A crisp, light break with minimal creep will improve your accuracy more than almost any other single feature. I always check reviews to see what shooters say about the trigger feel.
Don’t forget about weight and ergonomics. A target rifle is often heavier than a hunting rifle to aid stability, but you need to be comfortable holding it. The stock should fit you well, with a good cheek weld and proper length of pull. Finally, think about optics. Most target air rifles don’t come with a scope, so you’ll need to budget for one. Look for a scope with an adjustable objective (AO) or side focus to properly parallax at the shorter distances typical of airgun shooting. By balancing these factors—powerplant, caliber, trigger, fit, and optics—you can find the perfect tool to help you master the 10 best air rifles for target shooting.
FAQ
What is the most accurate type of air rifle for target shooting?
For pure, competition-level accuracy, Pre-Charged Pneumatic (PCP) air rifles are generally considered the best. They have virtually no recoil or vibration, which allows for incredible shot-to-shot consistency. However, modern high-end spring-piston or gas-piston rifles are also very accurate and are a fantastic choice for shooters who want a simpler, all-in-one system without the need for a separate air source.
Is a .177 or .22 better for target shooting?
For most paper target shooting, especially at ranges under 50 yards, .177 caliber is the preferred choice. The pellets are smaller, lighter, and cheaper, and they travel at a higher velocity with a flatter trajectory. This makes wind drift and holdover easier to manage. A .22 can be used, particularly in field target competitions where more kinetic energy is needed to knock down metal targets, but .177 is the standard for bullseye paper punching.
Why do I need a special scope for an air rifle?
Spring-piston and gas-piston air rifles produce a unique “double-recoil” – a forward jerk followed by a backward push – that can destroy a scope designed for a firearm. Airgun scopes are built with heavier internal components to withstand this. Also, because we shoot at much closer ranges, an Adjustable Objective (AO) or side-focus knob is essential to eliminate parallax error at specific distances, like 10 or 25 meters.
How important is the trigger on a target air rifle?
It’s critically important. A good trigger allows you to release the shot without disturbing your aim. Look for a trigger that is adjustable for weight of pull (the force needed to fire) and has a crisp, clean break with no creep or grit. A two-stage trigger is often preferred, as it lets you take up the first stage slack and then have a very light, predictable second stage for the final shot release.
Can I use a budget air rifle for serious target practice?
Absolutely. While high-end rifles have advantages, many affordable air rifles are remarkably accurate and perfect for developing your skills. The key is to pick a model known for its consistency and to pair it with good quality pellets. Often, the shooter is the biggest variable, so practicing with a reliable budget rifle is a smart way to improve before investing in a more expensive setup.