The most lethal feature on the Silent Cat is the suppressor attached to the end of the barrel. It makes this rifle extremely quiet and is said to reduce 52% of the noise it creates compared to its competitors. This is a huge feature and makes it one of the best air rifles out there.

The noise reduction provides a tremendous difference when hunting as animals will not be easily rattled or scared off from the shots. The Whisper Silent Cat also includes a 4×32 scope and rail to fit custom attachments.

Due to the comfortability of the stock, it is easy to line up fast moving targets when on the hunt. The only noticeable inconvenience lies within the weighted trigger of the rifle.

It is heavier and harder to pull so one may have a more difficult time when taking extremely precise shots. In conclusion, the Gamo Whisper Silent Cat is a great rifle that is probably one of the best spring rifles for hunting with its monster velocity and suppression system.

PCP AIR RIFLES

A more popular air rifle system, for the serious hunter, is the PCP or Pre-Charged Pneumatic. This system utilizes a basic idea in which the rifle has space to pump air in and only to be partially released when a shot is taken.

These air rifles can store up to 30 shots when the reservoir is filled at a pressure of2,000-3,000 psi. Advantages of these systems are that the user can fire off multiple rounds and reloading is quick and silent.

There is also no piston in the construction so the receiver does not have to be long and can provide more compact variations. Accuracy is also increased, compared to the break barrel, as the PCP system allows for a fixed barrel design.

The only disadvantage is that one will be forced to bring their pumping system to refill the reservoir once the air is depleted. PCP air rifles are a bit more advanced and mainly utilized for hunting as it can fire off multiple shots accurately and silently.

BEST AIR RIFLE FOR SQUIRRELS – CROSSMAN BENJAMIN MAXIMUS AIR RIFLE

The Benjamin Maximus is the most affordable and reliable PCP air rifle up to date. It is created by Crossman to deliver a cost-effective version of PCP rifles that can be picked up by any user. One of the unique features of the Maximus is the dualities it brings to the table.

It can be interchangeable with different pellets and “fuels”. This rifle can interchange between 0.177 and 0.22 pellets while being able to pump O2 or CO2 within its reservoir. The bolt action rifle just sits at over 5 pounds and uses up to 2,000 psi shooting at 1000 feet per second.

The Maximus provides 3 major features which marks it as the next step up for hunters. The rifle has a lot of stopping power, accuracy, shot capacity, and consists of lightweight construction. Since the Maximus uses compressed air or CO2, the power jumps while retaining its accuracy.

One thing you never worry about is a pellet straying far off as the groupings are centimeters away at 50 yards. The large shot capacity enables multiple shots in one session, and the light weight wooden stock gives Crossman’s rifle a nice touch.

The Benjamin Maximus Air Rifle is recommended for hunters of small game and predators one size up (eg, small hedgehogs and raccoons). One may want to watch out for pressure fluctuations on hotter days, but essentially, this is the ultimate affordable PCP hunting rifle.

BEST PCP AIR RIFLE – BENJAMIN MARAUDER AIR RIFLE

The Marauder is a great middle of the road PCP rifle that is semi-automatic. Like the Maximus, the Marauder is interchangeable between air and CO2. The rifle can also take in 3 different pellet sizes consisting of 0.177, 0.22 and 0.25.

This particular model shoots up to 1,100 feet per second at 2,000psi. It has always been known for its accuracy, power, and silent pull. With the Marauder, hunting is made easy with its insane accuracy and range. It will be able to hit targets at 150 feet with 0.25 pellets at ease.

The additional power on this model is to be recognized as this air rifle contains a 10-slot magazine. Users have predicted the air rifle to contain 20 powerful shots when the air reservoir is filled.

Lastly, the Marauder is a silent rifle, perfect for hunting small game like rabbits, and even some smaller predators like coyotes.  Rated the best-selling PCP rifle for 6 years running, the Marauder does have some weaknesses owners have to consider when using this rifle. First, it is a very heavy weapon around 8 pounds.

Once you install optics and a shoulder sling, that should increase to over 10 pounds. Lastly, the pumping procedure is quite a workout and may tire owners out during the middle of their session.

Besides those two elements, the Benjamin Marauder Air Rifle is one of the most reliable and power PCP air rifles. It can take down predators and take hunting to the next level.

BEST NITRO PISTON AIR RIFLES

A more recent development in air rifle technology uses nitrogen as a power source and is commonly known as Nitro Piston. This type of rifle was first announced by Crosman and resembles the concept of a compressed spring rifle as a power source.

Instead, Nitro Piston rifles compress nitrogen in a cylinder to push the piston while propelling the pellet. This type of rifle is more suited for extensive use in the field for hunters.

Its advantage is in its lightweight construction as nitrogen guns are lighter than spring powered rifles.

There are many benefits to Nitro Piston rifles in terms of weight, recoil, stealth, accuracy, and speed. It helps when one is out roaming all day, hunting for small game or predators, and the gun does not wear out the user when carried.

The technology also allows less recoil and noise when firing compared to spring weapons. Nitrogen helps extend the piston slowly when firing, so there is less of a toll on the barrel which, in turn, provides less recoil.

Owners of Nitro Piston rifles also experience a great amount of noise reduction. It is around 70% quieter than a spring rifle and is perfect for hunters when stealth is required.

Nitrogen gas also aids the gun firing faster than any spring or gas piston weapon. The quick lock time calls for better accuracy, and the pellet may also be left cocked in a chamber for an extended period of time without damaging the rifle.

We examine a few options below to see the difference between each rifle in our air rifle review.

OUR TOP AIR RIFLE REVIEWS FOR 2018

BEST AIR GUN FOR HUNTING – CROSMAN FIRE NITRO PISTON AIR RIFLE

The Fire Nitro Piston rifle is a very cost-effective rifle firing at whopping 1,200 feet per second using 0.177 pellet rounds. The rifle contains a 4×32 scope along with a sleek modern style stock with thumb holes for comfort.

Weighing in at 6 pounds, it is a single shot rifle utilizing the break barrel system as the steel barrel is cocked down when inserting pellets. Only differences are having nitrogen propelling the piston out of the rifle.

This does have many advantages such as less noise and recoil, so the Crossman Fire is great for hunting small game in your local area. What’s also neat is that the air rifle is built to be ambidextrous with its two-stage trigger.

Safety figures also apply to both right and left-handed shooters as it uses and the old system of a safety trigger in front of the actual firing trigger.

One important factor to consider is that the trigger pull is heavy which can take a while to get used to. It can be adjusted but, in conclusion, does not affect the weight of the pull much which can take time to get used to.

Aside from that factor, the Crosman Fire Nitro Piston rifle is a deadly accurate and powerful air rifle. It’s one of the best air rifles for pest control and hunting small game due to its lightweight construction and silent operation when fired.

BEST GAS PISTON RIFLE – WILDCAT WHISPER AIR RIFLE

The WildCat is made by Gamo, in Spain, and it is by far the most powerful rifle in the lineup. It delivers pellets at a massive 1,300 feet per second. Being a nitrogen rifle, there a is a reduction in noise and vibration when taking out pests or small game.

It is also very much suited for larger animals as it has great stopping power. Gamo’s Intert Gas Technology and Whisper Drive factors into the rifle’s power, accuracy, and noise reduction. Pellets can be launched much faster due to the compressed nitrogen, and the spiral bore gives it the consistent groupings one looks for.

The Wildcat is a single shot break barrel system which has a smooth cocking system when loading. It comes with a standard 4×32 scope with a steel barrel and standard trigger with an adjustable second stage.