air rifles for vermin control

9 Best Air Rifles for Vermin Control of 2022

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Mathew R Reed
November 1, 2022
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Vermin refers to wild animals that are harmful to crops, farm animals or game, or those that carry disease, e.g. rodents. They are pests or nuisance animals that cause or transfer diseases and destroy crops or livestock. They can be any undesirable or disturbing pests such as rats, or weasels. There are several programs used for the prevention, control, and elimination of these pests including shooting.

Air rifles are the best weapons for pest control as they are safer than other guns, they use pellets instead of bullets, and quieter which means that you can catch your target discreetly without spooking them. They are also smaller and lighter to hold hence ideal for individuals who are not used to handling guns.

Best Air Rifles for Vermin Control

Many people own air rifles as they need fewer requirements compared to other guns. Let us look at the best air rifles for vermin control.

Air RifleImageBest Price
Gamo 6110017154 Varmint Air Rifle .177 Calir?t=riflesandscope 20&language=en US&l=li2&o=1&a=B01APG0SXWir?t=riflesandscope 20&language=en US&l=li2&o=1&a=B01APG0SXWir?t=riflesandscope 20&language=en US&l=li2&o=1&a=B01APG0SXWGamo 6110017154 Varmint Air Rifle .177 Cal Best Price
Ruger Blackhawk Combo air rifleUmarex Ruger Blackhawk .177 Caliber Pellet Gun Air Rifle with 4x32mm Scope Best Price
Swarm Fusion 10X GEN2 Air RifleGamo 6110063354 Swarm Fusion 10X GEN2 Air Rifle .177 Caliber Black Best Price
Gamo Swarm Magnum, Multi-Shot Air RifleGamo Swarm Magnum Multi Shot Air Rifle Best Price
Magnum Air RifleMagnum Air Rifle Best Price
Crosman Air RifleCrosman Optimus Air Rifle .22 with Scope Best Price
Hatsan Air RifleHatsan air Rifle Best Price
Benjamin 392S .22-Caliber Bolt Action RifleBenjamin 392S .22 Caliber Bolt Action Variable Pump Air Rifle Black Best Price
Crosman 1077 Repeat Air Semi-Automatic CO2 Pellet Gun Air RifleCrosman 1077 RepeatAir Semi Automatic CO2 Powered .177 Caliber Pellet Air Gun Best Price

Best Air Rifles for Vermin Control Comprehensive Reviews

Gamo 6110017154 Varmint Air Rifle .177 Cal

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The Gamo Varmint Air Rifle shoots a .177 PBA Platinum alloy pellet at 1250 fps, making it the perfect air rifle for hunting small game, pest control, and target practice. It is fixed with a 4x32mm scope that allows you to pick-off small, hard-to-see targets. It also comes with an all-weather molded synthetic stock with non-slip texturing on the pistol grip and forearm.

Gamo Varmint air rifle features a Monte Carlo cheek pad that aligns your eye with the scope sight and a rubber recoil pad to keep the buttstock firmly planted on the shoulder. It has a break barrel, a spring-powered cocking system, and automatic manual safety. This is definitely one of the best air rifles for vermin control.

Features

  • Lightweight design
  • Spring powered
  • Magazine capacity single shot
  • 4 x 32 shockproof scope included
  • Tough all-weather ambidextrous stock
  • Noise dampening: None
  • Break barrel: single cocking system
  • Manual trigger safety
  • Trigger: Two-stage adjustable
  • 1-year warranty
  • Made in Spain

Specifications

  • 177 Caliber Pellets
  • Weight: 5.47 pounds
  • Stock: Synthetic
  • Trigger Len: 14.2 in.
  • Trigger Pull: 3.53 lbs.
  • Barrel Length: 17.8 in.
  • Total Length: 43.3 in.
  • Velocity: 1250 feet per second (fps) with PBA
  • Cocking Effort: 30 lbs.

Ruger Blackhawk Combo Air Rifle

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Ruger Blackhawk joins our Best air rifles for vermin control list for its many performance features. It is a spring-piston break-barrel single-shot air rifle with an all-weather Ambi composite polymer black stock. It is ideal for plinking and dispatching rodents. The rifle is fitted with a 4×32 scope and rings to mount it with, which allows you to capture long-range targets. The ambidextrous stock makes it ideal for both left- and right-handers. The rifle has checkered grip areas in both the pistol grip and forearm.

The Blackhawk rifle shoots a single pellet out of its rifled barrel at 1000 feet per second (fps). Its fiber optic sights provide quick target acquisition and shooter accuracy. It is nitrogen-filled for fog-proof and waterproof performance, shockproof, and provides windage and elevation adjustments. It features multiple lens coating and a matte black finish.

Features

  • Spring piston powered
  • 1 tube 1/4 MOA Duplex reticle
  • Field of view: 29 feet at 100-Yards
  • 3 eye relief
  • 8-Millimeter exit pupil
  • Includes 11-Millimeter dovetail rings
  • Multiple lens coatings
  • Weight: 13.2-Ounces.
  • Length: 12.9 long.

Specifications

  • Caliber: 0.177
  • 4x magnification
  • 1200 fps with alloy pellet
  • 1000 fps with a lead pellet
  • Objective lens: 32mm
  • Trigger pull: 3.3 lb.
  • Length of pull: 14.5 inch
  • Cocking effort 30 lbs.
  • The overall length is 44.8 inches
  • One year limited warranty

Swarm Fusion 10X GEN2 Air Rifle 

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This Gamo Swarm Fusion 10X is a gas-piston 10-shot repeater break-barrel air rifle. The gas piston replaces the traditional spring. The air rifle comes with the Recoil Reducing Rail (RRR), a patent-pending technology from Gamo: two-piece aluminum construction rail separated by dual polymer struts to absorb the shock waves generated by the recoil reducing shock by 100%.

The Gamo 10x features Whisper Fusion technology which incorporates a double integrated sound moderator to make it the quietest Gamo air rifle. The pellet travels through two different chambers, compressing and preventing the noise expansion.

Features

  • Action IGT (Inert Gas Technology) 10X Gen 2 Quick-Shot system
  • Single cocking break barrel
  • Whisper Fusion sound dampening
  • 3-9×40 scope
  • Fiber optic front and rear sights
  • RRR Recoil Reducing Scope Rail
  • Available in .177 Cal. (1,300 fps) or .22 Cal (975 fps)
  • Patented polymer jacketed steel barrel
  • Muzzle velocity 1300 FPS
  • 11mm dovetail scope rail
  • Custom Action Trigger (CAT)
  • Automotive-grade, glass-filled nylon, all-weather stock
  • SWA (Shock Wave Absorber) recoil pad
  • Two-stage adjustable trigger
  • Manual safety
  • 5-year limited warranty

Specifications

  • Energy: 17.8-foot-pounds
  • Trigger full 3.2/2.6 pounds
  • Length of pull 15 Inches
  • Weight: 5.78
  • Total length: 45.7 inches
  • Barrel Length: 20.5 Inches
  • Cocking effort 30 pounds

Gamo Swarm Magnum, Multi-Shot Air Rifle 

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Gamo Swarm Magnum, Multi-Shot Air Rifle is designed with 10X Quick-Shot patent bending technology that utilizes a 10-round rotary-style magazine, to provide faster loading for repetitive shooting. Being an upgrade from the IGT, the 22 Cal high power hunting single cocking break barrel air rifle can shoot up to 1300 fps with PBA Platinum. It delivers higher muzzle velocity while keeping the advantages of the IGT that is durable, less vibration, and smooth cocking.

The whisper fusion noise-suppressing technology makes this the quietest Gamo technology. Gamo 3-9×40 scope comes with the Recoil Reducing Rail (RRR), a two-piece aluminum construction rail separated by dual polymer struts to absorb the shockwaves generated by the recoil. The Custom Action Trigger (CAT) features two screws that allow you to independently adjust the 1st and 2nd stages of the trigger to your preference. The Inert Gas Technology Mach 1 version delivers extra power while maintaining steady and consistent power, increasing accuracy and durability with less vibration.

Features

  • 10X Quick-Shot
  • Whisper Fusion noise-suppressing technology
  • Single cocking break barrel
  • 3-9×40 Shockproof and Fog proof scope included
  • An all-weather synthetic ambidextrous thumbhole stock
  • 5-year warranty
  • Made in Barcelona, Spain

Specifications

  • .22 Caliber
  • Weight: 6.88lb
  • Velocity: 1300 fps
  • Cocking effort: 41 lbs.
  • Length: 49.2inches
  • Length of pull: 15in

Magnum Air Rifle

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Gamo Magnum is one of the most powerful break barrels in the market. It features the powerful IGT MACH 1 gas piston and the 33 mm cylinder delivering velocities up to 1,650 feet per second (fps) in .177 cal and 1,300 fps in .22 Cal. It also has a premium metal rifled barrel and synthetic thumbhole stock with a comfortable, ambidextrous cheekpiece.

The rifle features a Gamo 3- 9×40 AO (adjustable objective) and the CAT (Custom Action Trigger), a two-stage adjustable trigger that offers a crisp, clean, and smooth trigger pull for better accuracy. It allows you to conveniently adjust the first and second stage of the trigger independently. It also has the Recoil Reducing Rail (RRR) that absorbs recoil and almost completely reduces the stress on the scope, and the SWA (shock wave absorber), a recoil pad that helps absorb the recoil thanks to its removable 3 rubber inserts.

Features

  • Made of the highest quality materials
  • A comfortable all-weather synthetic ambidextrous thumbhole stock
  • five-year warranty
  • Made in Spain

Specifications

  • .177 caliber
  • Weight: 6.88 lbs.
  • Trigger pull: 3.2 pounds
  • Barrel Length: 21.3
  • Length: 49.2 inches
  • Cocking Effort: 41 lbs.

Crosman Air Rifle

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Crosman Air Rifle is an elegant and powerful spring-piston and features a handsome, ambidextrous hardwood stock. It is built with a relatively light cocking force and a two-stage adjustable trigger ensuring it attains velocities of up to 950 fps with alloy pellets. The rifle has a micro-adjustable rear sight and fiber optic front sight as well as a CenterPoint, 4x32mm precision scope making it one of the best air rifles for vermin control.

Features

  • Fiber optic sights (fully adj. rear)
  • Ambidextrous wood stock
  • Spring-powered break barrel shoots up to 950 FPS (alloy)
  • 4×32 CenterPoint Optics scope & mount included
  • Light cocking force and 2-stage adjustable trigger
  • Ideal for target shooting and pest control

Specifications

  • Length: 45 inches
  • Pellet velocity: up to 800 fps
  • Alloy pellet velocity: up to 950 fps
  • Shoots .22 caliber pellets

Hatsan Air Rifle 

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The Hatsan 95 air rifle is one of the best air rifles for vermin control features an automatic safety ambidextrous Turkish walnut stock, fiber optic sights, and a 3-9X32 scope with rings. The air rifle shoots true 1000 FPS with lead pellets and comes in three caliber choices (.177, .22, and .25). All the caliber choices are perfect for pest control, small game hunting, or plinking. The Hatsan piston utilizes regular air instead of any other type of gas. The air rifle features a vortex system to give you a smoother shooting cycle, extended product life, and fewer moving parts.

Features

  • Single-shot Rifled steel barrel
  • Turkish walnut stock
  • Checkering grip and forearm
  • Includes scope lens covers and hex wrench
  • Anti-bear trap mechanism
  • Forearm rubber recoil pad shock absorber system (SAS)
  • Optima 3-9×32 scope with rings included
  • 2-Stage adjustable Quattro trigger

Specifications

  • Max energy – 22 ft. Lbs.
  • 11mm optics dovetail
  • Max Velocity – 650 FPS lead
  • Recoil: 7.80lbs.

Benjamin 392S .22-Caliber Bolt Action Variable Pump Air Rifle, Black 

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Benjamin Bolt Action Variable Pump Air Rifle features Monte Carlo styling, a durable all-weather synthetic stock and foregrip, rifled barrel, and fully adjustable rear sight. You can choose from either the .22-caliber with speeds from 500-800 fps or the .177-caliber with speeds from 800-1100 fps.

Benjamin 392S is light in weight measuring only 5.5-pounds. This makes it easy to carry when in the field. It is ideal for small game as well as rabbit hunting and comes with a cross-bolt safety for proper and safe handling.

Features

  • Lightweight
  • Monte Carlo styling
  • Fully adjustable rear sight Durable with synthetic all-weather stock and foregrip
  • Rifled barrel and cross-bolt safety
  • The variable pump allows you to control the range of speed (500-800 FPS)

Specifications

  • Weight: 5. 5 pounds
  • .22-Caliber – 500-800 fps – Model 392S
  • .177-Caliber – 800-1100 fps – Model 397S

Crosman 1077 Repeat Air Semi-Automatic CO2 Pellet Gun Air Rifle 

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This Crosman 1077 Pellet Gun Air Rifle features a durable water-resistant synthetic design with a rifled steel barrel with a 12-round pellet magazine. It is fueled by two 12-gram CO2 cartridges delivering shots up to 780 feet per second. The Crosman is compatible with.177 caliber pellets and features cross-bolt safety to ensure proper and safe handling.

This rifle has elevation-adjustable rear sight and blade front sight that help you stay on target and an eye-catching and durable all-weather synthetic stock. The semi-automatic air rifle is a reliable air rifle that fires as quickly as you can pull the trigger. Definitely one of the best air rifles for vermin control

Features

  • Synthetic
  • All-weather synthetic stock
  • Durable design
  • Exclusive 12 shot rotary pellet clip
  • Rifled steel barrel
  • Windage adjustable
  • Fiber optic CenterPoint sight
  • Ideal for linking, pest control, target shooting and skill development training
  • Made in the USA

Specifications

  • Weight: 3.7 pound
  • Caliber: 0.177
  • Muzzle velocity: 625 feet per second
  • Power source: CO2
  • Length: 36.9 inch

Choosing the Best Air Rifles for Vermin Control

Barrel size

Your shot accuracy is better with a longer barrel. If you are a beginner with less experience, choose an air rifle with a total length of 40-50 inches for increased accuracy.

Firing mechanism

Some air rifles use spring pistons using compressed air while others like nitrogen pistons use gas in order to fire.

Pellet Caliber

There are 4 pellet size options for air rifles. The most popular is the .177 and .22. The .177 caliber is the smallest and lightest of all the pellets hence faster to exit the rifle and more accurate. The .22 is bigger and hits harder and transmits more of its energy to the target.

Weight

Although many rifles are currently designed with a light weight, it is important to choose an air rifle probably not exceeding 10lbs. This allows you to attach other accessories without worrying about the weight.

Loading

This depends on whether you want to load one pellet at a time or use your rifle for continuous shooting. Break action rifles are easier to use but require constant reloading while bolt actions allow multiple fires but are slow to load and difficult to maintain.

Conclusion

Vermin control involves many procedures but if you have yourself a nice quality rifle, then your work will be much easier. Air rifles are suitable for vermin control mainly because they are silent and are easy to carry.

See Also: Best Air Rifles for Small Game Hunting

Mathew R Reed

Mathew R Reed is a professional gun seller who runs a dedicated gun store in the suburbs of Oakland, CA. A hardcore hunting enthusiast since childhood, Reed has ample experience with guns and accessories. He is the founder of ArmorHoldings.com and creates some of the most helpful gun-buying guides and explainers. If not in the gun shop, you can find him on the nearest hiking trail or nearby hunting spot.