Around this time of year, many people think of presents for others – or themselves! A popular choice for many outdoor enthusiasts is an air rifle for hunting small game and pests. So what is the best break barrel hunting air rifle around? Show
Break barrel air rifles can offer plenty of power without the need for all the complexity and cost of pumps or tanks that PCPs require. They are also relatively inexpensive. The downside is that – in order to produce high power – break barrel hunting air rifles tend to be long and heavy. The need to compress a powerful spring or gas ram tends to make them hard to cock. Many of them also have a fierce recoil. So, realistically, powerful break barrel hunting air rifles are best suited to large, strong users. Even though such guns are generally fired a relatively few times each day when hunting. Let’s take a look at three top contenders in this market segment. They’re all great guns! Which is the best break barrel hunting air rifle for me? Read on as we check out three powerful break barrels that have scored well in HAM testing. They’re in alphabetical order. There’s also a surprise contender, as we’ll see at the end… Beeman Mach 12.5 HAM tested this model some time back and it won a Silver Award. It’s a real powerhouse, with just about 26 Ft/Lbs of Muzzle Energy available even in .177 caliber! (It’s also available in .22 caliber, of course). We also found it to be very accurate on test. It’s also bundled with a 3-9x40AO scope and rings. The best part is that it sells for less than $220! So why did it not win a HAM Gold Award? Because it’s very hard to cock and has a heavy trigger. Those are downsides for all day plinking or use by a person of smaller stature. But for a big guy (or gal) who understands these implications, it’s a great contender as the best break barrel hunting rifle. Read the full HAM review here.
BUY FROM PYRAMYDBeeman Mach 12.5 Air RifleSIG SAUER ASP20The SIG ASP20 is a recent entry into the powerful break barrel market. This is a completely new design. Powerful and accurate, it incorporates a lot of new thinking and engineering development that reduces both the cocking effort and trigger pull weight. This gas ram gun is available in a number of configurations. Wood and synthetic stock, .177 and .22 calibers, with and without an excellent quality SIG bundled scope. And, of course, it’s a SIG. That brand name counts for a lot with many shooting enthusiasts of all kinds. It was an easy HAM Gold Award winner on test. The only downside is price. A synthetic gun with no scope costs $350 and prices rise from there…
BUY FROM AIRGUN DEPOT |
| We Like | We Don't Like |
|---|---|
| Powerful | Heavy cocking effort |
| Accuracy | Automatic safety |
| Great price | Not much else! |
Check out the full HAM test review of the Umarex Octane here.
BUY FROM PYRAMYD AIR
Umarex Octane Elite Air Rifle Combo, Gas Piston 0.177
Conclusion And Surprise Entry
So here we have Hard Air Magazine’s recommendations for the best break barrel hunting air rifle. Both the Beeman Mach 12.5 and the Umarex Octane Elite are great choices for power and accuracy at around $220.
If your budget runs somewhat higher, you won’t regret choosing a SIG ASP20.
So what about the surprise entry?
Well, if you want a powerful, accurate hunting air rifle that doesn’t need additional PCP charging equipment, check out the American Tactical Nova Freedom.
This HAM Gold Award winner is a PCP with its own built-in pump. It’s less effort to pump than to cock the breakbarrels and has a multi-shot magazine making a follow-up shot faster, if required. All the other guns are single shot models.
At $400, the Nova Freedom is more expensive and you’ll need to supply a scope. But it’s another great choice for a self-contained hunting air rifle. Choice is good, right???
The full HAM review is here.
BUY FROM AMERICAN TACTICAL
Nova Freedom PCP Air Rifle .22 caliber
It’s hard choosing the most powerful break barrel air rifle, that’s why I’ve written this guide. Read on and I’ll make it easy for you!
Shooting sports and hunting are always fun when you’ve got the right tool in play. Power and accuracy are the main ingredients for a fun and happy day out in the field.
If you’re participating in a hunting competition this weekend, you need to equip yourself with the most powerful air gun.
After a thorough review, here are our best picks that can serve as a reference point for you in choosing the best break barrel air rifle for hunting.
Most Powerful Break Barrel Air Rifles
Gamo Silent Cat Air Rifle Review – Best Air Gun in the Market
The Gamo Silent air rifle is a .177 caliber air gun that comes with some unique features no wonder it beat most of its immediate competitors.
These features make it widely accepted as the best rifle for target practice and competitions.
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As its name tells us, this is a silent rifle. This name comes from the non-removable noise dampener mounted to its barrel.
It is believed to cut noise by half, and this is one of its selling points. This dampener implies that your target will not notice when you discharge the pellets.
Power and accuracy are other big pluses for the Gamo silent cat 177 air rifle.
The 4×32 scope and mounts aid in accuracy against moving targets. And therefore, you can precisely eliminate your target some miles away with a single shot and with rare chances of missed shots. Most of which will be due to your errors.
It is powered by a spring piston which when combined with the break barrel cocking mechanism delivers high power, rated at 30 pounds.
The 1200 feet per second velocity makes this one of the most powerful air rifles on the market.
This Gamo model comes with a dependable break barrel and spring piston system. The beauty of them is that they are right for you whether you’re a beginner or an advanced shooter.
With this air gun, you got to enjoy smoother cocking. In fact, even a first-time shooter will have no problems cocking this rifle. Surprisingly, a properly supervised child can still cock and load this rifle.
The twin cheek pads make this rifle comfortable both to the right and left-handed shooters. For your safety, it also comes with a deluxe ventilated rubber pad on the end of the stock for more comfortable recoil absorption.
Downsides:
Of course, no product is fully perfect. Before buying this rifle be aware that the pistol grip section of the stock is a little small. Therefore, if you have bigger thumbs, you may feel uncomfortable using the rifle. Keep in mind that discomfort decreases accuracy.
This Gamo air rifle is comfortable to use in all aspects, and this provides a faster muzzle against fast targets. When shooting, the combination of the overall design and the noise dampener yields a quiet and quick shot without disruption.
Crossman Nitro Venom Break Barrel Air Rifle (22) Powered By Nitro Piston
If you’re looking for a high-powered rifle, this Nitro Venom break barrel can shoot lead pellets at a velocity of up to 800 fps.
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It can even shoot alloy pellets at a velocity of up to 950fps. It has a muzzle energy of about 21FPE. No wonder it is one of the best break barrel air guns.
This break barrel air rifle accuracy is awesome. It is backed by a 3-9x32mm scope and a powerful magnification for a more accurate aim. So accuracy is never compromised with this air rifle. You will still hit your target 30 yards away in a blink.
This Crosman break barrel air rifle also comes with a robust stock that gives it a pretty look and a rigid feel. In addition, the stock is ambidextrous, so you’ll have the same experience whether you’re right or left-handed.
Been a break barrel rifle, you’ll enjoy smoother cocking. In addition, you got to enjoy smoother and unlimited shooting capacity with no worry that you’ll run out of power.
Crossman Nitro Venom Break Barrel air rifle is designed to be lightweight (about 7 pounds). So you can handle your gun throughout the day without fatigue. You also find it easy to walk around with the rifle.
There is no spring torque with this air gun thanks to its sculpted rubber pad. Also, there is nothing like spring fatigue with this rifle even if you leave it cocked for how many hours.
The Nitro piston that powers this rifle is durable and will last longer than a metal spring. You’re therefore guaranteed great performance for long.
Even in cold weather the nitro piston still functions perfectly. So with this Crossman air rifle, you will still go out and keep off squirrels from the backyard.
The Nitro Piston technology is an area where this 22 cal break barrel air rifle stands off from its immediate competitors. For a hunter like you, this technology is a real plus.
With the most powerful break barrel .22 air rifle, you’ll never have to worry about losing power. Safety is well-taken care of as this rifle comes with a manual safety.
More so, this rifle is 70% quieter than most other break barrels in the market. After all these great features, it sells under $200 a price that we feel is reasonable.
Ruger Blackhawk Combo Air Rifle
Power and accuracy crown this rifle as one of the best air rifles.
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This Ruger Blackhawk break barrel air rifle will shoot pellets at a velocity of 1,000 feet per second. It’s powered by a spring piston, and its single shot capacity contributes to its power.
Whether you are right-handed or left-handed, this model gives you the same experience thanks to the ambidextrous stock. The accuracy of this rifle is outstanding, and this is backed by optic rear sights, a 4×32 scope, and mount. This is one of the most accurate break barrel air rifles.
The accuracy of this air rifle is good, and even a beginner shooter can shoot precisely with this rifle, and this makes it ideal for target practice and displacing smaller pests. It is so effective and most of the missed targets result from the shooter’s error.
If you’re looking for fog proof, waterproof and shockproof air rifle, you may want to try this Ruger model. This rifle can also adjust to changes in wind or elevation while withstanding the various types of stimuli.
With this rifle, you can shoot a variety of .177 caliber pellets, unlike many other models in its class that are only effective for one specific type of pellets. Its high power makes it effortless to eliminate your prey with a single shot.
Ruger BlackHawk break barrel air rifle is fairly cheap, selling at around $120.
If you consider the quality of this Ruger model, you will find it is a cost-effective tool for hunting small game and simple plinking.
This Ruger with a combo is one of the best break barrel air guns for the money.
While this rifle is praised for its great power and superb accuracy, some hunters find it too heavy, but the weight is just right for others. Besides the spring power delivers a mighty blow which can be troublesome after continuous shots.
The rifle produces low noise, so when you are out hunting, you will not scare away the animals and end up with an empty hand at the end of your hunting spree.
Beeman R9 Air Rifle, No Sights air rifle
This rifle is made with a durable wood stock and has a precision barrel. It also comes with scope rings and screws for easier attaching of a rifle scope to help you aim more accurately.
The R9 fires at speeds up to 935 feet per second, making it perfect for target shooting or small game hunting.
The Beeman R9 Air Rifle is easy to use and maintain. It requires no cocking effort thanks to its break barrel design, and the automatic safety ensures that the gun will not fire unless it is pointed in a safe direction. Additionally, this rifle features an adjustable trigger pull that allows you to customize your experience according to your preferences.
If you are looking for an affordable air rifle that offers great performance, the Beeman R9 Air Rifle should be at the top of your list.
Weihrauch HW90 Breakbarrel Air Rifle
The Weihrauch HW90 is a break barrel air rifle that has been designed for both hunting and target shooting.
It is available in .22 caliber and has a muzzle velocity of up to 853 fps (depending on the pellet weight).
The rifle also features an adjustable trigger, checkered stock, and 11mm dovetail rail for mounting optics.
I have had the opportunity to shoot this air rifle on several occasions, and I have been very impressed with its performance. The build quality is excellent, it feels very solid in your hands, and it shoots extremely accurately. In fact, I was able to put several shots through the same hole at 25 yards using just open sights! And thanks to its recoil-free design you can easily keep your sights lined up for follow-up shots.
If you are looking for an accurate and reliable break barrel air rifle that can be used for both hunting and target shooting then I would highly recommend giving the Weihrauch HW90 a try. You won’t be disappointed!
Crosman Optimus Breakbarrel Air Rifle
Looking for a powerful and accurate air rifle? Check out the Crosman Optimus Breakbarrel Air Rifle!
This rifThis rifle is perfect for target shooting or small game hunting, and it’s easy to use – even for beginners. It features a rifled barrel for accuracy and a break barrel action for power.
The Optimus Breakbarrel Air Rifle features a precision rifled barrel that makes it accurate up to 50 yards. It also has fiber optic sights that make it easy to line up your shots. And with its break barrel action, this rifle is easy to cock and reload.
Plus, the synthetic stock is weather resistant and tough enough to handle any outdoor activity.
The Optimus Breakbarrel Air Rifle also comes with a 4x32mm scope, so you can start shooting right away! Its lightweight (weighs only 6.5 lbs) and compact design make it perfect for taking on the go, and its synthetic stock ensures durability in any environment.
What’s more powerful spring or CO2?
There’s no definitive answer to this question as both CO2 and spring power have their own unique benefits. However, when it comes down to it, CO2 is more powerful than spring power.
One of the biggest benefits of using CO2 over springs is that you can achieve a much higher firing rate with CO2. Springs are limited by how strong they are, meaning you can only fire them so fast before they start to lose power. With CO2, on the other hand, you can achieve a much higher firing rate without losing any strength or power. This makes it ideal for use in high-volume applications such as mass production or 3D printing.
Another benefit of using carbon dioxide over springs is that it’s significantly more reliable and consistent than springs tend to be. Springs often vary in terms of their strength and performance from one unit to another – something that simply isn’t an issue with carbon dioxide systems. As a result, businesses can rely on carbon dioxide systems to deliver consistent results time after time without any issues arising
FAQ
What is a break barrel air rifle?
A break barrel air rifle is the most powerful air rifle.They are similar to shotguns and other double-barreled rifles, but they don’t require much effort to get them working.
A break barrel air rifle uses a spring power plant to compress and air the chamber.
