5 Best Pellet Gun for Squirrels + Buyers Guide

Pellet guns, also known as “air rifles” are perfect for squirrel hunting. They make very little noise, so you and your buddies don’t have to worry about scaring off every other squirrel in the area. Plus, it has small enough rounds that they won’t cause too much damage beyond the takedown. In my experience, squirrel hunting can’t be done with just any old air rifle. In fact, most pellet guns sold off the rack don’t pack the required 10 foot-pounds of energy needed for a clean kill. That’s why I’ve put together a list of the 5 best pellet gun for squirrel hunting to save you the effort of trial and error. But before we get into it let me tell you how I made this list and give you a bit more context on the types of pellet guns.

How I Chose the Best Pellet Guns

As a former Navy officer and a seasoned hunter with over a decade of hunting experience, I’ve tried numerous pellet guns to find the best ones for squirrel hunting. I considered my own favorites and asked my hunting buddies for suggestions on different models. After evaluating factors like accuracy, ergonomics, durability, and value, I compiled this list of best pellet guns for squirrels. I also sorted them into categories, so everyone can find something they like.

Based on my experience and recommendations from friends, I’m confident these pellet guns will enhance your squirrel shooting experience. However, remember that preferences vary. My rankings reflect my experiences, but the choice of picking the right pellet gun ultimately rests with you.

Now, I know you’re eager to get to the list of guns, but let’s quickly check out the types of pellet guns available and figure out which one might be the best fit for you.

Types of Pellet Guns 

Pellet gun technology has come pretty far over the past few years, and there are a ton of models with different operating mechanisms. Here’s a rundown of the most popular mechanisms you’d find in today’s pellet guns: 

• Spring piston – Rifles with a spring piston mechanism have a spring coiled inside the chamber that gets compressed when they’re cocked. When you release the trigger, the spring decompresses and moves the piston to shoot the pellet. These are great if you’re looking for something that’s affordable and easy to use.
• Gas piston – Gas piston pellet guns technically work the same as a spring piston gun, except that it uses a gas-filled cylinder instead of a spring. I use a gas piston pellet gun whenever I’m plinking with my kids (that’s when I set up a few cans for shot practice). I do this because these guns are much more consistent than the ones with the spring piston mechanism.  
• Pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) – PCP air rifles are my top choice because they are high power and have virtually no recoil. They use a high pressure reservoir that’s pumped with compressed air, and the air is then forced through the barrel to shoot the pellets. Good PCP rifles give you multiple high-accuracy shots before the reservoir runs out. The downside is that they need to be charged or “pumped” often with compressed air.
• CO2-powered – CO2-powered pellet guns work the same way as PCP guns, but they use carbon dioxide cartridges instead of pressurized air. While they are recoilless, you can’t count on consistent power and accuracy each time. This is due to environmental factors. The performance of the CO2 in the cartridges depends on the weather you’re shooting in. 

Having a good idea of the different types of guns can help you pick the right one based on your preferences. My recommendations feature a mix of the different types of pellet guns I’ve mentioned above, so there’s something for everyone. Let’s get to it.

Gun University’s Choices of the Best Pellet Guns for Squirrels

Best Pellet Guns for Squirrels

Best Overall Benjamin Marauder (PCP) Synthetic or Wood		Internal shroud for extra quietness Vertically adjustable comb Two-stage adjustable trigger Adjustable for different velocities	Buy on Amazon
Best Beginner Umarex Origin (PCP)		Great accuracy Hand pump for easy filling High shot count	Buy on Amazon
Best Compact Hatsan FlashPup QE, Wood		Lightweight and compact Quiet Powerful and accurate Attractive wood stock design	Buy on Amazon
Best Budget Gamo Swarm Magnum		Budget-friendly Super powerful and consistent 40mm objective lens Auto-loading technology	Buy on Amazon
Best Premium Brocock Commander XR		Powerful and accurate Improved ergonomics Lightweight Quiet	Check Price

Pellet Gun Spec Comparison

Below is a table of the specifications for each of the pellet guns.

Best Pellet Guns for Squirrels

Here is our list of the best pellet guns for hunting squirrels:

1. Benjamin Marauder
2. Umarex Origin
3. Hatsan FlashPup QE
4. Gamo Swarm Magnum
5. Brocock Commander XR

Best Pellet Guns for Squirrels – Reviews

Best Pellet Gun for Squirrels – Buyer’s Guide

While the reviews can help you narrow down your choices, finding the right pellet gun to hunt squirrels depends mostly on your personal preferences and hunting requirements. There are a ton of factors to keep in mind, so I’ve compiled a list of things you should consider when choosing a pellet gun. 

What to look for in a pellet gun 

With pellet guns, not all specs are made equal. Here’s what to look for when you’re looking to buy an air rifle for squirrel shooting: 

• Caliber – Your rifle’s caliber size affects the distance and the style of your hunt. For squirrels, the most commonly used caliber sizes are .22 and .177, because they’re fast, powerful, and work well on small animals for clean and ethical kills. .22 calibers give a more powerful hit and can be a good choice for large squirrels, while .177 calibers are faster and have a flatter trajectory, perfect for small squirrels.
• Shooting mechanism – The shooting mechanism of your gun can determine its accuracy, noise, recoil and ease of use. I prefer PCP guns to shoot squirrels because they’re very accurate, but they can be expensive. Spring piston guns are more affordable and they’re easy to use, which is good if you want a more budget-friendly alternative. Gas piston guns also work well, especially if you’re looking for something that’s quiet and has less recoil. 
• Noise – Squirrels are small animals that can be easily spooked by loud noises. I recommend choosing quiet rifles that come with built-in silencers, especially when hunting in areas where there isn’t much environmental noise. 
• Comfort – Since you’ll have to hold your gun for long hours during the hunt, getting a comfortable air rifle can be the difference between a missed shot and a bullseye. Pay attention to the stock design, cocking mechanism, recoil, and overall feel of the gun in your hands or against your body and try to find one that suits you and your hunting style. 
• Weight – Squirrels are fast-moving targets and you want to move your gun easily, so make sure your gun is lightweight and has a balanced weight distribution. This will help give you a strong grip and a steady aim. 
• Accuracy – Small, fast-moving targets like squirrels require extremely accurate pellet guns for quick and ethical kills. PCP guns are known to be highly accurate and you can also focus on features like optics. If you prefer not to use PCP, you can always add a good optics scope in about 3-9x40mm configuration which can really improve your aim. 
• Speed – The speed of your pellet gun is crucial for small game hunting. The recommended FPS (feet per second) for squirrel hunting is at least 800 FPS, but I usually prefer 1000 FPS as it helps me make a quick, clean kill. 

Having the right air rifle is just one part of becoming a good squirrel hunter. Here are some tips to follow when you are out hunting squirrels. 

Tips for Hunting Squirrels with Air Guns

Squirrel hunting tips and best practices can vary based on your location, hunting style, and personal preference. That said, there are some general air gun tips you can follow to make your experience better, and here are some of mine.

• Check your local legal regulations – The first thing you should do when exploring new hunting grounds is to check the local regulations. Laws on hunting squirrels can vary from state to state, so always make sure you are up to date with your state’s laws before you go shooting. The rules will usually tell you about hunting seasons, techniques, bag limits and some regions may even require you to have a valid hunting license to hunt small game. 
• Pick the correct gun and caliber size – When shooting squirrels, pick a .22 or .177caliber gun because these are designed to hunt fast and small game. I usually default to a .22 caliber gas piston or PCP air rifle, but any rifle made for small game hunting can work. 
• Practice shot placement – Practicing your shots and angles before you take your air rifle out hunting can help you become familiar with your equipment and increase the chance of success at hunts. My recommendation for practice is target shooting. Set up targets in a tree at varying heights with some hitboxes that are about 1″ in diameter instead of using a standard range target for squirrel hunting practice. When you can hit those targets at least 80% of the time, you’re ready to hunt some squirrels.
• Select the right scope – A good scope can drastically improve your accuracy and when hunting small game like squirrels, you need all the accuracy you can get. Look for scopes with a minimum of 4x magnification and adjustable parallax settings, as they can help you adjust the distance according to your needs.
• Study your hunting location – Spend time scouting your hunting area to identify the best locations where squirrels are likely to be found. Look for areas that have easy access to squirrel foods like nut or berry-bearing trees, since these are hotspots for squirrels. 

Squirrel hunting can seem tough to get into as a newbie hunter, but as long as you follow these tips, you’ll have a fantastic hunting experience and before long, several clean kills to your name.

Conclusion

Having the right rifle when you are out squirrel hunting can make it a lot easier and more enjoyable. The reviews are a good point to start your search, but it’s important that you try out a few rifles to find one that feels good to use. Spend some time shooting different rounds with the pellet guns that catch your eye and you’ll be able to find the right fit for you in no time. If you are not sold on using a pellet gun and want to use a rimfire, check out our best 22 LR rifles. Happy hunting.

Best Pellet Gun for Squirrels – FAQs