The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

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The talk of rabbits and crop farmers feels like crying.

In both fiction and real life, rabbits have been known to be troublesome. 

The story is told of Bunny the rabbit, the fox, and the wolf.

Bunny steps out of her hole one beautiful sunny day.

A hungry fox rushes up to her from behind and pounces on her.

The fox shouts, “Today I’ll have you for lunch”

Undeterred, the Rabbit replies: “Please wait for a few more days”

Fox: (visibly flabbergasted) Wait? Why on earth should I?

Bunny: I am completing my research on ‘Why rabbits are superior to foxes and wolves’

Fox: Never! Rabbits will never defeat foxes!

Bunny: In case you doubt me, drop into my hole and read for yourself. If not convinced, you can have me for lunch.

Deal made! Fox descends the rabbit hole.

Never comes out.

The wolf was the next predator.

Or is it prey?

Same encounter as the fox, the same talk.

And the wolf got into the rabbit hole.

Never came out.

A few days later, the research project is complete, and Bunny is caught celebrating with her furry buddy.

Asked what’s with all the joy, Bunny discloses her successful research project and the friend decides to go read it personally.

What do they find?

Thesis in one corner, a pile of fox bones in another corner, a pile of wolf bones in another corner.

And in the middle of the room, a satisfied lion deliciously licking her lips was actually the project supervisor.

What’s the moral of this story?

You guess it.

But it shows that rabbits can be a pest.

p3 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

You till the land so hard, plan your potential yields, and start dreaming about the fortunes.

Only for a colony of rabbits to eat and trample on the remainder of the crops.

Did you know that:

  1. 10 rabbits eat the same amount of pasture as one ewe?
  2. Rabbits can render agricultural land useless as a result of extensive soil erosion that comes through burrowing.
  3. Feral rabbits cost Australian crop producers $ 113 million annually destroyed produce and control costs.
  4. Rabbits, with their rodent-like teeth, look for tiny seedlings of the most nutritious plants and eat them before they can grow.
  5. Do rabbits indirectly contribute to the decline of native species?  

Hunt the rabbits

Whichever country you are reading this from, you must have come face to face with the menace of rabbits. 

Methods suggested for controlling rabbit populations include poisoning, fencing, tree wrapping, cleaning up, using repellents, keeping dogs, trapping, and shooting. 

Here is a brief account of the methods.

Poisoning

The most commonly used poisons for eradicating rabbits include Pindone and 1080.

You will first need to give the rabbits some carrots or other bait before giving them the poison. 

ProsCons
  • Cost effective
  • Foxes subsequently killed by eating poisoned rabbits
  • 1080 is biodegradable and does not leave any toxic residue in soil
  • May endanger people’s health as well as domestic animals and wildlife if poorly used
  • Requires controlled substance license to use
  • Dry weather required

Fumigants

This is used where rabbit burrows are deep and elaborate.

Rabbits inside the burrows inhale the toxic fumes and die.

ProsCons
  • Easy method as it does not require any technical skills
  • Useful if rabbits live underground in inaccessible spots
  • Labor-intensive
  • Can only be used on a small scale
  • Cannot be used where rabbits live above the ground

Rabbit proof fencing

These can be used around farms to keep rabbits from accessing.

fence 1 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)
ProsCons
  • Eco-friendly
  • Stops re-invasion
  • Possibility of rabbits digging burrows deep below the fence
  • Rabbit population continues to grow as none is killed
  • Requires frequent checking

Trapping

Rabbit traps are set at strategic locations in the bushes.

r1 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)
A rabbit is caught in a live trap, lured in by a the corn cob.
ProsCons
  • Effective when combined with other methods
  • Very labour intensive
  • Need a permit for many types of traps
  • Only useful if the rabbit population is low

Shooting

This is an easy and effective way to eradicate rabbits.

The method has grown in popularity owing to the fun derived while controlling pests.

(What does rabbit taste like? See this post for more)

r5 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)
ProsCons
  • Rabbits shot are edible
  • Gets rid of rabbits in a humane way

  • Operator must have a valid firearm license

As much as rabbits are animals, they don’t deserve the suffering they undergo through poisoning, fumigation, and trapping.

With shooting, you literally take their lives in the spur of a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, without passing them through extended periods of suffering.

For this reason, thousands have taken to shooting as their most preferred rabbit control method.

It is the most used rabbit control method as of this moment.

Specifically, consider using air rifles for shooting the rabbits.

I doubt you will need the power of a firearm.

Air rifles are quite numerous in brand, design, and performance.

To save you the pain of going through the hundreds of rabbit air rifles available, I have compiled a detailed review of the top 10 you need to consider.

Here is a quick list of the best air rifles for rabbits. 

Quick list

IMAGEPRODUCTDETAILSLINK
Best Overall
The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)
Air Arms TX200 MKIII
  • Calibers:  .177, .22
  • Max Velocity: 930 FPS
  • Max Muzzle Energy: 18 FPE

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Top Pick
g2 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)
Gamo Swarm Magnum Gen3i
  • Calibers:  .177, .22
  • Max Velocity: 1650 FPS
  • Max Muzzle Energy: 30 FPE

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Best Springer For Squirrels
PY 1204 Diana RWS 460 Magnum 1550698661 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)
Diana 460 Magnum 
  • Calibers: .177, .22
  • Max Velocity: 1100 FPS
  • Max Muzzle Energy: 23 FPE

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Best for Meat Rabbit
PY 1560 Beeman R9 Elite Series 1520875737 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)
Beeman R9
  • Calibers:  .177, .22
  • Max Velocity: 935 FPS
  • Max Muzzle Energy: 22 FPE

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Most Affordable
PY 4449 Diana Stormrider Multishot PCP 1551363695 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)
Diana Stormrider
  • Calibers: .177, .22
  • Max Velocity: 1050 FPS
  • Max Muzzle Energy: 20 FPE

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Top Pick
PY 3976 Hatsan 135 QE The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)
Hatsan 135 QE Vortex
  • Calibers: .22, .25, .30
  • Max Velocity: 1000 FPS
  • Max Muzzle Energy: 30 FPE

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Most Accurate
gallery prosport01 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)
Air Arms Pro-Sports
  • Calibers: .177, .22
  • Max Velocity: 950 FPS
  • Max Muzzle Energy: 25 FPE

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Most Powerful
PY 135 AirForce Talon SS PCP 1669411613 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)
Airforce Talon SS
  • Calibers: .177, .20,.22,.25
  • Max Velocity: 1000 FPS
  • Max Muzzle Energy: 30 FPE

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Detailed Review

Air Arms TX200 MKIII – Best Overall air rifle for rabbits

t1 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

This lethal weapon by Air Arms adds to your chances of smacking that squirrel fast.

It is a perfect combination of power and accuracy in hunting.

Its sliding breach, revealed only after you cock the underlever, allows you to load ammo smoothly. 

The TX 200 Air rifle features the coveted Lothar Walther Barrel plus an enhanced richly finished Monte Carlo stock .

It shoots at 930 fps in the .177 model and 755 fps in the .22.

Features:

  • Spring-piston
  • Underlever
  • Sliding breech
  • 11mm optics dovetail grooves
  • No open sights
  • Beech Monte Carlo stock
  • Raised right-hand cheekpiece
  • Checkered forearm and pistol grip
  • Ventilated rubber recoil pad
  • 2-stage adjustable match trigger

Accuracy

CalibersPelletsDistancesGroups
.22JSB 18.31 grain pellets50 yards< 1 inch
.2214.66 grain H&N Field Target Trophy50 yards< 1 inch
.177JSB Exact Heavy Diabolo 10.34 gr 20 yards0.21"
.22Air Arms Diabolo Fields12 meters1/2 inch
.177JSB Exact Heavy Diabolo 10.34 gr 25 meters< 1 cm
.177H&N Sport Baracuda 10.6550 yards0.88"
.177Air Arms Diabolo Field Heavy 10.3 gr25 yards0.44"
.177JSB Match Diabolo 7.87 gr25 yards0.33"
.177JSB 10.34 gr25 yards0.25"
.177Air Arms Field 8.4 gr35 yards0.7"
.177 Air Arms 10.3 gr40 yardsdime size
.177 Air Arms 10.3 gr50 yards1/4"
.177H&N Sport Baracuda 10.6520 yards1/4"
.22Crossman Premier domed 14.3 gr35 yards1/2"
.22JSB Diabolo Exact Jumbo 15.89 gr50 yards1/4"
.22H&N Baracuda Green 12.65 gr25 yardsone hole
.177Air Arms 10.3 gr50 yards1/2"
See also  Best .50 Caliber Air Rifles - Top 5 Hard-hitting Pellet Guns for Big Games (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

Chrony tests

CalibersPelletsFPSFPE
.22JSB 18.31 grain pellets57211.29
.2214.66 grain H&N Field Target Trophies63513.13
.177RWS Meisterkugeln 8.2 gr 93215.82
.177RWS Meisterkugeln 8.2 gr 93615.95
.177RWS Meisterkugeln 8.2 gr 94116.13
.177RWS Meisterkugeln 8.2 gr 93115.78
.177RWS Meisterkugeln 8.2 gr 93715.99
.22Air Arms Diabolo Field 16 gr62013.66
.177JSB Exact Heavy Diabolo 10.34 gr 787.8914.26
.177JSB Match Diabolo 7.87 gr89814.1
.177 Air Arms Diabolo Field Heavy 10.3 gr83015.76
.177H&N Sport Baracuda 10.6580315.25
.22Crosman 14.3 gr75017.87
.177Air Arms Diabolo Field Heavy 10.3 gr82515.57
.177Crosman Premier Light 7.9 gr88013.59
.177Beeman Laser 7.16 gr96614.84
.22Crosman Premier hunting pellets 14.3 gr73517.16
.177RWS Hobby 7 gr96014.33
.177JSB Diabolo 8.4 gr73210
.177Air Arms Diabolo Field 8.44 gr90815.46
t3 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

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Pros and Cons

ProsCons
  • Underlever design and fixed barrel for accuracy and consistency
  • Famous Rekord trigger design.
  • Easy to clean
  • Beautiful blue chrome finish
  • Extremely accurate
  • Great for Field Target
  • doesn’t have open sights
t4 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

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Gamo Swarm Magnum Gen 3i

g1 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

The Gamo Swarm Magnum 10X GEN3i Multi-Shot Air Rifle is an ideal choice for shooters looking for an affordable break barrel airgun to take care of squirrels.

With velocities of up to 1650 FPS (with alloy) in .177 caliber, this rifle offers superior accuracy and power. Furthermore, the 10X GEN 3i Quick-Shot inertia-fed magazine makes reloading a breeze – allowing users to make 10 shots without needing to fumble with pellets.

Thanks to its IGT Mach 1 inert gas piston powerplant, you get smoother cocking than with traditional spring piston air rifles, while an adjustable two-stage Custom Action trigger offers independent adjustments of the first and second stages for travel.

g3 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

Features

  • 10X GEN3i Quick-Shot inertia-fed magazine
  • Break barrel
  • Max. velocity (.177): 1650 FPS with alloy
  • Max velocity (.22) 1300 fps with alloy, 975 fps with lead
  • IGT Mach 1 gas piston
  • 2-stage adjustable Custom Action Trigger (CAT)
  • Recoil Reducing Rail (RRR)
  • Whisper Fusion noise suppression
  • Automotive-grade glass-filled nylon all-weather thumbhole stock
  • Shock Wave Absorber (SWA) recoil pad
  • Checkered grip and forearm
  • Barrel length: 21.3″
  • Overall length: 49.2″
  • 5-year limited warranty
g6 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

Accuracy

CalibersPelletsDistancesGroups
.177Gamo Precision60 yards1"
.22Gamo Red Fire 15.4 Gr30 yardsone hole
.22JSB Match Diabolo Exact Jumbo Heavy 18.13 gr40 yards1"

Chrony tests

CalibersPelletsFPSFPE
.22Gamo Red Fire 15.4 Gr93429.84
.22H&N Baracuda Hunter Extreme 19gr83329.28
.22JSB Match Diabolo Hades 15.89 Gr83524.61
.22H&N Baracuda Green 13gr93525.24
.22H&N Hornet 16.2 gr 89528.82
g5 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

Recommended uses

  • Pest control/small game hunting: squirrels, rabbits, pigeons.

Fun fact: Can a .177 pellet rifle kill a black bear?!? You’ll be surprised, Gamo Swarm Magnum Gen3i VS Black Bear:

Pros and Cons

ProsCons
  • Extremely lightweight
  • Good looking
  • Durable synthetic
  • Very comfortable stock
  • Great power & superb accuracy
  • The cocking effort takes sometime to get used to
g4 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

Diana 460 magnum – best Spring air rifle for rabbit control

You can opt for the  .177 or .22 model. Here’s the performance you expect:

Accuracy tests:

CalibersPelletsDistancesGroups
.22Crosman Premier Hollow Point Pellets 14.3 Gr20 yardsnickel size
.22JSB Diabolo Exact Jumbo 15.89 Gr30 yardsdime size
.22Predator Polymag 15.89 gr30 yards3/4"
.22Predator Polymag 15.89 gr50 yards1.5"
.22JSB Diabolo Exact Jumbo Heavy 18.13 gr20 metersdime size
.22RWS Super H Point 14.2 Gr60 yards1.5"
.22JSB Diabolo Exact Jumbo 15.89 Gr25 yardsquarter size
.22JSB Diabolo Exact Jumbo 15.89 Gr10 metersone hole
.22JSB Diabolo Exact Jumbo 15.89 Gr25 meters0.5"
.22JSB Diabolo Exact Jumbo 15.89 Gr45 yards0.5"

Chrony tests

CalibersPelletsFPSFPE
.22Crosman Premier Hollow Point Pellets 14.3 Gr890 25.16
.22JSB Diabolo Exact Jumbo Heavy 18.13 gr77524.19
.22JSB Diabolo Exact Jumbo 15.89 Gr74919.8
.22Gamo Raptor 9.9 Gr91118.25
.22H&N Sniper Light 14 gr82521.16
.22RWS Superdome 14.5 Gr81521.39
.22Beeman FTS Copper Plated 14.72 gr 90526.78
.22RWS Hobby 11.9 gr897 21.27
.22RWS Superpoint 14.5 Gr820 21.65
.22RWS Super H Point 14.2 Gr801 20.24
.22JSB Diabolo Exact Jumbo 15.89 Gr777 21.31
.22Beeman Kodiak 21.14 Gr585 16.07
PY 1204 Diana RWS 460 Magnum 1550698672 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

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Features:

  • Underlever action
  • 1100 FPS (.177), 900 FPS (.22)
  • Loudness: 3 – medium
  • Single shot
  • Cocking effort: 36 lbs.
  • Blade & ramp front sight
  • Micrometer adjustable rear sight
  • 11mm dovetail scope mount
  • Two-stage, adjustable T06 trigger
  • Rifled steel barrel
  • Ventilated rubber buttplate
  • 3.3-lb. trigger pull
  • Automatic safety
  • Spring piston power plant
  • Hardwood stock
  • Checkered forestock and grip
  • Monte Carlo stock with raised right-hand cheek piece

Pros and Cons

ProsCons
  • Beautiful and well-made construction
  • Excellent trigger
  • Extremely easy to be accurate
  • You don't need a scope for shooting up to 30 yards
  • Well-balanced and powerful
  • Built to last for a long time
  • The front sight is plastic
PY 1204 Diana RWS 460 Magnum 1550698661 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

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Beeman R9 Elite Series combo – best air rifle for meat rabbit

PY 1560 Beeman R9 Elite Series 1507129628 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

Conceived in Germany by the Weihrauch & Weihrauch GmbH & Co but produced in North America under the Beeman brand name.

The result? Great quality!

See below the test results for the .177 model with the 8.64-grain H&N Field Target Trophy Pellets.

best air rifle for meat rabbit

We are looking at muzzle velocities of up to 935 fps for the .177 and 740 fps for the .22 model.

The .177 model gives an average muzzle energy of 13 FPE. 

Something else you’ll love about the Beeman R( Elite is the spectacular accuracy. 

Most pellets tested with the rifle yield genuine 1” groupings.

You also get fairly consistent shots.

Accuracy

CalibersPelletsDistancesGroups
.22Crosman Premiere Hollow Point 14.3 gr20 yardsdime size
.22Air Arms Diabolo Field 16 Gr25 yardsdime size
.177H&N Baracuda Match 10.65 gr10 yards0.16"
.177H&N Baracuda Match 10.65 gr20 yards0.17"
.177H&N Baracuda Match 10.65 gr30 yards0.49"
.22Predator GTO 11.75 Gr25 yards0.5"
.22Predator GTO 11.75 Gr50 yards1"
.22H&N Barracuda Hunter Extreme20 yards1/4"
.22RWS Meisterkugeln 14 gr 50 yardsdime size
.177Beeman Kodiak Match 10.65 gr60 yardsquarter size
.22H&N Field Target Trophy 14.66 gr25 yards0.5"
.177H&N Baracuda Match 10.65 gr25 yards0.4"
.22Beeman FTS Double Gold 14.66 Gr25 yardsone hole
.22JSB Exact pellet25 yardsdime size
.22RWS Hobby pellet30 metersdime size
.22JSB Diabolo Exact Jumbo Express 14.3 gr50 yardsquarter size
.177H&N Field Target Trophy 8.64 Gr25 yardsdime size
.177H&N Baracuda Match 10.65 Gr25 yardsdime size
.177RWS Supermag 9.3 gr25 yards1/2"
.177Crosman Premier Heavy 10.5 gr20 yardsdime size
.177Predator Polymag 8.0 gr25 yards1/4"
.177Beeman FTS 8.64 gr50 yards7/16"
.22RWS Meisterkugeln 14gr20 yards0.22"
.22JSB Hades 15.89 gr25 yards0.44"
.22H&N Terminator 16.36gr25 yards0.35"
.22H&N Terminator 16.36gr50 yards0.65"

Chrony tests

CalibersPelletsFPSFPE
.22H&N Field Target Trophy 14.66 gr 75018.32
.20JSB Exact 13.9 gr70815.48
.20H&N Field Target 11.42 gr772 15.12
.22Predator GTO 11.75 Gr75714.95
.20H&N Field Target 11.42 gr780 15.43
.22RWS Meisterkugeln 14 gr 74117.07
.22H&N Field Target Trophy 14.66 gr73017.35
.20Beeman H&N Match 10.03 Gr82014.98
.22Beeman FTS Double Gold 14.66 Gr68015.06
.177JSB Match Diabolo Exact 8.44 Gr860 13.86
.22Crosman Premier Hollow Point 14.3 Gr72516.69
.22H&N Field Target Trophy 14.66 gr70015.95
.177JSB Match Diabolo Exact 8.4 Gr80312.03
.177Crosman Premier 7.9 Gr83012.09
.22RWS Meisterkugeln 14gr71316
.22JSB Hades 15.89 gr65615.19
.22H&N Terminator 16.36gr65815.73
.22H&N Baracuda 18.21 gr65117.14
.22Predator GTO 11.75 gr81417.29
.22JSB Exact Jumbo 13.43 gr67413.55
.177Beeman Kodiak 10.6 gr77013.97
.177RWS Hobby 7.0 gr93113.45
See also  Best .177 air rifles for the money 2024 (Reviews and Buying Guide)

With the energy of more than 17 FPE, H&N Field Target Trophy, Baracuda and RWS Meisterkugeln 14 gr are your best bets for hunting raccoons and skunks. 

PY 1560 Beeman R9 Elite Series 1520875737 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

Features:

  • Brand:Beeman
  • Caliber: .177 (4.5mm)
  • Max Velocity: 935 fps
  • Suggested for: Small game hunting/target practice
  • Powerplant: Spring-piston
  • Loudness: 3-Medium
  • Weight: 7.3 lbs
  • Breakbarrel
  • Spring-piston
  • 11mm Dovetail rail
  • 2-stage adjustable Rekord trigger
  • Checkered hardwood stock
  • Includes open sights
  • 14.25″ Length of Pull
  • Fully-adjustable rear sight
r933 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

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Pros and Cons

ProsCons
  • Well-made and nicely finished
  • Great blueing
  • Extremely accurate up to 50 yards
  • Great Rekord trigger
  • Easy to cock
  • Not hold sensitive
  • Not pellet picky
  • Great for possums and raccoons
  • Fiber optic sights would be nice

Recommended uses

  • Target shooting/plinking
  • Pest control/ small game hunting: skunks, squirrels, raccoons, chipmunks, possums, starlings, pigeons.
b5 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

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Diana Stormrider multi-shot PCP – affordable air rifle for rabbit hunting

stormrider1 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

Imagine you can get this for less than 200 bucks.

That’s fair. But not imply the air rifle quality is compromised.

Diana has been known for producing top-quality air rifles since the late 19th century.

And the Stormrider is no different.

Just a look at its ambidextrous beech stock will melt your worries.

The bedding quality of the blued metal parts is likewise admirable.

Have a look at the testing results for the .177 and .22 model.

Chrony tests:

CalibersPelletsFPSFPE
.177Crosman Premier Domed Field 10.5g87617.9
.22Crosman Premier Hollow Point 14.3 gr705 15.79
.22Slug HP 21gr760 26.94
.177JSB Exact Heavy 10.34 gr825 15.63
.177Crosman Premier Ultra Magnum 10.5 gr 92519.95
.22H&N Sniper Lights 14 gr90025.19
.22H&N Hornets 16gr87026.9
.22JSB Diabolo Exact Jumbo Domed 15.89gr 82924.25
.22JSB Match Diabolo Exact Jumbo RS 13.43 Gr88723.47

Accuracy tests

CalibersPelletsDistancesGroups
.22Predator Polymag 15.89 gr40 yardsdime size
.22JSB Diabolo Exact Jumbo Heavy 18.1 Gr55 yards0.5"
.22Crosman Premier Hollow Point Pellets, 14.3 Gr30 yards0.5"
.22H&N Field Target Trophy 14.66 Gr50 yards3/4"
.177Crosman Premier Light 7.9 Gr25 yards0.5"
.177JSB Match Diabolo Exact 8.44 Gr20 yardsdime size
.177H&N Excite Hollow Point 7.4gr25 yardsnickel size
.177H&N Excite Hollow Point 7.4gr40 yardsquarter size
.22Crosman Premier Hollow Point 14.3 Gr50 yards1/4"
.22JSB Diabolo Exact Jumbo Domed 15.89gr 25 yards7/16"
.22Crosman Premier Domed 14.3 gr25 yards9/16"
.22JSB Diabolo Exact Jumbo Domed 15.89gr 45 yards3/8"
.22Crosman Premier Domed 14.3 gr45 yards7/8"
.22JSB Match Diabolo Exact Jumbo RS 13.43 Gr50 yards1.05"
.22JSB Match Diabolo Exact Jumbo RS 13.43 Gr100 yards3.6"

To me, that is excellent enough for rabbit hunting.

stormrider3 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

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Other features of the Diana Stormrider

  • PCP
  • Bolt-action
  • Repeater
  • Up to 26 FPE in .22 / 20 FPE in .177 with lead pellets
  • Up to 900 fps in .22 / 1050 fps in .177 with lead pellets
  • Manual safety
  • Gen. 1 Rifles feature a single-stage, non-adjustable trigger
  • Gen. 2 Rifles have the new DIT (Diana Improved Trigger) 2-stage adjustable trigger
  • Checkered beech stock
  • Raised cheek piece for right-handed shooters (stock still usable for left-handed shooters)
  • Fully adjustable rear sight
  • 11mm dovetail
  • Integrated manometer (pressure gauge)
  • 200 BAR/2900 psi fill pressure
  • 9 shot magazine in .177 / 7 in .22
  • Includes fill probe with male quick disconnect fitting
  • Includes rotary magazine and single-shot tray

Pros and Cons

ProsCons
  • Budget friendly
  • Light weight and easy to operate
  • Quiet and Backyard friendly
  • Enough power for pest control and small games 
  • Needs better instructions on magazine loading
stormrider3 1 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

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Hatsan 135 QE Vortex – beautiful air rifle for rabbit hunting

PY 3976 Hatsan 135 QE The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

Hatsan is synonymous with beauty and power combined.

Who wouldn’t love:

  • The handsome ambidextrous walnut stock of Turkey origin?
  • The patented vortex gas piston by Hatsan
  • Offers steady and more consistent power between successive shots?
  • Gets rid of the recoil associated with the heavy Springs of springers?
  • Offers much quieter and smoother shooting?
  • The QE rifled barrel that reduces noise by 50%?
  • The 1250 fps muzzle velocity for the .177 caliber model?
  • The 1000 fps muzzle velocity for the .22 caliber model?
PY 3976 Hatsan 135 QE The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

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Features:

  • Vortex gas-piston
  • QuietEnergy fully shrouded barrel and integrated sound moderator – approximately 50% quieter
  • Breakbarrel
  • Single-shot
  • Rifled steel barrel
  • Quattro 2-stage adjustable match trigger (adj. for trigger-pull weight, first stage, second stage & length of travel)
  • 11mm and Weaver optics rail with scope stop
  • Fixed red TruGlo fiber optic front sight
  • Fully adjustable green TruGlo fiber optic rear sight
  • Anti-beartrap mechanism
  • Automatic safety
  • Ambidextrous Turkish walnut Monte Carlo stock with an adjustable, raised cheekpiece
  • Checkered pistol grip and forearm
  • Rubber recoil pad with SAS (shock absorber system) that reduces vibration
  • 9.90 lbs.

Pros and Cons

ProsCons
  • Fabulous walnut stock of monte carlo design
  • Excellent shock absorber system
  • German steel barrel that lasts long
  • Matches manufacturer’s claim on accuracy
  • Adjustable recoil butt pad
  • Beastly power
  • 50 lbs cocking effort is not that manageable by the less strong hunters
  • At 9.9 pounds weight, this guns feels heavy to many shooters
  • Heavy trigger pull 
PY 3976 Hatsan 135 QE The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

Airforce Talon SS PCP – most powerful air rifle for rabbit hunting

PY 135 AirForce Talon SS PCP 1669411602 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

Airforce continuously sets the bar higher for pre-charged pneumatics, and their Talon SS air rifle is no different.

Of particular interest in the design of this rifle is the removable air tank.

It doubles up as the butt of the gun.

most powerful air rifle for rabbit hunting

This way, the need for a big stock, which adds considerable weight to the gun is eliminated.

The result is a lightweight air rifle (5.25 lbs) with a shorter barrel that is convenient to carry around.

It additionally features spin-loc technology which allows you to fill the air cylinder without detaching it from the gun.

PY 135 AirForce Talon SS PCP 1669411608 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

Features

  • Action: Single Shot
  • Air Tank Volume: 480cc
  • Barrel: 12 Inches, 12mm
  • Caliber: .22
  • Energy: Up To 50 Foot Pounds*
  • Length: 32.75 Inches
  • Max Fill Pressure: 3000 PSI
  • Rails: 11mm Dovetail
  • Safety: Automatic on Cocking
  • Sights: Open or Optical May be Used
  • Trigger: 2 Stage, Adjustable for position
  • Twist: 1:17
  • Velocity: 400 – 1000 Feet Per Second*
  • Warranty: Limited Lifetime
  • Weight: 5.25 Lbs

Pros and Cons

ProsCons
  • No recoil
  • Easy to refill
  • Multiple power settings
  • Stands out from the crowd with its stock-less look
  • Decent power and great accuracy when used with the right pellet
  • 4 lbs cocking effort is just so easy
  • Tiresome to fill the air tank with a hand pump - takes nearly 500 pumps
  • Rear tank design is not the best for shooters who take pride in the gun stock
PY 135 AirForce Talon SS PCP 1669411613 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

Check Price on PyramydAir

Air Arms Pro-Sport – most accurate air rifle for rabbit hunting

air arms pro sport walnut left hand The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

Not to mix me up, I reckon that this is specially designed for field target shooters.

But it doesn’t really matter if you kill the boredom between shooting competitions to harvest a few rabbits for dinner.

You will especially love its excellent accuracy and ease of shooting. Regarding power, the .177 gives you about 13 FPE when tested with the 8.44-grain JSB Exact Diabolo pellet.

At 9 lbs weight, it seems rather heavy, given that there are air rifles as light as 5 lbs.

Coupled with this is the very beautiful hardwood beech stock.

gallery prosport02 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

Accuracy

CalibersPelletsDistancesGroups
.22H&N Terminator 16.36 gr40 yardsone hole
.22Air Arms Falcon 13.43 gr35 yardsdime size
.22H&N Field Target Trophy 14.66 gr35 yardsdime size
.177JSB Match Diabolo Exact 8.4 Gr25 yards0.25"
.177JSB Diabolo Heavy40 yardsone hole
.22JSB Diabolo Heavy 18.13 gr35 yards1/2"
.22Crosman Premier Hollow Point 14,3 gr30 yardsone hole
.22Air Arms Diabolo Hunter 16 gr23 yards0.75"
.22JSB Hades Diabolo 15.89 gr30 yardsdime size
.22JSB Hades Diabolo 15.89 gr25 yards0.33"
.22JSB Exact Jumbo 13.43 gr25 yards0.32"
.22Predator GTO Lead Free Pellets 11.75 gr25 yards0.21"
.22JSB Hades Diabolo 15.89 gr50 yards1.29"
.22JSB Jumbo Heavy 18.13 Gr35 yards3/8"
.22H&N Baracuda Match 21.3 gr35 yards3/8"

Chrony tests

CalibersPelletsFPSFPE
.22H&N Field Target Trophy 14.66 gr72016.88
.22Crosman Premier Hollow Point 14.3 Gr728 16.83
.177JSB Match Diabolo Exact 8.4 Gr755.9 10.66
.177JSB Diabolo Heavy 10.34 gr77013.62
.22JSB Diabolo Heavy 18.13 gr63516.24
.22H&N Field Target Trophy 14.66 gr71716.74
.22Crosman Premier Hollow Point 14,3 gr70415.74
.22Crosman Premier Hollow Point 14,3 gr71016.01
.22JSB Hades Diabolo 15.89 gr62013.57
.22JSB Exact Jumbo 13.43 gr67513.59
.22Predator GTO Lead Free Pellets 11.75 gr80516.91
.22JSB Hades Diabolo 15.89 gr66515.61
.22JSB Jumbo Heavy 18.13 Gr58313.69
See also  Best PCP Air Rifles Under $1000 - Top 5 Guns that Get the Job Done (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)
gallery prosport03 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

Features

  • Max Velocity: 950 fps
  • Overall Length: 40.5″
  • Buttplate Ventilated rubber
  • Function: Single-shot
  • Weight: 9.03 lbs
  • Trigger Pull: 3.0 lbs
  • Scopeable: 11mm dovetail
  • Safety Automatic
  • Suggested for Small game hunting/target practice
  • Caliber: .177 – .22
  • Loudness: 3-Medium
  • Barrel Length: 9.5″
  • Shot Capacity: 1
  • Cocking Effort: 39.6 lbs
  • Barrel Rifled
  • Front Sight: none
  • Rear Sight: none
  • Trigger: Two-stage adjustable
  • Action: Underlever
  • Powerplant: Spring-piston
gallery prosport04 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

Pros and Cons

ProsCons
  • Quality craftsmanship, stunning walnut stock, and deep bluing
  • Well-tuned from the factory
  • Quiet and well-balanced
  • Great 2-Stage Trigger
  • Accurate up to 40+ yards
  • Packs enough punch for most of your pest and small games hunting needs
  • The cocking mechanism takes some getting used to
gallery prosport01 The Bunny Buster: Best Air Rifle For Rabbits (Reviews and Buying Guide 2024)

Buying Guide

Rabbit hunting tips

Gerald Almy of BassProShops lists 12 tips for successful rabbit hunting. Outlined below are the top tips that concern us.

  • Many hunters go for the large farms, some even developed with the most modern equipment
    • Focus on smaller farms and neglected public hunting lands.
  • Search for overgrown hedges, land lying fallow, and brushy ditches.
  • Rabbits like hiding in the abandoned property
    • If you spot any old barn, dilapidated machinery, or destroyed sheds, hang around longer than you had planned.
  • Rabbits love basking after cold spells
    • If such are the current conditions, target the sunny slopes.
  • Rabbits feed more after dawn and toward dusk
    • Plan your hunting sessions well to coincide with these times.
  • Many hunters go for the large farms, some even developed with the most modern equipment
  • Focus on smaller farms and neglected public hunting lands.
  • Search for overgrown hedges, land lying fallow, and brushy ditches.
  • Rabbits like hiding in abandoned property – If you spot any old barn, dilapidated machinery, or destroyed sheds, hang around longer than you had planned.
  • Rabbits love basking after cold spells
    • If such are the current conditions, target the sunny slopes.
  • Rabbits feed more after dawn and toward dusk
    • Plan your hunting sessions well to coincide with these times.

That said, what should you consider when choosing air rifles for hunting rabbits?

How to choose a rabbit hunting rifle

Perhaps the most important criterion for your choice should be the punching power of the air rifle.

Before we proceed, consider the following recommendations by hunting experts.

GameMinimum acceptable caliberMinimum energy (FPE)
Small birds.177+5
Medium birds.177+7
Large Birds.22+11
Squirrel-sized prey.22+9
Rabbit-sized prey.22+9
Raccoon-sized prey.25+25
Possum-sized prey.25+25
Fox-sized prey.30+35
Coyote-sized prey.30+50
Javelina-sized prey.357+90
Small deer.357+100
Medium deer.40+150
Large deer.45+200
Hog.45+200

It seems you need muzzle energy of only 9 FPE to humanely kill a rabbit.

Quite a lot of mid-range air rifles can achieve this killing force. 

Caliber

In conjunction with the punching power is the air rifle caliber.

You certainly don’t need a big-bore air rifle for rabbit hunting.

Leave the .50 air rifles for the cape buffalo and hogs.

Leave the .45 air rifles for deer.

Leave the .357 air rifles for Javelina.

Leave the .30 air rifles for coyotes.

Also, the .177 should not necessarily be considered because of its low power, unless there is a perfect shot placement.

(For more on how to choose the right air gun caliber for your game, see this post.)

We are left with the .22 and the .25.

These two are the perfect caliber for rabbit hunting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you kill a rabbit with an air rifle?                

Yes, we have demonstrated this fact throughout the entire piece.

Indeed, an air rifle is the recommended weapon for shooting rabbits.

Most medium-budget air rifles can achieve the recommended killing power for rabbits of 9 FPE.  

Firearms are still usable, but the power is always too much for rabbits.

For instance, a .22 BR Remington gives you a whole 1590 FPE.

What do you need that for?

Unless you have a long-standing grudge against the rabbits and you just wanna show them firepower. 

Which are better, 177 or 22 airguns?        

When discussing the factors to consider when choosing air rifles for rabbit hunting, I touched on when to go for the .22 and when to opt for the .177.

It’s all about power and accuracy.

A very generalized guideline will look as follows:

  • Go for the .22 air rifle if you need more killing power
  • Go for the .177 air rifle if you need to shoot longer distances.

Personally, with the experience I have accumulated over the years, I prefer the .22.

Can a .177 pellet gun kill a rabbit?

Sure, it can. Stories aside have a quick look at the following test results for the .177 Diana Stormrider.

PelletGrainAverage muzzle velocityAverage muzzle energy
Gamo Raptor Platinum4.71068 fps11.9 FPE
H&N Field Target Trophy Green5.561037 fps13.3 FPE
RWS Hobby7.0977 fps14.9 FPE
Crosman Premier HP7.9958 fps16.1 FPE
JSB Exact Diabolo8.44927 fps16.1 FPE
H&N Field Target Trophy8.64939 fps16.9 FPE
H&N Baracuda Match10.65886 fps18.6 FPE

The muzzle energy listed on the far right is what mainly matters.

Experts have shown that 9-foot pounds of energy is enough to kill rabbits. So a .177 pellet gun can cleanly kill rabbits.

What is caliber pellet best for hunting rabbits?

Being more of a subjective question, I’ll give a personal expert opinion.

The best caliber is .22.

Whenever I shoot, I do not want to merely wound the animal.

I always feel I’ve done it when I incapacitate the rabbit with one blow of the ammo. 

I’m always afraid that the .177 ammo can penetrate the rabbit and pass out through the other side without doing much harm.

But that’s me. Should we say unfounded fears?

Certainly, yes. Coz experts and I have proven beyond doubt that the .177 is enough to humanely kill rabbits.   

What is the best air rifle for killing rabbits?                

I will also most likely suggest to you the air rifle I own.

Because I have tested it and seen its good and bad side.

That is the .22 model of the Air Arms Pro-Sport.

That will set you back about 600 bucks. Pocket-friendly indeed!

(For more on the best air rifle for the money see this post)

How many FPS does it take to kill a rabbit?        

FPS alone is not enough to determine the killing power of ammo.

The killing power is tied around the muzzle energy.

Therefore, when talking about the FPS, we must accompany it with the weight of the ammo, so that we have an idea of the resultant muzzle energy.

You can have a pellet with terrific speed but negligible weight.

That may fail to kill even a rat.

But if the weight is sufficient, a pellet with the same velocity will kill even a rabbit.

Can 600 fps kill a rabbit?

In line with the discussion above, the answer to this is both Yes and No.

Can you legally shoot rabbits?                

According to the UK government, rabbits are categorized as pests.

In this regard, the question can read: Is it legal to control pests that destroy your crops? Certainly, yes.

Rabbits are not a protected species in many jurisdictions.

But when the shooting element sets in, laws vary widely from country to country.

The Pest Act 1954 states that all land occupiers have a continuing obligation to kill or take any wild rabbits living on the land, by methods such as gassing, snaring, trapping, fencing, ferreting, and shooting.

However, as to who can or cannot shoot, gun ownership legislation is applied. 

Then there is the shooting of rabbits as a form of pest and the shooting of rabbits as a recreational activity.

Not all countries and states see eye-to-eye – and therefore the laws vary.

Make sure to check your local laws so you are not caught on the wrong side of the law.

Conclusion

Taking all things into account, hunting rabbits by shooting is both legal and enjoyable.

Whether you are on the recreational side or the pest control one, never shoot the rabbits and simply leave them to rot.

Wild rabbits are edible. Very delicious and nutritious indeed.

All you need is to get the facts and equipment and gear ready for the hunting season. 

We already covered the facts at the beginning of this piece. Perhaps I can list the equipment and gear you may need:

  • Waterproof boots
  • Hat
  • Hunter orange vest
  • Gloves
  • Socks
  • Vinyl-faced canvas field pants
  • Sturdy hunting coat
  • A firearm or air rifle
  • Ammo for the weapon
  • Air rifle case
  • Airgun cleaning kit
  • Hunting license
  • Knife
  • Flashlight
  • Map and Compass
  • Fully charged smartphone
  • Game bag

All in all, take it easy, and stay within the dictates of the law.

Kill only what you can eat.

Even if your rabbit air rifle has 200 shots per fill, exercise self-control.

You are not out there to terminate the rabbit population.

I sign off with a light touch.

Two men were out hunting when one of them saw a rabbit. 

“Quick,” said the first, “shoot it.” 

“I can’t,” said the second. “My gun isn’t loaded.” 

“Well,” said the first, ”You know that and I know that, but the rabbit doesn’t.”

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