Are you searching for the best air rifle for hunting hogs? We will review some of the top-recommended options to help you make an informed purchase.
Hog hunting has become popular, and many people are presently engaging in this activity. Hogs are fundamentally challenging to kill. Some hogs attack when spooked, and these attacks can be deadly. It is important to remember to stay a long distance from the animals before taking your shot.
To successfully hunt these creatures, a real weapon designed specifically for hog hunting is a must. The right weapon also ensures that you are safe as well.
Nonetheless, it ensures that you do not end up injuring the animal. You need to be cautious when choosing an air rifle for hunting hogs.
The fact that the market is flooded with so many rifles can make it pretty difficult to know the right one appropriate for this task. Worry not.
5 Best Air Rifles for Hunting Hogs
The comprehensive review below of the best air rifles for hog hunting will make it easier for you to choose the right weapon. Let’s have a look.
1) Benjamin Armada BTAP22SX PCP-Powered Multi-Shot Bolt Action Air Rifle
This air rifle is an excellent addition to your gun collection and is designed specifically for hog hunting. With a modular and adaptable design, it is compatible with Mil-Spec AR-15 grips and stocks.
It has a 10-shot magazine, and each fill delivers up to 30 shots. The rifle has a velocity of 1000 fps which ensures excellent accuracy. The receiver has a Picatinny rail to mount your favorite accessories. The fact that the bolt is reversible means that both right and left-handed users can experience maximum fun.
An onboard gauge is present to monitor air pressure. It nonetheless has a crisp two-stage trigger.
Highlights
- Two-stage trigger
- Picatinny rail to mount accessories
- Design is modular and versatile
- Reversible bolt
- Velocity of 1000 fps10 shot magazine
- On-board gauge to monitor air pressure
- Powered by PCP lead pellet
2) Elite Force Umarex AirSaber PCP Powered Arrow Gun Air Rifle
The Elite Force Umarex Airsaber PCP Powered Arrow Gun Air Rifle is another perfect air rifle for hunting hogs. This arrow rifle can reach velocities up to 450 FPS and 169 ft. lbs. of energy using high-pressure air and a special arrow.
The air rifle includes Umarex Straight Flight Technology arrows that are three in number with 100-grain field tips and are specifically made to work with the Airsaber.
This rifle is designed to deliver performance in any condition as it is constructed with a robust all-weather stock. Its air tank has a high capacity, and each shot delivers 25 effective shots and shoots up to 450 fps with up to 169 fps kinetic energy.
Besides that, it has Picatinny accessory mounts, making it easy to mount optics, quivers, bipods, and many more.
Highlights
- Unmatched accuracy out to 70 yards
- Comes with 3 arrows
- All weather and durable stock
- Bolt Action PCP arrow rifle with incorporated pressure gauge
- High-capacity tank that delivers 25 shots for each fill
- Rubber recoil pad
- Shoots up to 450 fps
- Picatinny accessory mounts
3) Benjamin Armada Air Rifle
Benjamin is a company that has stood out over the years when it comes to producing outstanding rifles. The Benjamin Armada Air Rifle is no exception and is designed to ensure your hog hunting spree is successful.
The air rifle is PCP powered and has a .22 caliber pellet. It has a rifled barrel and multi-shot 10-round rotary clip magazine that delivers a velocity of 1000 fps which ensures ultimate accuracy even for moving targets. Because it is made with durability in mind, this air rifle will last for a long time.
In addition, its bolt action is reversible, which makes it ambidextrous, meaning that both right and left-handed users are sorted.
The machined receiver has a Picatinny rail to mount your favorite accessories. An onboard gauge is also present and serves the purpose of air pressure monitoring. It is a perfect addition to your gun collection.
Highlights
- Modular design
- Picatinny rail to mount accessories
- Bolt action is reversible
- PCP-powered
- Made in the USA
- Up to 1000 fps
- .22 caliber air rifle
- Two stage trigger
4) Umarex Hammer .50 Caliber PCP Powered Pellet Gun Air Rifle
Next up is the Umarex Hammer .50 Caliber PCP Powered Pellet Gun Air Rifle. This is the most powerful production air rifle in the market as it releases a ton of energy into its target rather than carrying the energy with it through the target.
It is nonetheless the only air gun to provide three full-power shots and another great finishing shot. Its light speed valve, 3000 psi regulator, and dual chamber magazine make it the most lethal rifle you can possess.
To guarantee your safety, the rifle has a magazine lock-out that doesn’t fire without a mag and a trigger block safety.
Thanks to its 24 cu. Inch carbon fiber tank and quick-disconnect foster fitting, the air rifle is quick and easy to fill. Besides that, its forearm has M-LOK attachment slots and an 8.5-inch Picatinny rail for mounting optics and other accessories.
Highlights
- 4500 PSI carbon fiber tank
- Rear sling studs that are built-in
- Made in the USA
- It has a 29.5-inch button-rifled barrel with full-length composite shroud
- Air pressure gauge
- Light speed valve to maximize velocity and kinetic energy
- Carl Walther precision barrel
- State-of-the-art stock design with M-LOK locations
- 3 full power-regulated shots and 1finishing shot
- Delivers a very quiet shooting
- Shoots .50 caliber pellets at a maximum of 1130 fps
5) Benjamin Bulldog .357 PCP Hunting Rifle
As another best air rifle for hunting hogs, the Benjamin Bulldog .357 PCP Hunting Rifle comes with features that you will certainly love. Each fill delivers 10 shots at 3000 PSI bad has a five-shot magazine that is easy to load. The rifle is calibrated in .357 and blasts out of the muzzle at 800 fps.
The side lever bolt of the rifle is reversible, making it ideal for left-handed shooters. Its 36 inches overall length and 26 inches of Picatinny rail allow you to add your favorite accessories.
To make it easy to carry while in the field the air rifle has a short 36-inch bullpup configuration. In addition, the air rifle delivers quiet performance as it has a SoundTrap technology that is baffle-less to help reduce the noise of the big bore. Better yet, the rifle includes a cleaning kit, which means you have everything you need for your hunting expedition.
Highlights
- Manual safety
- 26 inches long Picatinny optics rail
- Noise-free operation
- Includes 5-shot magazine and cleaning kit
- The rifled-steel barrel provides up to 910 fps
- Synthetic design that is robust and sturdy
- Bolt action is reversible
- Measures 41.8x 10.8x 4.1 inches
- Easy to use
Factors to Consider When Purchasing the Best Air Rifle for Hog Hunting
Caliber
So many calibers are on the market, but not all are appropriate for hog hunting. You need a rifle caliber with high knock-down power, as hogs are challenging to kill and can run easily with a bullet in their bodies. The caliber should be more than enough to take down mature prey. The rifle that you choose should have excellent caliber compatibility. You need a caliber that should bring the hog down with one clean shot during your hunting spree.
Comfort
Having a rifle that feels comfortable in your hands is essential to ensure that your hunting experience is successful. Ensure that the rifle you choose has excellent grips and a smooth finish. The size of the rifle also determines its comfortability. So, choose one that is comfortable and easy to handle.
Action
Ensure that you get a rifle action that matches your hunting style. A bolt action rifle is ideal for long-range accuracy, which is recommended for most hog hunts. However, a lever-action gun or AR functions perfectly for shorter distances.
Range
Keep in mind the range at which you are hunting and go for a rifle that is appropriate for your hunting conditions. Think about whether you are hunting hogs at close range or long range. Long range is always safer but not always possible. Get a rifle that will hit the prey pretty accurately at perfect ranges.
Cartridges
It is important to consider cartridges with high stopping power. You do not want a rifle that will cause minimal damage. A single shot kill is core when hunting hogs. You also don’t want the hog running injured or spooked and charging.
Optics
Ensure that you have a rifle that has room for installation of optics as you want to have a clear shot from a distance.
Rifle Calibers for Hog Hunting
26-caliber
The 6.5 Creedmoor is the optimal cartridge under this caliber and ideal for long-range hunting. It is moderately accurate and guarantees ¼ MOA accuracy. Most rifles of this caliber are for long-distance hunting; if you have good accuracy, you can use them for hogs.
27-caliber
This classic caliber has a slim stock. It is a bit heavy and balanced stunningly. It is more expensive and much more difficult to find this not as ideal for hogs.
28-caliber
This is a less popular caliber but the ultimate option for mountain rifles.
30-caliber
This is an appropriate caliber for hogs and perfect for a single-shot kill.
33-caliber
Guns with a 33 caliber are unpopular but are quite lethal. They are a little more powerful than necessary for hogs but can nonetheless work perfectly.
Advantages of the Best Air Rifle for Hog Hunting
Accurate
These air rifles will help you aim and hit the prey pretty accurately so that you fully enjoy your shooting experience.
Durable
Air rifles will function very long as they are durable and robust.
Allow mounting of accessories
This means that you can add your favorite accessories such as optics
High stopping power
This is crucial to ensure that the prey is taken down by a single shot as hogs are difficult to kill and can easily run away with a bullet in their bodies.
FAQs on the Best Air Rifle for Hog Hunting
1) What size rifle should I use for hog hunting?
Any rifle size with an adequate caliber of .260 or better can be used for hunting hogs. The choice, however, depends on where you hit the hogs and the shooting range. Generally, you need a large rifle and one with a high knock-down caliber to kill hogs instantly.
2) Is AR-15 good for hog hunting?
The AR-15 is a versatile choice for hunting hogs. It is lightweight, accurate, and easy to swing from target to target. All these make it perfect for hog hunting as these animals usually roam in groups.
3) Can any rifle be used for hog hunting?
No. While most rifles are designed for hunting deer, coyotes, and large-sized game can be used to hunt feral pigs, not all rifles are ideal for hog hunting. It is important to have a well-suited rifle for the conditions of your hunting trip. Regardless of the conditions, you require a modern spotting rifle with outstanding range, accuracy, and stopping power. Hogs can run up to 50 meters even when shot before falling dead. Ideally, you need a big caliber rifle to knock down the hogs with a single shot.
4) Is a .223 good for hunting hogs?
Large hogs can easily survive a .223 shot and run away. Shot placement is however important if you want to make a kill. It is a must that the shot be made with precision and on the right spots such as the spine and heart to take down the hog.
5) Which airgun caliber is best for hunting?
I’d bank on the .25 as the least caliber if I want a sure kill of the Hog. Even though the.223 can do the job, some bigger hogs can withstand the injury especially if the placement isn’t on a vital spot. The .25 on the other hand packs enough punch to stop even the larger hogs.
Conclusion
The best air rifle for hunting hogs should have sufficient power to take down the animal because hogs are difficult to kill and can run away with a bullet in their bodies. This article reviews air rifles with enough power to guarantee a hunter’s success. Besides using a good air rifle ensure you understand your hunting methods that involve tracking and scouring for the hogs. This is because hogs can be elusive and are also very sensitive to danger. Anyway, grab one of the rifles from the list, and good luck!
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