Squirrel hunting is a big thing in many areas of the country and increasingly small game hunters are reaching for air rifles to hunt with. Squirrel hunting is a family activity, a right of passage for young hunters who have much to learn about respect for guns, respect for the environment, and what it means to be a hunter.
Why are people choosing airguns instead of firearms in 2025? The most compelling reason for choosing air rifles to hunt squirrels is how quiet they are. Traditional spring powered air rifles are quiet enough to shoot without hearing protection. Some pre-charged pneumatic air rifles are extremely quiet. When compared to a .22LR chambered rifle shooting standard velocity ammunition, air rifles achieve a level of quietness that can only be achieved by the firearm by using sub-sonic ammo in conjunction with a firearm suppressor.
As you might already be aware, firearm suppressors are relatively hard to get. They aren’t items you can just go pick up on a whim at your local gunshop. Often it takes many months to get approved for the purchase of a firearm suppressor. While more people are purchasing firearm suppressors, many other folks aren’t interested in the long process, the expense, and red tape associated with that purchase. For these hunters, the choice is obvious: Hunt with Air!
Another characteristic of modern air rifles is that, while they are very powerful, a pellet will not travel as far as a .22LR bullet when fired at an upward angle. This is important because, as much as we like to think we are all excellent marksmen, a miss can result in a bullet traveling a very long distance. With an air rifle, the lighter pellet will fall to the earth with less energy and at a shorter distance than the bullet from a .22 rifle will.
What are this year’s best air rifles for squirrel hunting?
In the Spring/Gas Piston single stroke category, one of the best air rifles we have for small game hunting is the .22 caliber multi-shot Emerge. The Emerge uses an auto-indexing 12 shot rotary magazine so reloading between shots is a thing of the past. With a 12 grain lead pellet, velocity comes in well over 800 feet per second– meaning there’s more than enough power to humanely harvest small game like squirrels.
Another top contender in this category is the underlever Synergis Elite in .22 caliber. Like the Emerge, the Synergis Elite is also a multi-shot air rifle. The biggest difference between the two is the cocking method. The Synergis Elite uses an underlever and a fixed barrel system. It also features an auto indexing 10 shot magazine and produces over 850 feet per second with a 12 grain pellet.
The last rifle in the traditional air rifle category we strongly recommend is the Ruger Targis Hunter Max. This rifle utilizes a traditional break barrel action and is single load only. However, since .22 caliber pellets are easy to handle and load this isn’t a bad thing. With a powerful gas ram spring, the Targis Hunter Max shoots pellets at 800 feet per second, features built in moderation and comes with a sling, this air rifle was made for small game hunting.
Mark Davis, avid outdoorsman, family man, and outdoors writer is the eCommerce Marketing Manager for Umarex USA.