For hunting turkey using an air rifle, the .22 caliber is perhaps one of the best and effective ones on the market. It is the best blend of power, accuracy, and flexibility, perfect for quick and clean kills in close to medium ranges. But when there are numerous air rifles in the market, it gets hard to identify the ones that work in practical hunting scenarios.
We have done the research in this article and assembled a list of the Top 10 Best .22 Caliber Air Rifles for Turkey Hunting. If you prefer the brute power of a PCP air rifle or the simplicity of a break barrel, there is something on this list for every type of hunting and budget. These rifles were selected by reputation, construction, and the attributes that matter when you are in the field, including quiet shooting, repeatable shot placement, and enough power to accomplish the task efficiently.
If you want to be ready to gear up to shoot turkey with confidence, then let’s look at the air rifles that deliver.
1. Gamo Swarm Magnum 10X GEN3i Inertia
Highlight: The Gamo Swarm Magnum 10X GEN3i Inertia combines raw power with fast follow-up shots, thanks to its 10-shot rotary magazine and smooth gas piston action.
Constructive Review: Alright, let’s talk about why the Gamo Swarm Magnum 10X GEN3i Inertia Fed .22 Caliber Break Barrel Air Rifle is hands-down one of the most awesome air rifles out there. If you’re into power, precision, and just flat-out fun, this beast delivers in spades.
First off, the power—this thing slings .22 caliber pellets at up to 1,300 fps with alloy ammo. That’s serious knockdown force, perfect for small game like rabbits or squirrels, or just obliterating targets in your backyard. The IGT Mach 1 gas piston is the heart of it, a 33mm cylinder that pumps out consistent, jaw-dropping velocity with way less vibration than a traditional springer. Smoother shots, less fatigue, and you can leave it cocked without worrying about wear—try that with a lesser rifle.
Then there’s the 10X GEN3i inertia-fed magazine. Ten shots without reloading? Yes, please. The system uses recoil to index the next pellet, so follow-up shots are lightning-fast and seamless. It’s like having a semi-auto feel in a break-barrel package—revolutionary stuff. Load it up, break the barrel, and you’re ready to rock again. No fumbling with single pellets in the cold or heat of the moment.
Accuracy? Oh, it’s there. Pair it with the right pellets (Gamo Red Fires or some heavy hitters like H&N Barracudas), and you’re drilling tight groups at 25-50 yards. The two-stage adjustable CAT trigger lets you dial in the perfect pull—crisp, clean, and tailored to you. Add the included 3-9×40 scope, and you’re picking off targets with precision that’ll make your buddies jealous.
And let’s not skip the Whisper Fusion tech—dual sound moderators make this one of the quietest in Gamo’s lineup. It’s not silent, but it’s stealthy enough to keep the neighbors from griping while you dispatch pests. The all-weather stock feels solid, with a grippy texture that’s built to handle whatever you throw at it.
Cocking takes some muscle (41 lbs of effort), but that’s the trade-off for this kind of power. Once you get the hang of it, it’s a small price to pay for a rifle that hits this hard and shoots this well. Whether you’re hunting, plinking, or just showing off, the Gamo Swarm Magnum 10X GEN3i is a game-changer. Pure, unadulterated airgun awesomeness. -Augustine
Trending Review: Love my Magnum! Very powerful, very accurate. It is a bit stout to cock but the power this thing has is well worth it. I have found that mine likes the Gamo Red Fire and Gamo Rockets. 1″ groups at 35 yards. The scope is nice, but after around 250-300 shots, the cross hairs started to rotate inside the scope. Called customer service and told them, and they sent a replacement out the same day. Very good customer service! It is a Magnum, and you will find out that these high-power springers are very hard on scopes. I’ve researched and found a Zero Recoil scope mount that will save your scope, and you can use any scope with it, not just an airgun scope. Hope this helps if you are deciding to get one, and I highly recommend this gun. It’s a blast to shoot! -Menfi
Reassuring Review: Ordered with great trepidation, the Gamo Swarm Magnum, at $160 as a customer return, a super discount. Expected it to arrive with all the small parts missing, but somehow, someway, in just its manufacturer’s box with a torn end and no outer packaging, it arrived with everything intact. Even the little bag with Allen wrenches floating around inside the box made it here to me, it’s a quandary. Sighted in the rifle, it’s everything the other comments make of it, works fine, the scope is cheap, but you get what you pay for. The gun seems like super quality, the magazine is simple enough to figure out and handle effectively. Hits hard, my attic squirrels are in for a surprise. -Cornwallav8r
2. Umarex Notos Carbine Air Rifle
Highlight: Compact, quiet, and surprisingly powerful, the Umarex Notos Carbine is perfect for hunters who value stealth and precision in tight spaces.
Constructive Review: This PCP carbine is highly accurate with almost all pellets I put through it. It has a lot of other plus, such as a built-in Picatinny rail instead of the weak 11mm we often see on pellet rifles. The short and compact size is great for use in limited space. The regulator maintains the air pressure at a constant level, which I think is 1,100 psi. The user can tweak it to a higher pressure to get high velocity. I did not mess with it since the factory setting works great, and rodents can’t tell the difference if the pellet is 100 ft/sec faster. I found the sweet spot for the best groups is at 1500 – 2500 psi.
The rifle is very well balanced, and the AR-15 style adjustable buttstock is awesome.
The integral sound suppressor is more than adequate to keep neighbors from being annoyed. I have got about 1,000 pellets down the barrel and so far so good…..no no air leak yet.On the minus side, its magazine requires some tweaking before being able to function. However, Umarex thoughtfully includes a single-shot tray in the package. Using the single-shot tray instead of the magazine produces better grouping as the pellet goes into the chamber on a straight line, and its skirt is not deformed.
The trigger is two-stage and is gritty. There is an adjustment screw but I have not tried it out yet. When I have time, I may break it down to see if there is a way to polish the trigger group to eliminate the gritty feeling.The bottom line is this rifle is a great buy at $270 for someone starting in the PCP world.
Update: It took 1500 rounds through the barrel for the rifle to shine. I am now accustomed to the long and gritty trigger pull, and that helps a lot. The magazine works great after four adjustments have been made. It holds pressure for several days without any leak. I think the barrel has also stabilized, and I hardly get a flyer. At 30 yards, all pellet holes touch each other. This is now my go-to pellet rifle to keep the rodents under control around my garden. I have updated the rating to five stars from the previous four stars. -Howard N.
Trending Review: I love air guns. Over a lifetime, I have owned many types and brands: German Springers ($$$), pump-up Crossmans and Daisys, Cheap Chinese stuff, Slavias, Winchester, Benjamin, Beemans…lots of them. But this is my all-time favorite. Why? It is lightweight without feeling cheap. It is so quiet! It is easy to fill as it has a smaller reservoir for air, yet it shoots 25 consistent shots without refilling. It is regulated and gives repeated and accurate results. Speaking of that, its accuracy is nothing short of phenomenal when you consider barrel length. I was hitting a soup can at 60 yards in a seated position with little effort and a cheap 4x scope. It also shoots cheap and expensive pellets well. (It likes Barracuda Match the best over long distances, but Crossman Premiers also shoot well at reasonable distances and are dirt cheap. You can buy an upgraded Plenum from eBay if you want even more shots per fill.
Any drawbacks? The action is a little gritty in terms of loading when you first get it, and it is not as smooth of a trigger as the German Rekord on the R7 and R9s…but this is just picky stuff.
Just a bit of advice from a seasoned air gunner: buy an electric PCP pump. So worth not having to deal with a hand pump. A terrific carbine that shoots as well as some high-end German rifles, which are more than 4x the cost. A no-brainer purchase. Get one!Being as balanced in these reviews as I can: About the only thing that I can say as a negative is that the multi-shot magazine is total garbage. The spring inside is weak and often fails or comes out of its small retaining hole. This ruins the magazine. Buy the internet-sold aftermarket mags for the Notos instead. They do not fail and are not made in China garbage. -Steve Olsen
Reassuring Review: I had previously read some rave reviews, and they weren’t wrong. This NOTOS from Umarex hit the mark. (Just in case you missed the ‘bang’ pun) It is light, quiet, and has accuracy comparable to much more expensive airguns. Some places sell it as a kit with sights, etc. This offering from Amazon does not include sights. That was fine with me because I knew I would purchase a red dot/reflex sight. I bought one by Monstrum because they make a prism sight, which is great for people with astigmatism. I also bought aftermarket magazines from Maple Custom Products. I’m very satisfied with the purchase. Clay
3. Gamo Swarm Maxxim G2
Highlight: The Gamo Swarm Maxxim G2 delivers fast follow-up shots with its 10-round magazine and smooth gas piston power—perfect for quick, quiet turkey hunts.
Constructive Review: I like my swarm. I’ve dispatched 5 squirrels so far, all on the first shot. The scope was off by a lot when I installed it, but I put up a target on a large wooden board, and I could see where the initial shots were going. After about 20 shots and scope adjustment, the gun is super accurate. I’ve only used the Gammo red fire pellets because that’s what someone said in another review, and they work for me. I have the .22 caliber because I thought it would be quieter and pack more punch. It’s not super quiet, but my wife says she can just barely hear it from inside when I shoot it in the backyard. As far as packing a punch, like I said earlier, the squirrels don’t stand a chance. I would highly recommend this gun if you’re on the fence. It performs exceptionally well for only 200 bucks. -Timothy Clark
Trending Review: To be honest, I was feeling a little hesitant in buying this rifle due to the negativity in some of the reviews, but I need any have because as my title says, this rifle is absolutely brilliant!
I had some pesky rodents destroying my lawn, and traps, etc, failed. They were always some distance away and ran as soon as they saw a human. So the rifle had to be accurate and with stopping power at range. The rifle was easy to set up, especially the scope, once you read and understood the instruction booklet. Out of the box, it was shooting low and to the left, but with small changes methodically made to the scope’s adjustments, the cross hairs were smack on target. Now I can hit a 1” disc at over 100 yards, and the pellet goes right through 1/4 plywood and a second plywood backing piece eventually stops it.Needless to say, I’ve despatched the pesky rodents, leaving me wishing there were more as this rifle is so much fun to use! I’ve shot over 500 pellets so far and not a single jam. Of course, you have to be conscious not to load twice, stuffing two pellets into the barrel, which I’m sure would be difficult to clear. Just be aware, it’s not a fault of the rifle, but the owner should have prevented this from happening. As for the 10-round magazine, the sheer brilliance! Love everything about this rifle, and should I wear it out, which is doubtful. I’ll be buying another one the same without a thought. Highly recommend. -John Marshall
Reassuring Review: I have had my Gamo Swarm Maxxim G2 .22 for several months now. It performs flawlessly! I have put over 500 pellets down range without a single issue. It has enough power to take down small nuisance animals, even as large as a raccoon, but is quiet enough that it doesn’t disturb the neighbors. There is, of course, a fairly loud thud; it is an air piston rifle, but the noise doesn’t carry far, and since the round is subsonic, there is no “crack,” and the sound buffering makes the pellet exit quietly. The rifle is very accurate and holds tight groups. It does like some pellets more than others. I have been happy with the Diabolo Jumbo Express by Exact.
The scope with comes with the rifle is cheap, but it works as long as you don’t mind not having an adjustable objective (AO). I upgraded to a Hammers 4 x 12 with AO. I needed an offset mount to allow the front to clear the loading mechanism. Be careful of that when selecting a scope. Make sure any scope mount has a stop pin…the vibration of the air piston will cause mounts to shift and lose zero if they don’t have the stop pin. Overall, this is a great air rifle, especially for the price! I recommended it to my friends, and it has provided many hours of fun. -William H Manifold
4. Umarex Ruger Targis Hunter Max Air Rifle
Highlight: The Umarex Ruger Targis Hunter Max delivers solid power and surprising accuracy, all wrapped in a rugged, no-fuss design built for the field.
Constructive Review: I haven’t been a shooter in many years, and this is my first break-barrel air rifle. The old pumpmaster 760 was not doing the trick on the rats under the bird feeders, so I figured I’d better upgrade to keep things humane.
This rifle feels surprisingly heavy and well-made to me. I like the texture of the stock. Low cocking effort, nice sights. I haven’t mounted the scope and probably won’t. I shoot rats from my front porch from about 15 ft, so I set up a target at that range. Free standing, with no support, here are my first 30 pellets, right outta the box with no adjustments, as you can see, I won’t be missing any rats. I acknowledge that I’m shooting at very short range, but it seems like it should do what I bought it to do.
Amazon shipped it in a box 4-5 times bigger than it needed to be, so it banged around inside that box, and the manufacturer’s box was broken open. The gun doesn’t appear to be damaged, but geez, Amazon. -Joseph
Trending Review: This air rifle is very well made, and it looks and feels very solid, modern, and sexy! The sight and scope were both very low right out of the box, but after about 20 rounds, both are spot on. The strap comes in very handy because it is not a light gun, and being able to put it on your shoulder is a big plus. I am not sure about this gun without the silencer, but don’t expect it to be super quiet. It kind of sounds like a nail gun.
It is a marvelous piece! Glad I bought it. I am working from home, and when I get a bit bored, I go to my backyard plinking a few rounds. Fun! -Jack Y
Reassuring Review: Very accurate pellet gun. Mine shoots tight groups using the iron sights. I did not mount the scope because I like to shoot iron sights on .22 rimfires and all pellet guns. I think the inaccuracies are probably because of using the cheap scope. Great pellet gun.
My only complaint is that it is very large and bulky. It’s almost self-defeating when you can get a cheap .22 rimfire that is smaller, lighter, and can shoot subsonic and shorts more quietly with more energy. -Ricky
5. Hatsan 95 Air Rifle Combo
Highlight: The Hatsan 95 Air Rifle Combo delivers hard-hitting power and smooth shooting with a classic walnut stock and reliable Vortex gas piston.
Constructive Review: Man, this thing is awesome! I’ve owned a few BB pistols and one pump air rifle since I was about 10 years old, and only recently started checking out spring piston air rifles. Boy, is this a huge step up from my old Crosman pump.
It is a beautiful-looking full-size rifle that is definitely too unwieldy for kids under 14. The force needed to break the barrel is all of 30 lbs, if not more, and a bit of a chop with the side of your hand to the top of the muzzle was necessary for me to get the break action started. Now I’m a 36-year-old carpenter, and I use my upper body strength all day, every day, so I know what I’m talking about when I say it’s too much for kids.
That being said, I’m thoroughly impressed with the fit, finish, and action of this rifle. It is a powerful beast that surprised the hell out of me when I took my first shot, both with the noise and recoil. Mind you, this was the first time I had ever shot a springer, so I didn’t know what to expect. The smoke from the barrel confirmed that it was dieseling, so I cleaned it up a bit, and subsequent shots were quieter.
The iron sights are excellent and easily adjustable. I put about 100 rounds through the gun before mounting the scope and found that it was easy to adjust as well. Not sure what all the fuss is about with negative reviews of the scope, I had no problem focusing on an objective, and the lenses and reticle are crystal clear. Shooting Crosman Premier hollow points, I’m getting dime-sized groups at 30 feet (I realize this is close range, but this is my basement and I’ll get out tomorrow to do some longer-range zeroing ), which I’m pretty happy with out of the box. I did wash and lube the pellets, so maybe some of my success is a result of that. I also researched the artillery hold, which is necessary for this gun, and am pretty comfortable with the results.
So, after day one of owning this beautiful piece, I’m confident in recommending the Hatsan 95 in .22 cal to any mature guy or gal who wants a powerful, accurate, cost-effective, and most importantly, FUN air rifle. Happy shooting! -Joseph D. Leone
Trending Review: This rifle arrived yesterday, I just have to say… Out of every rifle I’ve shot (I haven’t shot a LOT, just a few, around 10 years ago), this is probably the best quality rifle I have ever been able to hold in my hands. It’s sturdy, it’s AMAZINGLY accurate, the trigger feels like butter. It’s on the heavy side, but that’s because of the stock, and it’s nothing out of this world either; it just takes some getting used to. When I first got it, the pellets hadn’t arrived yet, but I took advantage and got to play with the rifle and sorta get used to it.
When I got the pellets, I started shooting using the sights (I had to adjust because I was playing with it before the pellets arrived), but once I got it sighted, I was able to get 5 in one hole on a windy day (that’s 10 years without shooting, and I’m only 20, so that says a lot about the accuracy on this gun) those that did kinda move out of the target area, was because I lost stability (because the gun is pretty heavy and the cocking does get tiring) or because of the wind, or because I shot at the wrong time. This rifle is the most accurate rifle I have ever shot. The trigger pull is like butter; I don’t see myself ever having to change it because it feels so good in quality, and I don’t find it heavy.
Not to mention the trigger in gold looks amazing with the wooden stock. I was skeptical when it came to the scope, seeing so many negative reviews on the scope. But once I adjusted the scope, the accuracy was spot on. I didn’t have any slips or any misses with the scope unless a sudden wind gust occurred. Now I’m not a professional, and I don’t know much about scopes, especially expensive ones, but to me, this scope is good enough to use. I don’t see much wrong with it; it did take a while to adjust it but once I did, it stayed adjusted.
So far, I haven’t had to readjust the scope; it feels nice, even though it’s made in China. Now the power. I was able to penetrate a green coconut and break the outer shell of the brown coconut (but after that shot, it went through, almost penetrating the other side’s outer shell). It also went through 2 out of 3 layers of this wooden plank I had laying around (pretty deep, more or less 3/4″). Cocking this bad boy. It takes strength and muscle to do so, if not, then technique. I’m a pretty small guy (5’5″, 140lbs), it takes 40lbs of cocking force to push the barrel down all the way. It’s not that hard, but it does get tiring after 90 shots or so (yes, in one sitting, I shot 90 shots). You need to find a way to make it easier for yourself so you don’t stress yourself too much. I found a way to do so by making the whole action smooth (push it down all the way right away, not bumping it open, then pulling).
This gun is loud, but not loud enough for protection, but loud enough for neighbors to complain, lucky for me I have an acre of land to myself and there are plenty of trees and grass to mute the sound, though I do worry I might get the neighbors complain (they’re mostly old people). This rifle does have a kick as well. But it doesn’t make it any less fun; rather, it makes it feel like a real firearm, and it makes you respect it. So far, I’ve only tried one pellet type/brand, and it’s the H&N Barracuda Match 21.14 gr, and I don’t think I need to try anything other than those because it’s shot after shot accurate and perfect for it.
I bought this rifle to use it to hunt iguanas (I live in Puerto Rico so it’s legal, and they’re a big pest problem here for farmers and infrastructure and it’s just too much roadkill, plus there’s around 3-4 times more iguanas then there are people, 3.3 million people and 10-14 million iguanas, so there needs to be a balance and I want to be part of the progress of Puerto Rico especially since it’s such need and desperation) and I can tell you that this will do the job flawlessly, now I haven’t tried it on iguanas yet but first I’m gonna get me some practice before I end up hurting them instead of taking them out humanely.
But I recommend this rifle for hunting small game and for anything else you want to use it for (even self defense if an intruder breaks in and you can get a shot to the temple or eye, maybe more but I wouldn’t know or try unless necessary, and before you say anything, it’s like California here with the gun laws). This rifle is honestly just perfect, especially for its low cost. I recommend it to anybody who can handle the recoil and weight, and strength required.
On an extra note: I got this rifle in perfect condition with no flaws whatsoever. I’ve heard a lot of people get theirs damaged, but I think that’s just bad luck. But you can always call Hatsan customer service if anything. -Brandon Luis Rivera Collazo
Reassuring Review: A lot of people complain that this thing is hard to cock, it can be for some with weak arms I guess, it can be fatiguing cocking it over a target session, but its a great work out, the more you do it, the stronger you get at it. This is a spring cocked air rifle, so if you have tender arms I would recommend getting a Hatsan Vortex. Springs are going to be more violent and powerful, whereas a canned air rifle will be more forgiving to those sensitive to recoil.
The Hatsan is a straight shooter right out of the box, with just iron sights, the TruGlo’s make short-range sighting in easy. I gave away the cheap scope it came with and slapped a $30 Barska pellet scope on it, which works like a dream.
The Hatsan is a tack driver out to about 75 yards. I get drifting after that, but that could be wind or the pellets themselves. I shoot tin cans and the Hatsan had no problem driving 22’s through four layers of tin @ 50yds or so. (can inside a can). The recoil isn’t as bad as a 10/22 Ruger, but you acclimate to it quickly. I didn’t need to adjust the trigger, Hatsan recommends you take it to a competent smithy if you don’t know how to do it, coz if you don’t you can screw up the trigger. Still, it shoots fine right out of the box, all I did was put some Rem Oil on it as needed. Be sure to read the instructions on where and how to oil.
The Hatsan IS NOT A TOY, its lethality and power should not be disrespected nor underestimated, a neighbor friend of mine has taken deer with his Hatsan which lends credence to its power, I do not recommend that anyone attempt taking a deer with the Hatsan (or any animal for that matter) unless you know what you are doing and have the proper hunting license and permits per your state, poaching is a serious crime that your local Game Wardens frown upon. The Hatsan is a lethal 22. caliber weapon to small to medium game and pests.
Do not allow minors to handle this weapon unsupervised.
There are videos about safely hunting with Hatsan air rifles on YouTube, and I highly recommend that you watch those with your minors if you intend on doing any kind of hunting or pest control with your Hatsan rifle. -BBILB
6. Crosman Optimus CO8M22X Air Rifle
Highlight: The Crosman Optimus CO8M22X delivers solid power and accuracy in a lightweight, budget-friendly package—perfect for beginners and casual hunters.
Constructive Review: I think this Crosman Optimus air rifle is a real honey for the money. For just over a hundred dollars, it is very nicely made, and the fit and finish on mine were perfect right out of the box. An air rifle has quite a bit of power behind it. It sent a round of Crosman .22 Ultra Mag clear through a piece of 3/4″ pine board at a distance of about 10 feet. When fired it has a satisfying kickback and bang, at least for an air gun, so much so that I need wear hearing protection when firing it in the indoor range I have set up in my basement or my ears will be ringing, because it’s at least as loud, if not louder, than my Porter Cable FR350 framing nailer is. The stock is decently made from solid wood and has a nice, low-sheen satin finish. A couple of coats of Trewax clear paste wax have made it look even better. The break barrel mechanism works smoothly and isn’t that difficult to operate. The trigger takes a little getting used to, though, to squeeze it smoothly without jerking the rifle because it’s stiff and has a lot of travel.
Thankfully, though, the trigger pull is adjustable. I backed the adjustment screw out [counterclockwise] about 1-1/2 turns and along with a couple of drops of RWS Spring Oil on the triggers pivot points, it made the trigger pull much lighter and more predictable than the factory setting. The trigger safety lever is a nice design. It holds positively when set and is easy to operate with your trigger finger. The CenterPoint scope is decently made as well and was easy to install. I didn’t have any issues with it other than it took a bit of fiddling to get it zeroed in. Being that this is a spring piston air rifle, just be sure to always use the “Artillery Hold” when shooting it, or you really won’t be able to hit anything accurately, even at close range. Overall, considering what I paid for it, I’m pretty impressed with this air rifle and would have no problem recommending it.
BTW: I was having a problem with the scope slipping back in its mounts over time from the recoil of firing the rifle. I was able to resolve the issue by removing the factory padding inside the upper half of the clamps and cleaning off the adhesive with acetone. I then lined the inner surface of the clamps with some old style cloth electrical friction tape and also put a dab of Vibratite thread locker on each of the clamp screws. That was several months ago, and I have fired it many times since then, and the scope has held securely with no slipping. -Steward
Trending Review: I grabbed this air rifle to put down the local invasive house sparrow population, and with the Crosman Premier lead hollow points, it’s been dropping them like rocks. Once I got the iron sights dialed in, I was putting pellets on pellets in a 1-inch target at 10 yards. With copper pellets, I was getting over penetration on 1/4 inch plywood at the same distance. Scope is still cheap plastic, don’t even bother with it.
Cocking and reloading is a breeze. Just give the end of the barrel a firm tap with your hand, and then it’s easy going from there. Pretty solidly built and a little on the heavier side. It’s still the first day, so if any problems come up, I’ll be sure to update. -Justin A.
Reassuring Review: This is an amazing pellet rifle. But a word of wisdom for those who do not already know. You need to learn and use the Artillery Hold to fire this. The spring piston will always throw your shot off if you make the mistake of thinking that the Human body can absorb the recoil it will produce. So use the Artillery Hold. A very light and loose grip. Let the rifle kick as it will. The pellets will be much more accurate if you stop trying to neutralize the recoil.
And do not even bother attaching the scope until you have fired at least 250 shots. Before that it will still be too new to be accurate. Have patience. Good things are worth waiting for. Please read the comment below this to elaborate on the subject a bit more. -OmniNegro
7. Gamo 611006875554 Swarm Whisper Air Rifle
Highlight: Lightweight, quiet, and accurate—perfect for hassle-free turkey hunting.
Constructive Review: So I assembled the scope and took it out to shoot some targets. I loaded the 10-shot mag. Shot at an old can. Windage was spot on out of the box. But just standing and holding the rifle, the target about 2ft lower than my shoulder, it shot about 1.5-2 inches too low. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a chipmunk, which has been eating my GF’s garden and the reason we bought this gun…. I aimed, about 1.5 inches high, and harvested the chipmunk. This was probably the 5th or 6th shot through the rifle, and it’s very easy to hit your target. There aren’t any iron sites, so you need the scope. The one provided is pretty good.
For the cost, this is a great value. It has a great quality feel. I didn’t see any instructions in the box for assembly or usage, but it’s pretty simple and easy to figure out.So far, so good. I am glad I purchased this rifle and hope it lasts for years to come. I will be looking into other Gamo brand guns because I am happy with this one. -phil Wisconsin
Trending Review: First pellet rifle since 8th grade 1991. Been dealing with squirrels getting into the soffits, scratching, and causing damage and off on the past several years. Spent a lot of money having the house sealed, etc, and trapped and relocated 3-4 in the past few months directly from the chimney where they somehow get access— I always take them 4-5 miles away.. but there always seems to be a squirrel causing us problems. Bought this rifle after comparing reviews and watching YouTube clips.
Needless to say, the squirrel problem is no more. I noticed a few squirrels are foraging in the yard each evening around 530, and then maybe 30 minutes later, I would hear the scratching in the soffits. Not exactly sure where they were getting in since I sealed the chimney a few months ago,o and I wasn’t sure which squirrel/s were the culprit. So I shot two squirrels that were in the yard yesterday around 530 and guess what? Haven’t a scratch since AND have not noticed any other squirrels anywhere closeby either, even in the neighbor’s properties. No squirrels anywhere. Like a ghost town out there. Before we could walk outside and count so many squirrels among all the trees in the neighborhood, jumping through trees and running around chasing each other. Now it is eerily quiet. I guess the others were warned to stay away when their pals got shot. Hopefully, they will stay away from our house so they can live.
Money well spent. Would but this again in a heartbeat. I was ready to go super quick after watching a YouTube video explaining how to easily adjust the scope accuracy. Very pleased with this rifle. -Jack
Reassuring Review: Accuracy wasn’t very impressive out of the box. I was getting 2” groups at 15 yards. Then my magazine started dropping pellets while cocking. I examined the magazine closely, and it appears the pellet skirts get damaged while feeding, and I speculated this was affecting accuracy. I carefully removed the magazine and treated it as a single shot, and I started getting dime-sized groups at 15 yards, which is impressive for a $150 air rifle.
Also, I found the Hades Diablo pellets shoot best in this gun. They are much quieter and more accurate than the Gamo pellets.
Lastly, I threw away the stock scope and picked up a Bushnell Banner that was on clearance for $35. This makes an awesome setup once the magazine is removed- if you’re a good shot, you won’t need a second shot! -Tyler
8. Gamo Wildcat Whisper Air Rifle
Highlight: Quiet, lightweight, and surprisingly powerful — the Gamo Wildcat Whisper is perfect for stealthy turkey hunts on a budget.
Constructive Review: Great rifle. Shoots straight consistently, it’s light, strong, relatively quiet, and easy to pump. Better than I expected for the money. I have rifles that cost three times as much and don’t shoot as straight. THE SCOPE is JUNK! From reading reviews, I ordered a good scope also. Had I not, I wouldn’t have been able to use my new toy. The scope that came with the rifle was crap out of the box. Unusable. I knew from reading the reviews that it was crap but was still surprised at how cheap it was. However, even with the price of a new scope, the gun is well worth the cost. Gamo needs to stop putting a worthless scope on a great, well-made gun. This review would not have been as favorable had I not known before purchase about the scope. Love the gun! -Sara Jane Herschberger
Trending Review: I was pleasantly surprised with this gun. I took a flyer on it as I knew nothing about it other than the reviews I read across several sites. Was on the fence over this or the .22 sized ones and went with this and have no complaints. It nails a standard size 10oz can at 50 yards with a nicely wider exit hole cleanly through the other side. It will take anything up to a rabbit at that distance. It would probably work much farther, but I have not tried at those distances, and cant say on the knock down/penetration power past 50 yards. Targets get small out that far too, but give it a try.
Very powerful on squirrels within that 50-yard or less range. The gun shoots very fast so getting the sighting requires a paper target and some glasswork, but once you get it set its highly accurate, very little drop, and not too much adjustment up/down. Left/right was almost dead on out of the box. I sighted it from about 25 yards then verified at 40, and found it still works to 50. Pro tip: Use the rear focus feature to set it up so you can see the target WITHOUT your eyeglasses on, and then do NOT wear your corrective glasses when you shoot – that messes the refraction up.
No corrective lenses and its focused and nails the target. Re-tighten the scope screws every now and then and its good to go. I only gave 4 stars on the noise level – its not Hollywood whisper quiet, but I’ve missed squirrels, and the sound doesn’t spook them so I could re-load and shoot again. its just not super quiet, but I may not have enough experience with other air-guns and clearly the game doesn’t care. The directions aren’t clear on loading – just break the action downward and put the pellet flush into the hole on the barrel half and close it up. Good luck! -Frank Louthan
Reassuring Review: I purchased this air rifle after the spring broke on my old Crosman (worked great for 5 years). I live on a big lake, and I use this for pest control, mainly to keep the geese off my lawn, shooting long-distance shots down the lake to scare them off. What fantastic range and accuracy! I was somewhat apprehensive when I noticed there were no iron sights, as previously I’d just toss the scopes that came with previous rifles and aim using Kentucky windage.
So, forced to rely on the scope, I watched a short video (search for Gamo Scope Mounting – Gamo Tech video by AirgunWeb) and after following the instructions on how to mount it, I was surprised at how accurate the rifle was even without bench firing it. Just used the scope as it was set up out of the box, and it was more than excellent. The scope is a low-end model but still usable and accurate. I switched the scope out with an old, higher-end (Bushnell) scope I had in my gun safe, and wow, even better.
And I had been very wary about how well this rifle would work based on some of the scathing reviews I read online. But my fears were unfounded. Maybe these other reviewers want a rifle for match shooting or driving nails at a thousand yards, but that’s not what I need it for. Very Very impressed with the quality, ease of cocking and mind blowing accuracy of this affordable gun. This is a .177 caliber, and I find the best ammo long long-range shooting is Crosman .177 pointed pellets. -BookWorm
9. Raptor Whisper Air Rifle
Highlight: The Raptor Whisper Air Rifle combines whisper-quiet shooting with impressive power and accuracy, making it an excellent choice for stealthy turkey hunting.
Constructive Review: Well, just like every other review I read about this air rifle, the scope is bad. Not so bad that you cannot see your target, but just slightly blurry. So if you need to be precise, well, you probably will have to get another scope. I have not shot it long distance, but at 20 yards it is incredibly accurate. At that range using Crossman pellets, I was able to quickly shoot a nice group of perhaps an inch, which is accurate enough for my needs. Given that you cannot see the target with enough clarity to make sure the scope lines align with the target lines, I would not expect to shoot smaller groups. Also, I was not using a good rest, and as some say,y the barrel is far from broken in. Still under 50 shots through it.
The group I spoke of was in the 1st 10 shots. The scope adjusted as I expected, meaning it moved in the direction I adjusted it to. I think it moved a bit more than it should have, given I was only shooting at 20 yards. Not sure what it says, but a click is usually 1/4 inch at 100 yards. Not sure what it would be at 20 yards. Each click seemed to move it closer to 1/4 inch at the 20-yard mark. In any case I had it on bulls eye after just a few shots. Not what you normally would do, but it worked, and the following shots were close to the point of aim. So like I said, for us, it works fine. I do plan to get a new scope and spend some time to see what kind of groups are possible, but that will be down the road. I have not shot the heavier loads because they arrived after I sighted it in on the lighter pellets, and have not had the time to do another sight-in session.
As far as noise, well, it is about equivalent to one of those construction stable guns. They might even be a bit louder. I was mostly concerned about the report on this gun, but after I fired it once, my fear that the neighbors might wonder what was going on was over. I shot into cardboard with an earth backstop so the sound of hitting the target could be heard, but again, not loud enough to bother anyone. I think if you shot into plywood, the strike on the target would be higher than the sound of the gun.
Putting on the scope was a bit of a challenge, but once I got my gun rest out, I was able to get it together pretty easily. Doing it on your lap or across the arms of a chair was not such a great idea. It allowed the gun to move around, and that was the problem. The catches on the bottom of the mounts are not that large, so they easily pull away if there’s a wiggle in the gun. That is only before you tighten it up. Once mounted, it has held up as you would expect.
I wanted to go up to the more expensive GAMO air rifles, but after shooting this one, I am not sure the increase in cost gets you much more than this gun provides. I really would like to have open sights, but most people are not going to use them. Anyone who is into guns is always looking for a little faster, a little harder-hitting gun, but in most cases, we carry guns into the field that are far more powerful than we ever will need to take the game we are after.
If you are looking for something to plink with or get rid of backyard pests, this is all that you need. -Deal Seeker
Trending Review: This is my first break barrel, and I could not believe the power this thing has and how accurate it is.
At first, it was driving me nuts when I tried to sight it in because I was holding it like a rifle instead of an airgun.BIG DIFFERENCE! You must let the recoil happen. Once I watched a few YouTube videos, I was consistently putting them in dime and quarter-sized groups at 15-20 yds.
It is fairly quiet as long as you don’t use a light pellet, as it will create a sonic boom.
The quality, accuracy, and power of this Gamo Raptor exceeded my expectations…by a lot.
UPDATE: Today, I noticed it started shooting a little right, so I went to sight it in again. Every time I shot, it spun the left/right adjustment 2 clicks. I contacted Gam, and they said to send the scope back under warranty, and they did replace it. Very disappointed in the scope, but still love the rifle. It’s a shame they haven’t addressed this yet.UPDATE 2: Ended up putting a very well-made and solid UTG 9×32 bugbuster scope on it, well worth it. I also now shoot JSB 10.3 grain exact heavy .177 pellets and can’t believe the accuracy and consistency. You can pick which eyeball you want to hit on a chipmunk. They say that every air rifle has a pellet it likes. I have found the pellet my gun likes. This gun is dialed in and set, LOVE IT. I tried the hollow point, pointed, and premier from Crossman, and also the JSB monsters. The JSB heavy is dead on. The attached photos were @ 20 yds with a Bugbuster scope on free printable targets from Airgun Depot. I would also recommend that you purchase a shoestring-type barrel cleaner. I had a piece of pellet get caught in the rifling, and it caused the pellets to fly all over the place. Only oil the outside and not the bore. -Molz
Reassuring Review: Purchased this a few days ago to clear out the rabbits that are mowing down every plant in my yard. Overall, the rifle has a solid quality feel to it…scope not so much. Took a minute to get the dovetail on the rifle to accept the scope ring clamps, but once you have good purchase, just methodically and alternately work the set screws down and it’s fine. Cocking is easy. Sighting in: I was using .22 HN Terminator Hollow Point Pellets, as other reviews had stated that they were very accurate in this model. As I’m setting up on the back deck to sight in, yep, a rabbit hops through the fence into the corner of my yard.
I threw an Amazon envelope off the deck just to get it on paper, 3 yds offhand, shooting 3/4” square. The result was pleasantly surprising at #1 in the pic. Sound didn’t bother the rabbit. Moved it out to 15yds and shot two almost in the same hole at pic #2, just using my deck rail. Moved it 12 clicks L and shot two into the center at #3. Seemed kind of loud the first few shots then it settled down, but as already noted, the sound didn’t bother the rabbit. Went upstairs, grabbed my shooting sticks, came back out, walked out to my target, and headshot that rabbit at 17 yards. So, WRT the scope, it would appear that the scope is good enough for 20-yard backyard shooting. I was using.22 HN Terminator Pellets, and that rabbit didn’t untrack. Overall, good price, gets the job done in the backyard, I’m satisfied and would recommend the Raptor to others. -John
10. Magpul Unisex Hunter X-22
Highlight: The Magpul Unisex Hunter X-22 offers a lightweight, durable stock designed for precision and comfort, making it the perfect upgrade for your .22 rifle.
Constructive Review: The weight of the replacement stock is wonderfully light, and with ammunition in the hollow stowage, it gives a sturdy feel. The main compartment itself holds either three full BX1 magazines or one full magazine and a 50-round box of 10/22 LR. There is another waterproof compartment under the grip, which, although small, can hold something about the size of a Bic lighter securely.
In the image shown, the stock cheek riser has been replaced with the optic-height riser (comes with kit), and the butt pad has been replaced with an enhanced one, adding 3/8″ (sold seperately).
Pros: Easy installation. Very ergonomic design. Lightweight. Customizable options (and easy to paint)
Cons – Material is soft and very easy to scar (such as accidentally nicking it with a tool). Sling mount and rail accessories are sold separately. Swapping out the cheek riser can be frustrating unless you know the trick*
*The trick. Do NOT try to pry it off or pull it in some awkward way. Simply open it all the way, and then give it a little push more towards the receiver end, and it should pop right off. Any other method risks marring the stock or breaking the hinge. -RIC
Trending Review: This is an outstanding addition to a 10/22 takedown rifle. Very simple to install; attaches via the two machine screws standard on the rifle. The foregrip is somewhat shorter than the stock 10/22 foregrip, but easy to get used to. One of the best features is the storage hatch in the butt of the stock that will hold three, 10-round mags. Comes with an optional cheek riser for an optic and a standard-height riser (these are the doors of the storage hatch). Also, a water-tight storage area in the hand grip for ammo or other items.
No barrel strap is needed on the foregrip (like the standard stock), and the barrel only makes contact with the stock at two small points. Very compact when collapsed and fits together securely for compact transport. I have this stock on two 10/22 takedowns – one with the older vertical-style case and one with the newer horizontal-style case. Fits very well in both cases, much more compactly than with the standard stock. I have red dot sites on both, and these still fit in the cases easily. The FDE color looks great with the stainless rifle, and I have a grey stock on the black rifle. The grey color stock isn’t my favorite as it has a lot of a bluish tint to it, but it still looks good. Highly recommended. -Khun Tom
Reassuring Review: Love it! I’m a petite lady, barely 5 ft tall on my tip toes, and I love this stock for my Ruger 10/22. I’ve tried multiple aftermarket stocks, and this one is the best for me. First of all, it’s light as anything, and it was easy to change out. I also think the length of pull is a bit less than standard rifles, which I always need to get adjusted. Magpul does sell an accessory butt pad to increase the length of pull for those who need it.
It also has an extra high cheek pad for optics, which is the one I’m using. Yes. There’s a bit of a gap, but it’s less than other after-market stocks. The stock holds an extra 10-round magazine in it, or one 10-round magazine plus 1 box of ammo. There’s also storage in the grip area for a cleaning snake or optic batteries. It’s very clever. I have a Bushnell Dusk to Dawn scope mounted on it, and it’s still very lightweight. It’s only missing sling mounts and an extra take down screw, which would be nice to include. Otherwise, it’s incredible. Lots of fun. Guys, if you’re looking for something to encourage your wives, girlfriends, or daughters to shoot, try this stock out. I have multiple firearms, but this stock for my 10/22 is one of my absolute favorites. -Julier
Final Words for the Top 10 Best .22 Caliber Air Rifles for Turkey Hunting
Choosing the right .22 air rifle for turkey hunting can make all the difference when it comes to accuracy, power, and a successful hunt. Whether you’re looking for a powerful PCP rifle or a dependable spring-piston model, there’s something on this list to suit your needs. Keep in mind that factors like power, noise, and ease of use are key when selecting the best air rifle for the job.
Before you head out, don’t forget to check local hunting regulations and always practice safe hunting habits. With the right air rifle, you’ll be ready to take on turkey season with confidence.