If you hunt and want something quieter, less expensive, and just as effective as a regular firearm, a high-powered air rifle might be the answer. In this article, we are dividing Top 8 1000 FPS Air Rifles & BB Guns and more—the ideal choice for small game hunting in 2025. Whether you’re a shooting veteran of decades or merely entering the hobby, these are picks that have placed power, accuracy, and reliability together so your shooting session at the range brings out its finest. The following is what gives these air guns the edge over the rest.
1. Gamo Swarm Fusion 10X GEN3i Inertia Fed .22 Caliber
Highlight: Smooth, fast, and deadly accurate — the Gamo Swarm Fusion 10X GEN3i delivers power and precision with every shot.
Constructive Review: I have been shooting high-end pellet guns for many years. This one, although I didn’t figure it to be a high-end gun when I purchased it, is outstanding. It is as good, if not better than, the many other pellet guns I have in my collection. Dollar for dollar, I feel it is way better than many of them. It is easy to arm, easy to load, and allows multiple shots with the 10-shot magazine. Very accurate and very light. -Timothy W.
Trending Review: Now, I am by no means an expert on air rifles. But I grew up around firearms and learned to shoot from a former Marine drill instructor and Vietnam veteran, my father. I also qualified expert marksman in both pistol and rifle during my own time in military service, so I know a little bit about shooting.
I’ve now put about 300 pellets through this rifle and I’m very satisfied with my purchase. I’m using cheap Crosman 22 magnum pellets for rifle break-in. The rifle’s accuracy continues to improve as it’s parts break-in and begin to match with wear. Pellets strike with authority at 25 yards against a steel shovel. There’s no doubt in my mind that this rifle is powerful enough to humanely take care of any small varmints.
The included scope is adequate for shooting cans or bottles and general plinking, however if you plan on using your rifle for accurate target shooting, nuisance critter control, or hunting I would definitely upgrade the scope.
The 10x multi-shot system rocks. Once you get the knack of loading the magazine with pellets properly, all you have to is cock and shoot. -Highball Charlie
Reassuring Review: First of all, I am just getting back in to the pellet gun game because I am training young ones to shoot for their first time. I bought two Gamo guns . Swarm whisper first gen and fusion second gen .22 Cal. I have to say that both guns are awesome and accurate!! I totally enjoy the feel and power of the Gamo guns !! As far as accuracy, these guns are incredible and an underdog. You have to find the right pellet that works for you. That being said, I find that most lighter pointed pellets work for these two guns.
The scope that comes with either guns are great for targeting in general but if you are more serious, then you may want to upgrade. At 15-60 yards I am hitting targets with a 2” grouping consistently. I am loving Gamo rifles these days !!! A little secret for you guys and gals… The cheap Crossman premier hollow points are very accurate and friendly with zeroing in these rifles . I have a lot of success with the Gamo pellets as well. I hope this review helps and just know for the price of these pellet guns , you can’t go wrong !! Thank you to Gamo for producing great and affordable air rifles !!! More reviews to come . -Jon Goodrich
2. Gamo Swarm Fusion 10X GEN3i Inertia Fed .177 Caliber
Highlight: Smooth, quiet, and fast — the Gamo Swarm Fusion 10X GEN3i nails every shot with ease.
Constructive Review: This is a little confusing cause the last box option gives you the option for the Gen3i. I checked it and received the Gen2. I am perfectly happy with the rifle. I use to own a Gamo springer .22. It was hard to sight in due to the sidewise kick. This gas piston is so much better and much lighter. The scope is a little blurry at high power so I mounted a better scope. It might just be my old eyes. Don’t hesitate to buy this due to bad reviews. Everyone has a bitch about something. My one bitch is this. I wish I could remove the barrel sight cause you can see it at the bottom of the optics on the scope. You will get accustom to it after few rounds. Not a deal breaker. I due own a Dremel tool and flip the muzzle end over. While you shooting buddies are loading one pellet at a time you will be Cocking & A-Rockin’. Love, Love, Love !! -Danny
Trending Review: Very accurate once I put about 150 pellets through. The scope that comes with it doesn’t hold center very well.
I shoot open sights for now until I can find a good scope.
Can lay a small soup can on it’s side and hit the round bottom at 40 yards every time with the open sights.
The magazine and loading system is awesome !! 10 shots go by pretty fast so I would recommend getting a couple extra magazines.
I have had about 10 rounds out of about a 1000 that didn’t feed correctly so be sure to look at the counter on the magazine and make sure it’s loaded.
I’m sure you could hunt with the 177 cal pellets but I would get the 22 cal for that if your hunting. I don’t see why anyone would want to just wound an animal with the 177 and make the animal suffer needlessly.
I would definitely put the first 200 rounds through it without a scope and remember to not expect much out of the scope that comes with it. Be sure the scope you buy is rated for this type of recoil. Don’t put a firearm scope on it, (YOU WILL BE DISAPPOINTED) !!!!!!!!!! -Bozo
Reassuring Review: Honestly I can’t use another brand name airgun with confidence anymore. GAMO is worth every cent and shoots lead with precision. It’s fun learning how different pellets trajectory lines fly and it’s got what seems to be the power equal to that of a .22 firearm in .177 caliber. Anything under 10 grains breaks the sound barrier and replaces sheer shooting joy with dreadful worry that the neighbors think someone is shooting actual guns in their backyard. Otherwise it’s less noise than a passing car. -Bryce
3. Black Ops The Sniper S
Highlight: Black Ops The Sniper S – Precision, power, and tactical style in one sleek, high-velocity air rifle.
Constructive Review: I purchased one of these about a year ago and was amazed at the weight. It’s not a carry around hunting rifle in my opinion as it’s too heavy. But for plinking and shooting at a blind with support, there’s not a better rifle in this price range.
The rifle came with an average scope but can’t shoot long distances accurately with it so I upgraded to a nicer scope. Now I’m shooting aspirin bottles at 200’ and hitting at about 90%. I was amazed at the accuracy. When I oil it, each time I get the .22 rifle crack on the first shot afterwards because the pellet is breaking supersonic speed so it’s shooting over 1200fps. All in all I think you simply cannot go wrong buying this rifle. The only downfall to me is the weight and is bulky for hunting. The saving grace is that I’m a plinker so it makes no difference to me. -Bianca
Trending Review: So the rifle is awesome but you need to attach the scope and bipod yourself.
The rifle can be fired out of the box without scope as it ships with different sight already attached. There is also a third sight in the box but don’t bother, just attach the scope.
Knowing how to put on a scope and zero it in helps. The scope’s references are at 100 yards but I zeroed at 25 yards which is a bit more realistic for a pellet gun however this gun does fire pellets at 1000fps (22LR 1200 FPS) so 100 yards aren’t out of the question.
Took me about 6-10 shots to get the scope dialed in. Hitting 1.5” bullseye with ease at 25 yards.
This is definitely not a toy and the first shot you take will remind you of that.
Highly recommend 😁 -Jason Bendewish
Reassuring Review: I purchased one of these about a year ago and was amazed at the weight. It’s not a carry around hunting rifle in my opinion as it’s too heavy. But for plinking and shooting at a blind with support, there’s not a better rifle in this price range.
The rifle came with an average scope but can’t shoot long distances accurately with it so I upgraded to a nicer scope. Now I’m shooting aspirin bottles at 200’ and hitting at about 90%. I was amazed at the accuracy. When I oil it, each time I get the .22 rifle crack on the first shot afterwards because the pellet is breaking supersonic speed so it’s shooting over 1200fps. All in all I think you simply cannot go wrong buying this rifle. The only downfall to me is the weight and is bulky for hunting. The saving grace is that I’m a plinker so it makes no difference to me. -Thomos
4. Gamo Silent Cat
Highlight: The Gamo Silent Cat is built for stealthy, high-velocity hunting with minimal noise and maximum precision.
Constructive Review: I have fired over 2,000 rounds with this rifle and I just keep getting more and more happy with it! I was stressed out while waiting for it to arrive because of all of the negative reviews, so I thought I would let everyone out there know that they made the right decision by purchasing it. Just get on youtube.com and watch the videos about cleaning it before you fire it, and watch the video about how to mount the scope. I fully believe that most of the complaints about the scope come from people who did not mount it correctly. Mine does not move while I am firing it or when I bump it moving it into my safe and out. When you start to zero in the scope start out close. Also, it is spring driven, so it needs to break in before it gets really accurate. Mine took somewhere around 300 rounds, but now I can consistently hit a 1 inch target from 25 yards 10/10 times from a bench. I do recommend using a bench to site it in because it does have a little kick, and the trigger pull is a little tougher than I would like. Yes, the supersonic rounds that come with it are just a novelty. They sound cool, but they are not that accurate, and they don’t actually have the same power down range as standard lead pellets.
I did find it to like some pellets more than others, and the expensive ones were not the best. Many of them had much larger groupings than the bargain pellets. Honestly my favorite are the Crosman Premier Hollow Point, but once you have broken your gun in play around and see. I have seen lost of reviews that say air rifles are very sensitive to pellets and these work great for me. This gun is not a toy. I will shoot straight through a gallon milk jug full of water, and depending on the pellet it will shoot through a 1X4. Personally I like using a steel spinning target, so I can see the results, and I don’t have to keep setting up cans. The noise the target makes is much louder than the sound the gun makes. That brings me to another point that I saw many poor reviews about. The rifle does sound louder to the shooter than bystanders.
My neighbor has another brand of air rifle that shoots the same 1250FPS, but mine is quieter. Not saying it is 50%, but I don’t worry about shooting mine in the neighborhood, and he does. I have had lots of 22LR’s in my life, and from the range this gun is designed it is just as accurate! Its 40 yard grouping is no where as impressive as its 25 yard, but I don’t believe that anyone out there that is buying this rifle is expecting a 1 inch grouping at 40 yards, but it will still shatter a marrow bone from that distance leading me to believe that it would still have enough power to kill much larger game than squirrels and possums. You get a lot more than “bang for your bucks” with this one! You get something you will really enjoy and will be happy you didn’t spend twice the money for something that does not shoot any better! -Steve Motz
Trending Review: We have a huge Iguana infestation in our neighborhood and our yard,and its not uncommon to see 3 or 4 of them sunning and pooping on our dock. My wife grows delicious tropical fruits and asian vegetables in her large garden and they are eaten before they grow a foot high. The Iguanas also killed a beautiful Orchid tree by deleafing. We tried the repellent sprays- they scoffed at them and ate more. We tried Havahart traps with little success. It was sadly time for a more dramatic solution.
I finally ordered this air rifle in desperation- I had to do something before the Mangoes ripen and are devoured by the hungry green horde. It arrived quickly along with the Magnum pellets and Crosman pellet loader. It was EZ to mount the scope and I spent 30 min. sighting it in, then the hunt began. I slid the gun into its beautiful Kolpin camo case(Opticsale.com), put on my Aussie bush hat and crept out to the pool deck, using the waterfall for cover. I peered over the top- there they were- two 3 footers blissfully digesting their pilfered meal. I slowly eased the barrel over the waterfall, aimed through the scope and Pow!- the first one catapulted into the ocean, dead on impact.I shed a little crocodile tear for him, then zeroed in on the other- he had run about 6 feet and stopped. I popped a cap in his crown as well. I have since gotten about 6 more this week, all thankfully quick, clean kills.
I recommend this air rifle highly- I grew up with the old Crosman 760 pump- this weapon is light years ahead. Cocking requires a good effort- I like that my 8 year old son would have difficulty since he is too young for a hunt. Its also quite long- the cases on Amazon seemed too short, but the Kolpin case fits it well. Regarding noise- my neighbor has the Gamo Big Cat- its a little louder than my gun but not much. I do prefer the open grip and overall look of the Silent Cat for a little more money. It does a dirty job well. -Keysmon
Reassuring Review: I am not easily impressed and I do my research prior to buying something. I will say this pellet gun has impressed me so far. It arrived yesterday from Amazon along with a tin of 500 Crosman Premier Super Match lead pellets. I installed the scope and shot about 50 pellets at a target. The 50 shots allowed me to sight in the scope and get used to the recoil and trigger pull. While there’s not much recoil, there is enough to move the muzzle off target. Once I was shooting quarter sized groupings at 25 yards, I decided to start the hunt. The main reason I bought this rifle was I have have an infestation of chipmunks this year that are decimating my back yard with holes as well as tearing up my bird feeders. As of right now, I am 5 chipmunks for 5 shots at 20 yds.
All have been quick, clean kills to the head. As I am writing this, my 14 and 18 year old boys wanted to try it out. They each took out a chipmunk with one shot. So the family tally is 7 for 7 at the moment. The rifle appears loud as you shoot it due to the mechanics converting to sound and then being transferred to your jaw bone through the stock but as I am shooting chipmunks, the squirrels and birds are not being spooked. In fact on one kill, the chipmunk was head to head with a squirrel. I hit the chipmunk and the squirrel just watched – totally oblivious to what just happened to the chipmunk. This leads me to believe the gun is more quiet than many of the reviews claim. I do agree that the scope appears to be quite cheap however, I was able to zero it in and as I said above my family has taken 7 shots and have buried 7 chipmunks. The proof is in the results. I will continue shooting it to see if I experience the drift as many people complained about. As of right this moment, I could not be happier with the results. I hope this helps. -John
5. Umarex unisex adult Ruger Blackhawk
Highlight: The Umarex Ruger Blackhawk delivers power, accuracy, and realism in a sleek, easy-to-use air pistol.
Constructive Review: So, first off, this thing is as loud as everyone else says it is – probably close to what a .22 rimfire is, and is probably not good for those looking to shoot it in a neighborhood setting (it’s not a daisy bb gun). It feels heavy but not so heavy that it can’t be held to shoot, probably as much as an average .22 rifle but a rest will help you aim it. As for the optics that come with it: it’s not something that you’d use for competition, but then again, neither is this pellet gun. To those complaining about not being able to sight the scope in, they’re probably right because it’s not attached to the barrel and thereby not able to keep zero because the hinge point isn’t exactly well-machined and won’t give you that repeatability after each cycle.
This is why the attached iron sights are far superior on this platform because they are directly attached to the barrel. Spend your time zeroing the iron sights and leave the scope on a shelf, you’ll thank me later. I gave it five stars because it does what I expected it to, not for what it can’t do for the money. It’s a good ambidextrous stock so lefties can shoot the same as righties without any grip or sight alignment issues. Keep it clean and lubed and it should last you a few thousand shots. -Sharon Teich
Trending Review: Even though rifle had been on sale on Amazon $30 less it is a good value at this price point.
Love every thing about this rifle. The operations manual is clear & concise, suggest it be read & ALL suggestions, recommendations & warnings be followed, especially warning rifle is NOT a toy & should not be operated by youth w/o supervision. Danger zone is nearly 2,000′ & should be taken seriously.
Warning to tighten stock screws before & during firing sessions is a MUST. Umarex used blue(removable) Loctite but apparently oil in screw hole allowed screws to back out. I cleaned screw holes thoroughly & reapplied blue Loctite. Will let it set before using rifle again.
Cleaned barrel w/Clean Bore twice but rifle diesel first two rounds then got progressively quieter w/each round afterwards.
Absolutely love the fiber optic sights. Sighted in at 30′, 50′ & 80′. I see no need for scope & have not opened packaging. Successfully hit soft ball sized target at 100′ after 50 rounds downrange. Squirrels & rabbits I will be shooting are well w/in this range.
Some sissy reviewers complained about rifle being hard to cock. I am 80 years old & had no problem following instructions in operation manual.
Fit & finish are good, take-up adjustment on trigger works well.
Started w/Winchester hollow point pellets but will try several of the other brands available. All are reasonably priced.
If you like to plink or shoot pest in an environment w/noise or firearm restrictions this is a good answer at a reasonable price just remember that 2,000′ downrange danger zone.
I recommend this rifle highly. -Ricky
Reassuring Review: Regular ammunition has become very scarce and expensive, so I decided to purchase a pellet rifle for casual plinking to keep my skills up to speed.
I had looked at quite a few pellet rifles around this price range and finally settled on this one for one main reason. Many pellet come with a scope, but not all come with a scope and iron sights like this model. A scope is a great benefit to those of us with less than perfect eyesight, but there are times when a scope is a hindrance and good old iron sights are what is needed.
I was first impressed with the weight of this rifle. I was expecting something on the light side and more on the “toy” side of the rifle spectrum but that is not the case. This is a solidly built pellet rifle that should last for a long time.
I delayed mounting the scope to first get the iron sights exactly where I wanted them. I set up a standard target at 25 yards and found the iron sights to be right where they needed to be at this range. The first time I tried the break barrel cocking it was somewhat difficult, but became easier after the first few shots. The shot group was not as tight as I am used to, but became better and better the more I used the rifle. I read in the reviews where it takes around 500 rounds to fully break in any pellet rifle, so after 250 pellets that is proving to be true.
I then mounted the scope and found it shooting quite low at 25 yards. I use targets with 1/4″ squares making it very easy to calculate the number of clicks required for scope adjustment, and after two attempts I had it right where I want it.
I am going to buy some heavier pellets to try but am very satisfied with the accuracy I have now. If I had been shooting factory ammo from my other rifle yesterday, I would have spent over $150 just in ammo, but had a great time shooting $3.15 worth of pellets.
This rifle is not a toy, it is an impressive rifle that would put small game on the table if necessary, So far, I only have Pros for this rifle. If I discover any Cons I will update this review. -Michael B
6. Barra Pellet Guns
Highlight: Reliable. Powerful. Built for precision — Barra pellet guns deliver serious performance without breaking the bank.
Constructive Review: I love, love, love this break barrel pellet gun! My brother recommended it to me. It is very high powered and was was easy to sight in. It’s a little difficult for me to break the barrel to load the pellet. I’m a 67 year old female and don’t have good upper arm strength anymore. Gosh, I hate to admit that! lol! I have to set the stock on the ground, holding it between my knees to break the barrel down, so that I can load it. Anyone much younger probably wouldn’t have any problem.
I did have a great experience with their customer service. The first pellet gun I purchased had something wrong with the scope. I couldn’t get it sighted in. I finally figured out that the front lense in the sight had become crooked and loose. I requested a replacement and before I could box it up and get it to an Amazon return center, they had already shipped another one, to me! I would highly recommend this Barra Pellet gun, if you’re looking for something accurate and high powered! -Rondie
Trending Review: This really is more than 1200 fps with a standard .177 pellet. I have not tested it, but believe that is is closer to the 1350 feet per second speed, considering the penetration that I saw while using it.
It is slightly more difficult to cock, and only slightly. Any adult should be able to cock this. So, no one should worry that it is too hard to use the lever to pump up the rifle.
Without graphic details, it took care of a pair of Raccoons that were dangerously attacking my house and family.
Raccoons that attack humans during daylight are dangerous and often have rabies, so do not get close to them.
This was a very low price for an airgun that may last long enough to pass on to my kids, and shoots about as much power as a .22 long. It was not very loud, much quieter than a .22 firearm. The only caution is that this is not a toy, and not to be used by children of any age, And, like any good air gun, you should never dry fire it without a pellet. That would almost instantly ruin this air gun.
Would I recommend this – absolutely yes, as long as you understand how to use it safely. -Fleming
Reassuring Review: We have been a big fan of Pellet, BB, and Airsoft guns as of late, because they are fun to shoot, safer for younger children and ammunition is dirt cheap. This rifle was a good find and is going to be a great addition to our collection. It arrived earlier in the week and today, being Saturday, was the first time my two boys I and I were able to take it out to break it in (they have been so excited about it all week and have not stopped bugging me about shooting it).
Our first impression has been a good one. The gun itself looks legit and was very fun to shoot. I really like the Camo/Black coloring and the attention to detail (Bolt action lever; it’s just for show, but adds to the look). It didn’t take us long to sight in the scope at about 25 yrds and start slaying Zombies (the free Zombie targets were a nice touch and added to the experience). At 1200 FPS this thing really packs a punch. It could easily kill birds, squirrels and other small rodents, so keep an eye on those kids.
This gun has a spring piston, with a pull down barrel to cock (it was a little hard for my 10 year old to cock, but not much of a problem for my 12 year old), similar to the Black Ops Tactical Sniper, which we also own and love. The thing I really liked about this one however, is that it is a little bit smaller/lighter, which made it a lot easier to transport and shoot from a standing position. For quick outings I could see us using this one more often and would highly recommend it for anyone that enjoys shooting. -David B.
7. BBTac Airsoft Sniper Rifle
Highlight: BBTac Airsoft Sniper Rifle – Lightweight, reliable, and surprisingly powerful for long-range airsoft action.
Constructive Review: OK, first things first, this is an airsoft gun. Get over the idea of a gun that shoots little plastic bbs that will shoot straight. Now that that’s out of the way, this gun is the best airsoft gun that I own under $100. It’s best at closer range, like all guns, but it’s still acurate from farther away. The barrel is solid metal, as is the firing chamber and trigger. The magazine in incredibly difficult to load by hand, so a speed loader (you can buy them cheap off this website) is almost an essential part of owning this gun. It does not have an actual scope; It is really just a plastic tube with clear end caps. And it makes sense, because this is just an airsoft gun. There are places to attach a strap on the stock and butt, although it does not come with one. The ammo I use with this gun is a 6 mm bb with a weight of .20 g. These rounds are slightly more expensive than .16 g bullets, but well worth it.
If you are wanting to get a quality gun for under $100, this is a good choice. I am very satisfied with this product. -Lucy Jane
Trending Review: This gun is an excellent budget sniper. It’s sturdy, accurate, and has a realistic feel. Bear in mind though, when you buy the gun, the screws are inside of the stock. So don’t be alarmed when you don’t find screws in the box. A very good buy for those looking to pick people off from quite a range. -Jeanine W.
Reassuring Review: Comes with accessories! This gun came with a red dot sight (sugGest buying a better scope) it came with a speed loader and an in jamming rod.I love this airsoft gun, for the price it’s great! It says 450 FPS with .20 gram bbs but it’s really around 400 and I use .16. If you want the FPS to be faster I suggest turning you hop up more on the left side of the Barrel looking down the gun. Good quality. -Shannon/Cole
8. Crosman CLGY1000KT Legacy
Highlight: Reliable. Lightweight. Packs a punch—Crosman Legacy 1000 is built for backyard plinking and small game hunts alike.
Constructive Review: I am very surprised by the accuracy and power, especially at this price. I bought it to control the squirrels in my yard, thinking a little sting from a bb would scare them away. Instead of a little sting, this thing puts them down! I’ve only shot two squirrels, but the others have disappeared too. I haven’t even tried a pellet yet, I couldn’t imagine the damage I could do with one. I am very happy with this purchase! -Shane P.
Trending Review: I’m back for my second. So that tells you something about customer satisfaction. Here, I will briefly address longevity.
I bought my first, some years ago, towards the disposal of a certain noxious mammal which I have dubbed the “garden shark”, both for its shark’s eyes and its capacity for destruction of decorative vegetation. Anyone who is a gardener needs no further elaboration.
Suffice to say that this baby, with the proper ammo, has played its part in the eternal vigil splendidly. It lacks nothing but a more accurate shooter than I am.
One might wish for greater durability, but not at this price. My first lasted through one whole can of pellets and on into the second. So that’s about 540-550 shots, involving roughly 3500 pumps (lubricated once). Then the trigger cocking mechanism failed — and here I am, happy to buy another, and carry on the good fight against the furball enemy. -C. Jolliffe
Reassuring Review: For a pump style air rifle in this price range I am really impressed with its power at only 3 pumps. When I got it I tried several shots in the garage just to make sure everything works and it was fine.
Decided to try it at 30 ft to see how accurate it is using only the built in iron sights, and with .177 pellets. I was astounded that I could place the shots within a 2 inch circle without doing any adjustments at all.
With 3 pumps it puts a nice dent in a plywood backstop, completely flattening the pellet. -John Dinger
Final Words For Top 8 1000 FPS Air Rifles & BB Guns
The right 1000 FPS air rifle or BB gun can make all the difference in your shooting experience, whether you’re shooting for sport, pest control, or just backyard plinking. The models we’ve described offer best-in-class speed, accuracy, and reliability and are excellent choices for both beginners and seasoned shooters. Just be certain to consider your purpose, comfort, and safety features when you choose. If you’re shopping for power and precision in your next airgun, any one of these high-velocity options can deliver. Stay safe, shoot smart, and enjoy the performance these 1000 FPS air rifles and BB guns have to offer.