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We pick out some of the best airguns around

Whether you're looking for an air rifle for plinking in the back garden or whether you need one for pest control or competition shooting, here's a list of 23 top choices.

best airguns

Gamo Roadster 10X Gen 2 Air Rifle

On the hunt for something? We’ve rounded up some of the best airguns around. (Take a look at our list of best airgun pellets too.)

You might also look at our guide to buying an FAC licence for your air rifle.

PCP air rifles

1.Airmaks Katran 

Length: From 77.5cm

Weight: From 2.3kg

What it offers: Katran C/CB, Katran/B, Katran L/LB, Katran X/XB

Why you should buy it: AirMaks’ Katran is a high-end airgun that combines near-target rifle levels of adjustability with the practicality of a folding stock, making it a multi-role performer.

RRP: From £1,400

Read our Airmaks Katran B review here.

( Here’s our list of the best FAC rated air rifles. )

2.Brocock BRK Ghost Carbine

Length: 65.5 cm

Weight: 3.1 kg

What it offers: .177 and .22 calibres

Why you should buy it:  Brocock BRK’s Ghost Carbine is an accurate and highly manoeuvrable little bullpup that lends itself extremely well to roving hunts as well as range time.

RRP: From £1,400

 

3.Brocock BRK Ranger XR

Length: 60-68cm

Weight: 2.2 kg (without scope)

What it offers: .177 and .22 calibres

Why you should buy it: This little airgun is a big performer, being accurate, reliable and solidly constructed, and its folding stock means it will fit inside a shorter gun bag. Definitely earns its place on our list of the best airguns.

RRP: From £1,244

4.BSA R-12 CLX Pro

Length: 102cm

Weight: 3.78kg

What it offers: .177 and .22 calibres

Why you should buy it:  Features like the new regulator, magazine and sidelever action prove just how far BSA has taken the multi-shot concept forward on its new flagship PCP.

RRP:  From £1,215

BSA Guns 

 

5.BSA Ultra CLX 160 Commemorative Edition 

BSA Ultra CLX

Length: 82cm

Weight: 2.6kg

What it offers: .177 and .22 calibres

Why you should buy it: This limited edition, sidelever-operated incarnation of the hugely successful Ultra manages to combine handsome aesthetics and high-end performance with a very competitive price tag.

RRP: £999

BSA Guns

 

6.Daystate Alpha Wolf

 

Length: 72.2cm

Weight: 3.35 kg (without scope)

What it offers: .177, .22, .25, .30

Why you should buy it:  Daystate has set a new standard for airgun advancement with an electronic rifle that blends looks, technology and performance to give it true supergun status.

RRP: £2,300

Daystate

 

7.Daystate Huntsman Revere Safari 

 

Length: 94cm

Weight: 2.9 kg (without scope

What it offers: .177 (tested), .22 and .25

Why you should buy it: The Huntsman Revere was already an excellent airgun, but the Safari edition handles better and boasts rugged good looks that make for a superior rifle.

RRP: £1,220

Read our full review on the Daystate Huntsman Revere Safari here.

 

8.FX Impact M3 Compact

FX Impact M3 FAC Air Rifle

 

Length: 50cm

Weight: 2.7kg

What it offers: .177, .22

Why you should buy it:  The Impact M3 builds on FX’s proven reputation for producing high-quality and adaptable airguns and will be the airgun of choice for many tuning enthusiasts.

RRP: £1,839

Sportsman Gun Centre

 

9.FX Wildcat MKIII BT

Why you should buy it: FX’s Wildcat has been subjected to rolling development, with the latest dual-regulated BT variant of the bullpup offering greater power, greater pressure and greater tunability.

RRP: £1,343.99

Sportsman Gun Centre

 

10.Gamo Venari

Gamo Venari air rifle

Length: 47cm

Weight: 3kg

What it offers: .177, .22

Why you should buy it: The Venari is a highly competent rifle in its own right, but adding a scope, moderator and bipod makes it an ideal PCP starter package.

RRP: £499

Gamo Guns 

 

11.Niksan Archero-S

Length: 103cm

Weight: 3.6kg

What it offers: 

Why you should buy it: Its semi-tactical synthetic stock and inexpensive price make the Archero a practical sporter that’s ideal for the rigours of the field, especially when shot prone.

RRP: £559

Read our full review on the Niksan Archero-S here.

 

12.Rapid Air Weapons HM 1000X

 

Length: TBA

Weight: TBA

What it offers: .177

Why you should buy it: Evolved from the iconic Theoben Rapid, this is the flagship model in the RAW range and offers the ultimate in build quality and precision.

RRP: £2,149

Countryway Gunshop 

 

 

13.Reximex Ixia Compact

Length: 70cm

Weight: TBA

What it offers: .177

Why you should buy it:  Its performance rivals that of more expensive alternatives with pellets flying through the same hole for as long as you want to keep pulling the trigger.

RRP: £920

Range Right 

 

14.Reximex Pretensis

Length: 109cm

Weight: TBA

What it offers: .22

Why you should buy it:  The Pretensis is a stylish, well-made and capable performer that offers excellent value for money.

RRP: £799.95

Range Right 

 

15.Walther Reign

Length: 68.5cm

Weight:2.5kg (without scope)

What it offers: .177, .22 and .25

Why you should buy it:  The Walther Reign is a superbly balanced, light and compact bullpup that can easily withstand being bashed about when hunting, while delivering blistering performance too.

RRP: £799.95

Read our full review of the Walther Reign here. 

 

16.Walther Rotex RM8 UC

Length: 79cm

Weight: 3.8kg (without scope)

What it offers:  .177 and .22

Why you should buy it:  Everything about the Rotex RM8 UC feels solid and substantial, so when it comes to rugged, affordable quality and performance, few air rifles can compete.

RRP: £539.95

Read our full review of the Walther Rotex RM8 UC here. 

 

17.Weihrauch HW100 BP

 

Length: 82.4cm

Weight: 3.7kg (without scope)

What it offers:  ,177 , .22

Why you should buy it:  Far more than just a bullpup, the HW100 BP is a carefully scaled-down version of one of the best multi-shot pre-charged airguns on the market.

RRP: £910

Read our full review of the Weihrauch HW100 BP here.

 

18.Weihrauch HW110 Laminate

Weihrauch HW110K

Length: 89cm

Weight: 3.1kg (without scope)

What it offers: .177, .20 and .22

Why you should buy it: Weihrauch’s HW110 was already an excellent airgun with its black soft-touch stock, but the addition of an elegant laminate option has made it extra special.

RRP: £910

Read our full review of the Weihrauch HW110 Laminate here.

 

Springers and gas-rams

19.BSA GRT LIGHTNING XL SE

Length: 99cm

Weight: 3kg (without scope)

What it offers: .177, .22

Why you should buy it: Solid build quality, dependable performance, minimal maintenance and a sensible price tag make the GRT a great choice for fuss-free shooting without breaking the bank.

RRP: £349

Read our full review of the BSA GRT Lightning XL SE here.

 

20.Crosman Fire

 

What it offers: .22 

Why you should buy it: This durable but inexpensive rammer is ideal for those shooters who expect enough quality to reward good technique and send a few tin cans flying.

RRP: £179.99

Range Right 

 

21.Gamo Swarm Roadster Gen2

Length: 118cm

Weight: 2.6kg (without scope)

What it offers: .177, .22

Why you should buy it:  This rifle offers the convenience of a self-contained powerplant plus rapid reloading courtesy of a multi-shot magazine, and even comes with a scope and mounts.

RRP: £269

Read our full review on the Gamo Swarm Roadster Gen2 here.

 

22.Norica Hawk GRS

Length: 118cm

Weight: 3.2kg (without scope)

What it offers:  .177, .22

Why you should buy it: With one of the most striking features being its stock with a subtle green hue, the GRS strikes a balance between affordable simplicity and dependability.

RRP: £299

Read our full review on the Norica Hawk GRS here. ]

Last but not least on our list of the best airguns is

23.Weihrauch HW80 Luxus

best airguns Weihrauch

Length: 113cm

Weight: 3.9kg (without scope

What it offers: .177, .22, .20, .25

Why you should buy it: Numerous updates have been made to this iconic spring gun’s internals over the years, and it’s now had a boost with a new ambidextrous stock.

RRP: £540

Read our review of the Weihrauch HW80 Luxus here.

This review on the best airguns was originally published in 2016 and has been updated.