Home Gear 12 of the best airguns for pest control

12 of the best airguns for pest control

From keenly priced sub-12ft-lb PCPs to endlessly adaptable flagship rifles, these are the airguns worth a place in your pest control kit, whatever your budget

Effective pest control starts long before the trigger breaks. It depends on fieldcraft, patience and a sound understanding of your quarry, but it also relies on an airgun you can trust to put every pellet exactly where you intend. Consistency, accuracy and handling matter far more than headline power, and the right rifle should feel like an extension of the shooter rather than an obstacle to overcome.

Choice has never been wider. Regulated pre-charged pneumatics deliver dependable shot-to-shot consistency at almost every price point, while compact bullpups and carbines make light work of cramped barns, tight corners and crowded farmyards. Whether you favour a lightweight sporter for walking the hedgerows or a fully adjustable flagship for long sessions over a bait point, there is something here to suit your shooting and your pocket. We have gathered 12 rifles across every budget, from a light CO2 rifle to premium hunting rifles.

Best airguns for pest control at a glance

Airgun	Price (RRP)	Best for
Crosman 2250 XL	£285	A light, simple CO2 rifle for close-range pest control
Kral NP-02 Black Walnut	£420	Long sessions from a compact rifle with a big air reservoir
Precihole Sports Achilles Classic	£429.99	Quiet, accurate PCP shooting on a tight budget
Gamo Phox Mk2 Synthetic Package	£639	A complete starter kit, with scope, silencer, bag and pump included
Reximex Pretensis-K	£640	Compact, regulated and walnut-stocked at a mid-range price
FX DRS MkII Classic Synthetic	From £789.99	Light, all-round pest control in sub-12ft-lb or FAC form
Air Arms S510 Core	From £1,204	Professional pest control on foot, in a light, streamlined rifle
BRK Ghost Carbine	From £1,395	The shortest rifle here, for barns and other tight spaces
Weihrauch HW100X Bullpup	£1,400	Ratting in tight spots, with a full-length shot count
BSA R12 CLX Pro	£1,489	A regulated walnut thumbhole sporter with a 480cc carbon bottle
Daystate Blackwolf	From £1,795	One rifle that can be reconfigured as your needs change
FX Impact M4 Standard	From £1,824.99	A compact, highly adjustable flagship bullpup

Prices as supplied for Airgun World, January 2027 (November 2026). All prices are RRPs and may have changed since publication.

How we chose

Chosen from editorial knowledge, not a group test

The Airgun World team chose these 12 rifles to cover every budget and every kind of pest control, from a light CO2 rifle to fully adjustable flagships. They were not tested side by side for this round-up. Prices are the RRPs supplied for the January 2027 issue of Airgun World.

What should you look for in an airgun for pest control?

Look for consistency, accuracy and handling before headline power. The right rifle should put every pellet exactly where you intend and feel like an extension of the shooter rather than an obstacle to overcome.

A regulated pre-charged pneumatic gives dependable shot-to-shot consistency and is now available at almost every price point. Then match the rifle to where you shoot: compact bullpups and carbines make light work of cramped barns, tight corners and crowded farmyards, a lightweight sporter suits walking the hedgerows, and a fully adjustable flagship comes into its own during long sessions over a bait point.

The 12 best airguns for pest control

Crosman 2250 XL

This CO2 rifle features an improved bolt for smoother cocking and loading, a rifled steel barrel for accuracy and an upgraded steel breech. An ergonomic ambidextrous grip, adjustable rear sight and ½in UNF thread make it comfortable to handle, versatile and a practical pest control option.

Power source: CO2
Action: Bolt
Calibre: .22
Weight: 1.64kg
RRP: £285

Best for: A light, simple CO2 rifle for close-range work, with no pump or bottle to worry about.

Kral NP-02 Black Walnut

Just 77cm long yet holding a generous 530cc of air, the NP-02 combines compact dimensions with impressive shooting endurance, making it an excellent choice for pest control. A smooth sidelever action, adjustable trigger, multi-shot magazine and Turkish walnut pistol-grip stock give it exceptional versatility.

Power source: PCP
Action: Sidelever
Calibre: .177, .22, .25
Weight: 2.95kg
RRP: £420

Best for: Long sessions from a compact rifle, thanks to its 530cc air reservoir.

Precihole Sports Achilles Classic

Precihole Achilles PCP air rifle with black ambidextrous stock, silencer and scope

Built to deliver real accuracy at a keen price, the Achilles Classic is a versatile PCP well suited to pest control. An integrated silencer keeps it quiet, and the ambidextrous stock suits left- and right-handed shooters alike, making it dependable, practical and exceptional value for money.

Power source: PCP
Action: Sidelever
Calibre: .177 (sub-12ft-lb)
Weight: 2.6kg
RRP: £429.99

Best for: Quiet, accurate shooting on a tight budget, for left- and right-handed shooters alike.

Gamo Phox Mk2 Synthetic Package

Gamo Phox Mk2 Synthetic PCP air rifle package with scope, silencer, gun bag and hand pump

The Phox Mk2 package delivers accuracy and reliability for pest control. A lightweight ambidextrous thumbhole stock, hammer-forged barrel and smooth bolt action handle comfortably in the field, and it comes complete with a 3-9×40 scope, removable silencer, gun bag and hand pump for exceptional practicality and value.

Power source: PCP
Action: Bolt
Calibre: .177, .22
Weight: 3.5kg
RRP: £639

Best for: Newcomers to PCPs who want everything needed to start shooting in one box.

Reximex Pretensis-K

The Pretensis-K blends compact handling with consistent, regulated PCP performance for effective pest control. Smooth sidelever cocking and adjustable power add versatility, while the Turkish walnut stock, adjustable cheekpiece, four-way adjustable trigger and two multi-shot magazines deliver comfort, precision and control in the field.

Read our full Reximex Pretensis-K review.

Power source: PCP (regulated)
Action: Sidelever
Calibre: .177, .22, .25
Weight: 2.8kg
RRP: £640

Best for: Compact handling with regulated consistency and a walnut stock, at a mid-range price.

FX DRS MkII Classic Synthetic

The DRS MkII Classic features improved airflow, the new APB barrel system and a refined power plenum. The result is consistent accuracy, excellent balance and reliable performance across all kinds of pest control. Available in sub-12ft-lb and FAC versions, with a choice of finishes and barrel lengths, at a fantastic price.

Power source: PCP (regulated)
Action: Sidelever
Calibre: .177, .20, .22, .25
Weight: 2.2kg
RRP: from £789.99

Best for: All-round pest control from a light, well-balanced rifle, in sub-12ft-lb or FAC form.

Air Arms S510 Core

Designed with professional pest control in mind, the S510 Core is a lightweight PCP. Its regulated action delivers consistent shot-to-shot performance, while the non-shrouded barrel keeps it streamlined and mobile. An integrated silencer and three supplied magazines complete the package, with walnut, beech and Superlight poplar stocks offered.

Power source: PCP (regulated)
Action: Sidelever
Calibre: .177 and .22
Weight: 2.9kg
RRP: from £1,204

Best for: Professional pest controllers who cover ground on foot and want a light, streamlined rifle.

BRK Ghost Carbine

The Ghost Carbine squeezes a 430mm barrel and integrated silencer into a rifle just 655mm long. Its regulated action offers 20 power settings, and the sidelever switches sides in minutes. Seven configurations span carbon-fibre bottles and aluminium cylinders, with high-power versions for FAC holders and overseas shooters.

Power source: PCP (regulated)
Action: Sidelever (switchable)
Calibre: .177, .22 (.25 and .30 FAC only)
Weight: 3.1kg
RRP: from £1,395

Best for: Tight spaces such as barns and farm buildings, where a short overall length counts.

Weihrauch HW100X Bullpup

The most compact model in the HW100X range, this bullpup suits ratting in tight spots. At 83cm long it is fast to aim yet steady, and matches the full-length models’ shot count. A 14-shot magazine, ambidextrous soft-touch stock and two-stage match trigger complete it.

Power source: PCP
Action: Sidelever
Calibre: .177 and .22
Weight: 3.78kg
RRP: £1,400

Best for: Ratting in tight spots, without giving up the shot count of the full-length HW100X.

BSA R12 CLX Pro

The R12 CLX Pro combines precision and consistency for effective pest control. Its regulated action, smooth sidelever cocking and cold hammer-forged barrel deliver dependable performance, while a 480cc carbon bottle, premium walnut thumbhole stock, adjustable cheekpiece and adjustable trigger give excellent comfort and control in the field.

Power source: PCP (regulated)
Action: Sidelever
Calibre: .177, .22
Weight: 3.9kg
RRP: £1,489

Best for: Shooters who want a British-made regulated sporter with a big carbon bottle and a fully adjustable walnut stock.

Daystate Blackwolf

With 12 variants across five stock configurations, the Blackwolf lets you choose a cylinder or bottle, with selected versions giving more than 400 shots per charge. Fully ambidextrous, its regulated action offers 20 power settings to suit your pellet, and it can be reconfigured as your needs change.

Power source: PCP (regulated)
Action: Sidelever (switchable)
Calibre: .177, .22 (.25 and .30 FAC only)
Weight: 3.5kg
RRP: from £1,795

Best for: Shooters who want one rifle that can be reconfigured as their pest control changes.

FX Impact M4 Standard

FX Impact M4 regulated PCP bullpup air rifle with carbon-fibre air bottle

A compact, highly adjustable bullpup, the Impact M4 has a reinforced top plate and extended scope rail to minimise scope shift. The upgraded brass-piston AMP MkII regulator gives faster refresh and consistent shots, while the Quick Set Trigger switches between hunting and match-grade characteristics with one adjustment. Available in sub-12ft-lb and FAC versions, in a choice of barrel lengths.

Power source: PCP (regulated)
Action: Sidelever (reversible)
Calibre: .177, .20, .22, .25
Weight: 3.1kg
RRP: from £1,824.99

Best for: Experienced shooters who want a compact flagship they can tune for every kind of pest control.

Which airgun for pest control should you choose?

It comes down to budget and where you shoot. For a first rifle on a tight budget, the Gamo Phox Mk2 package arrives with everything needed to start, while the Reximex Pretensis-K is the most affordable regulated PCP in the line-up. For barns, farm buildings and ratting in tight spots, the compact BRK Ghost Carbine, Weihrauch HW100X Bullpup and FX Impact M4 are built for the job. For walking the hedgerows, the lightweight Air Arms S510 Core and FX DRS MkII Classic keep you mobile, and for long sessions over a bait point the BSA R12 CLX Pro and the endlessly reconfigurable Daystate Blackwolf give the most comfort and adjustment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best airgun for pest control?

There is no single best rifle, because the right choice depends on budget and where you shoot. Regulated pre-charged pneumatics give the most consistent shot-to-shot performance, compact bullpups and carbines such as the BRK Ghost Carbine, Weihrauch HW100X Bullpup and FX Impact M4 suit barns and tight spots, and lightweight sporters such as the Air Arms S510 Core suit walking the hedgerows.

Why choose a regulated PCP for pest control?

A regulator keeps the pressure behind each shot the same as the air reservoir empties, which gives dependable shot-to-shot consistency. That consistency matters more for pest control than headline power, and regulated rifles are now available at almost every price point, from the £640 Reximex Pretensis-K upwards.

Are bullpup air rifles good for pest control?

Yes, particularly in confined spaces. A bullpup puts the action behind the trigger, so the rifle is much shorter overall. The Weihrauch HW100X Bullpup is 83cm long and the BRK Ghost Carbine just 655mm, which makes both easy to handle in cramped barns, tight corners and crowded farmyards.

How much should you spend on an airgun for pest control?

Rifles in this guide run from £285 for the Crosman 2250 XL CO2 rifle to £1,824.99 for the FX Impact M4. Complete PCP packages start at £639 for the Gamo Phox Mk2, which includes a scope, silencer, gun bag and hand pump, while premium regulated rifles from Air Arms, BRK, Weihrauch, BSA, Daystate and FX cost from around £1,200 to £1,825.

Do you need a licence for an air rifle in the UK?

In England and Wales, an air rifle producing no more than 12ft-lb of muzzle energy needs no certificate for anyone aged 18 or over, while a more powerful air rifle needs a firearm certificate, which is why several rifles here are offered in FAC versions. In Scotland, you need an air weapon certificate from Police Scotland to buy, own or use any air rifle unless an exemption applies, and a firearm certificate above 12ft-lb. The rules differ again in Northern Ireland, so check with the police before buying.

About the author

Selena Barr

Originally cutting her teeth as Shooting Times news editor two decades ago, her career in sporting journalism has taken her all over the world turning field adventures into reports that focus on conservation and sustainability.

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