# Selecting an Air Rifle

Part of the Rifle Shooting Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/rifle-shooting/guide/index.md)

*2. Option B — Air Rifle*

> **2bh.** Discuss what points you would consider in selecting an air rifle.

Choosing an air rifle starts with the same question as any firearm: what is it for? Answer that first, then let purpose drive the other decisions.

## Key Factors

### Purpose

- **Skill development and target shooting**: A basic spring-piston or single-stroke pneumatic in .177 caliber is ideal. Affordable, accurate enough to build fundamentals, and low-cost to operate.
- **Competition (NRA or USA Shooting)**: A precision PCP air rifle with a diopter sight and adjustable stock is required. These rifles offer very consistent shot-to-shot performance.
- **Plinking and casual backyard shooting** (where legal): A break-barrel spring-piston or CO₂ BB/pellet combo gun is affordable and easy to maintain.
- **Small game hunting** (where legal and appropriate): A higher-powered PCP or spring-piston rifle in .22 caliber provides the energy needed for ethical dispatch at short ranges.

### Power Source

- **Spring-piston**: Self-contained, no CO₂ or pump needed. Requires cocking stroke before each shot. Subject to hold sensitivity.
- **Multi-stroke pneumatic**: Pump 3–10 times to charge the reservoir before each shot. Consistent shot-to-shot power. Good for beginners. Tiring over many shots.
- **CO₂**: Easy and fast. Less consistent in cold temperatures and as the cartridge depletes.
- **PCP (pre-charged pneumatic)**: Most consistent and accurate. Requires a fill source (hand pump or dive tank). Higher cost.

### Caliber

- **.177 (4.5mm)**: Standard for paper target shooting. Higher velocity, flatter trajectory.
- **.22 (5.5mm)**: Heavier pellet, more energy. Better for hunting small game or longer ranges.

For Scout programs and merit badge work, .177 is nearly always the specified caliber.

### Fit

The same stock-fit considerations from Option A apply. Youth models with shorter length of pull allow younger Scouts to reach the trigger comfortably. Competition rifles often have fully adjustable stocks.

### Budget

Entry-level spring-piston air rifles suitable for target shooting start under $100. Mid-range precise spring-piston and pneumatic rifles run $150–$400. Olympic-class PCP rifles can cost $1,000 or more. For learning fundamentals, an entry to mid-range rifle is entirely sufficient.

### Safety Features

Look for a manual safety that is positive and easy to operate. A two-stage trigger with an adjustable pull weight is preferable for learning good trigger technique.

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- Previous: [Clean an Air Rifle Properly](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/rifle-shooting/guide/req2bg/index.md)
- Next: [First Grouping Exercise](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/rifle-shooting/guide/req2bi/index.md)