Best Air Rifle Under 100 & 150: 6 Best Budget Air Rifles

Just because you are on a tight budget does not mean you should settle for a cheap and poorly made Air or BB gun. Not when there are plenty of quality air rifle options that cost less than $100. 

With this in mind, we have compiled a list of six of the best air rifle under 100 dollars. These air rifles should serve you for years and offer solid basic features. More importantly, you will find them suitable for plinking, target shooting and practice, and even getting rid of pesky pests.

Here are Our Top Rated Air Rifles For 100 and 150 Dollars

Last update on 2024-04-26 / Please note that Prices and Availability Are Subject To Change /Paid links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Our top pick is the Gamo Wildcat Whisper air Rifle. It has the highest muzzle velocity of all the models on our list. At number two we picked the Gamo Varmint Breakbarrel .177 Caliber Pellet Air Rifle

As its name suggests, it is one of the best for varmint hunting and pest control.

While these two top our list, all the other options on our list are worth considering.

How To Find The Best Budget Air Rifle Easily

Before we get to the reviews, let’s first delve into what makes a good budget air rifle. Here are some of the factors to consider when shopping for an air rifle

Which Type Of Air Rifle To Pick?

In the under $100 or $150 price segment, spring piston and variable pump air rifles will be the most common. These two types of air rifles have their pros and cons.

Spring piston air rifles are cheap, easy to use, and make for a great first-time air rifle. However, this type of air rifle has quite a recoil and requires physical strength to cock and fire.

Variable pump rifles, on the other hand, are virtually recoilless. Also, you can customize the power output of each shot. Like spring-piston, they are self-contained, and you do not require any additional equipment.

But due to the pumping action, variable pump air rifles require time and effort to cock. They are thus not great for small game hunting. For target shooting or practice, they can be a suitable choice.

Spring piston, on the other hand, is ideal for small game hunting.

How Material Impacts On The Durability in Budget Air Rifles?

If you want to use your air rifle for pest control, you will want something that can withstand harsh weather conditions. This will depend mainly on the material used to build the outer parts. 

Most rifles at this price point are built from plastic. Synthetic plastic is a tough material that can withstand harsh weather conditions. Some feature a hardwood stock. Hardwood looks great but may not have the same durability as synthetic plastic.

Think About Muzzle Velocity

Most rifles priced at below $100 or even $150 have a .177 caliber. This is the smallest pellet caliber and is also lightweight compared to a .22 or .25 caliber. As such, .177 caliber Air rifles often have a higher muzzle velocity than a .22 caliber or .25 caliber rifle.

When choosing a budget rifle, the muzzle velocity will be of importance. For small rodents and varmints, a muzzle velocity of at least 1000 feet per second is recommended. 

Weight and Size Are other Critical Factors To Consider

A lightweight air rifle will be an excellent option for small game hunting or pest control. When doing pest control, you want to be very mobile. A lightweight and medium-sized rifle will be easy to move around with.

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Reviews Of The Best Air Rifles Under 100 & 150

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Best Air Rifles Under 150: Gamo Wildcat Whisper Air Rifles

The Gamo Wildcat whisper air rifle has a lot of claims attached to it. From it being extremely quiet to having quite an impressive muzzle velocity. The question is, are the marketing claims about this rifle true?

When it comes to muzzle velocity, it can fire alloy pellets at a velocity of 1200 feet per second (FPS). This means you will have no trouble taking down small animals and pests. With lead pellets, the velocity reduces to about 1000 FPS.

As with most other budget air rifles, it has a synthetic stock. The stock also has a ventilated rubber pad. The latter helps to deal with some of the recoils you will experience firing this spring-piston rifle.

It has a manual trigger. Also, there is a 4×32 rifle scope mounted. Additionally, you get rings included in the package.

Features

• 1000 FPS muzzle velocity
• 4×32 mounted scope
• 44.5-inch overall length
• 30 pounds cocking effort

Verdict

This is one of the most powerful air rifles at its price point. While it is not as quiet as it is marketed to be, it is still relatively quieter than other spring-piston rifles.

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Gamo 6110017154 Varmint Break Barrel Air Rifle .177 Cal

The Gamo Varmints’ name suggests that it is designed for varmint hunting and pest control. And this is something it does very well. It is lightweight, easy to use, and should serve you for a long.

At its price, we were not expecting to get a hardwood stock. However, the synthetic plastic stock proves itself capable of surviving in all kinds of weather conditions. As for its weight, it weighs 5.47 pounds meaning you can easily carry it around.

The gun has an anti-slip texture that provides a firm grip. The result of this is less stress on your forearm. Many people will find its cocking effort of 30 pounds quite manageable.

With its 1250 FPS muzzle velocity, it is a nightmare for rodents and pests alike. You can also use it for target practice.

Features

• Break barrel cocking mechanism
• 1250 FPS muzzle velocity
• 5.7 pounds of weight
• 4×32 scope and mount
• Single-shot magazine

Verdict

Power is what you get with this air rifle. For the price, it is quite powerful and an ideal option for pest control.

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Crosman CLGY1000KT Legacy 1000 Single Shot Variable Pump .177-Caliber Pellet And BB Air Rifle

A versatile variable pump rifle, the Crossman slots in at number two on our list. The rifle is capable of firing .177 caliber lead and alloy pellets. 

The rifle weighs just under 5 pounds, mostly thanks to its synthetic fiber build. The synthetic fiber gives it a tough and durable exterior that is water-resistant. 

While it is a single-shot rifle, you can also use its 17-round BB magazine for follow-up shots. This versatility makes it an ideal option for both target shooting and pest control. 

With regards to muzzle velocity, it propels lead pellets at maximum speeds of 750 FPS. The lighter alloy pellets get ejected out of the barrel at speeds of up to 1000 FPS. And if you opt for steel BBs, you get a muzzle velocity of 800 FPS.

Features

• 17-round BB magazine
• Plastic frame
• 4×15 scope mounted
• Up to 1000 FPS for alloy pellets
• Built-in 850 BB reservoir

Verdict

This Crossman rifle is lightweight and can take quite a beating. It is one of the best inexpensive air rifles from the company. It is ideal for plinking and pest control.

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Crosman M4-177 Tactical Style Bolt Action Variable Pump .177-Caliber Pellet And BB Air Rifle

The Crosman M4-177 tactical rifle is an impressive piece of hardware. A favorite of new-generation shooters, it has a modern design inspired by the likes of the M4 carbine. 

It uses a multi-pump pneumatic to propel both BBs and pellets. The air rifle can fire BBs at a maximum velocity of 625 FPS. For pellets, it is capable of muzzle velocities of up to 700FPS.

As with any other rifle at this price point, the rifle is made from plastic. While plastic is a cheaper material, the Crossman M4-177 does not feel or look cheap. Its hardened plastic exterior is capable of withstanding day-to-day abuse.

It is a bolt-action repeater rifle, which is excellent for competitive shooting. It is very accurate, and you will be able to hit targets from 20 yards out. More importantly, you can use Crosman destroyer pellets for pest control with this rifle.

Features

• Rifled steel barrel
• Dual-aperture rear sights
• 350 BBs reservoir capacity
• Removable magazine
• ambidextrous synthetic stock

Verdict

Most modern shooters looking for the Best Budget air rifle will be pleased with this rifle. It is a lightweight option that offers great accuracy. It can also withstand everyday use.

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Air Rifle Under 150: Ruger Blackhawk Combo air Rifle

Another .177 caliber air rifle with enough power for pest control is the Ruger Blackhawk Combo air rifle. With a muzzle velocity of 1000 FPS, it is no kid’s toy.

Right out of the box, this air rifle comes with a built-in fiber optic sight. It also comes with a 4×32 scope pre-installed. Accuracy will, therefore, not be an issue with this air rifle.

This is a spring-piston air rifle. And as such, you need about 30 pounds of cocking effort to get the gun ready. However, this also means that you do not have to pump ten times before your next shot.

At 18.7 inches long, the rifled barrel of this gun is rather long. However, it is quite accurate. Also, it has a blue hue to it, which matches well with the black composite stock.

Features

• Metal frame
• Synthetic fiber
• 18.7 inches long rifled barrel
• 30 pounds cocking effort
• 44.8 inches overall length

Verdict

Probably the best air rifle for the money from Ruger, this is an excellent piece of hardware for pest control. It combines power with ease of use.

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Daisy Adult Red Ryder BB Rifle

If you grew up loving the Daisy Red Ryder BB gun, you would love the Daisy Adult Red Ryder BB rifle. This is a sleek and fun-to-shoot BB gun that we loved.

The rifle shoots .177 caliber rounds at 350 ft per second. More importantly, it can hold up to 650 BBs. So you are going to have enough pellets with this BB gun.

The stained solid wood stock looks fantastic, and so does the forearm. There is a blade and ramp front sight that is paired with an adjustable rear sight. It also comes mounted with a scope for improved accuracy.

You can have fun with your kids with this BB air gun thanks to its cross bolt trigger safety. While it is not designed for controlling pests, you will have a lot of fun with it. 

Features

• Smoothbore barrel
• 350 FPS muzzle velocity
• Adjustable rear sight
• LASSO scope mounted

Verdict

If you want something that will take you back to your childhood, this is it. The Ryder BB gun stays true to its roots with its gorgeous good looks.

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Conclusion

There are plenty of good air rifles in the under $150 price segment. In fact, this is probably the most competitive. Thus you will be bombarded with numerous air rifle options. Nevertheless, you cannot go wrong with any one of the above-reviewed air rifles.