Ready to get your airgun in tiptop shape but need to know how to clean your air rifle? Collectors and shooters can tell you how important it is to keep your gun clean, and you’re probably aware of that fact yourself. Your best air rifle should be treated with care, which is why this cleaning guide has been written for you.

Step by step, you will be walked through what it takes to get it operating with full functionality and ease. We’ll discuss the tools you need to have, as well as the specific process it takes to give the gun a thorough cleaning. If you need other help or links to resources, then you can browse around this page. There’s nothing better than a clean barrel, so let’s get started.

Get a Good Cleaning Kit

First you need to make sure you have the proper tools at hand for the job. A good cleaning kit will probably have a few of the following products in it: a cleaning rod, brush, patches, oil and possibly pellets. All kits are set up a little differently, so you may have to buy certain parts from different retailers. The key is to make sure you have the basics in order to keep your gun maintained properly. When you have a solid cleaning kit, then you’re ready to learn how to clean an air rifle barrel.

How to Clean an Air Rifle Barrel

Once you have the tools close-by and the rifle in hand, open the barrel. Make sure all of the pieces of your cleaning rod are attached to each other properly, then attach the brush from your cleaning kit to it. These are often soft brushes with nylon bristles. Attach that soft end to the cleaning rod.

With your barrel open and scope removed if necessary, you can place a cleaning pellet inside. Some kits don’t come with these, as they’re seen as optional aids to the cleaning process. After this step, you can push your brush deep into the barrel until it comes out of the other side. Pull it back, and you may reveal some dirt on the cleaning pellet after doing so. If not, don’t worry – it’s still working.

If you have a rough attachment like another brush, now is the time to use it to get the last bits out. Metal is not suggested due to its extreme nature. Do the same thing you did with the soft brush. Once the dirt and debris is removed, then you can wash your brushes and dry them.

Last but not least, run clean patches through the bore with cleaner or degreaser to do the final work on the air rifle barrel. You can make sure they appear clean after they run through the barrel. At the end, you might wish to lightly oil a patch through the barrel for a final cleaning. Be sure to push the patch from the breech end when possible.

Follow the above steps, and you’ll have your air rifle clean in no time.

When it comes to squirrel hunting, one of the questions often asked is ‘what is the best air rifle for squirrel hunting?’ The question is rather difficult to answer because that will depend on where you plan to hunt and in what conditions. Those who are experienced with air rifles will tell you that there is no single gun that can be recommended to suit all. A good hunter will need a range from which he can select the best air rifle that would suit his purpose for the day.

Squirrel hunting is sport and there are guns that are quick enough to catch these fast little creatures when they are on the move. Here is a look at some of them.

One for the amateurs

Many teenagers start out squirrel hunting with Air rifles but you will want to give them something that is not too difficult to handle. The Remington AirMaster 77 kit with Scope serves this purpose perfectly. This is an air gun that can be put together safely with the clear manual that it comes with. The air gun is largely made of plastic but the main receiver is made of metal and adds to the light weight of the gun. Loading it with pellets can take a little getting used to, but it helps newcomers learn to concentrate on what they are doing and it provides novices with the flexibility they need to get the job done. For around $160 it costs in the retail market, this is definitely a good buy for newcomers.

For serious hunters

You could consider the Ruger Blackhawk .177 cal. Air Rifle with 4×32 mm Scope. This is a model meant for those who are serious hunters. It comes with a scope but without it, you can shoot just as well. They shoot precisely from as far back as 20 yards so squirrels can be targeted easily. You may find its sound levels a bit high at first but not so loud that you will not get use to it after the first few rounds. The scope is made of metal and can be calibrated. It does have a slight recoil and therefore, it is not something that the manufacturers recommend for a child. This air rifle is priced in the $120 range when not on discount.

An almost universal rifle

The Daisy Outdoor Products Winchester 1000 Wood Break Barrel is one gun that will grow with your prowess. It is great for anyone just learning to shoot and works just as well for someone who has experience shooting. At 50 yards, it shoots just as good as it does at 10 yards and it is great for squirrels, rodents and crows. The scope is accurate right down to the last millimeter though you can easily use it without the scope as well. It comes with a checkered hardwood stock and the safety is something you will be happy about.

Deciding on the best air rifle for squirrel hunting will depend on your expertise and your level of comfort. However, you can be sure that finding the right one will not be too difficult.

If you want the best air rifle brand, you have a number of options. A lot of gun enthusiasts get confused about which one to go with. If you are not sure, one brand you might want to go with is Gamo. Their guns are strong, reliable and well built. Here are 2 air rifle models from the company you might want to consider:

Gamo Silent Cat Air Rifle

This particular air gun is one of the top ones out there among cheaper rifles. The Silent Cat is a strong, single shot gun that is good for small game hunting.

Pros

Price

This gun is available around $200 or less on various online retailer sites. This is significantly less than what many other top air guns go for.

Warranty

This one comes with a 12 month limited warranty, which is a decent warranty for the price.

Powerful

The gun shoots with great speed. It produces a velocity as high as 1,200 feet per second using PBA ammunition, and 1,000 FPS with lead.

Long lasting

The gun is very well built, and is able to handle any kind of conditions with ease.

Quiet

The gun comes with a sound dampener which cuts the volume by more than half. This makes it sound more like a 650 FPS gun, and the noise is actually similar to a BB gun.

Cons

Hard pull

The trigger is a bit difficult to pull. This means it is somewhat hard to shoot accurately. Therefore, make sure you are in a stable position when shooting. If you are simply standing and shooting, you might find yourself spraying shots all over the map unless you are very strong.

Inaccurate

While the gun is powerful and great for long distance shooting, it is not very accurate for short range shooting.

Gamo Big Cat .22 Caliber Air Rifle

This .22 air gun is the cheaper alternative to the Silent Cat. It is not the most powerful air rifle, but if you want to save money then it is still well worth it. This particular air gun is good for small game hunting, is light in weight and lasts a long time.

Pros

Price

It sells for around $140 at most sites and you will save just over $50 with this gun as opposed to its more expensive counterpart.

Power

This single cocking, single shot gun shoots at roughly 950 feet per second using PBA platinum, and 750 FPS using lead. It is not quite as powerful as its more expensive counterpart, but is still more than adequate for most users.

Durable

Like the Silent Cat, it is built well and is able to handle any type of conditions with ease.

Accurate

This gun tends to be better from short range (40 yards or in) than the Silent Cat. However, if you plan on shooting farther objects, the latter is the weapon of choice.

Assembly

This one is easy to build, and you can easily mount the scope without any problem.

Cons

Inaccurate with PBA pellets

The only real negative with this gun is that it is not very accurate when shooting PBA pellets. They do shoot with more power, but they are not nearly as accurate as the slower lead ones. Therefore, opting for lead is the way to go.

Conclusion

If you are looking for the best air rifle brand, consider Gamo. Both of these Gamo air rifles are relatively cheap, powerful and accurate enough to get the job done.

Air rifles are some of the most popular kinds of rifles for small game hunting today. With such a wide variety of models available for every hunter to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming to find the best air rifle for your particular needs. Here are a few pointers on what to look for when buying an air rifle for your hunting needs.

A Rifle for Your Needs

First up, hopefully you are looking for a rifle that will suit your needs. After all, the numbers can be confusing and you certainly do not want to end up with the most powerful rifle available only to find that it aggravates your arthritis terribly and is hard to pull the trigger on. You want one that will overall suit your needs. Different rifles function best in different roles. For example, a rifle designed for indoor shooting contests probably is not your best choice for vermin hunting and pest control. The same is true vice versa as well. Knowing what you need the air rifle for will keep you from spending too much money on a gun that will not suit your purpose.

Do Your Rifle Homework

Once you know what you want to purchase an air rifle for, research different brands of rifles to find one that is well-known and appreciated for its performance in that area. Different rifle manufacturers produce their rifles for different functions. This will also mean that the materials for the guns will be specifically applied for that gun’s specific application. For example, if you are looking for a gun that will help you to hunt small game and keep varmin at bay out at the bird feeder, you will want a gun that has a hefty synthetic stock and metal specs instead of one that is made of plastic stock and specs alike.

Get a Feel for Your Favorite Gun

Thirdly, you should know what kind of “feel” of gun is your preference. If you are unsure of what to look for in an air rifle’s personality, go to gun shops and retailers in your area and handle a few. Sometimes, experience is the only way to tell exactly what you want; however, you can usually get a feel for what you like or do not like in an air rifle simply by handling it. Things to look for as far as the feel goes include trigger release, recoil, how the stock fits against your shoulder, and total weight.

Before You Buy Online

Sometimes, you can find guns for a cheaper price online than at a retail store. In this case, it is highly recommended that you go to the retailer’s store and try the gun out before buying it online. Otherwise you may not know just what your are purchasing. Even if you purchase a rifle online, be sure that you get a feel for it at the retailer first so you understand what kind of rifle you are paying for.

With these three tips on what to look for when buying an air rifle, you should be well on your way to deciding which air rifle is right for you. Once you have it in your possession, enjoy. Whether you are competing, utilizing your pest control powers, or simply hunting small game for sport, knowing what to look for in an air rifle can mean the difference between disappointment and extreme satisfaction.