How powerful is an air rifle?
There is no single answer to that question, as it depends on many factors. There are many different air rifles with different muzzle velocities, as well as many types of pellets. Your choice of both air rifle and pellet affects how hard the air rifle shoots and how much damage the shot can do to whatever it hits. Air rifles come in several calibres, generally 4.5 mm, 5.5 mm and 6.35 mm, and the law often treats these calibres differently. The 4.5 mm calibre is the least powerful, and so these air rifles also shoot less hard. Check the regulations in your country before you buy.
Calibre 4.5, 5.5 and 6.35 mm
The power of a shot is generally measured in joules (J), and the measurement is also used in legislation, for example to set the minimum energy required for hunting different species. That is why it is useful to know how many joules – how much energy – the different calibres deliver. It also depends on the individual gun, especially as there is not a big difference between the three calibres 4.5 mm, 5.5 mm and 6.35 mm. Only when you look at an air rifle with a calibre larger than 6.35 mm does the difference become significant. An example of four different guns in 4.5 mm, 5.5 mm, 6.35 mm and 9 mm shows that there is little difference between the first three calibres, and that a 4.5 mm air rifle can deliver more energy than a 5.5 mm one:
- Hatsan Striker, calibre 4.5 mm, projectile weight 0.53 g, muzzle velocity 305 m/s = 25 J
- Gamo Socom, calibre 5.5 mm, projectile weight 0.89 g, muzzle velocity 220 m/s = 22 J
- Hatsan Torpedo, calibre 6.35 mm, projectile weight 1.61 g, muzzle velocity 220 m/s = 39 J
- Benjamin Rogue, calibre 9 mm, projectile weight 9.4 g, muzzle velocity 305 m/s = 437 J
Is it dangerous to be hit by an air rifle?
Being hit by a shot from an air rifle obviously hurts, and it can do real damage – serious damage if you are unlucky. Always be careful, and never shoot at people.
Air rifles from Handelshuset Aulum
As the example above shows, the difference in power between calibres can be very small, and muzzle velocity plays a big part in the energy and power of the shot. If you have more questions about the power and use of air rifles, or need help choosing the right air rifle for you, you are more than welcome to contact us. You are also always welcome at our shop and workshop in Aulum, Denmark, where we are ready to help and advise you, and where you can take a closer look at our range of air rifles.
