Budget air rifles for novices
Are you a newcomer to airgunning looking for a rifle that offers outstanding value and high performance? This list features a mix of top-quality options perfect for anyone starting out, from scaled-do...
Airgun World explores top spring powered rifles, from the budget-friendly Crosman Phantom to the world-beating Air Arms TX200. These mechanical marvels offer diverse options for hunters, target shooters and plinking enthusiasts
£130 • range-right.co.uk
The Crosman Phantom is a spring-powered break-barrel air rifle built for reliable performance and everyday shooting. Its modern synthetic stock offers weather resistance and confident handling, while the rifled steel barrel supports consistent accuracy. Features fibre-optic sights with micro adjustment and two-stage adjustable trigger. Supplied with a Centre Point 4×32 scope and mounts, it delivers great value for plinking and target practice.
Calibre: .177 and .22
Overall length: 1,137mm
Barrel length: 464mm
Capacity: Single shot
Power: 11.3 ft/lb
Weight: 2.73kg
£365 • bsaguns.co.uk
New to the BSA stable, this full-power, British-made break barrel is a design classic, combining luxury and simplicity. Using BSA’s extremely accurate cold-hammer forged barrel,
which is complemented with the included 1/2in UNF attached moderator, two-stage adjustable trigger and addition scope rail, all mounted in a beautiful beech stock, this rifle truly is a worthy product to carry on the long-standing tradition of the BSA Meteor.
Calibre: .177 and .22
Overall length: 1,048mm
Barrel Length (including moderator): 438mm
Capacity: Single shot
Power: 11.5 ft/lb
Weight: 2.76kg
£319.99 • gamo.com
Utilising currently the world’s most successful ‘Swarm’ rotary magazine fed multi-shot break-barrel system, the Gamo Swarm Roadster takes break-barrel air rifling to another level. Manufactured in Barcelona, Spain, this air rifle also uses the over moulded Whisper Maxxim barrel with integrated sound moderator, Recoil Reduction rail for ultimate scope protection, “CAT” adjustable trigger and comes complete with a 3-9 x 40 scope.
Calibre: .177 and .22
Overall length: 1,017mm
Barrel length: 520mm
Capacity: Single shot
Power: 11.3ft/lb
Weight: 3.1kg
£750 • weihrauch.co.uk
This legendary under-lever spring-powered air rifle is engineered for field target and hunting applications. Featuring a fixed barrel and integrated muzzle weight to reduce flip, it prioritises long-range accuracy. The HW97 KT’s high-comb stock is specifically designed for optics and is available in blue laminate, synthetic or traditional wood finishes.
Combining a crisp internal firing cycle with robust build quality, the HW97 KT remains a benchmark for precision in the mechanical airgun category. (* denotes special order)
Calibre: .22, .20*, .177 and .25*
Overall length: 1,030mm
Barrel length: 300mm
Capacity: Single shot
Power: 12ft/lb
Weight: 4.3kg
£799 • air-arms.co.uk
This world-beating under-lever rifle has forged a reputation for match-grade consistency across global hunting fields. Its internal mechanics feature a balanced mainspring and piston system running on low-friction synthetic bearings, delivering an expertly tuned feel as standard. Equipped with a two-stage adjustable trigger, an integrated moderator and a secondary “bear trap” safety, the TX200 is a reliable performer offering reduced recoil and high efficiency in both beech and walnut stock (illustrated) configurations.
Calibre: .177 and .22
Overall length: 1,055mm
Barrel length: 395mm
Capacity: Single shot
Power: Up to 12ft/lb (or FAC)
Weight: 3.9kg
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