5 of the best air rifles for rabbit shooting

AIR ARMS S510R TDR

£1,319 (guide)
air-arms.co.uk

The concept of the “Take Down Rifle” (TDR) is born out of necessity and holds real value for many, whether struggling to fit a full-length case into a small vehicle or wanting to keep a low profile on arrival at a hunting permission. Several manufacturers have dabbled in this area, but Air Arms blew most out of the water when it hit the market with its original TDR. Meticulous design and attention to detail made this model a firm favourite with savvy hunters from the start.

However, when Air Arms upgraded the action to its side-lever S510 and added a factory regulator, the result was the stunning S510 TDR ‘R’. Somewhat longer than the original TDR, the latest configuration comes snugly stowed in its dedicated hard case, and this stretches to just over 36in, so it’s still wonderfully compact and comfortably shorter than most full-length rifles.

Technical specifications for the Air Arms S510R TDR 

As for specifications, as mentioned, the S510 TDR ‘R’ gets a regulator, full-length barrel shroud, Q-Tec silencer, side-lever action, genuine two-stage trigger, pressure gauge, accessory rail and two 10-shot magazines. Where the two-part stock is concerned, there’s the Tactical Black as shown here, which gets the Black Soft Touch finish (rather trendy as well as comfortable) or Walnut.

Opt for the Black, and the process sees a thin coating of a rubber-type substance applied over hardwood (probably beech) and the end result is best described as cosy to the touch. It feels superb, although not immune to scratches in the field. In short, it’s hard to fault this polished masterpiece of design. It’s versatile, practical, and cleverly executed.

AIRMAKS KRAIT LITE

£1,500 (guide)
airmaksarms.co.uk

AirMaks is a Czech-based company, and it certainly looks to be raising its profile, having recently appointed Hawke Optics as its UK distributor. One glance at the AirMaks product line-up reveals the company’s preference for utilitarian/militaristic-looking hardware, and the AirMaks Krait Lite is a classic example of what it does best. It’s a bullpup design, where the action sits right at the back of the stock, and the result is a super-compact PCP with bags of appeal.

AirMaks produces a standard-length Krait with a larger bottle, but the Lite derivative shown here sports a smaller 300cc bottle — still plenty of shots though. It’s a carbon-fibre buddy bottle for the record, and the stock is a neat, ambidextrous walnut thumbhole design.

Technical specifications for the AirMaks Krait Lite

This is a hunting rifle crammed with technical features, including a HUMA-regulated action. Everything is ambidextrous, and in keeping with this ethos, the design even allows for the side-lever to be switched. A machined metal magazine comes supplied, with an impressive 16 shots in .22 calibre and 18 in .177. As for the full-length barrel shroud configuration, it’s a great design, being entirely modular, and the principle of using all or just part of the assembly is great. The front piece carries the ½in UNF thread.

Thereafter, each section is threaded and effectively forms a mini expansion chamber and baffle in sequence. Three shorter sections, one slightly larger, and the main shroud tube are all utilised, and the possible combinations offer the potential for experimentation. Factor in the dedicated padded hard case that’s supplied (with room for optics, too) and this AirMaks starts to look like a tidy package.

BSA R12 CLX PRO CAYENNE EDITION

£1,499 (guide)
bsaguns.co.uk

BSA’s R12 CLX heralded a 12-shot action and a brand-new ultra-slick CNC-machined breech block. The Cayenne Edition is one of the special versions, and the stunning, fully adjustable laminate stock is simply dazzling. Raise the butt pad and tweak the soft-touch cheekpiece, and a perfect sight picture is assured. Look to the action, and the standard bottle fitted to the CLX Pro models is now a whopping 480cc carbon-fibre specification.

There’s also the latest side-lever configuration, with a revolving, drop-down biathlon-style handle and slick operation. A high-grade two-stage trigger unit features, as does BSA’s cold hammer-forged barrel, a regulated action, and the Customer Configurable Shroud (CCS).

Technical specifications for the BSA R12 CLX Pro Cayenne Edition

A manual safety and sling swivel eyelets are fitted as standard, and this Cayenne Edition even comes in its own padded hard case that’s roomy enough for accessories alongside the scoped rifle. The CCS allows the user to alter the profile via the shroud/silencer, and it works well. Two of the latest all-metal 12-shot magazines are supplied, and these are colour-coded for calibre—blue anodised for .177 and red for .22.

Twenty-shot magazines are also now available in .177 and .22, and a 16-shot version for .25 calibre is available as an optional extra. In its latest guise, the R12 CLX Pro has morphed into a truly impressive hunting tool that oozes class. Opt for the Cayenne Edition, and you’re assured a genuinely stunning piece of machinery that can also deliver when it matters in the field. Whether you’ll want to get it scratched is another matter entirely!

WEIHRAUCH HW95K ADJUSTABLE

From £615
weihrauch.co.uk

Early 2024 brought news that Weihrauch was to launch a new version of its popular HW95K, with an adjustable stock, and for disciples of this famous German brand, this was exciting news indeed. The HW95K is a well-established, top-quality break-barrel springer, and as a mid-weight, full-powered rifle, it’s a firm favourite with many hunters.

This new variant, as per the standard version, comes complete with the silencer as shown, and the matte black finish contrasts nicely with the chemically blued barrel and action. Weihrauch’s well-respected Rekord trigger unit gets treated to a gold finish here, adding a further touch of class, but it’s the new slimline yet purposeful hardwood stock on which we should be focusing.

Technical specifications for the Weihrauch HW95K

While no rival to walnut, plenty of attractive grain patterns are on show. In addition, jazzy panels of laser-cut stippling feature on the forend and around the pistol grip, and whilst the patterns may not be to everyone’s taste, there’s no doubting the practical benefit and genuine grip on offer. The now familiar thin, tapered forend is here, and with a well-shaped pistol grip and rounded underside, the handling feels comfortable and natural.

The new adjustable cheekpiece system is super slick, utilising a large spring-loaded push button on the right side, so no tools required! Just push and hold the button, and the cheekpiece can be slid up or down to one of six anchor points, snapping into position as it locates at each stage. As for the butt pad, this is fully adjustable, both for height and offset angle. Brilliant stuff, and I have to say, perfectly executed at the same time.

REXIMEX LYRA

£395 (guide)
range-right.co.uk

It’s hard to believe, but Turkish brand Reximex is now in its 10th year of production. Its stock-in-trade is distinctive-looking PCPs that are great value and crammed full of features, and the Reximex Lyra is just that. Turkish walnut is sourced for the ambidextrous sporter stock, and with the pleasingly slimline profile and a raft of features built in, this model proved a winner on test, and it still represents astonishing value for money.

The overall preparation and finish of the stock are maybe an area where savings are made at the production stage, and the metalwork lacks the deep lustre of some rivals. However, this makes sense at this price point, and with some beautiful figuring to the walnut on our rifle, it’s churlish to nitpick at this stage.

Technical specifications for the Reximex Lyra

As for specifications, the sporter stock comes with a properly supportive cheekpiece, laser-cut chequering, and sling swivel eyelets. There’s a Picatinny accessory rail, a ½in UNF thread at the muzzle, a side-mounted manometer, Picatinny mounting, a two-stage adjustable trigger, a multi-shot magazine system (two magazines are supplied), a single-shot tray, and an in-guard manual safety. Side-lever cocking is here courtesy of the neat biathlon-style drop-down lever, and there’s even a power adjuster, which is always handy.

Consistency on test was excellent, despite an unregulated power plant, and the accuracy was hard to fault, so don’t be stumped by the surprising RRP. An ultra-compact Lyra K model has now been released, so for hunters who feel they may wish to trim a little weight from their rig, it’s one to consider. Either way, expect to be amazed, as this is a lot of airgun for the money.