Can Pellet Guns Kill Squirrels? (2026)

Can Airsoft Kill Squirrels?

Short answer: airsoft guns are not a humane or reliable way to kill squirrels, while pellet air rifles can be lethal when they have sufficient power, the right caliber, and accurate shot placement. To be clear: airsoft (plastic BBs) is unsafe and inhumane for wildlife, whereas real pellet rifles—spring, PCP, CO2 or gas-ram systems—can dispatch small game under the right conditions.

Let’s define terms so there is no confusion. Airsoft uses lightweight plastic BBs with very low mass and energy designed for sport; BB guns may shoot steel BBs but are often less effective than true pellet rifles; pellet guns use diabolo-shaped pellets made of lead or alloy and carry more mass and energy per shot.

The physics is simple: kinetic energy = mass × velocity^2, so both pellet mass and speed matter. Typical airsoft energy is under 2 joules (under about 1.5 ft·lb), while many pellet air rifles commonly produce 12–40+ ft·lb depending on caliber and power source, which is a huge difference in stopping capability.

In real-world terms that energy gap matters a lot. Low-energy projectiles are far more likely to wound than kill, causing prolonged suffering and infection. Wildlife rehabbers and veterinarians consistently warn that underpowered shots result in crippling injuries rather than clean kills, and several reports and posts document wounded animals from airsoft and underpowered BB shots; for more background on documented incidents, see this detailed post.

Because of the high risk of wounding, the humane guidance is straight: do not use airsoft to attempt to kill squirrels or any wildlife. If a lethal solution is needed, choose an appropriate pellet air rifle with proven energy for small game, use correct pellets and shot placement, or contact professional wildlife control or a veterinarian to handle the animal humanely.

Practical takeaway: if you ask “can pellet guns kill squirrels,” the answer is yes—with the right equipment and skill—but never substitute airsoft or underpowered BBs for a suitable hunting tool or legal, humane removal method.

Pellet Air Rifles

Pellet air rifles come in several action types and each affects power, consistency and usability. Spring-piston (break-barrel) guns are simple and affordable but can have more recoil and shot-to-shot variation, while gas-ram versions smooth the feel and reduce spring lock-up issues.

Pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) rifles deliver the best consistency and high power with minimal recoil, making them popular for small-game hunting, though they require a hand pump or scuba-style fill station. CO2 and multi-pump guns are convenient but can lose power in cold weather or require careful pumping to reach peak energy, so they are less ideal for consistent field work.

Caliber choice affects how that energy is delivered. Common calibers are .177 (4.5 mm), .20, .22 (5.5 mm) and .25 (6.35 mm). Many small-game hunters prefer .22 for squirrels because it balances velocity, pellet mass and trajectory; .177 can reach very high speeds but often lacks the mass for reliable knockdown, while .25 gives more energy and margin at the cost of heavier pellets and more recoil.

Pellet design is equally important: domed pellets (round-nosed) are the best all-purpose hunting shape for energy transfer and accuracy, hollowpoints expand for tissue damage at close ranges, and pointed pellets favor penetration. For humane small-game dispatch, most hunters favor quality domed or controlled-expansion pellets matched to the rifle.

Effective ranges vary by caliber and rifle tune. As a general guide, expect .177 to be reliably humane at short distances only, .22 to be useful across moderate ranges, and .25 to extend that range further—always test your rifle to confirm. Use a chronograph to measure muzzle energy, and practice to confirm your shots are both accurate and humane at your intended hunting distance.

For better consistency and humane results, fit a good scope, test multiple pellet brands to find the one your barrel likes, maintain the rifle’s seals and springs, and keep a safe, solid backstop. Regular maintenance and pellet testing are the difference between clean, ethical kills and wounded animals.

BB Gun Caliber and Power

Common airgun calibers and pellet masses give a quick reference: .177 pellets often weigh 7–10 grains, .20 around 8–14 grains, .22 typically 12–18 grains, and .25 commonly 20–33 grains. Those mass ranges combine with muzzle velocity to determine kinetic energy and terminal performance.

You can calculate energy with a practical formula: ft·lb ≈ (grain × fps^2) / 450,240. That formula shows why heavier pellets at moderate speeds can outperform lighter pellets at very high speed when it comes to delivering energy to a small animal.

Practical energy guidance is approximate and should be verified for your specific rifle, but many experienced small-game hunters recommend at least ~12–20 ft·lb for reliable squirrel dispatch, with 20+ ft·lb giving a safer margin and more consistent results. Shot placement remains critical; energy alone is not a guarantee of a clean kill.

The trade-offs are straightforward: .177 can fly very flat and fast but may lack mass for terminal shock; .22 is often the best balance for squirrels because it carries enough weight for penetration and shock while keeping a manageable trajectory; .25 gives extra energy and a larger wound channel but costs more in ammunition and may reduce effective magazine capacity or velocity.

For responsible hunters, test your equipment at practical ranges, chronograph to confirm muzzle energy, and practice precise shot placement. If you want more discussion about shooting animals with airguns and the ethical considerations involved, this shooting animals piece explores many of those issues in depth.

Minimum Caliber

Legal minimums vary widely, so check state, provincial or local hunting regulations before planning any lethal control; many jurisdictions specify minimum calibers or energy for hunting small game. Beyond law, there is an ethical minimum to reduce suffering: a reasonable, conservative recommendation for squirrels is a .22 caliber air rifle producing mid-teens ft·lb of energy or higher.

.177 may be acceptable only in specific rifles that produce high muzzle energy and when shots are taken at very short ranges with precise placement, but that often leaves little room for error and increases the risk of crippling. Choosing a minimum serves to reduce the chance of wounding, improve penetration and ensure humane outcomes.

If your equipment is below the practical minimum, consider upgrading to a suitable air rifle or, where legal and sensible, using a firearm designed for small game. Non-lethal options like exclusion, habitat modification, or hiring a professional wildlife control service are responsible alternatives that avoid needless suffering.

Ethical Hunting Practices

Ethics and safety are as important as ballistics: obtain proper licenses, follow seasons and bag limits, and never take a shot unless you are confident of a quick, humane outcome. Always confirm the species is legal to take and that you obey local rules—check regulations and guidance like the small-game advice resources for best practices.

Humane shot placement is critical; for squirrels this typically means a precise brain shot or a clean thoracic heart-lung shot when possible. Those shots are difficult at distance and require practiced, steady aim; if you cannot make a clean shot, do not shoot and consider non‑lethal options instead.

Safety rules must be strict: never shoot where people, pets or lines of travel could intersect, always ensure a safe backstop, and respect others’ property and privacy. Plan for recovery and humane dispatch of any animal you take, and have tools and knowledge ready for quick follow-up if an animal is wounded.

Alternatives to lethal control include tree guards, sealing access points, repellents, and professional removal; these methods often solve conflicts without causing harm. Finally, handle carcasses with care, follow local disposal rules and hygiene guidance, and keep records as required—ethical hunting is about respect, legality and minimizing suffering at every step.