Best Airgun Stocking Stuffers Under $25 (2026)

Last updated: December 2026

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Dear Santa,

I screwed up.

It’s December 20th. My brother-in-law—the one who just got into air rifles—is coming to Christmas dinner. I promised myself I’d find something thoughtful this year. Something that says “I support your hobby and I’m not just grabbing a gift card at the gas station.”

But here I am. Five days out. Budget of twenty-five bucks. No idea what pellet caliber he even shoots.

Please help.

— Panicked in Pittsburgh

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Ah, Panicked. Uncle Barrel’s got you.

I’ve been exactly where you are—standing in my driveway at 9 PM, googling “airgun stocking stuffers” with the distinct panic of someone who just remembered that Christmas is, in fact, a real date on a real calendar.

Good news: you don’t need to know their caliber, their rifle, or even how often they shoot. The best airgun stocking stuffers I’m about to show you are universal—they work for everyone from the Red Ryder rookie to the PCP purist.

Better news: most of these ship with Prime.

Let’s do this.

Quick Navigation

• Premium Pellets ($8-15)

• Reactive Targets ($12-25)

• CO2 Cartridges ($15-25)

• Cleaning Supplies ($10-20)

• Safety Gear ($10-20)

• Fun Extras ($5-15)

Premium Pellets - $8-15

Ralphie Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Full Ralphie!)

Here’s a secret most non-shooters don’t know: pellets matter—a lot. The difference between cheap bulk pellets and premium match-grade ammunition is like the difference between gas station coffee and a proper espresso. For a deep dive, check our best pellets for hunting guide.

Most airgunners shoot whatever’s cheapest because premium pellets feel like a splurge. That’s exactly why they make perfect gifts. You’re giving them permission to shoot the good stuff.

The Safe Bets (You Can’t Go Wrong)

JSB Exact (any caliber) – $12-15 per tin

JSB Exact pellets are the gold standard. If your airgunner shoots .177 or .22 caliber (the two most common), a tin of JSB Exact will transform their accuracy. Smooth, consistent, and hand-sorted for uniformity—these are competition-grade pellets at reasonable prices.

Don’t know the caliber? Go with .22 caliber JSB Exact Jumbo (15.89 grain). It’s the most popular hunting and general shooting pellet, and any .22 shooter will be thrilled.

Check JSB Exact Price on Amazon

H&N Baracuda Match – $12-18 per tin

Another premium option, H&N Baracuda pellets are heavier and excellent for hunting and longer-range shooting. If you know they do any pest control or small game hunting, these are a great choice.

Pro Tip: Consider a pellet sampler pack (~$20-25) that includes multiple brands and weights. This lets them find what shoots best in their specific rifle—every barrel has preferences.

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Reactive Targets - $12-25

Ralphie Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Paper targets are fine. Reactive targets are fun.

There’s something deeply satisfying about immediate feedback—seeing a target spin, hearing a “ping,” watching something fall down. Reactive targets turn routine plinking into entertainment.

Top Picks

Crosman Auto-Reset Target – ~$15

Four paddles spin when hit, and when you knock down all four, pulling a string resets them. Simple, durable, and endlessly entertaining. This is the backyard classic.

Check Crosman Target Price on Amazon

Gamo Spinner Target – ~$20

Hit the target, it spins. Miss, and you know instantly. The spinning action is weirdly addictive—you’ll find yourself trying to keep it spinning continuously.

Check Gamo Spinner Price on Amazon

Birchwood Casey Shoot-N-C Targets (Pack) – ~$12

These adhesive targets “splatter” bright yellow around the impact point, making hits visible from a distance. No walking downrange to check your group—you can see exactly where you hit. Great for anyone working on accuracy.

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CO2 Cartridges - $15-25

Ralphie Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

If they shoot a CO2-powered gun—and many do (pistols especially)—this is like giving the gift of more shooting time. A bulk pack of CO2 cartridges is practical, appreciated, and something they’d buy anyway.

Crosman 12-gram CO2 Cartridges (40-pack) – ~$20

The standard that fits virtually every CO2 airgun. Forty cartridges provide hundreds of shots, depending on the gun. Pair with a tin of pellets for a complete practical gift.

Check CO2 Cartridges Price on Amazon

Important: CO2 cartridges are universal 12-gram size. You literally cannot buy the wrong ones—they all work in any standard CO2 airgun.

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Cleaning Supplies - $10-20

Ralphie Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Not glamorous, but practical. A clean rifle shoots better, and most airgunners neglect maintenance more than they should. These gifts show you understand that a well-maintained rifle is a happy rifle.

Airgun Cleaning Kit – $15-20

Look for a kit with caliber-specific brushes, a quality cleaning rod (one-piece is better than segmented), cleaning patches, and pellet-safe oil. The RWS Airgun Cleaning Kit is a solid all-in-one option.

Silicone Chamber Oil – $5-8

A small bottle of proper silicone chamber oil is essential for spring and gas piston rifles. It’s cheap, lasts forever, and prevents dieseling (that little puff of smoke some springers produce).

Pull-Through Bore Snake – $10-15

Faster and easier than traditional rod cleaning. Pull it through the barrel and done. Great for quick cleaning between sessions.

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Safety Gear - $10-20

Ralphie Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Safety might not be exciting, but it’s essential—and quality safety gear is something shooters often cheap out on. A good pair of shooting glasses makes a thoughtful, practical gift.

Shooting Glasses (ANSI-rated) – $12-20

Look for ANSI Z87.1 rated glasses, which are certified for impact protection. Clear lenses for indoor/low light, amber/yellow for overcast days, and smoke for bright conditions. Multi-lens kits are available.

Pellet Trap – $20-25

A good pellet trap contains pellets safely and makes cleanup easy. Much better than cardboard boxes, which eventually fail spectacularly. The Crosman 850 Target Trap is a popular, affordable option.

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Fun Extras - $5-15

Ralphie Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Sometimes the best gifts are the ones they’d never buy themselves—little extras that add fun or convenience.

Pellet Pen/Holder – $8-12

A handy device that holds and dispenses pellets one at a time. Sounds silly until you’ve fumbled pellets into the grass. Makes loading faster and easier.

Shooting Rest/Bag – $15-25

A sandbag or shooting rest stabilizes the rifle for more accurate shooting. Great for sighting in scopes or testing accuracy. Even a basic filled bag makes a difference.

Airgun-Themed Stickers/Patches – $5-10

Fun additions for rifle cases, range bags, or just showing off the hobby. Look for brand logos (Crosman, Gamo, Air Venturi) or fun airgun-related designs.

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The Perfect Stocking Stuffer Combo

Want to really nail it? Here’s my recommended combination that stays under $25 and works for ANY airgunner:

Uncle Barrel’s $25 Stocking Combo

• One tin of JSB Exact pellets (~$12-15)

• One pack of Shoot-N-C targets (~$12)

Total: ~$24-27

Premium ammo + instant visual feedback = a shooter who feels understood.

Alternatively, if you know they shoot CO2:

The CO2 Shooter Combo

• CO2 cartridges (25-pack) (~$15)

• Crosman Auto-Reset Target (~$15)

Total: ~$30 (okay, slightly over budget, but worth it)

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A Quick Word on What NOT to Gift

Just as important as what TO buy is knowing what to avoid:

• Bulk cheap pellets – They already have these. Don’t add more mediocrity.

• Random “tactical” accessories – Lasers and flashlights from unknown brands are usually junk.

• Scopes under $30 – A bad scope is worse than no scope. If you want to gift optics, budget at least $50-80. See our best air rifle scopes guide for recommendations.

• Novelty airguns – Those $20 “machine guns” at the checkout counter are toys, not tools.

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Last-Minute Shopping? Here’s Your Cheat Sheet

Gift	Price	Safe for Anyone?
JSB Exact Pellets	$12-15	✓ (if you know caliber)
Reactive Targets	$12-20	✓ Yes!
CO2 Cartridges	$15-25	Only if they shoot CO2
Shoot-N-C Targets	$12	✓ Yes!
Cleaning Kit	$15-20	✓ Yes!
Shooting Glasses	$12-20	✓ Yes!

There you go, Panicked. You’ve got this.

Until next time, keep your safety on and your Christmas spirit at full velocity.

— Uncle Barrel

Looking for bigger gifts? Check out our complete Air Rifle Christmas Gift Guide for rifles and premium accessories at every price point. Or see our gifts for Dad guide and youth air rifles guide.

Last updated: December 2026