Last updated: November 2026
Selecting the best pellets for hunting is one of the most critical decisions an airgun hunter can make. Unlike target shooting where consistency matters most, hunting pellets must deliver terminal performance that ensures quick, ethical kills. The wrong pellet choice can mean the difference between a clean harvest and a wounded animal that escapes to suffer—something no ethical hunter wants.
This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about hunting pellet selection in 2026. We’ll cover the science behind penetration and expansion, match pellet types to specific game animals, explain velocity sweet spots, and review the top hunting pellets on the market today. Whether you’re pursuing squirrels in your backyard or raccoons in the woodlot, you’ll find the information you need to make ethical, effective shots.
Key Takeaway: The Ethical Hunter’s Responsibility
Hunting with air rifles demands precision shot placement and proper pellet selection. Unlike centerfire rifles that deliver overwhelming energy, airguns rely on accurate hits to vital areas with projectiles optimized for the task. Choose your pellets carefully, practice extensively, and always prioritize quick, humane kills over impressive shots.
Top 5 Hunting Pellets Comparison Table
| Pellet | Caliber | Weight | Design | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JSB Exact Heavy ★ Editor’s Choice | .22 | 18.13gr | Domed | All-around hunting | $$ |
| H&N Baracuda Hunter Extreme | .22 | 18.52gr | Hollow Point | Maximum expansion | $$$ |
| JSB Hades | .22 | 15.89gr | Hollow Point | Devastating expansion | $$ |
| Crosman Premier HP Budget Pick | .22 | 14.3gr | Hollow Point | Budget hunting | $ |
| H&N Slug HP | .22 | 21gr+ | Slug/HP | High-power PCPs | $$$ |
Understanding Hunting Pellet Performance
Before diving into specific pellet recommendations, it’s essential to understand the two fundamental principles that govern hunting pellet effectiveness: penetration and expansion. These two factors exist in constant tension—optimizing one often compromises the other.
Penetration vs. Expansion: The Critical Balance
Penetration refers to how deeply a pellet travels into the target. Adequate penetration is necessary to reach vital organs and cause rapid incapacitation. A pellet that expands beautifully but stops in surface tissue won’t produce an ethical kill.
Expansion refers to how much a pellet increases in diameter upon impact. A pellet that expands creates a larger wound channel, increasing tissue damage and accelerating blood loss. However, expansion also increases drag, reducing penetration depth.
The ideal hunting pellet balances these factors based on:
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Game size: Smaller animals need less penetration; larger animals need more
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Impact velocity: Higher velocities enable more reliable expansion
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Shot placement: Broadside shots need less penetration than quartering angles
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Distance: Longer shots arrive with less velocity, affecting expansion
Caliber Selection by Game Size
Matching your caliber to your quarry is the first step in ethical hunting. Here’s a general guide:
Small Game (.177 – .22 caliber)
Squirrels, starlings, sparrows, mice, rats
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.177 caliber: Adequate with precise shot placement
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.22 caliber: Preferred—more forgiving of slight misses
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Minimum energy: 8-12 FPE at target
Medium Small Game (.22 caliber)
Rabbits, pigeons, crows, groundhogs
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.22 caliber: Ideal balance of accuracy and power
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.25 caliber: Excellent for longer shots
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Minimum energy: 15-20 FPE at target
Large Small Game (.22 – .25 caliber)
Raccoons, opossums, large groundhogs
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.22 caliber: Minimum with heavy pellets and precise placement
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.25 caliber: Strongly preferred
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Minimum energy: 25-35 FPE at target
For information on hunting larger game with big bore air rifles, see our Air Rifle Hunting Regulations by State guide, which covers deer-legal calibers and requirements.
Detailed Pellet Reviews
1. JSB Exact Heavy (.22) – Best All-Around Hunting Pellet
The JSB Exact Heavy in .22 caliber represents the gold standard for hunting pellets. At 18.13 grains, it carries substantial momentum for deep penetration while the precision domed design ensures consistent accuracy at hunting distances.
Why It’s Our Top Pick:
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Exceptional accuracy: Hand-sorted quality control delivers sub-MOA groups in quality rifles
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Optimal weight: Heavy enough for penetration, light enough to maintain velocity
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Consistent performance: Predictable terminal performance across various impact velocities
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Versatility: Effective on everything from squirrels to raccoons with proper shot placement
Ideal Velocity Range: 800-950 fps for optimal penetration without excessive pass-through
Best For: Hunters who want one pellet that works across multiple game sizes with precise shot placement
2. H&N Baracuda Hunter Extreme – Maximum Expansion
When you need reliable expansion for quick, humane kills on small game, the H&N Baracuda Hunter Extreme delivers. Its aggressive hollow point cavity is engineered to expand reliably even at moderate velocities, creating devastating wound channels that ensure rapid incapacitation.
Key Features:
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Engineered hollow point: Specially designed cavity expands 1.5-2x original diameter
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Heavy weight (18.52gr): Maintains momentum through expansion for adequate penetration
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German precision: H&N’s quality control ensures consistent performance
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Polymer tip option: Some variants include polymer tip for initiated expansion
Ideal Velocity Range: 750-900 fps for reliable expansion without fragmentation
Best For: Dedicated small game hunting where expansion is priority—squirrels, rabbits, pest birds
Important Note: Due to expansion, this pellet is not ideal for larger game like raccoons where deeper penetration is needed. Match the pellet to the game.
3. Crosman Premier Hollow Point – Best Budget Option
Not everyone needs premium European pellets, and the Crosman Premier Hollow Point proves that American-made ammunition can be highly effective for hunting at a fraction of the cost. These pellets have harvested countless small game animals and remain a go-to choice for budget-conscious hunters.
Key Features:
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Exceptional value: Roughly half the price of premium imports
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Proven performance: Decades of hunting success across North America
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Moderate weight (14.3gr): Good velocity retention from lower-powered rifles
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Reliable expansion: Hollow point opens consistently at typical hunting velocities
Ideal Velocity Range: 850-1000 fps—lighter weight allows for faster velocities
Best For: High-volume pest control, budget-minded hunters, break-barrel and springer owners
Accuracy Consideration: Quality control isn’t as tight as JSB or H&N. Consider sorting by weight for best accuracy, or accept that these are “minute of squirrel” accurate rather than competition-grade.
4. JSB Hades – Devastating Terminal Performance
The JSB Hades represents JSB’s dedicated hunting design, and it lives up to the name. The unique scalloped hollow point doesn’t just expand—it fragments into multiple petals that create catastrophic wound channels. This is the pellet for hunters who prioritize terminal performance above all else.
Key Features:
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Unique “scalloped” hollow point: Pre-cut petals ensure reliable, dramatic expansion
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JSB accuracy: Inherits the legendary precision of the JSB lineup
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Medium weight (15.89gr): Balances expansion with reasonable penetration
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Consistent expansion: Expands reliably across a wide velocity window
Ideal Velocity Range: 800-950 fps for optimal petal deployment
Best For: Hunters wanting maximum lethality on squirrels, rabbits, and similar-sized game
Penetration Warning: The aggressive expansion means reduced penetration. Not recommended for larger game or shots requiring deep tissue access. Excellent for broadside shots on small game; less ideal for angled shots.
5. H&N Slug HP – For High-Power PCPs
As PCP air rifles have grown more powerful, traditional diabolo pellets have struggled to keep up. Enter the H&N Slug HP—a hybrid design that bridges the gap between pellets and airgun slugs, specifically engineered for high-powered platforms generating 30+ FPE.
Key Features:
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Slug-style design: Better ballistic coefficient than traditional pellets
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Hollow point: Expansion capability missing from solid slugs
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Heavy weight (21gr+): Carries energy further downrange
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Requires power: Designed for rifles producing 30+ FPE
Ideal Velocity Range: 900-1050 fps—needs velocity to stabilize and expand
Best For: High-power PCP owners hunting medium game at extended ranges. Excellent for raccoons, large groundhogs, and similar quarry from quality .22 caliber PCPs.
Important Compatibility Note: These slugs require appropriate barrel twist rates to stabilize properly. Most traditional airgun barrels are optimized for diabolo pellets. Test accuracy thoroughly before hunting—some rifles shoot slugs beautifully, others can’t stabilize them at all. See our PCP vs Spring Air Rifle Guide for more on platform considerations.
Pellet Design Types Explained
Understanding the three main pellet design categories helps you select the right tool for your hunting situation:
Domed (Round Nose) Pellets
Terminal Characteristics: Maximum penetration, minimal expansion. The rounded nose slips through tissue efficiently, reaching deeper vital structures.
Best Hunting Applications:
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Larger small game (raccoons, large groundhogs) where penetration to vitals is critical
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Shots requiring penetration through bone or heavy tissue
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Longer shots where velocity has dropped below hollow point expansion thresholds
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Situations where pass-through is acceptable or desirable
Example: JSB Exact Heavy, H&N Baracuda (non-HP variants)
Hollow Point Pellets
Terminal Characteristics: Designed to expand upon impact, creating larger wound channels at the cost of penetration depth. Expansion reliability depends on impact velocity.
Best Hunting Applications:
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Small game where quick incapacitation matters (squirrels, rabbits)
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Close to medium range shots where impact velocity remains high
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Situations where pass-through would create backstop concerns
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Game thin enough that standard domed pellets would over-penetrate
Example: JSB Hades, H&N Baracuda Hunter Extreme, Crosman Premier HP
Slug-Style Projectiles
Terminal Characteristics: Better ballistic coefficient than diabolo pellets, maintaining velocity and energy at longer ranges. HP variants offer expansion; solid variants maximize penetration.
Best Hunting Applications:
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Extended range shots (50+ yards) where pellet energy drops significantly
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Medium-sized game requiring more terminal energy
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High-power PCP platforms that can properly stabilize heavier projectiles
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Windy conditions where better BC reduces drift
Example: H&N Slug HP, NSA Slug, FX Hybrid Slug
Velocity Sweet Spots for Hunting Pellets
Understanding optimal velocity ranges for different pellet types is crucial for ethical hunting. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
The Velocity-Expansion Connection
Hollow point pellets require adequate velocity to expand properly. Too slow, and the cavity simply punches through tissue without opening. Too fast, and the pellet may fragment prematurely or expand so rapidly that penetration is severely compromised.
Test your setup: Shoot pellets into modeling clay or ballistic gel at actual hunting distances to verify expansion and penetration in your specific rifle.
| Pellet Type | Minimum Velocity | Optimal Range | Maximum Velocity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domed (penetration focus) | 600 fps | 750-950 fps | 1000+ fps OK |
| Hollow Point (expansion) | 700 fps | 800-950 fps | 1000 fps (fragmentation risk) |
| Aggressive HP (JSB Hades) | 750 fps | 850-950 fps | 950 fps (petals may separate) |
| Slugs (HP) | 850 fps | 900-1050 fps | 1100+ fps OK |
Use a chronograph to verify actual velocities from your rifle. Manufacturer claims often differ from real-world performance, and hunting-critical decisions should be based on actual data, not marketing.
Shot Placement: The Most Critical Factor
No pellet, regardless of design, compensates for poor shot placement. Ethical airgun hunting demands precision that many centerfire rifle hunters never develop because they rely on overwhelming energy to anchor game.
Primary Target: Head/Brain
For small game, a head shot delivers instant incapacitation when executed properly. The target area is small—roughly the size of a quarter on a squirrel—demanding steady aim and proper range estimation.
Pros: Instant kill, no meat damage, works with any pellet type
Cons: Small target, unforgiving of error, requires stable shooting position
Secondary Target: Heart/Lung
The chest cavity offers a larger target area and is the standard aiming point for larger small game like rabbits and raccoons. Pellet choice matters more here—expansion creates larger wound channels for faster blood loss.
Pros: Larger target area, effective with expanding pellets, standard hunting technique
Cons: May not be instantly fatal, requires tracking if animal moves
Shots to Avoid
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Running shots: Never shoot at moving game with an airgun
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Extreme angles: Steep quartering shots may not reach vitals
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Maximum range: If you’re unsure whether velocity is sufficient for expansion, don’t take the shot
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Obstructed shots: Branches and brush deflect pellets easily
The Ethical Hunter’s Rule
If you’re not confident you can place the shot precisely where it needs to go, do not take the shot. A clean kill is worth waiting for. A wounded animal that escapes represents a failure of ethics, regardless of how the shot “should have” worked.
Matching Pellets to Your Rifle
The best pellets for hunting in general may not be the best pellets for your rifle. Every barrel has preferences, and the most accurate pellet for your gun is the most ethical choice regardless of brand reputation.
Testing Protocol
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Accuracy first: Test multiple pellet types for accuracy at your typical hunting range
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Chronograph results: Verify velocities fall within optimal ranges for your chosen pellet design
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Terminal testing: Shoot into ballistic gel or wet newspaper to verify expansion (for HP) or penetration (for domed)
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Consistency check: Shoot enough groups to confirm results are repeatable
A pellet that groups 1.5″ at 30 yards from your rifle will harvest more game ethically than a “superior” pellet that groups 3″ from the same gun.
Related Guides
Continue your research with these related PelletGuns101 articles:
Conclusion
Selecting the best pellets for hunting requires understanding the interplay between penetration and expansion, matching pellet weight to your rifle’s power level, and choosing designs appropriate for your target game. The JSB Exact Heavy remains our top recommendation for its versatility and consistent performance across hunting scenarios. For dedicated small game hunters prioritizing expansion, the H&N Baracuda Hunter Extreme and JSB Hades deliver devastating terminal performance. Budget-conscious hunters will find the Crosman Premier Hollow Point more than adequate for most applications, while high-power PCP owners should explore the H&N Slug HP for extended range capability.
But remember: the finest pellet in the world cannot substitute for marksmanship, patience, and ethical shot selection. Practice extensively, know your equipment’s limitations, and always prioritize quick, humane kills. The animals we hunt deserve our best effort, and that starts with choosing the right pellet for the job—then placing it precisely where it needs to go.
Hunt safely, hunt ethically, and good shooting!
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