What pellets should I buy?

Your complete guide to choosing the right air rifle pellets

Not sure which air rifle pellets to buy? You're not alone. The right pellet can transform your shooting - tighter groups and way more fun.

This guide cuts through the confusion to show you exactly which pellets excel at what, from backyard plinking to serious hunting. We've handpicked our recommendations for every caliber and shooting style, so you can spend less time researching, and more time shooting.

Please note: *PCP's (Pre-Charged Pneumatic) use a high pressure air cylinder. They require a firearms license to purchase in New Zealand.

 

 

 

 

Know your air rifle pellets

What is calibre

Calibre simply refers to the diameter of the pellet and the bore of your air rifle barrel. The most common air rifle calibres are .177 (4.5mm), .22 (5.5mm), .25 (6.35mm), and .30 (7.62mm). We suggest buying multiple packs of different pellets to understand what pellet best suits your air rifle.

.177 (4.5mm)

.177 Calibre is the perfect all-rounder. Fast and flat-shooting, .177 are cheaper than larger calibres, so you can practice more without breaking the bank. Despite being the smallest, it's still highly effective for backyard pest control like birds, rodents, and rabbits. Anything larger, you will want to use a heavier calibre. 

 

.22 (5.5mm)

.22 Calibre is where hunters live. These pellets have a bigger surface area, and produces a bigger kill zone at a closer range. These are great for bigger game like hares and possums. Pellets cost a bit more, but if you're serious about hunting rather than just plinking, .22 is your caliber. 

.25 (6.35mm) & .30 (7.62mm)

.25 Caliber is for serious hunting. Mainly found in PCPs (Pre-charged air rifles), it hits significantly harder than .22, making it perfect for larger pests. The heavier pellets have more punch and resist wind better. Some powerful spring rifles come in .25, but it really shines in PCP platforms.

.30 Caliber is PCP only territory and packs serious punch. This is for hunting medium-sized game, such as wallabies and goats. Ammo costs more and uses more air per shot, but you get better performance. If you're targeting anything bigger than a possum, .30 gets the job done.

 

 

Hunting pellets

Hunting pellets feature hollow points, pointed tips, and heavier designs. Whether you're taking out backyard pests, or pursuing small game, these pellets are engineered for clean kills with maximum stopping power.

Our .177 Recommended

GunCity Javelin Hunter

Best penetration and great price.

H&N Crow Magnum

Medium-range hunting for small game.

H&N Baracuda Hunter Extreme

Long-range hunting for small game.

Our .22 Recommended

GunCity Javelin Hunter

Best penetration for short to medium-range hunting.

H&N Hornet

High penetration for medium-range hunting.

Baracuda Hunter Extreme

Long-range hunting for small game.

Sampler hunting pellets

Try Our H&N sampler packs that give you multiple premium hunting pellets to test: from heavy hitters to long-range precision rounds. Find your favourite without buying full tins of each, making it easy to compare performance and discover what shoots best in your rifle.

.22 Sampler Contains:
Silver Point • Hornet • Terminator • Baracuda Hunter Extreme • Crow Magnum

.177 Sampler Contains:
Silver Point • Hornet • Baracuda 8 • Terminator • Baracuda Hunter Extreme • Crow Magnum

 

 

Target pellets

Manufactured for consistency and accuracy, these pellets deliver tight groupings shot after shot. Whether you're in competition or perfecting your skills, target pellets help you shoot smaller groups and higher scores.

Our .177 Recommended

GunCity Javelin Target

Great starting point, best for paper targets.

H&N Field Target Trophy

High-precision competition for medium ranges.

BSA Interceptor

Maximum knockdown for close-range hunting.

Our .22 Recommended

BSA Max Metal

High energy for long-range accuracy.

H&N Field Target Trophy

Extremely accurate for competition shooting.

Gamo Match Accutek

Superior accuracy for precision target shooting.

 

 

PCP (Pre-Charged air rifle) pellets

Serious power for serious shooters. PCP (Pre-Charged air rifle) rifles handle heavier pellets at higher velocities, delivering extended range and superior stopping power on larger game. From precision competition rounds to heavy hunting slugs, PCP pellets unlock performance that spring-loaded rifles can't match. Perfect for long-range shooting and taking down bigger targets.

H&N .25 Cal Heavy Slug

Long-range hunting for small game.

H&N .35 Cal Grizzly Slug

Long-range hunting for small game.

FX Airgun .35 Cal Pellets

Long-range hunting for small game.

 

 

How to buy your pellets

Option A: Head into your local Gun City

or

Option B: Buy online and have them delivered your door

Pellets require no identification and can be delivered to your doorstep!

 

 

Still have questions? 

For any questions you still have, call or drop by and visit a Gun City store close to you.