Best hollow-point Air Rifle pellets are a top choice for shooters who demand both precision and stopping power. Designed with a cavity in the tip that expands upon impact, they deliver maximum energy transfer, making them ideal for small game hunting and pest control. Unlike standard round-nose pellets, hollow-points are engineered to create controlled mushrooming, ensuring humane and effective results. Whether you’re eliminating pests around your property or seeking accurate performance in the field, these pellets offer a balance of accuracy, expansion, and terminal performance that stands out in close- to medium-range shooting scenarios.
Best Hollow-Point Air Rifle Pellets
1.Polymag .177cal Airgun Pellets, 200ct
ThePolymag .177cal Airgun Pellets, 200ct deliver exceptional performance for both hobbyists and hunters. Designed for compatibility with a wide range of airguns, they strike a balance between accuracy, energy transfer, and expansion upon impact. Each pellet is engineered with a classic hollow-point style, ensuring that once it makes contact, it delivers maximum stopping power—ideal for small game hunting or target practice that demands realisticballistic behavior.
The pellets come in a convenient pack of 200, making them both economical and practical for extended shooting sessions. At just 0.01 ounces each, they are light enough to achieve higher velocities, yet still heavy enough to maintain stability mid-flight. The consistent shape and weight ensure a tight grouping, enhancing overall shooting accuracy. As part of the AIR GUN PROJECTILE category, they meet performance standards expected by both casual shooters and seasoned marksmen.
In addition to their field performance, these pellets boast a clean, uniform build, which minimizes barrel fouling and ensures reliable chambering shot after shot. Whether used for plinking, pest control, or precision shooting, they deliver predictable results without the need for constant re-sighting. Their classic hollow-point profile is specifically designed for controlled expansion, ensuring that every shot counts.
Key Specifications
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Caliber: 0.177 caliber for airguns
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Quantity: 200 pellets per pack
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Product Type: AIR GUN PROJECTILE
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Weight: 0.01 ounces per pellet
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Style: Classic hollow-point design
Pros
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Consistent weight and shape for improved accuracy
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Effective hollow-point design for maximum energy transfer
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Lightweight for higher muzzle velocity
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Comes in a bulk pack for cost-effectiveness
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Versatile use for target practice and pest control
Cons
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Lightweight may be less effective in windy conditions
2.JSB Match Diabolo Hades .22 Cal, 15.89 Grain, Hollowpoint, 250 Count
The JSB Match Diabolo Hades .22 Cal, 15.89 Grain, Hollowpoint, 250 Countdeliver the ideal balance of accuracy, impact, and reliability. Perfectly suited for small game hunting, pest control, and target practice, their hollow-point design ensures maximum energy transfer upon impact, causing efficient expansion for humane and effective results.
Packaged in a generous tin of 250 pellets, this product offers excellent value for frequent shooters. The weight and size of the .22 caliber pellet provide a stable flight path and impressive knockdown power, making it a trusted choice for both spring-piston and PCP air rifles. Every pellet is manufactured to tight tolerances, ensuring consistent performance and tight groupings, even at extended ranges.
Beyond performance, the pellets’ uniform shape reduces barrel fouling, allowing for more shots between cleanings. Whether you are eliminating pests around the property or honing your shooting skills at the range, these hollow-points provide the confidence you need in every shot. Their combination of power, accuracy, and reliability places them among the best hollow-point air rifle pellets available today.
Key Specifications
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Caliber: 0.22 caliber
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Quantity: 250 pellets per tin
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Design: Hollow-point for expansion and energy transfer
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Application: Small game hunting, pest control, and target shooting
Pros
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Excellent accuracy with consistent weight and shape
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Hollow-point design ensures effective energy transfer and expansion
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Heavy enough for stable flight and strong impact
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Large pack size offers great value for frequent shooters
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Suitable for a variety of air rifle types
Cons
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Heavier pellet weight may result in lower velocity with low-power rifles
3.H&N Sport Hornet Pointed Airgun Pellets
The H&N Sport Hornet Pointed Airgun Pelletsstand out as a top choice. Engineered with a hollow-point tip for maximum expansion upon impact, they are an excellent option for small game hunting, pest control, and close- to mid-range target shooting. Their design ensures efficient energy transfer, making every shot both powerful and accurate.
Each single pack contains 225 pellets, giving you ample ammunition for multiple sessions in the field or at the range. Crafted from high-quality lead and finished in a classic gray color, these pellets maintain consistent weight and shape, resulting in tighter groupings and improved shooting accuracy. The hollow-point construction also minimizes the chance of over-penetration, ensuring a more controlled and humane impact.
Compact and easy to carry, the pellets come in a container measuring 2.64 x 1.26 inches, making them convenient to store in your gear bag or pocket. Designed specifically for airguns, these Hornet pellets combine durability, precision engineering, and reliable performance—earning their spot among the best hollow-point air rifle pellets for hunters and target shooters alike.
Key Specifications
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Caliber: 0.177 inches
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Quantity: 225 pellets per pack
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Style: Single Pack
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Item Type: Hornet Airgun Pellets
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Material: Lead
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Color: Gray
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Dimensions: 2.64 x 1.26 inches
Pros
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Hollow-point design for maximum expansion and stopping power
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Consistent weight and shape for improved accuracy
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Durable lead construction for reliable performance
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Convenient pack size and portable container
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Suitable for both pest control and target practice
Cons
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Lead material requires careful handling and storage
4.H&N Terminator Hollowpoint Airgun Pellets
The H&N Terminator Hollowpoint Airgun Pelletsa uniquely engineered projectile that redefines performance in hunting and pest control. As the world’s only partitioned hollowpoint pellet, the Terminator stands out with its innovative design, delivering unmatched accuracy and devastating knockdown force on impact. Built for hunters who refuse to compromise, it’s the perfect blend of penetration, expansion, and consistency.
Designed with a raised central lead projection within the hollowpoint cavity, this pellet doesn’t just strike—it penetrates deeply while causing controlled mushrooming. Combined with precision-cut notches around the hollow edge, it maximizes expansion upon impact, ensuring clean, humane kills. Whether you’re targeting mice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks, sparrows, magpies, or pigeons, the Terminator offers the reliability you need for effective pest elimination and small game hunting.
Medium-weight and engineered for air rifles producing a minimum of 5.5 ft-lbs. muzzle energy, the Terminator performs best within 30 meters, delivering tight shot groups and maintaining a high percentage of its energy downrange. With 400 pellets per tin, you’ll have the quantity and quality to keep your hunts consistent and productive. Precision, impact, and lethal performance—that’s what makes the Terminator one of the best hollow-point air rifle pellets available today.
Key Specifications
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Caliber: .177 cal
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Weight: 7.25 grains
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Quantity: 400 pellets per tin
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Material: Lead
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Minimum Muzzle Energy: 5.5 ft-lbs
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Effective Range: Up to 30 meters
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Velocity at 25 YDS: 653 fps (7 ft-lbs energy retained)
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Velocity at 50 YDS: 528 fps (4 ft-lbs energy retained)
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Energy Retention: 66% at 25 yards, 44% at 50 yards
Pros
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Unique partitioned hollowpoint design for superior expansion
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Raised central projection enhances penetration and damage
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Precision notches for controlled mushrooming on impact
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Excellent for small game and pest control
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Consistent accuracy with tight shot groupings at medium range
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Large pack size for extended use
Cons
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Lead material requires safe handling and storage
5.H&N Sport Baracuda Hunter Extreme Pellets
The H&N Sport Baracuda Hunter Extreme Pelletsdeliver in every shot. Engineered for small game hunting and pest control, these pellets are designed with a deep, cross-shaped hollow tip that mushrooms precisely upon impact, maximizing knockdown power and ensuring humane kills. Their aerodynamic design and precision manufacturing make them a favorite among hunters who demand both accuracy and stopping force.
Crafted for magnum air rifles, the Baracuda Hunter Extreme pellets are ideal for targeting pests and small game such as mice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks, sparrows, magpies, pigeons, and snipes. The unique four-notch head design ensures the pellet expands reliably on impact, creating a powerful shock effect that transfers energy quickly to the target. This makes them particularly effective at close to medium hunting ranges, while still retaining significant energy at longer distances.
With consistent weight, perfect shape, and clean lead construction, these pellets fly true and strike hard. Tested for penetration in ballistic soap, they demonstrated impressive stopping performance—showing just how lethal they can be in real-world conditions. Whether you’re controlling pests on your property or pursuing small game in the field, the Baracuda Hunter Extreme offers deadly precision with every shot.
Key Specifications
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Caliber: .177 (4.5 mm)
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Weight: 9.57 grains
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Quantity: 400 pellets per tin
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Material: Lead
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Minimum Muzzle Energy: 12 ft-lbs
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Muzzle Velocity: 745 fps
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Effective Range: Up to 50 meters / 55 yards
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Energy at 25 Yards: 8 ft-lbs (66% retention)
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Velocity at 25 Yards: 607 fps
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Energy at 50 Yards: 5 ft-lbs (45% retention)
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Velocity at 50 Yards: 502 fps
Pros
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Unique cross-shaped hollow tip for superior mushrooming effect
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Excellent energy transfer for humane and effective kills
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Highly accurate and consistent flight path
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Suitable for a wide range of small game and pest species
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Retains significant energy even at extended ranges
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High-quality lead ensures precision manufacturing and reliability
Cons
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Requires a magnum air rifle for optimal performance
Also read;5 Best Air Rifle Ammo for Pest Control
Factor to Consider when Choosing Best Hallow-Point Air Rifle pellets
1. Pellet Caliber Compatibility
The first and most critical factor is matching the pellet caliber to your air rifle’s specifications. Common calibers include .177, .22, and .25, with .177 offering higher velocity and flatter trajectory, while .22 and .25 provide more knockdown power. Hollow-point pellets rely heavily on proper barrel fit for both accuracy and effective expansion. If you choose the wrong caliber, even the best pellet will suffer from poor sealing, unstable flight, and reduced impact energy. Always confirm your air rifle’s caliber before purchase, and remember that even within the same caliber, pellet head sizes may vary slightly—so testing a few brands can help you find the most consistent fit for your specific barrel.
2. Weight and Ballistic Performance
Pellet weight directly influences flight characteristics, penetration, and expansion. Hollow-point pellets generally come in medium to heavy weights to balance accuracy and stopping power. Heavier pellets retain more energy at distance and produce better penetration, making them ideal for hunting, but they also travel slower and may require a powerful rifle to reach optimal speed. Lighter hollow-points achieve higher velocity but can be more affected by wind drift and may over-expand or lose accuracy at longer ranges. Understanding your rifle’s muzzle energy and intended shooting range will help you choose the right weight for consistent and effective performance.
3. Muzzle Energy Requirements
Hollow-point pellets need a minimum impact velocity to expand effectively on target. If fired from a low-powered airgun, they may behave more like a domed pellet, reducing their hunting effectiveness. For example, a pellet designed for magnum rifles may require 12 ft-lbs or more to perform optimally. Using a pellet that matches your rifle’s energy output ensures proper expansion, controlled deformation, and humane kills when hunting small game. This factor is especially important for pest control where quick, clean dispatch is essential.
4. Pellet Shape and Expansion Design
Not all hollow-points are created equal—some have simple open cavities, while others feature cross-cut notches, polymer tips, or raised central points to improve mushrooming on impact. The design directly affects how the pellet expands, penetrates, and transfers energy to the target. For hunting, a deeper hollow cavity or specialized tip design can deliver more devastating force. On the other hand, overly aggressive expansion can limit penetration, making it unsuitable for larger pests. Evaluating the engineering of the hollow-point head ensures you get a pellet that balances expansion with adequate depth of penetration.
5. Material Quality and Consistency
The quality of the lead or alloy used, as well as the manufacturing process, impacts both accuracy and on-target performance. High-quality pellets are precisely formed, free from surface defects, and have consistent weight and dimensions. Cheaply made pellets may have flashing, deformation, or inconsistent sizes, leading to erratic flight paths and poor grouping. Premium manufacturers like H&N or JSB invest in tight quality control, ensuring that every pellet performs similarly—critical for precision shooting and ethical hunting.
6. Accuracy and Rifle Compatibility
Accuracy is highly rifle-dependent, meaning the best hollow-point for one airgun might perform poorly in another. Barrel rifling, twist rate, and even the age or cleanliness of your barrel can influence pellet behavior. The only way to truly know is through testing different brands and designs in your own rifle. Look for pellets that consistently deliver tight groupings at your intended hunting or shooting range. Since hollow-points are typically designed for shorter to medium ranges, you should test them at realistic hunting distances, such as 20–40 yards, to ensure they perform as expected.
7. Intended Use and Target Type
Choosing the right hollow-point pellet depends on whether you’re targeting paper, pests, or small game. For pest control and hunting, expansion and knockdown power are crucial, as hollow-points are designed to deliver more energy upon impact than domed pellets. However, if you plan to shoot primarily for target practice, hollow-points may not be the most accurate choice over long ranges—wadcutters or domed pellets often outperform them in pure accuracy. Understanding your shooting goals will guide you toward a pellet with the right balance of expansion, penetration, and accuracy for the job.
8. Price and Availability
While hollow-point pellets are generally more expensive than standard domed designs due to their complex manufacturing process, you don’t always need the most expensive option to achieve good results. However, investing in a reputable brand often pays off in performance and consistency. Also consider availability—if you find a pellet that works perfectly with your rifle, make sure it’s easily obtainable in your region so you can maintain consistency over time. Inconsistent supply can force you to switch pellets and potentially re-zero your rifle frequently, which can be inconvenient, especially for regular hunters.
Frequent Asked Questition Best Hollow-Point Air Rifle Pellets
1. What are hollow-point air rifle pellets best used for?
Hollow-point pellets are specifically designed for hunting small game and pest control because they expand on impact, transferring maximum energy into the target. This expansion creates a larger wound channel, ensuring a quicker and more humane kill. They are less suited for long-range precision shooting compared to domed pellets, but at short to medium ranges, they provide excellent stopping power.
2. Do hollow-point pellets work in all air rifles?
Hollow-point pellets can be used in most air rifles, but performance varies depending on the rifle’s power and barrel design. They typically perform best in medium- to high-powered air rifles, as higher velocities help the hollow-point expand effectively. In low-powered rifles, they may not expand fully and could behave more like a standard round-nose pellet. Always check your rifle’s caliber and muzzle energy before choosing a pellet.
3. How do I choose the right hollow-point pellet for my needs?
Start by matching the pellet’s caliber to your air rifle. Then consider your shooting purpose—if you’re hunting or controlling pests, choose a pellet with a proven expansion design and consistent manufacturing quality. Pay attention to the pellet weight and your rifle’s muzzle energy to ensure proper penetration and expansion. Testing a few brands in your own rifle is the best way to find the most accurate and effective option for your setup.
Conclusion
In conclusion choosing best hollow-point pellet can make all the difference between a missed opportunity and a clean, effective shot. The right choice will offer a perfect balance of accuracy, expansion, and energy transfer, ensuring reliable performance for both hunting and pest control. By considering factors such as caliber, weight, muzzle energy, and design quality, shooters can match their ammunition to their rifle’s capabilities and intended use. With the right hollow-point pellet, every pull of the trigger becomes a confident step toward precision, consistency, and success in the field or on the range.