Minimum FPS to Kill a Squirrel with a Pellet Gun

To humanely kill a squirrel with a pellet gun, you need at least 500-600 FPS (feet per second) with a .22 caliber pellet. This provides sufficient energy (approximately 10-12 ft-lbs) for a clean, ethical kill. Lower FPS may only wound the animal, causing unnecessary suffering.

Recommended FPS by Caliber

• .177 caliber: 800-1000 FPS minimum
• .22 caliber: 500-600 FPS minimum
• .25 caliber: 400-500 FPS minimum

Factors Affecting Kill Power

• Pellet weight and type
• Distance to target
• Shot placement (head or heart-lung area)
• Air gun power plant (spring-piston, PCP, or CO2)

Comparison of Air Rifle Types

Ethical Hunting Considerations

Always verify local laws before hunting squirrels. Use proper shot placement for quick, humane kills. Never shoot at running or partially obscured targets. Practice accuracy at various distances before hunting.