Choosing the power of the pellet rifle
The power of a pellet rifle is defined in joules and ranges from 6.5 joules to over 50 joules. As the table below shows, distances range from less than 10 metres to about 50 metres.
In order to choose the right power, you should first of all pay attention to three main points: the pellet throw distance, the user and the legislation of the pellet rifle.
How far do you want to shoot the pellet rifle ?
The rifle is available in a variety of power ratings, allowing you to aim at targets placed at short or long distances. The more powerful the model, the more precise it will be and the further the pellet will be propelled.
- Pellet rifle power: 7.5 joules / Shooting distance: up to 10 metres
- Pellet rifle power: - 10 joules / Shooting distance: between 15 and 18 metres
- Pellet rifle power: - 20 joules / Shooting distance: up to 30 metres
- Pellet rifle power: 20 joules and more / Shooting distance: + up to 50 metres
Who is the rifle intended for ?
- Rifles of 10 joules and below are mainly suitable for juniors. While they can be dangerous to certain organs such as the eyes, they pose relatively little risk.
- Rifles between 10 and 20 joules max can hit targets at around 18 metres. They are ideal for beginners and responsible children who want to learn how to shoot. It is also the models between these two powers that are generally used in fairs.
- Rifles above 20 joules are intended for experienced shooters who wish to maintain or refine their shooting accuracy over long distances (up to 50 metres). Rifles with a 20 joule pellet, 30 joule pellet and above therefore require a valid hunting licence or shooting permit.
Tip: If you buy a high-powered rifle and have children at home, consider a trigger guard lock. This inexpensive accessory locks the trigger, making the gun unusable.Possédez-vous une licence de tir ou permis de chasse ?
- As a category D weapon, the rifle of less than 20 joules is freely available to those over 18. Only a valid identity card is required to purchase it. It can be purchased without a specific licence.
- Categorised as a category C weapon, rifles of more than 20 joules require several documents to be purchased: proof of residence less than three months old, identity card, shooting licence or valid hunting licence.
By answering these three questions, you should be able to decide on a particular model.
To go even further on the subject, we suggest other points.
Is it possible to increase the power of the pellet rifle with a suitable kit ?
Specially designed power kits are available from some online gun shops. Depending on the model of your firearm, the pellet rifle power kit usually includes a spring or a piston to be mounted by yourself. They are available for the different brands of rifles: Diana, Gamo, Hammerli, Stoeger, Crosman, Norica... As this procedure must normally be carried out by a qualified gunsmith, we do not offer them at Jean Pierre Fusil. In addition to that, it is also much more complicated to control the documents of a user at a distance (ex : person wishing to modify the power of his rifle to more than 20 joules).
How to measure the power of a pellet rifle ?
If you have just found an old rifle and do not know its shooting power, you can always try this calculation to estimate it. If the lead used to load it weighs 0.48 grams, you must first convert it to kilograms (=0.00048 kg), then divide it by 2 and multiply by the velocity squared (=320²).
The calculation is as follows: 0.00048/2 = 0.00024 0.00024 x 320² = 24.576
A pellet weighing 0.48 grams and fired at a speed of 320 m/s would have a power of 24.576 joules.