How Powerful are CO2 Air Rifles? A Breakdown for Gamers

As a lifelog gamer and air gun enthusiast, this is a question I get all the time from newbies interested in small game hunting or just plinking targets in the backyard.

A Clear Benchmark for CO2 Power

Simply put, CO2 rifles are plenty powerful for pest control and hunting at short distances, but fall short of the power offered by pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) models. The 12 gram CO2 cartridges used to propel the pellet operate at around 800 PSI according to most manufacturers.

Compare this to 2,900+ PSI for even medium-powered PCP air rifles running off compressed air tanks. That‘s over 3.5 times more potential energy!

But 800 PSI is still nothing to scoff at. It‘s enough pneumatic force to propel pellets at 600-700 FPS speeds according to Crosman, a leading CO2 rifle manufacturer.

CO2 Rifles Have Game-Dropping Power Under 50 Yards

Based on the ballistic performance data from CO2 velocity tests, these rifles can humanely take small game like squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, etc at distances within 30-50 yards.

That effective range matches up with the recommendations from air gun hunting experts like Air Gun Sporting Organization.

I‘ve dropped many pesky rodents ruining my garden over the years with well-placed head and chest shots using nothing more than a CO2 break barrel. The stopping power is impressive despite the limitations compared to a PCP air rifle.

CO2 Power Technology Deep Dive

Alright, now that we‘ve established a clear idea of how powerful CO2 rifles are, let‘s go deeper into the technology itself and why it falls short of PCP guns.

Compressed CO2 Cartridges Offer a Limited Air Supply

The first key difference is the air source itself. CO2 powered air guns utilize small 12 gram cartridges filled with liquid carbon dioxide.

The CO2 is compressed into liquid form, allowing a large volume of compressed air to be stored in the compact metal cartridges. This allows repeating mechanisms since each cartridge contains enough CO2 for 20-30 quality shots on rifles designed to harness this air supply efficiently.

That finite supply of compressed gas contrasts sharply with PCP rifles which are hooked up to large tanks that can be refilled many times. Each fill provides thousands of shots.

So while convenient, CO2 cartridges ultimately limit shot capacity before a swap is needed.

CO2 Power Drops as Cartridge Empties

Additionally, the cartridge doesn‘t output a consistent 800 PSI during its lifespan. As it empties, velocity and power decay rapidly according to tests by AirgunWeb. This makes precise shot placement even more critical.

By the last 25% of the cartridge, FPS velocity drops substantially, limiting effective range. This can be frustrating when trying to sight in a scope or dial in the optimal holdover positions.

CO2 Performance Sensitive to Temperature

Another downside is that CO2 powered rifles see greater fluctuations from environmental temperatures. Colder weather means slower pressure release from the cartridge. You‘ll see lower FPS velocity and energy on frigid winter days even with a fresh cartridge.

By contrast, scorching summer heat causes the CO2 to expand rapidly. This can lead to surplus air loss and erratic shot patterns.

Managing these temperature swings takes practice. Some crews combat cold weather with ziploc hand warmers strapped to the grip to normalize cartridge output.

Leaks – The Silent CO2 Killer

The final hassle is that the compressed gas cartridges and adapters are prone to leaking over time. Tiny gaps in the seals impact consistency. These leaks accelerate pressure loss from the cartridge since every shot doesn‘t fully utilize the compressed air.

Fixing these pesky leaks with seal replacements and tightening housing screws helps maximize shot capacity per cartridge. But it‘s still not as robust as a PCP setup with metal couplers and regulators.

CO2 Hunting & Plinking Pros Can‘t Be Beat

However, its clear compressed CO2 power still offers unique advantages that appeal to the air gun community despite the limitations above.

Repeating Power Without Pumping

Firstly, break barrel CO2 models generate repeat shots without needing to manually cock a spring or pump a pneumatic chamber. The consistent 20+ shot capacity from the integrated cartridges fills a great niche.

Squeeze, fire, next pellet. This rapid repeating capability enhances the rate of fire considerably over single shot guns.

Whether plinking cans in the backyard or popping off follow up shots on a hunt, CO2 repeater makes for a versatile system. Especially handy for varmint control when dealing with property overrun by pesky rodents.

Consistent Velocity Once Pierced

Additionally, once the CO2 cartridge seal is pierced and the gas begins flowing, velocities stabilize from shot-to-shot. Tests show +/- 15 FPS variation across a 10 shot string with premium pellets according to AirgunWeb.

While power drops over the cartridge lifetime, a fresh cartridge provides reliable consistency during the first 75%+ as pressure holds steady. This aids accuracy and precision.

Break Barrels Offer Better Power than Repeaters

Furthermore, break barrel CO2 models actually offer more power than repeaters since only a single shot of air is tapped per firing sequence. Efficiency is higher without needing to account for complex repeating mechanisms.

My Benjamin Trail NP break barrel reliably pushes 14 grain pellets over 600 FPS with hunting pellets. Great for medium range shots with a zeroed scope. Vertical break barrels also stabilize nicely for standing positional shots.

For these reasons and more, CO2 continues thriving thanks to key advantages centered around convenience and utility. Don‘t sleep on these air powered workhorses just because PCP‘s output more brute strength!

Now let‘s round out this CO2 exploration with some key statistics around capacity, effective range, safety and comparisons.

By The Numbers: Key CO2 Air Gun Statistics

• 20-30 quality shots per 12 gram CO2 cartridge
• 600-700 FPS is the typical velocity range
• 30-50 yards effective hunting/pest control range
• Up to 200 yards capable with exceptional marksmanship
• .177 caliber is the most common option by far

CO2 Cartridge Lifespan Metrics

• 24 hours – Maximum time CO2 stays pressurized in rifle after piercing
• 15-20% velocity loss by 50% cartridge depletion
• Up to 50% velocity loss by 100% cartridge depletion

Kinetic Energy Levels

• High Power PCP Rifles: 50+ FPE (advertised)
• Benjamin Marauder PCP: 30-32 FPE
• High Power CO2 Break Barrels: 16-20 FPE
• Repeater CO2 Rifles: 12-16 FPE

As a reference point, 5.5 foot-pounds of energy is the minimum for humane kills on small game like squirrels or rabbits. So CO2 rifles achieve 2-4x that power threshold.

CO2 Rifles vs Green Gas Airsoft Guns

This one comes up a lot! Green gas contains less compressed gas than CO2 cartridges. Most airsoft pistols tap out around 300 FPS. CO2 powered replicas reach 400+ FPS thanks to higher pressure delivery.

Safety & Legality Considerations

• Under US federal law, air guns are not considered firearms provided muzzle energy remains below 12 ft-lbs
• State and local ordinances vary widely around air gun usage and hunting. Research before discharging!
• Eye protection should always be worn. High velocity lead pellets can inflict major eye injuries.

Final Thoughts

While falling short of the power offered by high end PCP systems, CO2 continues to thrive thanks to portability, convenience and consistency advantages. Their break barrel and repeating mechanisms fill a great niche for casual shooting and pest control within 50 yards.

Just be mindful of the velocity loss as cartridges deplete and keep your shots within ethical hunting ranges. With good maintenance andmarksmanship fundamentals, CO2 air rifles remain a pleasure to shoot thanks to that signature power plant twang sending lead down range!

Let me know if you have any other CO2 questions in the comments! This is just the tip of the air gun iceberg.