How is the power of a compressed air rifle measured after all?

Compressed air rifles have become increasingly popular among sports shooters and target shooters. Their accuracy and their relatively low cost make them an excellent option for both beginners and experienced shooters. However, understanding how their power is measured is essential for choosing the compressed air rifle that suits your specific needs and ensuring a safe and enjoyable shooting experience.

In this article, we will explore why and how you can measure the power of a compressed air rifle.

Why know the power of a compressed air rifle?

There are several reasons why it is important to know the power of your compressed air rifle:

To ensure that its use is legal. It is important to understand the power of your compressed air rifle to ensure that its use is legal. While any compressed air rifle sold by a specialized store (such as Mundilar Airguns) is guaranteed to be legal for use in Portugal, there may be other situations where it is important to verify the legality.

To compare different rifles. When looking to purchase a compressed air rifle, you’ll likely pay attention to the power of different models to find one that meets your needs.

To troubleshoot issues with your rifle. If your compressed air rifle is not functioning as expected, understanding its power can help you identify the issue.

To track the performance of your rifle over time. Like everything in life, compressed air rifles also age and experience wear, which can lead to a potential decrease in their power. By monitoring its power over time, you can identify when it’s time to repair or replace it.

What are the units of measurement for the power of a compressed air rifle?

There are two main ways to measure the power of a compressed air rifle:

• Initial velocity: It’s the speed of a projectile as it exits the barrel of a compressed air rifle. It is measured in feet per second (FPS).
• Joules (J): It is the standard unit of energy It is used to measure the amount of energy a projectile transfers to a target when it is fired.

What are the power categories?

Compressed air rifles are typically classified into three power levels:

• Low power: They have an energy below 16 J.
• Medium power: They have a muzzle energy of 16 to 27 J.
• High power: They have a muzzle energy exceeding 27 J. They are often classified as “Magnum”.

It’s important to note that power levels and legal restrictions vary depending on the country and region. Always check local regulations before purchasing or using a compressed air rifle.

What factors influence the power of a compressed air rifle?

A compressed air rifle is composed of different components. The combination of these components with the context of the shot can affect the power. Let’s then consider some of the main factors:

Type of rifle: There are several types of compressed air guns, including spring piston, PCP, and CO2 rifles. As we’ve seen in our article “What’s the difference between a PCP rifle and a spring rifle?“, typically all these types allow for various ranges of power.

Caliber: The caliber of a compressed air rifle refers to the diameter of the projectile it fires. Bullets of larger caliber are heavier and result in more power than bullets of smaller caliber.

Barrel length: The longer the barrel of a compressed air rifle, the more time the projectile has to accelerate, resulting in a higher FPS (feet per second).

Projectile weight: Heavier projectiles have more inertia and, therefore, more power than lighter bullets.

Temperature: Compressed air rifles are affected by temperature. Cold weather can cause the FPS of a compressed air rifle to decrease.

How to measure the power of your compressed air rifle with a chronograph

A chronograph is a device that measures the velocity of a projectile as it exits the barrel of a compressed air rifle. The velocity can then be used to calculate the power of the compressed air rifle.

In the Mundilar Airguns online store, we present a selection of chronographs from highly reputable manufacturers.

To use a chronograph, follow these steps:

1. Set up the chronograph according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Load the compressed air rifle with a projectile.
3. Place the air rifle on the chronograph.
4. Shoot.
5. The chronograph will display the bullet’s velocity.

Use the following formula to calculate the power of the air rifle:

Power (J) = (Bullet weight (g) * Velocity^2 (m/s)) / 2

Or use our calculator:

Conclusion

In addition to being an important factor in the responsible ownership of an air rifle, measuring its power can be an excellent challenge for true enthusiasts.

In our online store, you will find compressed air rifles for all power categories and for various budgets. We provide the power of each carbine in FPS and/or Joule in the product descriptions, allowing you to easily compare different models.

Finally, if you need any advice, please do not hesitate to contact our specialized team via email at [email protected].