Review: .22-Caliber Umarex Octane Air Gun

If you owned an air gun as a kid and haven’t shot one in awhile, you’re going to appreciate them in a whole new way. When you’re hunting small game, like squirrel, you want the right gun for the job. We recently picked up a Umarex Octane and were impressed at the power and accuracy of this break-action .22-caliber air gun.

Photos by Ron Sinfelt

GALLERY: Umarex Octane

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<h2>Umarex Octane</h2>The Umarex Octane (MSRP, $260; <a href="http://www.umarexusa.com/Umarex-Octane-22-Cal.html#.UjINl2Sgnbo"target="_blank">umarexusa.com</a>) is a break-open-cocking air gun. With the 3-9x40mm scope that comes with it, the package is about 9 pounds. I’m generally not a fan of the thumbhole-stock look, but the sleek Octane pulls it off.
<h2>Umarex Octane</h2>The Umarex Octane (MSRP, $260; <a href="http://www.umarexusa.com/Umarex-Octane-22-Cal.html#.UjINl2Sgnbo"target="_blank">umarexusa.com</a>) is a break-open-cocking air gun. With the 3-9x40mm scope that comes with it, the package is about 9 pounds. I’m generally not a fan of the thumbhole-stock look, but the sleek Octane pulls it off.
<h2>Suppressor</h2>This good-looking .22-caliber air gun comes with a suppressor—not a silencer—and that helps keep the report below that of a .22 Long Rifle. It's a good option for shooting squirrels, ground hogs, rock chucks or even coyotes.
<h2>Target Shooting</h2>I was able to shoot excellent groups from the bench at 35 and 50 yards. You could have covered the 35-yard groups with a dime. You can expect tight groups at 50 yards. And there is almost no recoil, so shooting all day is a pleasure.
<h2>Two-Stage Trigger</h2>The two-stage trigger broke at between 6 and 6 1/2 pounds. You can adjust the amount of take-up in stage one, but the weight cannot be adjusted by the user.
<h2>Reaxis Gas Piston</h2>Much of the power and accuracy of this air gun can be attributed to the Reaxis gas piston. It’s explosive. I consistently shot holes through 1/2-inch plywood and the 1/4-inch panel behind it.
<h2>Not a Kid's Toy</h2>The Octane sends pellets down range at up to 1,050 fps. Lighter pellets definitely make a supersonic report. This is definitely not a kid’s toy air gun. The Umarex Octane is a serious small-game air gun that looks, feels and shoots a lot like a rimfire.