Meet The .50-Caliber Umarex Hammer
The Best Air Rifle For Big Game Hunters
(This content is sponsored by Umarex)
It’s a good thing 10-year-old me had a Daisy Red Ryder instead of a .50-caliber Umarex Hammer. If I’d toted the latter, the blood trails would’ve been far bigger and more frequent.
But as I now hold the Hammer in my hands—which is far more real than any hammer Thor ever wielded—I can’t help but flash back to the early days. You know, the times when I walked through the woods impersonating the likes of Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, and all those other tough guys.
Yeah, young me with a Umarex would’ve been a terror—an absolute menace in the minds of local game animals. To the deer, I’d have been pure PCP peril.
Today, in the deer woods, modern me could be, too. And so could modern you. Here’s what you should know about deer hunting with the .50-caliber Umarex Hammer.
State Deer Hunting Regulations On Air Rifles
Each state highlights different game laws. In some states, certain things are allowed (even heralded) but in others are complete blasphemy. Deer hunting cultures vary from state to state, and it’s important to know what you can and can’t do. This also applies to the use of air rifles in deer hunting.
According to Pyramyd Air, air rifles are allowed for small-game hunting in almost every state in America. That said, about half of states permit the use of these for big-game hunting, such as deer. These include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Details matter, though. Some states apply limitations to when air rifles can be used or not used. Generally, these must meet or exceed a certain caliber size. Additionally, some regulate the size of the projectile. Furthermore, these should meet or exceed a certain velocity and/or energy in foot-pounds.
Of course, every state’s regulations read differently. It’s crucial to read the hunting regulations provided by your state wildlife agency or Department of Natural Resources. If the game laws are too vague (which is common in some states), contact a conservation officer for an interpretation of the ruling. Oftentimes, if the laws are somewhat gray, wardens have the right to interpret them. Knowing where your local game warden stands on the matter is very important.
Even if it’s been legal in your state, check the regulation updates each year. Hunting regulations can and do change. Stay on top of the laws governing your state this season.
.50-Caliber Air Rifles For Deer Hunting
It doesn’t take much “math-ing” or computation to realize a .50-caliber air rifle is meant to do serious damage to whitetails and other deer-sized game. Even a .35-caliber air rifle packs a punch. A .50-caliber projectile hits like a missile—it leaves a hole.
Because air rifles don’t have the required speed and energy to produce hydrostatic shock, it’s all about leaving large holes and producing devastating wound channels. So, send a chunk of lead of this size through the vitals, and the blood trails are thick and short.
Another benefit of air rifles is the lower decibels that come with shooting them (compared to modern firearms). For most air rifles, hearing protection isn’t necessary. So, it doesn’t wreak havoc on your ears or spook game.
.50-Caliber Umarex Hammer
The .50-caliber Umarex Hammer is a pre-charged pneumatic big-bore rifle. This bolt-action gun comes with a 24-cubic-inch tank with a 4,500 psi max-fill pressure that delivers three full-power shots. It features a Picatinny scope rail, M-Lok handguard, Magpul grip, and two-shot magazine. It slings 350-grain bullets up to 900 fps.
“The .50-caliber Umarex Hammer Airgun Hunting Rifle didn’t alter the laws of physics,” Umarex notes. “It just took advantage of them. The Umarex Hammer’s primary objective was to accelerate a greater mass faster using technology, ingenuity, innovation, and the big .510-caliber barrel. This unparalleled air rifle will push a 550-grain slug to 760 fps and generate 705 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle.”
Despite propelling a .50-caliber bullet, the air rifle produces minimal recoil. This makes it easy to get back on target for another shot if needed. It’s also perfect for new, youth, and small-framed shooters.
“Unlike a traditional firearm, the Hammer doesn’t generate a comparable report or recoil signature,” Umarex says. “A shooter in a big-game hunting situation will not need to wear hearing protection when shooting the Umarex Hammer. The recoil of this big-bore air rifle can best be described as a firm push, not a sharp kick like a powder-burning rifle would give.”
This offering also comes with a dual-chamber precision magazine. This gives a hunter two shots, which allows for that sometimes-needed follow-up opportunity.
The Umarex Hammer is offered in the Big Bore PCP Hunting Rifle and the shorter Carbine model. The former produces a bit more velocity and a little additional energy, while the latter is slightly shorter and easier to maneuver in tighter spaces, such as a hunting blind.
To watch a complete deer hunt using the .50-Caliber Umarex Hunter carbine, check out this YouTube video, where Eydin Hansen with Umarex Airguns downs a big, mature buck.
You’re sure to love deer hunting with the .50-caliber Umarex Hammer. The Umarex Hammer sports an MSRP of $1,555. For more information, visit umarexusa.com.
Specifications: Umarex Hammer
| Caliber: | 0.51 |
| Capacity: | 2 |
| Energy: | 700+ ft. lbs with 550 grain lead slug |
| Ammunition: | .510 Lead Slugs |
| Scope: | 700+ ft. lbs with 550-grain lead slug |
| Action: | Bolt action |
| Power Source: | PCP |
| Trigger Pull: | 2.5 pounds |
| Weight: | 8.5 pounds |
| OA Length: | 43.75 inches |