Looking for The Best Benjamin Air Rifles in 2025? You’re in the right place. Whether you’re into hunting, target shooting, or just love quality air rifles, Benjamin has built a reputation for power and precision. This year, they’ve stepped up their game with some impressive models, and we’re here to break down the top picks. Let’s dive in and find the perfect air rifle for you.
1. Benjamin Bulldog Hunting Rifle
Highlight: DURABLE SYNTHETIC DESIGN – Short 36-inch overall length bullpup configuration.
Constructive Review: Awesome airgun. Powerful. Accurate. I selected this rifle over some of the more expensive ones because of the wide range of slugs it can shoot using the same magazine. And obviously, because it is less expensive. ($2000 for an FX airgun is just a little too hard to justify. They are, after all, just airguns.)
I have fired 81 gr up to 163 gr slugs using the original magazine. You can fire even heavier slugs with the addition of a single shot tray placed in the magazine well. I have seen slugs up to 220 gr fired accurately with this rifle.
It is easy to modify and upgrade this rifle yourself. (check out pit bull airguns for parts and service). It’s almost like they designed this airgun to be easily modified. Mounted a vortex scope, extended air reservoir, and stronger hammer spring. Now I get about 15 shots before the pressure drops to 2000 psi. Still effective for small games at that pressure also. Simple to top off with an air tank and back in business.
Having received the rifle this last spring I have not had the chance to hunt any big game yet, but the destructive ground squirrels on my property have come to fear me!
A little bulky and heavy towards the front of the gun. A bi-pod attached to the included rail system easily fixed that issue.There are higher quality rifles out there for a much higher price. But I have not found any magazine-fed airguns that allow a wide range of slugs to be used. Most use just 81.2 gr pellets. This is fine if you only want to target shoot or scourge small animals. But the bulldog can, and has , been used for games as small as squirrels and as large as deer, antelope, wild boars, and larger African game. (Albeit with additional modifications.).
I would like to see the cocking handle made out of steel rather than aluminum. With the upgraded hammer spring, the aluminum handle works hard.
Overall, very happy with the rifle. Good value for the money. Can handle almost all but the biggest North American game. With the 5 shot mags that change out quickly, you could even give zombies a run for their money during the apocalypse. -Jason
Trending Review: I received this gun today and spent about 5 hours with it. I own 3 other air guns. Two spring pistons, and a CO2 pistol.
This is a different animal. The power astounds me. I set it up with a bipod, Bugbuster scope, and a tactical light. Spent 4 shots sighting it in with JB Kings. I have not tried the Monster Nosler Bullets it comes with.
Yes, I said bullets because that is exactly what the Noslers are. >357 bullets, not pellets. They must have massive power because the JB Kings are amazing. I have the hand pump. With that, I will get a good workout every day. Maybe someday a compressor, but you’re talking $1,000 or better for one of those.
The looks have grown on me already, the classic one-liner about these types of guns surely applies.
“Phased Plasma rifle in the 40-watt range” Arnold of course, as the Terminator. That is what this gun reminds me of whenever I see it.I also am surprised at the weight. Not bad at all, well balanced on the shoulder for me. It feels good, looks awesome, and has unbelievable power.
I recommend you quit messing with BB guns and invest in a real weapon. I did, and I am happy that I did.
Update:
I have fired quite a few rounds through this rifle. It is dead-on accurate, and more powerful than I even thought before. Shooting into 1/8″ plate, It makes a huge dent, and the slug completely mushrooms to the size of a quarter, amazing. This weapon will destroy the overly destructive groundhogs we have around here. If I had to make a one-word review it would be “wow “. Power is nothing without accuracy, this rifle has both.Update #2: This rifle is superb! And though, I am clumsy, I dropped the rifle, knocked it off the back of the cart actually, and it hit the scope, broke one of the flip-up covers, but it still shoots dead on. Wow, I guess that’s good for the scope rep too. A Leapers UTG True Hunters Scope. Amazing rifle. I suffer from extreme “buyer’s remorse”, but absolutely none on this purchase.
Update: October 15, 2017. Well, I have two “big bore” air rifles, this Bulldog and a Sam Yang Recluse.Let me tell you, this Bulldog wipes the floor with the Recluse. More power, more shots per fill, and much more accuracy. I wish I had never purchased the Recluse, I would much rather have two of these Bulldogs. Completely satisfied with this gun.
Additional pictures are of some Jackolantern “carving” from 52 yards! -MichMan
Reassuring Review: You are getting a lot of rifles for your money in this purchase and not a toy. I highly recommend this well-crafted and rock-solid Airgun. Pre Charged Pneumatic (PCP) is a whole new way of shooting inexpensive rounds once you get past the initial setup. To do this in the best possible way. You had best invest in a 4500 psi air compressor with a good oil/water separator. The Benjamin 90 Cubic Inch Charging Tank. A see-through water flow meter to check if water is getting from the compressor to the charging tank. You have an option to get a hand pump but it will take you 150 hand pumps or more. My full compressor setup with Benjamin charging tank cost me $600.00 bringing the gun and tank together…with custom optics to $1200.00. Additional $225.00 in mods. Not bad considering rounds are only 0.29 cents a shot or less.
The fun:
This can get out to 300 yards to the trained marksman with a little Kentucky windage and 2 very important mods – barrel supports and mega moderator you can find by doing a Google search. You can kill a deer at 150 yards with those mods I just mentioned. Stock rifle is good for 5 shots to 100 yards before you see a small drop in trajectory. However. 10 shots are still in the kill zone. You will want to recharge once the rifle drops to 2000 psi. 3000 psi is full charge. This is where the Benjamin charging tank comes in handy as it will not overcharge the rifle. At 75 yards or less…stock….this is where the most fun can be had for beginner to moderate skilled marksmen. You can let the air go down to 1500 psi at this range. That’s about 15 shots depending on weather temperature and outdoor pressure.Cleaning:
Simple to clean with the rod and kit it comes with. The barrel supports I mentioned from Pitbull will help keep this gun cleaner and improve long-distance accuracy. DO NOT USE Petroleum-based cleaners. This gun is under pressure and could ignite petroleum. Do not put petroleum on your rounds either.Storage:
Store with a gun charged as it lengthens the life of the rings. Get extra rings. It’s a pressurized system and as with all air systems…orings are high maintenance although inexpensive.Mods:
Google Pitbull Airguns and have a blast! -Gnarly Gorilla
2. Benjamin Armada Air Rifle
Highlight: Quiet and versatile with an on-board air pressure gauge.
Constructive Review: A few days after purchase……… Great gun for someone who wants a precision air rifle. For my setup, I’ve been shooting job pellets and I have an Element Helix on it for a scope. A bipod is also mounted on the front most of the time.
I’ve shot around 100 shots so far with it. 50 yards I could cover a group with a dime. 90 yards It shoots 8 shot 2 inch groups. The bolt functions right. It’s a bit of a pull to get it back. That may be adjustable also.
I can get at least 16 shots before it needs to be refilled. I haven’t shot it enough to know for sure yet. I use the Benjamin air pump which takes around 70 pumps to get from 2000psi to 3000. It’s not “easy” to pump. I’m around 200 pounds and it’s a workout pumping the 70 pumps in a row.
The clips were easy to fill once I figured out how to fill them. The gun itself is a lot of plastic but I’d say it’s still well made for being plastic. I’m very impressed with this gun so far! 6 months after purchase…..
I still think all the plastic on it makes it feel a bit cheap but the Armada .25 is still shooting great with the JSB pellets. it shoots all right with Benjamin pellets but it’s not great. H&N pellets are hardly worth shooting out of it. groups are bad with these. With the JSBs, I can fairly consistently pop water balloons at 100 yards. I set an ibuprofen at 30 yards and blew it off the first shot. supper consistent with an occasional flyer. It’s a great gun for taking care of small to medium-sized rodents! -Ben W
Trending Review: The quality and price of this rifle can’t be beaten. I did have to send the first rifle back as the packing was done poorly and the rifle had flopped around during shipping, also some parts were missing. That being said though I called customer service and they sent me a new rifle in 2 days it was perfect, and they paid for the return shipping.
The accuracy of this air rifle is incredible, I am getting 8 shot groups that can be covered with a dime at 100ft. quite easily. I equipped it with an X-sight day/night scope which made a nice pairing. The rifle is quite heavy but that is mostly due to the scope…I use it on a bench or with a shooting stick which remedies the weight issue. I would purchase this rifle if I had it to do over again. It can be upgraded with most aftermarket AR parts to make it “your” rifle. I have added some photos of shots from 100 ft. in which 8 pellets were shot per hole.
The first time I took it to the range I kinda got some funny looks when I said I was shooting a pellet gun. When the range master watched me shoot for a while he ended up coming into the stall and asking to shoot it himself. After he was done he said when he first heard what I had he was skeptical and unimpressed, after seeing what it looked like and how well it shot, he said he sees a lot of cool guns come through as you can imagine but this was one of the neatest guns he had seen there. Also pictured is the damage to an apple from 1 pellet impact. -T. Bow
Reassuring Review: I bought this thing to be my entryway into the sport. The price was excellent and the reviews were great. A solid investment. It only cost me 300.25 pellets and a mangled target holder to realize that the RWS pellets were useless in this thing. Go with the JSB Diabolo King Heavy MkII’s. You can find twice the quantity for the same price as Amazon has them if you shop around elsewhere. JSBs are fine if you’re just trying to lead the barrel, lol.
I haven’t shot anything in nearly a decade, so the wider grouping is mostly me being rusty, but the four low shots were all sighting-in shots. Everything in the center rings came after at 50 yards. It’d be a hell of a lot tighter if I wasn’t so lousy though, and check out that exit wound! That post is 3-4 inches thick, and it didn’t stand a chance. Get yourself a solid backdrop and/or a hill behind your target, because this will demolish anything not made for its level of power.
Highly recommend! -Russell Tenhoff
3. Benjamin Marauder Synthetic Stock PCP-Powered Air Rifle
Highlight: Adjustable raised comb cheekpiece and reversible bolt handle.
Constructive Review: The Benjamin Marauder .25 is my second PCP air rifle, the other is an Airforce Condor in .22. I try to buy “Made in America” as much as I can!!!
I have been into airguns for many many years. I still have and use a 30+-year-old Benjamin 342 multi-pump. PCPs are on a whole new level.
The Marauder is relatively powerful, and quiet…and can be made quieter with some legal aftermarket products. Accuracy is excellent, with no need to develop special holds like the “artillery hold” that is popular with spring or nitro guns. Just shoot them like any other “real” rifle you have experience with. Aim small, miss small. With ammo scarce and expensive, this rifle is good to keep your skills up. Fundamentals are the same. Breath control, squeeze, bang…or pop as these things go.
8 round magazine is nice, as my Condor is a single shot. Having a quick follow-up shot is nice if you use it for hunting…and this rifle can be used for hunting. Game as large as coyotes have been taken. I would not be comfortable taking a coyote, but if my skills were better and I could be assured of a humane kill I would if I were hunting a coyote. Some folks have the skills and have done so.
Now I haven’t shot anything but paper with my rifle. This is just to inform you about the power level of this rifle. It is not a toy, but an adult air rifle. Make sure you have a good backstop and be aware of what is behind whatever you are shooting at. I have read on the forums of guys taking ground squirrels and birds at 100+ yards.
The barrel is a high-quality American product. I have heard the .177 and .22 barrels are a bit of a hit-and-miss. Some are great others not so good. There are folks making aftermarket barrels for those rifles though if you buy one of those and get a lemon.
I recommend a Hill or FX pump if you are going to hand pump. It is not hard, just use your legs like doing shallow squats. I pump mine up during commercial breaks LOL. Heat is the enemy of pumps, so just take it slow, and pause at the top of the stroke as well as the bottom. With all the valves, you want to make sure each chamber has a chance to fill before pumping.
You can use any rifle scope you have as well. Springers or nitro guns need airgun-rated scopes as the double recoil will kill even the most expensive rifle scope. These guns are safe for any scope you have lying around.
I recommend this rifle if you are doing pest control or small game hunting. It uses more air than a .177 or .22 so if you are just punching holes in paper you might consider another caliber. You will get more shots per fill on a smaller caliber. -Tengu Yokai
Trending Review: I’ve been using break barrel spring/gas piston air rifles for pest control but the last one I bought lacked usable accuracy and was returned. I decided to take the plunge into PCP and got a .22 caliber Marauder. Was worried when it arrived with zero pressure until I read the accompanying notice which indicated the rifle was de-gassed and shipped that way due to shipping restrictions. I also read that the factory had pressure-checked the Marauder for 72 hours and fired it several times to check barrel accuracy, the test target showing the shot grouping was included.
After pressurizing and setting the rifle up I moved to my outdoor target range to sight my Tasco 3-9x40mm scope in at 25 yards using a soft bench rest. Once sighted in, the Marauder consistently fired shot after shot through the same hole only slightly enlarging it. I changed from using nickel-sized targets to pea-sized and still never missed a single shot. Quiet, deadly accurate, and consistent, what more could you ask for? The most backyard-friendly (quiet) air gun I’ve owned.
I bought a hand pump for pressurizing the rifle and am still glad I did. From 0psi to 3000psi required several hundred pumps, but I just did about forty at a time before taking a break so it wasn’t strenuous. I get forty shots with the .22 caliber Marauder before the pressure gauge drops near 2000psi. Refilling from 2000psi back up to 3000psi takes about eighty or so pumps. At six feet tall and 180 lbs pumping is pretty easy for me, I just use my weight for the down-stroke. For someone much lighter than me, hand pumping might be more difficult. If I enjoyed target shooting or “plinking” and was shooting all the time, I’d get an electric pump but I’m not a hobbyist, I’m just interested in pest control. I might need to top the rifle off once or twice a month on average.
I left the rifle unused and fully charged for several days with zero pressure loss. So far, after running a hundred or so pellets through it, I have nothing negative to say about this .22 caliber Marauder. Best air rifle I’ve ever owned and I’ve owned quite a few in the fifty years I’ve been shooting. -Str8vision
Reassuring Review: I purchased the .22 cal for plinking – and I couldn’t believe how much fun and accurate this gun is. I’m a good marksman but not great, however, without adjustments to the gun and 25 shots to sight in the scope, I was getting groups about the size of a quarter. After sighting in the gun I took 10 shots and only had one flyer – I was shooting JSB Match Diabolo Exact Jumbo Heavy .22 Cal, 18.13 Grains, Domed. I suspect the flyer had more to do with the pellet than the gun.
Along with the fantastic accuracy, I could not believe how quiet this PCP is. Some people complain that the .22 isn’t as quiet as some reviewers claim. I pulled out the Daisy Red Ryder and did a comparison – the .22 caliber Marauder is slightly quieter than the Red Ryder BB gun. A car door closing is louder than this .22 cal.
I’m a left handed shooter so the fact that the bolt action is ambidextrous is a nice little plus……
To me, the only con for this gun is the weight. It isn’t a lightweight gun. Once you add a scope you will be in the 9 Lb. range. If you are a smaller shooter consider that fact in your decision-making process. If a 9 Lb. the gun doesn’t bother you, you won’t find a nicer, better shooting PCP at this price point.
I enjoyed this gun so much that I just purchased a .25 cal for varmint control. Yes, it is louder but the knockdown power is impressive and the accuracy is comparable to PCPs that cost twice as much.
One last observation – I don’t know why the price fluctuates so appreciably but it does. I watched this gun (both the .22 and the .25) for over 6 months. I purchased the .22 for $400 and the .25 for $465. The average price for the .22 appears to be about $500 and the .25 is around $535. I would guess that if you are patient and willing to watch the prices, you can save yourself a little money. -Utah Granny
4. Benjamin Trail NP XL Air Rifle
Highlight: For easy handling in the field. Adjustable objective and range estimating reticle.
Constructive Review: This is a well-designed rifle, and hefty enough that only the big guys might appreciate carrying it in the field. It is wonderfully accurate but decidedly on the heavy side for me. So if you are strong as an ox, then much of the rest of this will probably be of no interest. I’m getting up there in age so super lightweight rifles like the Gamo Silent Cat are much easier for me to use, but finding such a featherweight in 25 caliber at an affordable price – is not very likely.
This Benjamin weighs about the same as my 40XB Rangemaster, and the only place I ever lug that Big Bertha to is my bench rest. I’m not enthusiastic about carrying the Benjamin anywhere either because unless there is a way for the barrel to sit on something solid, my aim will get wobbly before I can get a shot off. Fortunately, I get all the coverage I need from my porch, so I can concentrate on my target while seated, provided there is a step stool close by.
My left foot rests on the bottom step, my left elbow rests on my raised knee and I can look straight through the sights while holding the rifle up to my shoulder. I can sit like that for as long as necessary to get a good shot. Follow-up shots require a little maneuvering, however, and the rifle must rest on its shoulder pad while I lean on the barrel with at least 47 pounds to break it open and load another pellet. I’m good for maybe about four follow-up shots, and then die.
This Benjamin Trail in 25 caliber is a lot more work for me but it is a natural for taking serious shots at varmints. Have to thank Benjamin Factory for being very perceptive in providing a perfectly mounted Picatinny rail to which a variety of scopes and sighting devices will always be perfectly aligned. I attached a red dot scope and adjusted it to hit the bullseye at 30 yards. One quiet snap of the trigger and a direct hit does the job. Love it! -Sand Man
Trending Review: Just got it in, mine is the 25 caliber. Paid $230. The 177 and 22 are both over $300. Trust me, this is what you want, pay the extra money and get these guns only.
This is a replacement for my Hatsan 25 cal, which only lasted three weeks. Then I got another brand, with 22/177 cal barrels, and junk, and returned them both. Then I ordered the Gamo bone collector, in 22 for $300. Junk didn’t like it, and tried to return it, Amazon said to keep the gun, here’s all your money back.
So, this is my last try on break barrels, I was giving up. So I ordered this one and got it today. Glad I did, what a solid gun, I mean basic, no special game loader that will break. A plain, basic piece of birch, like an old Kmart glen field for $60. Which is great, I’m nostalgic, so I like it. But I’d rather spend the money on the mechanism instead of a piece of furniture-grade wood gun that you basically can’t use in the end. The checkering is roll marked, pressed into the wood, again, basic. I like basic.
The mechanism just locks up like a snap and bank vault, with solid visible screws. You can tell some time went into developing this thing. The housing for the piston appears to be blued steel, which is a nice feature nowadays with everything being cerakoted which the bluing sets it apart from other plasticized everything today. It’s rugged-looking. Cocking it, not for the faint of heart, eat your Wheaties. But the piston upon which you are putting pressure, it could send SpaceX satellites into orbit. Don’t point this thing at anything, like a real gun you don’t intend to put an indefinite hole in.
It also has 20 Mike Mike Picatinny rail, which, the redneck in me goes, gosh! I like picatinny. The scope, eh, get something better if you’re serious about this rifle, you won’t regret a nicer scope or red dot, whichever tickles your fancy.
I was shocked that the 25 cal was $230 and the 177 and 22 cal are closer to and over $300. Now I know why, the only thing better that I have no experience with is probably the rows line of German guns. But for half the money, and at around $300, and if you’re considering a $600 break action, do yourself a favor before you do and try these first in any caliber. They’re plain, but quality, I prefer quality, over “show pieces”, not saying this isn’t show-offy, it’s nice, but you’ll want to let your friends shoot it. And once they do, they’ll want one too. It’s that nice, real men know quality when they handle it. This is quality, even the barrel is like solid bar stock rifle steel.
Just get it. You’ll thank me later. -Bill twiggs
Reassuring Review: I’m still using this rifle, and still very happy with it. Bumped my rating a star simply due to the fact the rifle still is very powerful, quite effective, and continuing to do its job of allowing me to truly benefit from the fruits of my labors (that is, now *I* am getting the no longer partially eaten fruit off my trees). Continue to highly recommend this rifle.
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I’ve had some 0.177 rifles and a target pistol that I’ve been using for a while, but this is my first 0.25 caliber rifle, and all I can say is wow.I’ll admit to doing my best to eliminate my yard of ‘vermin’. Squirrels may look pretty cute running around in my suburban neighborhood, but after watching them ‘sample’ every peach on 3 trees as well as stripping the bark off my apple tree (and ultimately leading to it getting a fungus that killed it), I’ve lost my joy at seeing them in my yard and have been ‘plinking’ at them with my 0.177s. When they get hit, they jump and run, but it doesn’t seem to deter them, and the possums just flinched and snarled.
Oh, and for those who stress and are overly concerned about members of the rat family being unfairly abused…just assume I only shoot at targets, only paper is abused, and you can stop reading now.
for the rest of us….moving onThis rifle is a LOT harder to cock than my 0.177’s, so keep that in mind when you use it. It does take some upper body strength, but nothing too excessive, I think. The first few times it is stiffer, of course, but it loosens up. Considering the sheer amount of power, I’m really surprised it’s not louder. Yes, it’s got some report, but nothing to make my neighbors on the other side of the fence poke their heads over to check what’s going on.
For sheer power, I’m pretty impressed. Just for fun, I shot it into the sidewall of a loose/worn tire about 25′ away, and the pellet embedded halfway into the rubber. I’d need pliers to remove it. As for our fuzzy friends the squirrels…well, I can say that they never even knew what hit them. They didn’t even have time to react, and my next year’s peach crop looks like it’ll be much safer.
For accuracy, power, and lack of attention-drawing noise, I highly recommend this rifle. -David H
Final Words For Top And The Best Benjamin Air Rifles In 2025
Finding the right air rifle can take your shooting to the next level, and Benjamin continues to deliver some of the best options out there. Whether you’re hunting, target shooting, or just having fun, the Best Benjamin Air Rifles in 2025 offer the perfect mix of power, accuracy, and reliability. No matter your experience level, there’s a model that fits your needs. Now, it’s time to get out there and start shooting!