Hunting wild hogs with an air rifle isn’t like going after small game—you need serious power, accuracy, and the right caliber to get the job done. Hogs are tough, with thick hides and dense muscle, so a weak shot won’t cut it. That’s why choosing a high-powered air rifle in .357, .45, or .50 caliber is crucial for a clean, ethical kill. In this guide, we’ll go over the best air rifles for hog hunting, breaking down top models that offer the stopping power, precision, and reliability you need for a successful hunt. Whether you’re an experienced hunter or just getting into air rifle hunting, the right choice can make all the difference.
1. Benjamin Bulldog Hunting Rifle
Highlights: The Benjamin Bulldog .357 is a compact, hard-hitting bullpup air rifle designed for powerful, accurate, and quiet big-game hunting.
Constructive Review: 5-year Warranty. 2 years later, haven’t had to use it. Great Air Rifle. The pictures speak volumes about the power and accuracy of the 357 Bulldog. The only modification I did was a Barrel Polish, which brings the accuracy to it. I have a $140 Texas Optics “Sniper Scope”, $16 bipod. It’s meant as a hunting rifle. I use it for target practice. Knock on wood, about 3,000 to 5,000 rounds and no issues. I use 100% silicone oil (treadmill silicone oil) to clean and lube it. I highly recommend a SCBA or a Scuba Tank. It has a large appetite for air. 100 psi per shot roughly. 5 shot 2 inch groups at 100 yards with 68 grn FX Hybrids. For a 357 big bore, that’s awesome, in my opinion. I Love my Bulldog. -Jose
Trending Review: Everything about this purchase was top-notch. It arrived just a few days after I ordered it, and worked perfectly right out of the box. I own and have used many different weapons – both Air and firearms. The Benjamin Bulldog is, without question, the best of both worlds. It’s quiet enough to shoot indoors (considering space available), and powerful enough to humanely take down anything I would hunt with a medium caliber firearm. The .357 is about equivalent to a 9mm or 38 special round. The attached images are those of items I used as backing materials behind my indoor shoot-n-c targets: A metal music stand and a 2×8 wood slate. It is more accurate than any weapon I have ever used of comparable strength, because of its balance and immeasurable recoil. It’s fun to shoot and boasts unmatched quality and performance for its price point. Finally – Make No Mistake About It – This is not your father’s pellet gun, and It Is NOT a toy. It should be kept away from children – unless closely supervised. I LOVE THIS RIFLE. -Jack
Reassuring Review: Extremely powerful and exceedingly accurate right out of the box. Happy with this rifle I bought to kill Feral Hogs on my farm in Holualoa, Hawaii. Had this for a week and have not seen any more Hogs. 104 dB on my iPad Mini 4 meter at the muzzle. JSB Match Extreme 35 cal 81gr ammo is like you could drive nails. 25yds offhand before sighting in with the Bugbuster 3×9/32 scope returned a 3/4″ shot group. Used a 4500PSI Manual pump to top off rifle from 2000 to 3000PSI. Took 1/2 hour and 95 very hard pumps. It would be humanly impossible to use this pump any higher than 3000PSI without serious physical consequences…The pump began leaking the third time I used it..Sent it back to Amazon for a refund…Benjamin Bulldog 357 is $622, 10-17-2019, on Amazon..Best price, mine cost $775 just a week ago from the same Amazon supplier..GREAT VALUE. -Douglas Scott Sr
2. Umarex Hammer .50 Caliber PCP Pellet Gun Air Rifle
Highlight: The Umarex Hammer .50 Cal PCP Air Rifle delivers unmatched power with over 700 ft-lbs of energy, making it one of the most powerful air rifles for big game hunting.
Constructive Review: So I bought this rifle a few years ago. I believe it was 3 years ago. My wife and I live off grid in Oregon. Already this rifle has gotten us out of VERY close situations with a black bear, and 3 mountain lions. One of those mountain lions was the biggest one I’ve ever seen in my life. Easily 300 pounds. And anyone who doubts it, ask someone from here, or Google it. They really get that big here. I wouldnt trade this rifle for anything. I kept stressing on the carbon fiber barrel. Anyone who wonders why they would put a carbon fiber barrel on a hunting rifle that constantly gets knocked on trees and whatnot, once you carry it up a mountain to pick mushrooms(just in case) with a bipod and scope, flashlight, and laser, both with tac plates, well, you should understand. The thing is heavy. Not as heavy as others. But ya. I keep an extra shot in the handle, too. So I understand why they’d do carbon fiber. But I still stressed it. I worried about it getting knocked wrong and cracking the barrel. I know that it’s got a mechanical necessity as far as its design. From what I’ve read, it can’t be changed out, it will only work. I thought of everything I could do to make it stronger. So I did the only thing that I could think to do. I heat-shrunk the entire barrel. One piece. Then I gently filed out the part of the stock that holds the air tank steady. I took the entire tac rail/barrel shroud off of my Crosman DPMS/sbr full auto, filed it out just a smidge, and wrapped the end of the barrel in non-adhesive bandage(the sports wrap that sticks to itself).
My scope has Tac rails all around it. I’ve got my light and laser on either side, and just in case, I have a fixed blade knife on the top tac rail of the scope. All in all, it’s a surgical little devil, and I’ve got it pretty dialed. This thing not only killed a fricking cape buffalo with one shot, it also is the same gun that a guy on you tube uses to hunt black bear, and grizzly bear. It’s the only gun he uses for it. There’s a guy on a forum that I’m a member of who uses it to plink soda cans at 385 yards. That’s over a thousand feet. I had to invest in a firefighter’s SCBA air tank and put a valve attachment on it. Now I can fill it to 4500 in under a couple of minutes, and it’s ready to go.
Best airgun for the money, and it’s regulated so the shots are pretty even. The only thing that these people have wrong is the two shots with one finishing shit. I get six per tank. Granted, at about 1200 psi, ot won’t even put one out of the barrel. But the six before that are killers. I have to say this, though: this thing is NOT a toy. Everyone that I’ve let shoot it has said the same thing. It kicks and sounds like a 30-30 or a 30-06. I have to say I wish they could come up with a four-shot clip, just like someone else said here in a review. It is no longer the most powerful production airgun on the market, but who cares? There isn’t a critter in this state that it won’t stop from coming at me. That’s all I wanted. -Jesica Tiffany-Clark
Trending Review: I have owned a Umarex hammer for 3 years. I have taken many big game animals through the years. I have had a couple of issues with the gun throughout the year, and Umarex has always paid the return shipping and repaired my gun at no cost to me. Great customer service at Umarex. The hammer is accurate and is a great hunting rifle. -Robert H.
Reassuring Review: I love this gun. Hey everyone, if you want to come down and hunt deer in South Carolina, I promise you this gun will get the job done. trust me, this gun will do it all.. Thank you, Umarex Hammer, love you. This gun is Awesome. -Kendrick Glover
3. Sig Sauer MCX Virtus PCP Pellet Air Rifle
Highlight: The Sig Sauer MCX Virtus PCP Pellet Air Rifle delivers semi-automatic precision with a rugged build, making it a top choice for tactical training and small-game hunting.
Constructive Review: Let me start by stating.. I am in no means in away way, shape, form, or fashion on air gun technology. I wrestled with purchasing this rifle due to many mixed reviews… I took the plunge.. I am satisfied with it. So far up to 50 yards using Crossman Piranhas.. I am plinking away.. I am no way a marksman.. did I mention I only used the iron sights.. no scope.. air tank tight, barrel tight.. I even thought I would have an issue with no counter on mag.. but when chamber is empty.. the sound is deep and louder than when flying pellets, you can tell the difference…. so, I’m cool with that..
I don’t know how to measure fps.. but, what I do know.. is my targets of various material, end up with some ugly holes in them.. works for me.. My only gripes are (1) the pellet strip and mag could both be made of better quality.. I purchased 3 extra straps and another mag Not a deal breaker. Then (2.), I wish it were easier to install mlok accessories.. seems you have to unscrew and remove the guard and then finesse the little locks when tightening. Either way, not a deal breaker. Having fun so far.. not one single jam or lock up as of yet.. I will be getting more accessories haaa. -Preanna
Trending Review: Great craftsmanship. This is an awesome gun. It’s very accurate. It’s great looking. It has a great punch. I’ve shot several iguanas from between 30ft and 50ft. My neighbor, who has years of experience with pcp air rifles, says this is a more than excellent gun for the price. I’m very pleased with my purchase. -Clark
Reassuring Review: This thing is amazing. 30 round semi-auto, .22 pellets, so legal to shoot most anywhere. The tank goes up to 3000 psi, so you need a special pump. I may upgrade to a plug-in pump; the one I have is a pretty solid workout, but it is good for maybe 100 shots from 2500 psi. But I need my exercise too 🙂
So fun to plink with! Not super accurate, but only $0.03 / shot. They say the trigger pull is stiff, but it doesn’t seem bad to me. They also say it is double-action, not semi-auto. Whatever, one trigger pull = one shot.
Iron sights weren’t great, the red dot upgrade makes it almost too easy.
Chains are easy to reload and feed into magazines nicely. Dreaming of a giant drum (I had a 3000-round drum on old Airsoft), but the magazine swaps fast, so maybe I should stop dreaming. I suggest an extra mag that comes with three chains. The chains slide in easily, so you could go out with four sets (two mags+2 extra chains) and swap them into the mags easily. That is about an air tank for me, so it all works out.
I was worried about it being loud, and saw you could add a suppressor. It really doesn’t need it. The loudest part is shot 31, when you fire an empty trigger pull, it lets you know to reload.
Made by SIG, with heavy-duty construction. Some people use it as an economical / safer training system.
No complaints so far other than the cost of pellets, time to reload chains, and effort to pump up the tank. -Gates
Final Words For The Best Air Rifles For Hog Hunting In 2025
When it comes to the best air rifles for hog hunting in 2025, power, accuracy, and reliability are what matter most. With today’s advanced PCP rifles in .357, .45, and .50 caliber, hunters have more options than ever to take down wild hogs effectively. Whether you go for the raw power of the Sig Sauer MCX Virtus PCP Pellet Air Rifle, the innovative design of the Umarex Hammer, or the compact strength of the Benjamin Bulldog, choosing the right rifle makes all the difference. Pair it with the right ammo, practice your shot placement, and you’ll be ready for a successful hog hunt this year.