Power is important in air rifles for a variety of reasons, depending on what a shooter plans on using it for. The main reason why a shooter would want power in their air rifle would be for hunting, or for long distance shooting. Target shooting in particular, it is very important for the pellet to maintain its energy heading towards the target for accuracy sake.
The good hunter will also use an air rifle with adequate FPE (Foot pounds of energy) and even go so far as to purchase a chronograph to measure FPS, rather than depending on the manufacturer’s label.
To the hunter, knock down power is a key attribute that can be measure by both FPE and FPS and knowing the weight of the ammo. Many online resources are available for free, including specialized calculators to measure an air rifles KDP (Knock down Power) with nothing more than the information from the chronograph, ammo weight, and FPS.
The other side of the need for power in an air rifle, that hasn’t been discussed, would be for the hobbyist. The modding community within the air rifle spectrum is still huge and growing, with how to’s and major power modifications to existing air rifles. Some of the easier power boosters to stock air rifles are valve modifications and the more advanced (and dangerous!) power modifications can be done with items found around the house like oil, paper towels and regular pellets.
The possibilities are endless for the hobbyist in search of power, while the hunter and target shooter are limited to FPE and accuracy, respectively. The best air rifle for power can range from any brand, and is heavily dependent on its intended use.
Below is a list of the most powerful air rifles and some pointers and tips on what to look for;
Powerful Air Rifle Reviews
Gamo Swarm Maxxim Air Rifle
.177 Caliber
1300 FPS Velocity
Whisper Maxim Technology barrel
10x Quick-Shot Reload Technology
Benjamin Bulldog .357 PCP Hunting Rifle
.357 Caliber
800 FPS Velocity
10 Shots per fill
Reversible side lever bolt
Umarex Ruger .177 Caliber Pellet Gun Air Rifle
.177 Caliber
650 FPS Velocity
10 Shot Rotary magazine
Single or Double Action Shooting
Beeman 10774 Air Guns Rifles Kits
.177 or .22 Caliber Barrels
1000 or 830 FPS Velocity
Option to Quickly Change Caliber
Ported Muzzle Break for Cocking Leverage
Bear River Pellet Gun Air Rifle
.177 Caliber
1350 FPS Velocity
Spring Piston Technology
Included Rail and Ranged Scope
Gamo Big Cat Air Rifle
.177 Caliber
1200 FPS Velocity
All-Weather Synthetic Stock
Ideal for Right and Left-Handed Shooters
Gamo Swarm Maxxim Air Rifle
Gamo Swarm Maxxim Air Rifle
.177 Caliber
1300 FPS Velocity
Whisper Maxim Technology barrel
10x Quick-Shot Reload Technology
Gamo is known in the industry for their contributions to making the air rifle more modern, and their Swarm Maxxim Air Rifle shows just how far they have come. With a number of upgrades over previous models, this air rifle has everything you could ever want to take care of business. The heart of this beast is an Inert gas technology piston that replaces the need for a traditional spring design. This new piston technology is what allows the rifle to shoot at such impressive speeds and comes with the added benefits of more consistent shooting and power delivery.
Shooting at a blistering speed of up to 1300 fps, this rifle can deliver it’s .177 payload to your target in an instant. While .177 isn’t ideal for hunting, it can definitely take down some smaller game and pests if you are close enough. The rifle is really at home at a shooting range where the speed and quick-shot reload technology allows shooters to have more time shooting and less time reloading than anyone else at the range. A new barrel gives this gun an edge over the competition as it now shoots quieter and with an even better muzzle brake design than past models.
Gamo has put many hours into designing a specially fluted barrel with a rifled steel interior to keep you shooting straight and quiet all day long. Where many companies like to cut corners and save money at the stock, that’s where Gamo shows its true colors. The ShockWave Absorber recoil pad can be adjusted by the shooter for maximum comfort and shock absorption when shooting. The all-weather stock is also ambidextrous for both left and right-handed shooters.
Benjamin Bulldog .357 PCP Hunting Rifle With Reversible Sidelever Bolt Action
Benjamin Bulldog .357 PCP Hunting Rifle
.357 Caliber
800 FPS Velocity
10 Shots per fill
Reversible side lever bolt
A design that looks like it came straight from the future and performance that starts to blur the line between an air rifle and firearm allows the Benjamin Bulldog .357 PCP to offer a premium hunting experience in the air rifle market. The looks alone of this rifle are reason enough to just stop and stare. The sleek build that looks like it came right out of a terminator movie helps you stand out in a sea of other rifles that all look the same. Not only does this rifle look incredibly unique and futuristic, but it comes with many features that help it perform as good as it looks.
What gives this air rifle the power to take down some serious targets is its unique compressed air recharging method. You won’t see a co2 cartridge or hand pump on this gun as it needs a substantial amount of pressure to power its payload at such impressive speeds. It is quite the process to get this gun loaded, so a powerful air compressor may be needed.
For the user’s convenience, the bulldog was able to give this rifle a reversible bolt that can be switched from the right to the left side. This is great for anyone who shoots on the left side and has struggled to find a rifle that is catered to their needs. To make this a very practical rifle, there is a 10 round capacity with every fill so you don’t have to spend all day charging up the gun after each shot. As a bonus, the gun comes with a long rail on top where you can mount any number of sights and scopes to fit your shooting style.
Umarex Ruger 10/22 CO2 Powered .177 Caliber Pellet Gun Air Rifle
Umarex Ruger .177 Caliber Pellet Gun Air Rifle
.177 Caliber
650 FPS Velocity
10 Shot Rotary magazine
Single or Double Action Shooting
An evolution of the iconic rimfire, the Umarex Ruger is here to show that classic styling doesn’t have to mean weak and cumbersome shooting. This rifle will feel right at home in the hands of any shooter and hopes to be the last air rifle you’ll ever need. A dual co2 cartridge design helps power this rifle to deliver its payload at up to 650 fps.
Gone are the days of pumping up your air rifle as the co2 options allow you to essentially shoot as fast as you are able to pull the trigger. While the shooting speed of 650 FPS is slower than many other options, it comes with a number of other benefits that make up for the shooting speed. While other guns require lots of time and effort to shoot at their top speeds, this rifle shoots with you just needing to put in the cartridges and fill up the magazine to get 10 shots downrange before the other guys have even finished cocking their guns.
To prevent you from having to reload after every shot, Umarex has implemented a 10-shot pellet magazine that is contained within the rifle. As a reminder of when you run out of pellets, the magazine effortlessly drops from the rifle to let you know when to reload. Get back to your childhood with a fixed front sight that allows you to aim the rifle just like back in the old days. If you are looking to upgrade your setup to a more powerful optic option, there is always the option to add a rail for mounting whatever your heart desires.
Beeman 10774 Air Guns Rifles Kits
Beeman 10774 Air Guns Rifles Kits
.177 or .22 Caliber Barrels
1000 or 830 FPS Velocity
Option to Quickly Change Caliber
Ported Muzzle Break for Cocking Leverage
One of the most unique offerings on the air rifle market, the Beeman Rifles kit gives shooters flexibility to customize their shooting experience drastically. A dual option means that you can switch out the two included barrels to go from .177 to .22 in no time at all. No matter how you choose to shoot, the spring-piston design will ensure your shot hits where you want it with consistently high speed. Change from shooting targets to getting rid of small pests in an instant as you adapt this rifle to do whatever you need.
The break barrel design means that this gun is as simple as it gets as you load in every shot with intent and a desire to hit what you aim at. In a world of gas and air-powered rifles, having something that feels a little old school can be a nice change of pace. You’ll be shooting with this rifle for a long time with its quality construction and materials being perfect for weathering the elements. The textured and all-weather stock is also a nice bonus as it will keep you locked in for many years of shooting fun.
Such a unique offering on the market as this opens up a world of possibilities to the curious shooter. For a speedier shot that will help you take on plinking with ease and efficiency, use the .177 caliber to hit every target without worrying about speed. When you have some pests that you need to take care of, the added .22 barrel option can be switched out in just a few minutes to help you take care of whatever is in your way.
Bear River Pellet Gun Air Rifle For Hunting Scope Included TPR 1200
Bear River Pellet Gun Air Rifle
.177 Caliber
1350 FPS Velocity
Spring Piston Technology
Included Rail and Ranged Scope
The Bear River Pellet Gun is a simple yet effective solution for your air rifle needs. It’s fast shooting speeds and accuracy centered design make this rifle ideal for taking on small game and any targets you want. The spring piston technology that Bear River put into this gun helps it achieve a consistent mix of power and straight-shooting that every rifle user wants.
The smooth trigger pull pairs well with the high power of the rifle to give you a sense of confidence with every shot. With the ability to shoot at up to 1350 FPS, your shots will be consistent and accurate as they reach the target in no time at all. The spring piston design really helps this rifle to do what it was designed to by giving shooters the power they need to take any shot with confidence that their shot will hit the target when and where they want it to.
Break Barrel action makes this rifle as simple to use as loading your shot, pumping the gun, and taking aim. The simplicity of this rifle makes it very easy to use for any shooter and helps the rifle stay maintenance friendly for many years. To help your accuracy as much as possible, Bear River rifled the barrel on this unit so that every shot will leave the barrel as straight and fast as possible. Giving you the best chance of hitting your target, the included 4×32 scope is perfect for taking out pests at any range.
Gamo Big Cat Air Rifle .177 Cal w/ 4x32mm Scope + Dovetail Rings ZR-611007215554
Gamo Big Cat Air Rifle
.177 Caliber
1200 FPS Velocity
All-Weather Synthetic Stock
Ideal for Right and Left-Handed Shooters
Gamo knows how to make a great air rifle, and the Big Cat is no exception. Whether you want to use this gun’s impressive shooting speeds to take on some hunting or just want something to go plinking with, this rifle has you covered. To get speeds of 1200 fps takes some serious engineering, and Gamo has mastered the art of doing that. Despite being a gun that doesn’t use gas or needs a compressor to shoot, the cocking effort of 30 pounds is all this rifle needs to show its true colors. The power provided with this package is more than enough to take on anything that other air rifles are able to do without the fuss or added cost.
For ranged shooting, the 18-inch barrel is all that you need to reach out and hit your targets. Paired with the included 4×32 scope, you can see what you are shooting at and hit it with precision accuracy. A trigger pull of 3.7 pounds also helps give you shooting confidence and reassurance that every shot is going to go where you want it to. An improved but plate that is ventilated and made with rubber was specially designed to increase the comfort and recoil absorption when shooting.
These features and many more all work together to make this a very quiet and effective rifle for taking out the small game from a reasonable range. The traditional styling of this rifle makes it stand out as looking like a very nice and complete package in an industry where saving costs is common. Gamo has shown their commitment to building the best air rifles possible, and the Big Cat shows just how much rifle they can pack into a simple and effective package.
Ruger Air Magnum Combo
Umarex Ruger Air Rifle
.177 Caliber
Spring powered break barrel action
Durable built-in all-weather synthetic stock
Includes a 4x32mm air rifle scope
Sporting both a .22 caliber and .177 caliber version, the Ruger Air Magnum combo is a do it all break barrel that hits the mark at 1200 FPS. Some refer to it as the Chinese copy of the rws-350 magnum. Because of the similar designs and mechanics, it has become a pet favorite of some hobbyist with premade kits allowing for a 30% increase in muzzle energy for increased power.
This is a very well built and sturdy rifle, with a cocking effort of 50 lbs. made for a grown adult male. The .177 version packs quite a lot of power when compared to other .177 air rifles on the market, so that is something to keep in mind when deciding which version to buy. Although the Ruger Air Magnum is one of the most powerful air rifles on the market, it is not the easiest to get used to for the novice.
Even if it is possibly a copy of the rws-350 magnum, the feel of the synthetic stock is enough to warrant a purchase. The weight of the air rifle might turn some people away, but the overall build quality may be enough to forgive one of its few flaws.
Gamo 61100073154 Whisper CFR .177 Caliber Air Rifle
Gamo 61100073154 Air Rifle
.177 Caliber
Velocity: 1100 feet per second (FPS)
Fixed barrel, spring Piston
Length: 46.85 inches
Not known for their creative names, but the long winded’Gamo 61100073154 Whisper CFR .177 Caliber Air Rifle comes from a long line of respectable air rifles. This single cocking Gamo shoots at 1250 FPS and is equipped with non-slip checking on the grip and forearm. The barrel is fluted and of good quality in order to complete this nicely made model.
Other notable features are an adjustable second stage trigger, and automatic cocking safety system to go hand and hand with the manual trigger safety. That feature is sort of a wash, and pushes this air rifle more for the intermediate to advanced user. The power output is well absorbed by the ventilated rubber pad on the butt plate for recoil absorption.’ At 6.1 lbs., it’s not the heaviest air rifle on the list, but it also isn’t a slouch.
The cocking effort is reasonably at 30 lbs. so it won’t put a hurting on the user. This is also one of the loudest .177 calibers available, a quirk to think about if the rifles intended use is hunting. There are similar air rifles from other companies of the same type, including Gamo. But the’Gamo 61100073154 Whisper CFR .177 Caliber Air Rifle does a decent job of standing out of the pack.
Ruger Yukon Air Rifle Combo
Ruger Yukon Air Rifle Combo
.177 Caliber
Velocity: 1250.00 ft/sec
Reaxis gas piston
3-9X32 scope and mount
The Ruger Yukon Air Rifle Combo is a gas piston and in a whole different category. With 1050 FPS for the .177 caliber and 850 FPS for the .22, this air rifle gives the necessary power for hunters, target shooters, and even hobbyists. It even comes with a standard scope and integral silencer.
Recoil is not a factor with gas piston technology, and this particular Ruger benefits from Picatanny optics rails for fast and easy switching of scopes. The knockdown power is pretty above average and should please users of previous Ruger air rifles. The noise suppression provided by the SlienceAIR integral silencer is a noticeable feature, especially on the first shot.
Not a lot of air rifles pack this much punch without being the loudest of the bunch, but the Ruger Yukon Air Rifle Combo claims to break that mold. Gas piston technology powers and puts this air rifle firmly near the top of the list for most powerful air rifle.
Benjamin Trail NP XL
Benjamin Trail NP XL
.177 Caliber
Produces 70% less noise
Includes 3-9 X 40mm Scope
Ideal for small game hunting
Coming from a long line of Benjamin Trails in this series, the Benjamin Trail NP XL sells calibers of 0.177, .22, and .25. Nitro Piston technology makes a splash again, with this generation 1 NP air rifle. At this point, this is one of the few quality .25 caliber air rifles, so it is safe to say it is top of the line in both quality and power.
The .25 caliber version of this air rifle is a common favorite in air rifle circles and forums, and is well known for its knock down power rather than bells and whistles. It’s not known for accuracy, or even the included standard scope, but brute force and putting a target down on the first shot. Despite its overwhelming power, after the break in period it is not as loud as many would think. Not as quiet as the Ruger Yukon Air Rifle Combo, but still respectable.
The Benjamin Trail NP XL is an excellent rifle for power enthusiasts, and although lacking some of the bells and whistles of air rifles within the same range, does the one thing it was meant to do as well as any other on the market. It is a solid buy that won’t disappoint even the most advanced of shooters.
Benjamin 392 Bolt Action Variable Pump
Benjamin 392 Bolt Action Variable Pump
.22 Caliber
Rifled brass barrel and fully adjustable sights
Shoots up to 685 FPS / 14.9 FPE
Ideal for target shooting and pest control
With the looks to back up its tremendous power, the .22 caliber Benjamin 392 Bolt Action Variable Pump shoots at 685 FPS with a solid FPE of 14.9. Unique from Nitro piston technology in that it instead uses a single shot bolt action, with the included pump for a very different experience than what break barrel provides.
When getting past the hoopla of a hard hitting Benjamin bolt action air rifle, purchasers are forewarned that this air rifle does not come with a scope rail or dovetail. Some modding or an extra purchase is required if shooters want to change out the scopes, which in a lot of cases is the first thing changed once purchasing an air rifle. There are few quirks with this Crosman air rifle, and it is wrapped in a very classic Monte Carlo stock design.
Just on looks alone, the Benjamin 392 Bolt Action Variable Pump might fit the bill for the average consumer. As this is a review about power though, this air rifle holds up well and gets the job done whether it is hunting or target practice.
Stoeger X20S Suppressor Air Rifle
Stoeger X20S Suppressor Air Rifle
Powerful spring piston break action
Two stage adjustable trigger
Velocity up to 1200 fps
Includes 4x32 Illuminated Red/Green Scope
One name that hasn’t been seen on many lists is the Stoeger X20S Suppressor Air Rifle, which is the very definition of underrated. In both the .177 caliber and .22, it is the only air rifle on the list that has the Dual-Stage Noise Reduction System with Air Flow Control technology. Even with 1200 FPS it is the quietest air rifle on the list, with sneaky power to boot.
There is an included 4×32 illuminated scope for kicks, but the real treat is the amount of power that comes from this air rifle that is more known for its lack of noise. A nice safety feature is the ambidextrous safety, non-slip rubber recoil pad and a good weigh in of 8 and a half lbs. for a nice, solid build.
The Monte Carlo black synthetic look makes another appearance with this air rifle. There is good knock down power from the Stoeger X20S Suppressor Air Rifle, but the overall power is still not enough to put it at the top of the list. It does rate as the quietest powerful gun on the list, and that counts for something.
Gamo Silent Stalker Whisper IGT
The look of the Gamo Silent Stalker Whisper IGT is of an air rifle that means business, and it doesn’t disappoint in either its .177 caliber or 0.22 caliber versions. IGT stands for inert gas technology, which isn’t new but is definitely improved with this Gamo. The included ND52 noise dampener does a great job of filtering out unnecessary noise by up to 52%.
This Gamo air rifle is loaded with features from top to bottom, with even the recoil pad being tweaked to absorb up to 74% of the recoil associated with firing such a powerful air rifle. Extra features aside, the Gamo Silent Stalker Whisper IGT markets itself as a high powered pellet gun and does not disappoint on any front. It is reasonable due to its power that many treat it like a real .22 rifle.
With the right pellets the knockdown power of the Gamo Silent Stalker Whisper IGT can rival any air rifle on this list, and is one of the few that is as accurate as it is powerful.’ If looking for the complete package, then this Gamo should fit the bill with little hassle.
FPE or FPS’
To put it simply, neither by itself is going to give the user the necessary information needed to get the correct power of the air rifle. The most widely known stat, FPS (Feet per Second) measures speed and is what most manufactures list on their product pages. FPE (Foot Pounds of Energy) is rarely if at all listed, and refers to the shot at the very end of the barrel itself. Both of these measurements even together are still not a determining factor of the power the user is getting. The third ingredient to it all is the pellet weight. A good pellet weight is important, as the heavier the pellet is the more likely it is to lose its power while traveling longer distances.
So taking into consideration all of the factors in a shooters control (FPS/FPE/Pellets/Distance) determines the actual power of the air rifle. And on a side note, to be well informed, for the hunter that is out to kill humanely it is recommended that the stats for FPE be no lower than 20.
Powerful Air Rifle Comparison Chart
| Rifle | Caliber | Weight | Color | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruger Air Magnum | .177 | 10.95 Pounds | Black | 8 |
| Gamo 61100073154 | .177 | 9.95 Pounds | Black | 7 |
| Ruger Yukon | .177 | 9.25 Pounds | Black and Brown | 7 |
| Crosman Benjamin | .177 | N/A | Black and Brown | 8 |
| Benjamin 392 | .22 | 6.25 Pounds | Black and Brown | 8 |
| Stoeger Air Rifles | .177 | 8.55 Pounds | Black | 7 |
Bottom Line
There are plenty of powerful air rifles to choose from, and if choosing strictly for power alone and not accuracy or any other features, the list becomes a little bit smaller than it was before. The introduction of heavier pellets and innovative heavier designs based off of the original diablo makes it easier to settle more for what feels comfortable in an individual’s grip rather than what has the higher stats. The highest stat air rifle may yield marginally better results, but may not be a long term air rifle for its intended purpose.
Since the determining factor will always be the pellet itself, and with rising FPS stats with newer air rifles, the only wrong choice in choosing the most powerful air rifle is what ammunition the shooter decides to load it with.
Contents
- 1 Powerful Air Rifle Reviews
- 1.1 Gamo Swarm Maxxim Air Rifle
- 1.2 Benjamin Bulldog .357 PCP Hunting Rifle With Reversible Sidelever Bolt Action
- 1.3 Umarex Ruger 10/22 CO2 Powered .177 Caliber Pellet Gun Air Rifle
- 1.4 Beeman 10774 Air Guns Rifles Kits
- 1.5 Bear River Pellet Gun Air Rifle For Hunting Scope Included TPR 1200
- 1.6 Gamo Big Cat Air Rifle .177 Cal w/ 4x32mm Scope + Dovetail Rings ZR-611007215554
- 1.7 Ruger Air Magnum Combo
- 1.8 Gamo 61100073154 Whisper CFR .177 Caliber Air Rifle
- 1.9 Ruger Yukon Air Rifle Combo
- 1.10 Benjamin Trail NP XL
- 1.11 Benjamin 392 Bolt Action Variable Pump
- 1.12 Stoeger X20S Suppressor Air Rifle
- 1.13 Gamo Silent Stalker Whisper IGT
- 2 FPE or FPS’
- 3 Powerful Air Rifle Comparison Chart
- 4 Bottom Line