Air rifles can work for hog hunting, and the Umarex Hammer .50 Caliber PCP is the first pick for hunters who want the most power per shot in this group. The maker lists it as a PCP air rifle that gives 4 full power regulated shots per tank. For you, that means you get four strong shots before you need to refill, which is the main trade-off to weigh against a firearm’s magazine.
The five picks in this article are all air rifles, not firearms. That matters because air rifles use compressed air or a spring to launch a pellet, so the power and shot count differ from a rifle that fires a cartridge. The Umarex Hammer fires .50 caliber pellets at up to 1130 fps, so check that speed against the size of the hog you expect to hunt.
Key takeaways
The Umarex Hammer .50 PCP is the first pick for the most power per shot.
Each PCP tank gives a limited number of shots, so plan your fills.
Spring rifles are simpler but have less power than PCP models.
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How we picked: from products sold on Amazon for this need, compared by what their makers state and what buyers report in their reviews.
The Picks at a Glance
Product | Best for | Item dimensions l x w x h | Item weight | Air gun power type | Buyer rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Umarex Hammer .50 PCP | hunters who want high power | 47.28″L x 10.54″W x 4.8″H | 5 lb | PCP | 4.0 of 5 (335 reviews) | |
Crosman Optimus Spring-Powered with Scope | small game and backyard shooting | 2″L x 1″W x 1″H | 22.68 g | Spring-Piston | 4.5 of 5 (510 reviews) | |
Benjamin Trail XL Magnum .22 Break Barrel | small game hunting | 50″L x 2.5″W x 9″H | 8.5 lb | Spring-Piston | 4.4 of 5 (304 reviews) | |
Benjamin Bulldog Hunting Rifle | shooters in tight spaces | 40″L x 11″W x 4″H | 9.2 lb | PCP | 4.5 of 5 (369 reviews) | |
Benjamin Bulldog PCP | a short, compact PCP rifle | — | — | — | 4.3 of 5 (26 reviews) |
Buyer ratings as shown on Amazon on October 13, 2026; they change.
Umarex Hammer .50 PCP: Best for hunters who want high power
The Umarex Hammer .50 Caliber PCP is the first pick for hunters who want high power per shot. It is a PCP rifle, meaning it runs on a pressurized air tank, and the maker presents it as the most powerful production air rifle on the planet.
The maker states that the rifle dumps its energy into the target instead of carrying it through, and that it shoots .50 caliber pellets at up to 1130 fps. For a hog, that means more of the pellet’s energy stays in the animal, which is the point of choosing a bigger, more powerful air rifle for larger game.
One full tank gives you 4 full power regulated shots plus 1 finishing shot. Plan your stalk around those five shots, since you will need to refill the tank before you can keep hunting with the same power.
Pros
A 4500 psi, 24 cubic inch carbon fiber tank that the maker calls ultralight.
A Picatinny rail and M-LOK locations for mounting optics and accessories.
Very quiet shooting, which helps you get a second shot without spooking nearby animals.
Buyers say the rifle is very powerful, accurate even at 100 yards, and fun to shoot.
Cons
The magazine holds only 2 shots at a time, since the rifle includes two 2-shot linear mags. You will reload more often than with a larger magazine.
Buyers report that the rifle does not hold air well, and that some units fail to fill or stop performing after a number of shots. This matters most if you plan to hunt with a rifle you cannot count on in the field.
If you want a lighter rifle or a smaller tank, look at the Benjamin Bulldog PCP instead, which is the short, compact PCP option in this group.
Crosman Optimus Spring-Powered with Scope: Best for small game and backyard shooting
Crosman Optimus Spring-Powered Break Barrel Air Rifle with Scope is the pick for small game and backyard shooting. Its spring power and included scope make it a ready-to-shoot choice for that job.
The maker states it fires .22 caliber alloy pellets up to 950 feet per second, making it suitable for small game and extended backyard ranges. For a rabbit or squirrel at a backyard distance, that speed is a practical match, and you get a rifle that does not need a tank or pump to run.
A simple break‐barrel spring setup that’s easy to operate and stays consistent every time you fire. For a beginner, that means fewer parts to worry about and a similar feel from shot to shot.
The ambidextrous hardwood stock gives the rifle a traditional look and a balanced 7.1-pound weight. The weight is light enough to carry through a yard or field, and the balance helps the rifle stay steady when you aim.
It has fiber-optic iron sights and an included CenterPoint 4×32 scope for different distances. You can use the scope for longer shots and the iron sights when the scope is fogged or knocked out of line.
Pros
A simple spring setup that stays consistent shot to shot
A balanced 7.1-pound weight with an ambidextrous hardwood stock
A scope and fiber-optic iron sights already included
Cons
Spring power at 950 fps gives less energy per shot than the PCP picks, which matters for larger hogs.
If you need more power for larger hogs, look at the Umarex Hammer .50 Caliber PCP instead.
Benjamin Trail XL Magnum .22 Break Barrel: Best for small game hunting
The Benjamin Trail XL Magnum .22 is the pick for hunters whose targets are small game and who want a wood-stocked rifle with a scope included. It is built for a short, close hunt rather than for larger animals.
The maker states it reaches up to 1100 fps and is ideal for small game hunting. That speed is what the rifle is built around, so you should expect it to be used on small game, not on larger hogs.
The maker also states it has a rifled steel barrel and checkered hardwood stock, and that it produces 70% less noise. Less noise can mean you get a second shot before game moves off. The maker says the cocking is smooth with less recoil, so the rifle is easier on your shoulder over a long morning in the field.
The rifle comes with a CenterPoint 3-9x40mm scope that has an adjustable objective and a range estimating reticle, and it has a Picatinny rail for accessories. You do not need to buy optics separately to start hunting.
Pros
Buyers say the air rifle delivers tremendous power.
The scope and rail are ready to use from the box.
Buyers say it is well worth the money spent.
Cons
Buyers complain that some find the rifle is not accurate.
At 8.5 pounds, it is heavy to carry through brush and up hills.
Hunters who need more power per shot should look at the Umarex Hammer .50 Caliber PCP Pellet Gun Air Rifle instead.
Benjamin Bulldog Hunting Rifle: Best for shooters in tight spaces
The Benjamin Bulldog Hunting Rifle suits shooters who need a short rifle for tight spaces, such as thick brush or a blind. The maker describes it as a PCP-powered hunting air rifle with a short 36-inch overall length in a bullpup layout.
It fires from a rifled-steel barrel at up to 910 fps. The 5-shot magazine means five shots before you reload, and the included cleaning kit covers basic barrel care.
The bolt is reversible, so the rifle works for left- or right-handed shooters. The 26-inch Picatinny rail takes scopes and other accessories. The maker also backs it with a limited 5-year warranty, which covers you for five years if a part fails.
Pros
The reversible sidelever bolt works for left- or right-handed shooters.
Buyers say it has strong power and shoots accurately at moderate distances.
Buyers describe it as reliable and good value for the money.
The 26-inch Picatinny rail takes scopes and accessories.
Cons
Buyers say it is pretty loud when fired, so it may not suit places where noise matters.
The 36-inch frame is short, so its sight radius is shorter than a full-length rifle’s.
At 9.2 pounds, it is heavier than the Umarex Hammer .50 Caliber PCP at 5 pounds.
If you want more power than this rifle offers, look at the Umarex Hammer .50 Caliber PCP first.
Benjamin Bulldog PCP: Best for a short, compact PCP rifle
The BenjaminBenjamin is the pick for hunters who want a short, compact PCP rifle. The maker lists a PCP hunting air rifle in a 36-inch overall length bullpup configuration, so it is short enough to carry through brush and handle in a tight blind.
The maker states velocities up to 760 fps and a 3000 psi reservoir with a pressure gauge. The gauge shows how much air is left before you head out. The maker also says the rifle gives up to 3 effective shots per fill, so you should plan on refilling after a few shots.
The maker lists a rifled steel barrel and a baffle-less sound trap shroud for big bore sound suppression. The shroud is meant to soften the report of a big-bore shot, which helps when you are hunting near other people or animals.
Pros
Five-shot magazine that is easy to load.
M18 threaded muzzle adapter for attaching accessories.
26-inch Picatinny rail for mounting a scope.
One-year limited warranty.
Cons
No air compressor is included, so you need a separate way to fill the reservoir.
Three effective shots per fill means frequent refills in the field.
If you need the most power per shot, look at the Umarex Hammer .50 Caliber PCP first.
How do you choose a gun for hog hunting?
The job sets how much power you need, and that choice narrows the list fast. Lever guns in .30-30, .35 Remington and .45-70 are ideal hog getters, too [1]. The air rifles on this list range from the spring-powered Crosman Optimus to the PCP Benjamin Bulldog, which comes with a 5-shot magazine.
Power is the next check. The Umarex Hammer is a PCP rifle, which runs on a pressurized air tank. The Optimus is spring-powered, so the two work differently, and the PCP rifle is the better fit for larger hogs.
Fill size decides how often you stop to reload. The Bulldog PCP gives up to 3 effective shots per fill, so on a long sit you refill the reservoir often. The Umarex Hammer includes two 2-shot linear mags, so you reload every two shots.
Fit decides how the rifle handles in brush. A lighter rifle is easier to carry and swing through cover. The Crosman Optimus has a balanced 7.1-pound weight, while the Umarex Hammer weighs 5 pounds, so the Hammer is easier to carry on a long walk.
Stock design affects how the rifle sits on your shoulder. The Optimus has an ambidextrous hardwood stock, so both left-handed and right-handed shooters can use it.
Which pick should you look at first?
Umarex Hammer .50 Caliber PCP is the first pick for hunters who want the most power in this group. Before you compare the five picks, decide how much power you need per shot and how many shots you want before you refill. That one choice narrows the list quickly. It also helps to read Best Mule Deer Caliber: How to Pick One for Your Hunt.
The Hammer’s maker lists a 4500 psi, 24 cubic inch carbon fiber tank, and one full tank gives 4 full power regulated shots plus 1 finishing shot. For a hunter, that means you get four strong shots from one fill, so you refill often if you need more. The magazines hold only 2 shots each, so you will reload at least once in a longer session.
If you need a rifle that gives you more shots per fill and more power per shot than the spring rifles, look first at the PCP picks. If you mainly plink small game close to home, a spring rifle with less power will do the job and needs no tank. Pick the power level you need, and the rest of the list follows from it.