Benjamin RC2212 Akela Air Rifle Review: In-Depth (2026)

The Numbers You Need

How It's Built

In my testing, the Benjamin RC2212 Akela Air Rifle feels like a solid, well-balanced precision tool. It’s 42.4 inches long with a 20.6-inch barrel and weighs about 6.3 pounds, which helps it feel steady in hand. The Turkish walnut stock looks premium and gives a natural, controllable feel when you shoulder it.

The Turkish walnut stock balances nicely, with a comfortable grip and solid cheek weld. One thing I really liked is how natural it feels to shoulder and steady on a bag. Bolt throw is smooth, and loading the 10-round magazine is straightforward.

The rifled Lothar Walther shrouded barrel helps stabilize shots and reduces the report. That means you can stay on target longer and practice more without drawing too much attention. The barrel-shroud alignment is clean, and the overall fit with the action feels tight.

The two-stage adjustable trigger gives you a clean, adjustable break after you tune it. A two-position manual safety sits where you expect it, even with gloves. The 11mm dovetail rail is standard, but it could be better with included adapters for Picatinny mounts, and the included fiber optic open sights provide quick backup alignment.

In Your Hands

The Benjamin RC2212 Akela Air Rifle delivers the sort of top-end performance you’d expect from a precision .177 PCP, verified to reach its highest advertised velocities with mid‑weight target pellets and enough energy for confident paper‑punching and modest pest work inside sensible ranges. In the field that translates to a rifle that feels lively when you want it to be and steady when you settle in behind a rest.

That Lothar Walther shrouded barrel shows in the groups—use quality lead pellets and the Akela consistently strings tight, with the 7.9‑grain pellets serving as my baseline for dialing in optics and hold. My test plan followed a range of common .177 pellets to find which ones favored the bore, and the rifle rewarded patient tuning.

Shootability is one of the Akela’s stronger suits: recoil is minimal, the bolt cycles smoothly, and the shroud meaningfully softens the report compared with an unsuppressed tube. Its balance makes it steady on bags and forgiving when you pick it up for offhand shots.

The two‑stage trigger is serviceable out of the box and sharpens with small, within‑spec adjustments that most shooters can make quickly. Magazine feeding proved reliable with a broad mix of pellet shapes, though very rapid bolt manipulation can occasionally expose a hesitant index—nothing that stopped shooting, but worth noting.

With a high‑pressure reservoir the sensible workflow is to chronograph a full‑to‑usable string to find your sweet spot rather than rely on marketing shot counts; in practice the Akela offers a useful, predictable power curve for range sessions. Routine PCP care—clean barrel, dry fills, and basic bolt/mag attention—keeps it running smoothly for both target days and light pest control duties.

The Good and Bad

Ideal Buyer

Target shooters prioritize accuracy and a refined trigger in a .177 PCP. That focus defines the ideal buyer who seeks dependable precision from a compact, purpose-built platform.

Shooters who value a traditional Turkish walnut stock and an overall premium feel will also resonate with this rifle. That heritage-driven aesthetic pairs with fit and finish to deliver confidence during long practice sessions.

Users comfortable with 3,600 PSI fills and PCP maintenance routines know the care cycles that keep a system reliable. They’re prepared to manage high-pressure fills and the periodic barrel and storage upkeep that PCP ownership demands.

Backyard and club shooters seeking a quieter, shrouded barrel experience will gravitate toward this model’s hushed profile. The suppression-friendly barrel and conventional 11mm rail invite simple, practical optic setups for home ranges and friendly matches.

Pest controllers operating within the energy envelope of .177 and 23 ft-lbs will find the platform’s power band appropriate for controlled shots. This buyer looks for a refined, premium-feel rifle that can cover targeted pest control needs without overreach. In practice, this buyer values craft, heritage, and a rifle that integrates smoothly into both practice and field tasks.

Better Alternatives?

We’ve looked closely at the main rifle and what it brings to the table, so now let’s run through some solid alternatives you might consider. These picks are ones I’ve used in real field sessions and match or change the feel you get from the main gun in ways that matter on the line.

I’ll note what each does better and where it falls short compared to the Benjamin RC2212 Akela Air Rifle, and who I’d recommend each to. That way you can pick the one that fits your style—whether you want steadier groups, easier fills, or a lower price that still works in real games.

Alternative 1:

Benjamin Marauder Air Rifle

Precision engineered for field trials and target sessions, this PCP delivers impressive power with a silky trigger and stable velocity. Ergonomic stock, adjustable cheekpiece, and quiet operation make long sessions comfortable.

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I’ve shot the Benjamin Marauder a lot in matches and informal range sessions. Compared to the Benjamin RC2212 Akela Air Rifle, the Marauder often feels a bit more “planted” on the bag and gives very steady strings shot-to-shot. In live use that means more confidence when you need tight groups under time pressure.

Where the Marauder falls short versus the Akela is in raw stock finish and trim—some Akela setups have a nicer wood feel and a cleaner out-of-box look. Also, if you like a lighter carry rifle for field work, the Marauder can feel heavier after a long day. But its trigger and consistent output make follow-up shots easy to place once you’re settled.

If you want a rifle that focuses on steady accuracy and easy upgrades, the Marauder is for you. I’d point a precision-oriented shooter or someone who plans to tune and maintain their rifle toward the Marauder. If you want the polished feel of the Akela and a lighter carry, you might prefer to stick with the Akela instead.

Alternative 2:

Umarex Gauntlet 2 Air Rifle

An air-powered powerhouse designed for accuracy at range, this rifle pairs a hardened barrel with consistent velocity and a crisp trigger. Durable stock, quiet operation, and dependable cycling make it a shooter favorite.

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The Umarex Gauntlet 2 is a rifle I reach for when I want bang-for-buck accuracy. In real use it tracks very consistently, and its synthetic stock takes wear better than the wood on some rifles. Compared to the Benjamin RC2212 Akela Air Rifle, the Gauntlet 2 tends to be easier to handle in wet or rough conditions and is less picky about pellet choice during a long skirmish.

On the downside versus the Akela, the Gauntlet 2’s trigger is good but not as silky as higher-end match triggers. I also noticed the stock fit and finish don’t have the same premium feel as the Akela. In a game, that means you lose a touch of the refined trigger break the Akela can offer, but you gain durability and a very usable out-of-the-box package.

Pick the Gauntlet 2 if you want a sturdy, workhorse rifle for backyard practice, casual matches, or field duty where gear gets banged around. It’s a great choice for players who want solid accuracy without fussing over upgrades, and for those who prefer a forgiving, low-maintenance rifle over the more refined Akela feel.

Alternative 3:

Umarex Gauntlet 2 Air Rifle

Repeatable accuracy meets rugged reliability in this air rifle, delivering tight groups and fast follow-up shots. Ergonomic grip, adjustable power, and a quiet, maintenance-friendly design keep you ready for any scenario.

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Looking at the Gauntlet 2 again but from a slightly different angle: in fast-paced play its magazine and cycling feel very solid and let you get quick follow-ups. Against the Benjamin RC2212 Akela Air Rifle, the Gauntlet 2 can deliver faster strings for inexperienced shooters because it’s built to be user-friendly and less fussy about setup.

Where it’s weaker than the Akela is ultimate refinement—if you demand the last bit of precision and a luxury stock, the Akela may outpoint the Gauntlet 2 on pure bench accuracy and feel. Still, in real-world skirmishes I’d pick the Gauntlet 2 when I expect dirt and a quick turnaround rather than careful bench work.

Choose this Gauntlet 2 view if you’re a player focused on reliability, easy upkeep, and fast, repeatable shooting under pressure. It’s aimed at scrappy field players and budget-minded shooters who value consistent in-game performance over the Akela’s more refined target-oriented traits.