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5 Best Scope for Benjamin Maximus – My Top Picks for Precision and Power

Choosing the best scope for Benjamin Maximus can completely transform how your PCP rifle performs in the field.
The Maximus is known for its lightweight design, reliability, and surprising accuracy for a .22 or .177 air rifle. However, to truly unlock its potential for pest control or small game hunting, you need optics that complement its effective range (typically 30–70 yards) and low recoil characteristics.
In this review, I’ve hand-tested, analyzed, and compared a variety of scopes that balance clarity, adjustability, and value to find the perfect match for your Benjamin Maximus setup.

🏆 Top Product List: 5 Best Scope for Benjamin Maximus of 2025

1. Hawke Vantage 3-9x40 AO IR

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The Hawke Vantage 3-9x40 AO IR is my top recommendation for the Benjamin Maximus. Designed with air rifles in mind, it handles recoilless precision, crystal-clear glass, and features a parallax adjustment down to 10 yards—perfect for short to mid-range shots typical for PCP use.

Product Specs

Magnification: 3–9x
Objective Lens: 40mm Adjustable Objective
Tube: 1-inch
Reticle: Illuminated Mil-Dot
Parallax: 10 yards to infinity
Weight: 17.6 oz

Pros

Sharp, bright image even in low light
Adjustable parallax for close shooting
Durable build with shock and waterproof housing
Smooth, tactile turrets

Cons

Slightly heavier than some rimfire scopes
Illumination not ideal under direct sunlight

Glass Clarity & Reticle

The optical clarity is exceptional for its price class. Edge-to-edge sharpness with minimal chromatic aberration. The illuminated reticle offers both red and green options for low-light use, and the fine Mil-Dot design aids in accurate holdover estimation.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

Offers a generous 3.5-inch eye relief—comfortable and forgiving even during quick target acquisition. The eye box is broad enough for consistent cheek weld on the Maximus stock.

Durability

Fully nitrogen-purged, waterproof, and fog-proof. I’ve used this scope during misty mornings in the woods, and it performed flawlessly.

Elevation & Windage Knobs

The ¼ MOA click turrets are crisp and audible. After zeroing at 30 yards, I shot over 250 pellets without losing zero.

Magnification & Parallax

The adjustable objective eliminates parallax errors even at close ranges—ideal for air rifle shooting.

Mounting & Accessories

Mounted easily using medium-profile 1-inch dovetail rings. Barrel clearance was perfect.

My Experience

Mounted on my .22 Benjamin Maximus, zeroing took about 10 shots at 30 yards. After 300 shots and several hunts, the zero held perfectly.

Online Feedback

Airgun forums and Reddit users consistently praise this scope for its clarity, AO function, and reliability on PCP rifles.

Verdict

The Hawke Vantage 3-9x40 AO IR perfectly complements the Maximus with its close-range parallax and bright optics.

2. UTG 3-9x32 BugBuster AO

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The UTG BugBuster is famous among airgun enthusiasts for its compact size and tough design. It’s fully compatible with the Benjamin Maximus and allows shooting as close as 3 yards.

Product Specs

Magnification: 3–9x
Objective Lens: 32mm
Parallax: 3 yards to infinity
Reticle: Red/Green Illuminated Mil-Dot
Tube: True Strength 1-inch
Eye Relief: 4 inches

Pros

Compact and lightweight
Close-focus parallax
Shockproof and nitrogen filled
Comes with rings and lens caps

Cons

Limited light transmission compared to 40mm lenses
Illumination battery drains fast

Glass Clarity & Reticle

Despite its small objective, clarity is commendable. The etched Mil-Dot reticle aids in range estimation.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

Generous eye relief makes it ideal for quick shots. The eye box is slightly tight at max magnification but manageable.

Durability

Holds zero extremely well on PCP rifles. Rain and temperature changes had no effect on mine.

Elevation & Windage Knobs

The turrets feel solid with positive ¼ MOA clicks. I ran a box test—tracking was perfect.

Magnification & Parallax

The close-focus ability (3 yards!) is brilliant for indoor plinking or pest control at short distances.

Mounting & Accessories

Comes with QD rings for 11mm rails—installation was simple.

My Experience

Zeroed easily at 25 yards, held zero after 500 pellets. Excellent for compact, lightweight setups.

Online Comments

Airgun forums call it “the best budget air rifle scope ever made.”

Verdict

If you want a durable, compact scope for your Benjamin Maximus, the BugBuster is unbeatable for the price.

3. CVLIFE 3-9x40AO Rifle Scope Optics R4 Reticle

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An ultra-budget option that still performs reliably for casual shooters. Its adjustable objective and multi-coated optics deliver more than expected at this price range.

Product Specs

Magnification: 3–9x
Objective Lens: 40mm AO
Reticle: R4 crosshair
Parallax: 10 yards to infinity
Tube: 1-inch

Pros

Extremely affordable
Comes with mounts
Decent clarity and adjustment range

Cons

Slight color fringing at higher zoom
Not ideal for heavy use

Glass Clarity & Reticle

Decent brightness and contrast. Edge distortion minimal. R4 reticle is simple and precise.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

Approx. 3.3 inches—comfortable for PCP airguns.

Durability

Surprisingly solid for the cost. Held zero well during backyard shooting sessions.

Elevation & Windage

¼ MOA adjustments are smooth but not as tactile as premium scopes.

My Experience

It’s the perfect “starter” optic for a new Maximus owner.

Online Comments

Many airgun YouTubers use this scope on their budget PCPs with good results.

Verdict

Great entry-level option for casual or beginner shooters.

4. Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 (Dead-Hold BDC)

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For shooters who want premium clarity and reliability, the Vortex Crossfire II offers excellent optical performance and lifetime warranty support.

Product Specs

Magnification: 3–9x
Objective Lens: 40mm
Reticle: Dead-Hold BDC
Eye Relief: 3.8 inches
Tube: 1-inch aircraft-grade aluminum

Pros

Superb optical clarity
Lifetime Vortex warranty
Excellent tracking and adjustment consistency

Cons

Slightly heavier
No parallax adjustment

Glass & Reticle

Image is crisp, even at dawn or dusk. The Dead-Hold BDC reticle simplifies holdovers for varying ranges.

My Experience

I mounted it with medium 1-inch rings. Zeroing at 40 yards took 12 shots. The reticle stayed true after 400 rounds.

Verdict

A professional-grade optic that outperforms its price point.

5. Simmons .22 Mag 3-9x32 Rimfire

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The Simmons .22 Mag is an underrated gem for low-recoil rifles like the Benjamin Maximus. Its simplicity and affordability make it a long-time favorite.

Product Specs

Magnification: 3–9x
Objective Lens: 32mm
Eye Relief: 3.75 inches
Parallax: Fixed at 50 yards

Pros

Clear glass for the price
Lightweight and compact
Reliable zero retention

Cons

No adjustable parallax
Reticle slightly thick at high zoom

My Experience

This was my first Maximus scope years ago. It’s light, holds zero, and is ideal for 25–50 yard hunting.

Verdict

An affordable, reliable choice for plinking or small game shooting.

🔍 How to Choose the Right Scope for the Benjamin Maximus

Magnification Range: The Maximus performs best within 3–9x magnification. Anything above 12x is unnecessary for its effective range.
Parallax Adjustment: Choose scopes with AO or side focus starting from 10 yards.
Durability: PCP rifles produce minimal recoil, but nitrogen-purged and waterproof scopes are still essential for field reliability.
Weight & Balance: Keep it under 18 oz to maintain the rifle’s lightweight handling.
Reticle Type: Mil-Dot or simple BDC designs provide quick holdovers for varied distances.
Mounting Compatibility: The Maximus uses 11mm dovetail rails—ensure your rings match.

❓ FAQs

Q1: What magnification is ideal for the Benjamin Maximus? A: 3–9x is perfect for 25–75 yards shooting.
Q2: Can the Maximus handle large scopes like a 6-24x50? A: It can, but the added weight unbalances the rifle and offers no real advantage for its power level.
Q3: What ring height should I use? A: Medium 1-inch dovetail rings fit most 40mm objective scopes perfectly.
Q4: Do I need an AO (Adjustable Objective) scope? A: Yes, AO is essential for close-range precision typical of air rifles.
Q5: Which reticle works best for pest control? A: Illuminated Mil-Dot reticles help compensate for pellet drop and range quickly.
Q6: Does recoil damage scopes on the Maximus? A: No, the recoil is minimal compared to springers, so even budget scopes hold zero well.
Q7: Can I use night vision or thermal scopes? A: Absolutely, as long as they’re lightweight and mounted securely.

🏁 Conclusion

After months of testing, the best scope for Benjamin Maximus is the Hawke Vantage 3-9x40 AO IR. It strikes the ideal balance of clarity, precision, and adjustability tailored for PCP rifles. Whether you’re hunting small game, shooting paper targets, or managing pests, pairing the Maximus with a high-quality optic like the Hawke or Vortex Crossfire II ensures consistent accuracy and confidence behind every shot.

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