Theoben Rapid Ben Taylor Limited Edition air rifle review

David’s plan was to produce a limited-edition special to celebrate Theoben’s return to the market. I think we can safely say he has well and truly hit the brief.

Theoben was formed in the early 1980s by Ben Taylor and the late Dave Theobald. As pioneers of the gas-ram concept – where a sealed chamber of gas or air replaces a conventional mainspring in a spring-powered airgun – they enjoyed many years of success before their patents expired and others jumped on the gas-ram bandwagon.

In depth: action and stock design

ISB’s vision with this celebratory model was to combine top-quality components with first-class woodwork, and the end result is visually stunning. The action is manufactured in the USA by Rapid Air Worx/Theoben, while the stock for this Rapid Ben Taylor Limited Edition was specially commissioned through Form Riflestocks in the UK.

Produced as a limited edition, each rifle is issued with a certificate confirming its number within a production run of 100. Each gun arrives in an extremely robust padded hard case with four solid snap-down catches. Alongside the rifle you’ll also find a Theoben-branded moderator, two magazines and a Foster-style filling adapter.

Where the original Rapid would have been bolt-action, this upgraded model features the latest biathlon-style sidelever – a design very much in vogue and, if I may say so, a genuine technical improvement. The breech area provides wide access, making single-shot loading easy. For multishot fans, the magazines hold 17 shots in .177 (on test) and 12 in .22.

Unsurprisingly for a prestige model, we get a regulated action, a sizeable 500cc buddy bottle up front, a two-stage trigger, manual safety, hammer-spring adjuster at the rear, and a side-mounted manometer to keep tabs on pressure levels.

Now let’s talk timber. Exhibition grade or not, the quality of the hand-selected Turkish walnut sourced by Form Riflestocks is simply mouth-watering. Form normally works with laminates, but a recent conversation with the company’s top man, Peter McGregor, revealed that it is happy to undertake projects in walnut – and here’s the proof, in all its glory.

Flair and functionality come in equal measure. Unusually, the configuration is right-hand dedicated, meaning no compromise, with full support around the grip area. I love the prominent rollover Monte Carlo cheekpiece and, unlike the original Rapid 7, the extended forend means we don’t have to grip a cold buddy bottle when aiming.

Sensory overload and functionality

The thumbhole grip is beautifully sculpted – it really doesn’t get much better than this. A full drop-down target configuration and generous thumb shelf spoil the trigger hand. Add rosewood capping with a maple spacer, along with subtle laser-cut chequering, and this Rapid almost delivers a sensory overload. Look beneath the pistol grip and you’ll find Ben Taylor’s signature laser-cut into the wood. A lovely touch.

An interrupted Picatinny rail runs along the top of the chunky receiver and with a scope fitted it’s time to adjust the quality Wegu butt pad to get your head position just right.

Cocking the sidelever is a smooth process and, when using the gun in single-shot mode, thumbing home a pellet is very satisfying.

The classic Theoben/RAW trigger-blade design may appear fairly basic at first glance, but don’t be fooled. This unit uses fewer components than some top match systems, yet it performs superbly in use, offering both sensitivity and an impressively light pull when required.

As for the muzzle report, the Rapid is extremely loud without the Theoben moderator but incredibly quiet with it fitted – making the choice of whether to use it a no-brainer.

Field testing the new Rapid

I chronographed the first 50 shots, using Air Arms Diabolo pellets straight from the tin, and measured a spread of just 17fps. That’s impressive consistency and in the real world you’d struggle to detect any shift in impact downrange.

Starting with the recommended 200-bar fill pressure, after 50 shots the gun’s manometer showed 170 bar. It’s safe to say we’re probably looking at somewhere between 150 and 200 shots per fill.

Out on the range, and after a satisfyingly straightforward zeroing session, I soon had pellets landing near the crosshairs at 30 yards. But an airgun of this class deserves to be pushed a little further.

Outer limit performance and accuracy

Given the Ben Taylor special’s configuration, this is primarily a hunting rifle. Realistically the outer limit for ethical shots at live quarry would be around 40 yards. I moved back to that distance and set about fine-tuning the zero. A few clicks and I was there.

Groups measuring just over ¼in centre-to-centre at 40 yards are hard to fault, particularly during casual testing. Spend time batch-testing and tweaking, as we all do with a favourite rifle, and this classy specimen should sit comfortably in the ½in-at-50-yards bracket all day long.

Sumptuous handling and refinement

It’s one of those guns where it’s not so much about the results as the way it achieves them. Handling and ergonomics are bang on the money. Sumptuous visuals and a satisfying level of refinement are what this limited-edition Rapid is all about.

Nit-picking negatives? Well, I’m not entirely convinced by the rather lacklustre new Theoben logo. Also, the supplied hard case requires the moderator to be removed before the rifle can be stored – a mild irritation, perhaps, but hardly serious.

Final verdict on the Theoben Rapid Ben Taylor Limited Edition

All this talk of a hunting machine raises an obvious question: who in their right mind, having invested in such a mouth-watering creation, is really going to risk carrying it around in the field?

Keen eyes will have noticed my test rifle carries the serial number 007, giving it extra appeal and making it something of a collector’s piece. Guns are meant to be used, of course, but I suspect quite a few of this limited run of just 100 will end up hanging on the wall or sitting proudly in a display case, never to see active service.

Stunning and classy are two words that neatly sum up the Theoben Rapid Ben Taylor Limited Edition. Congratulations to everyone involved in its creation – and to the lucky 100 shooters who actually end up owning one.