New Member Intro & Caliber questions

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Ezana4CE said:
@Tusk11 Welcome to AGN. I hope I didn't miss the answer to this question but reading over this thread I'm wondering within what range do you wish to shoot? Or within which range do you usually shoot? Within which range are you comfortable shooting black powder? As for caliber, that will likely be largely dictated by your state DNR agency, regs, and/or laws regarding hunting with airguns.
Click to expand...
Currently NC has no caliber restrictions and air rifles are green lit. I shoot inline muzzleloaders so I am used to shooting 125 yards. For my current application, the chicken coop is about 50 yards from the back window as I have predators decimating my flock.

I'm still torn on what rifle to get but I believe the .357 is going to be a good fit for me. I don't plan on taking whitetail with but you never know.

If budget wasn't the issue I would opt for a Western Rattler. So for now the Texan and Bulldog are my contenders. I realize the bulldog does not have as much knockdown power but it is a repeater so that is why it's being considered.
 
Upvote 0
Tusk11 said:
Currently NC has no caliber restrictions and air rifles are green lit. I shoot inline muzzleloaders so I am used to shooting 125 yards. For my current application, the chicken coop is about 50 yards from the back window as I have predators decimating my flock.

I'm still torn on what rifle to get but I believe the .357 is going to be a good fit for me. I don't plan on taking whitetail with but you never know.

If budget wasn't the issue I would opt for a Western Rattler. So for now the Texan and Bulldog are my contenders. I realize the bulldog does not have as much knockdown power but it is a repeater so that is why it's being considered.
Click to expand...
@Tusk11 That information helps. With subsonic projectiles at 50 yards I'm of the opinion that the difference in knockdown power is irrelevant between the Texan .357 and the Bulldog M357. I am biased towards the Benjamin Bulldog M357 because I have more experience with it. I've taken and recovered animals from racoon to deer with it and shot a hog that I did not recover. For 65-70 yards and under, using my personal experience as a metric, I'd go for a Bulldog M357 out of the box. Besides an air source and slugs/pellets, you don't have to buy much besides a depinger and maybe barrel supports and a moderator for the M357.

I'm not much of a long-range shooter. I haven't shot my M357 beyond 75 yards because my groups start looking bad at that range, plus I'm generally not shooting that far outside of a pasture.

Here's a thread detailing my experience and some ammo testing with the M357 https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/benjamin-bulldog-m357-impression.1295660/

Here's a decent reference thread on the Bulldog platform https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/all-things-benjamin-bulldog-master-thread.1314670/

I also have a Rattler. A Bulldog M357 is a good starting point. If you're not taking deer with it, an original stock Benjamin Bulldog .357 will work to defend your chicken coup shooting 81 grain pellets and 110 grain slugs from 50 yards and under.
 
Upvote 0
Ezana4CE said:
@Tusk11 That information helps. With subsonic projectiles at 50 yards I'm of the opinion that the difference in knockdown power is irrelevant between the Texan .357 and the Bulldog M357. I am biased towards the Benjamin Bulldog M357 because I have more experience with it. I've taken and recovered animals from racoon to deer with it and shot a hog that I did not recover. For 65-70 yards and under, using my personal experience as a metric, I'd go for a Bulldog M357 out of the box. Besides an air source and slugs/pellets, you don't have to buy much besides a depinger and maybe barrel supports and a moderator for the M357.

I'm not much of a long-range shooter. I haven't shot my M357 beyond 75 yards because my groups start looking bad at that range, plus I'm generally not shooting that far outside of a pasture.

Here's a thread detailing my experience and some ammo testing with the M357 https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/benjamin-bulldog-m357-impression.1295660/

Here's a decent reference thread on the Bulldog platform https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/all-things-benjamin-bulldog-master-thread.1314670/

I also have a Rattler. A Bulldog M357 is a good starting point. If you're not taking deer with it, an original stock Benjamin Bulldog .357 will work to defend your chicken coup shooting 81 grain pellets and 110 grain slugs from 50 yards and under.
Click to expand...
I should have known from your avatar which side of the fence you would stand lol. This is all excellent information. I will definitely take a look at your ammo testing thread and the master thread. The Bulldog sounds like it may be a good fit, I will just have to come to terms with the way it looks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ezana4CE
Upvote 0

PCP Rifle - Benjamin Bulldog Camo .357 pkg w/ 6-24x50 Scope and Ammo

Selling my Realtree Bulldog .357 with upgrades. 3D Printed Depinger and Barrel Supports installed, as well as Trigger polished to a crisp 3lb pull. Shoots approx. 775fps with the 125gr slugs. Holds air perfectly and has been shot sparingly over the last year. Includes: -(2) 5rd Magazines -QD...
www.airgunnation.com www.airgunnation.com
 
Upvote 0
  • Like
Reactions: MongooseV8
Upvote 0
Tusk11 said:
New member here from NC. I will try to summarize briefly how I got here.

I'm an avid hunter and outdoorsmen and I've strictly used blackpowder weapons my entire life. Why you may ask? When I was 16 I was convicted of a felony and in NC it stays on your adult record for life( I am 35 now). I didn't let that stop me from getting outside and chasing wild game and plinking around.

I must admit I've been living under a rock, I had no idea how far the evolution of air rifles has come in the last decade.

I'm sold on the idea and ready to purchase my first air rifle. I have narrowed it down to the AirForce Texan (ss or lss) as I am a buy once cry once type of person.

My question is in regards to how versatile the .357 caliber is within the realm of hunting and predator dispatching. Im not looking to hunt deer with it as it seems like that's pushing it a bit, but I would be taking game anywhere from a squirrel up to a coyote.

Many thanks! And cant wait to get involved with the community.
Click to expand...
Welcome to the best AGN
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tusk11
Upvote 0
Tusk11 said:
That's another rabbit hole. I'm going to order an assortment of slugs and see which ones my barrel likes. Currently the Arken Zulus day/night scopes. My pocket is hurting a little bit after that purchase. I also need to get a depinger and barrel supports.
Click to expand...
@Tusk11 Good luck. I think that JSB Match Diabolo 81 grain pellets and NSA 110 grain hollow point slugs are a good starting point with ammo. I suggest that you don’t waste time or money on H&N Grizzly .35 slugs.
 
Upvote 0
Ezana4CE said:
@Tusk11 Good luck. I think that JSB Match Diabolo 81 grain pellets and NSA 110 grain hollow point slugs are a good starting point with ammo. I suggest that you don’t waste time or money on H&N Grizzly .35 slugs.
Click to expand...
I appreciate that. I have a fair amount of experience casting lead from my years muzzloading. Are you aware of any Lee molds that anyone has had success with?
 
Upvote 0
Tusk11 said:
I appreciate that. I have a fair amount of experience casting lead from my years muzzloading. Are you aware of any Lee molds that anyone has had success with?
Click to expand...
@Tusk11 Off the top of my head I am not. Although you may want to look through the threads in the ammo segment of the Bulldog master thread. I recall some discussions on cast ammo I just don’t recall who all cast slugs for the Bulldog. @sonnysan, @Greg_E or @RM.510bigbore may know.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Tusk11
Upvote 0
Ezana4CE said:
@Tusk11 Off the top of my head I am not. Although you may want to look through the threads in the ammo segment of the Bulldog master thread. I recall some discussions on cast ammo I just don’t recall who all cast slugs for the Bulldog. @sonnysan, @Greg_E or @RM.510bigbore may know.
Click to expand...
To date I've sold more of this .357 round than any other with a hollowpoint conversion:

Bullet Design Details | Accurate Molds

accuratemolds.com accuratemolds.com

However, I have not cast .357 ammo for the bulldog just yet (Have for .457) although having 20 .357 designs to choose from.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tusk11
Upvote 0
My non magnum bulldogs both responded the same to home casted ammo

I use all Lee Precision molds
I started buying casted pistol rounds until I figured out what it liked.

Once that was done I looked for Lee's similar round.

GT bullets is an excellent place to start.
380,9mm,..357 and .38 can all be selected in .355 up to .359"

88 grain hollow points up to 160 grain .38

Both my Non magnum bulldogs shoot well 125-150 grains.
I find the longer the slug the tighter the groups.
Both guns are slightly modded and push 150 grains in the mid 800's

Both of them have a favorite ammo
A Lee 148 grain wad cutters and there is a Lee 150 grain round nose

The 88 grain hollow points do good at lower velocities and are devastating on squirrel,rabbit and raccoons.

I carbon fiber sleeved my barrel and it's made a huge improvement.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tusk11 and Ezana4CE
Upvote 0
redlined_b16a said:
My non magnum bulldogs both responded the same to home casted ammo

I use all Lee Precision molds
I started buying casted pistol rounds until I figured out what it liked.

Once that was done I looked for Lee's similar round.

GT bullets is an excellent place to start.
380,9mm,..357 and .38 can all be selected in .355 up to .359"

88 grain hollow points up to 160 grain .38

Both my Non magnum bulldogs shoot well 125-150 grains.
I find the longer the slug the tighter the groups.
Both guns are slightly modded and push 150 grains in the mid 800's

Both of them have a favorite ammo
A Lee 148 grain wad cutters and there is a Lee 150 grain round nose

The 88 grain hollow points do good at lower velocities and are devastating on squirrel,rabbit and raccoons.

I carbon fiber sleeved my barrel and it's made a huge improvement.
Click to expand...
This is exactly the info I was looking for. Thank you. I see you're a fellow Honda enthusiast. I have a J-swapped vehicle myself.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ezana4CE
Upvote 0
redlined_b16a said:
My non magnum bulldogs both responded the same to home casted ammo

I use all Lee Precision molds
I started buying casted pistol rounds until I figured out what it liked.

Once that was done I looked for Lee's similar round.

GT bullets is an excellent place to start.
380,9mm,..357 and .38 can all be selected in .355 up to .359"

88 grain hollow points up to 160 grain .38

Both my Non magnum bulldogs shoot well 125-150 grains.
I find the longer the slug the tighter the groups.
Both guns are slightly modded and push 150 grains in the mid 800's

Both of them have a favorite ammo
A Lee 148 grain wad cutters and there is a Lee 150 grain round nose

The 88 grain hollow points do good at lower velocities and are devastating on squirrel,rabbit and raccoons.

I carbon fiber sleeved my barrel and it's made a huge improvement.
Click to expand...
You must be talking about:

Lee 90312 - 148gr. .358 Wadcutter
Lee 90279 - 148gr. .358 Wadcutter
Lee 90328 - 150gr. .358 Semi-Wadcutter Round Nose

I have all of those. I recommend sampling each one. They might do or do not shoot well in your particular gun. The latter has happened to me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tusk11
Upvote 0
Tusk11 said:
This is exactly the info I was looking for. Thank you. I see you're a fellow Honda enthusiast. I have a J-swapped vehicle myself.
Click to expand...
Back in the day before K series existed.
Infact before the B20 was wanted.
B20.......nothing performance was avalible.
B16a was top dog and b18c was upcoming
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tusk11
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Resources
Menu