Bulldog .357 Benjamin Bulldog and .35 Seneca Airbolts

[Ezana4CE]

It’s been a while since I have shot airbolts from my original .357 Benjamin Bulldog. I decided to start working with this combo again recently. I forgot how much I enjoy shooting bolts from this platform.


Before shooting airbolts, I cleaned my barrel with a Patchworm kit and removed the shroud endcap adapter.


Then I place a little silicone oil (as lube) on the nock o-rings of the bolts. To shoot I insert the bolt’s nock into the barrel and twist the fletching into the rifling. When I’ve shot them with dry nock o-rings, the o-ring tends to blow off of the bolt as it exits the barrel.


This Hurricane Cat 5 field point target bag stops the bolts at the chronographed speeds I’m shooting (averaging approx 450 fps). However, some filed tipped bolts get stuck in the material and I opted to cut the bag to pull and cut the bolts free. A good backstop is important. I like using hay bales due to their stopping power and portability. If you’re afraid of tearing up targets, breaking, or losing air bolts then this may not be for you.

 

[PA_AirHead]

Can you hunt with these set ups in any states yet?

I myself don’t have enough interest in the Airgun bolt stuff to spend the money on em. I guess maybe it stems from quite a few years of shooting 3D comps, and Vegas style comps as well as hunting with compounds back before they required a second mortgage to set one up. I’ve shot a bulldog and bolts and I admit, it put a heck of a smile on my face. I don’t begrudge anyone for enjoying this part of our hobby at all. The fact that it makes folks happy launching these mini torpedoes is good enough for me. Infact, I think if I had a chance to THWACK a groundhog with one, I’d probably jump on it. . Happy shooting.

 

[Ezana4CE]

Can you hunt with these set ups in any states yet?

I myself don’t have enough interest in the Airgun bolt stuff to spend the money on em. I guess maybe it stems from quite a few years of shooting 3D comps, and Vegas style comps as well as hunting with compounds back before they required a second mortgage to set one up. I’ve shot a bulldog and bolts and I admit, it put a heck of a smile on my face. I don’t begrudge anyone for enjoying this part of our hobby at all. The fact that it makes folks happy launching these mini torpedoes is good enough for me. Infact, I think if I had a chance to THWACK a groundhog with one, I’d probably jump on it. . Happy shooting.

@PA_AirHead I can legally hunt with this setup in Texas.

 

[TerryE1]

What is the effective range for hog or coyote?

 

[Ezana4CE]

What is the effective range for hog or coyote?

I don’t know. It depends upon what you’re comfortable with I guess. I’m comfortable at 50 yards and closer.

 

[Ezana4CE]

I don’t know. It depends upon what you’re comfortable with I guess. I’m comfortable at 50 yards and closer.

Velocity for penetration is what’s important to me. I would think that you’d want to test for penetration on a carcass (or similar media) at longer ranges. As long as the bolts with broadheads pass through, it’s a go for me.