Benjamin Benjamin Bulldog .357 (original) Shooting .35 Seneca Airbolts

[Ezana4CE]

Back at it this evening.

Shots 2, 3, & 4 of this string. On shot 2 I held the rifle firmly and tight to my shoulder. I aimed dead center and was a little high, but was lose enough. A broadhead would have still cut my target area. I pulled the bolt from shot #1 out and shot it again. On shot #s 3 and 4 I was aiming center lung and pulled both shots left a few inches. They are still good lung shots.

The 4th shot blew through the back of the bag. I lubed these bolts with Ballistol. Two were tough to get out, but I removed all but one with a single hand.

A good backstop is important to protect your bolts, property, and lives.

 

[Ezana4CE]

Again, backstop is important.

Thankfully the fletching as already tattered on that bolt. I like this target much more. Most of these bolts can be removed from it using one hand.

 

[Ezana4CE]

I ended up losing a bolt that glanced off of a sloped angle of the foam target. I saw a glint through my scope but wasn’t sure where it went. It seems to have deflected away from my backstop. Then I snap the shaft on one of my bolts trying to use a tool to remove it from my Hurricane bag. The tool is called an Arojac. Another member suggested it in another thread. I’m just trying to get the hang of using it. I really think it is best used on 3D foam archery targets.

 

[Ezana4CE]

A few observations for the day shooting from 45 yards off of a bucket and Primos Trigger Sticks bipod.

1) How you hold this rifle is very important. I removed the shroud endcap and the Bulldog can jump some on the shot. I’m unsure if the removal of the end cap is the reason or if it is because I’m shooting air bolts. What ever the cause may be, I’ve found that holding the grip firmly with the but tucked tightly into my shoulder helps maintain a decent follow-through and mitigates some recoil.

2) Using a fixed magnification scope feels a bit different when it comes to eye relief. Where the scope is mounted seems adequate for when I’m standing and shooting offhand or using a bipod, but when seated on a bucket I lean forward more. After establishing cheeked I find that my eye is too close to the scope and I have to scoot my face back. This effects how securely I can hold the rifle while maintaining comfortable eye relief. I will be moving the scope forward a couple of slots on the pic rail.

3) If you think an O-ring needs lube, lube it. I don’t care if lubed it before your previous shot. The bolt I lost I think I may have blown a nock o-ring. I told myself to lube it again and ignored myself. I cannot say for certain that’s what cause the bolt to deviate in flight, but I hadn’t been pulling shots that far off.

4) These are real carbon fiber bolts, not metal wrapped with carbon fiber. It’s a good idea to exercise caution when using tools to remove them from targets.I still have to learn to use this Arojac. I’ve read up on it a little, but I think it has its limitations. I also think it is best used on firm 3D foam targets. If you lubed the bolt shafts before getting them stuck in a target, good luck prying them loose with that lube on there.

Anyhow, just some observations. I’m really enjoying shooting these and learning them all over again. The only thing you really need to worry about is air, lube, and it losing or destroying your bolts. I’m comfortable shooting between 3000 psi down to around 2400 psi with my Bulldog.