What’s the best high-powered air rifle? Nights are mysterious and foreboding, conjuring up lore and myths of evil, of creatures prowling and of death. One such creature in many cultures is a symbol of death. A symbol of foretelling of pending death and doom. In many Native American tribe’s culture, the sound of an owl’s cry and calls meant death was coming. The Great Horned Owl was described by some tribes as, “Silent Death.” The Great Horned Owl is aggressive and well known for its ability to take and kill game of almost equal size. The Benjamin Bulldog .357 Air Rifle in the air rifle world, like the Great Horned Owl, can be described as “Silent Death”.

When I received my T&E Benjamin Bulldog .357 air rifle I was surprised by its 7.7 pounds weight. But when you factor in the heavy metal internal air tank which will contain 3,000 psi (pounds per inch) pressure, it makes sense. My T&E model came with the “Big Game Hunter’s Pack” which included the Bulldog .357 rifle, CenterPoint 4-16×56 mm scope with rings and covers, custom embroidered tactical rifle case, padded, with large exterior pocket and padded removable shoulder strap. It also came with a premium rifle sling, bipod with extending legs, and one box of Nosler® Ballistic Tip extreme 145 grain air gun ammunition.

I was also sent the PCP Charging System which looks like a mini dive tank. It is a 4,500 psi carbon fiber tank, fitted with a stainless steel fill connection. Also, accompanying the tank is a 12 inch micro-bore hose for charge the Bulldog air rifle. With this tank fully filled you will get about eight refills at 2,000 psi each. This should equate to 40 shots. Since I am testing the Bulldog .357, I test at 3,000 psi and will only get about 15 shots per tank. The tank still has a great deal of air but will be under the 3,000 psi which I require.

Like in all air rifles, if you sight in the rifle at say 25 yards with 2,500 psi, when the pressure in the rifle drops down to around 2,200 psi you will have a different point of pellet impact. Hunting medium to big game you need to keep the Bulldog up around 2,500 but best at maximum of 3,000 psi.

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The accuracy of the Bulldog was tested at 50 yards. At 3,000 psi I was getting two shot groups I could cover with a quarter. I was shooting at a ¾ inch thick plywood board which I drew a black circle of about 4 inches wide. Each and every 145 gr. Nosler pellet easily penetrated the plywood. This makes the Benjamin Bulldog .357 air rifle a very deadly weapon. If you do not practice the same safety rules you would with a firearm then there is a possibility you could seriously injure or kill another. So treat the Bulldog with the respect it deserves.

Why is this the best high-powered air rifle? During my testing the Benjamin Bulldog never failed to perform in the way it was designed to do. I had no malfunctions in the 100 pellets I shot. The Bulldog five shot removable rotary magazine worked perfectly. I would cock the sidelever back and push forward which drove home the Nosler pellet. I would fire and repeat this action. No problems just smooth action. The sidelever is reversible for you lefties.  As in all Crosman and Benjamin products the Bulldog can be depended on for years of fun and service.

Using The Best High-Powered Air Rifle

The Benjamin Bulldog .357 air rifle would best suited for urban areas where homes and buildings are within view. Because this high powered air rifle is suppressed, there is very little noise. One could take out a pesky varmint without the surrounding mile hearing the report. Also, for those of you with misspent youth who cannot own a firearm, in most States this air rifle would be legal. Check your local laws to make sure you can legally own and or possess the Benjamin Bulldog .357 Air Rifle.

My neighbor and I took the Bulldog .357 air rifle to the Chain Ranch where they have wild hogs running about. There were plenty of hogs in our area. When it came time to shoot one my neighbor, experienced hunter, shot two inches too high striking the thick cartilage shoulder shield. The Nosler pellet penetrated leaving bits of cartilage and some blood behind. Our guides trailed the small amounts of blood but could never find this hog. The Chain Ranch Outfitters are a great bunch of people. They are friendly and will assist you in bagging your prized Hog or other big game.

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In conclusion, I can say I am impressed with the Bulldog .357 air rifle. While at the gun club conducting T&E, other shooters observed my testing and were impressed with the Bulldog accuracy and penetration. If you are one who likes air rifles or who would be better served with an air rifle or who just like to be diverse in their shooting tools, the Benjamin Bulldog .357 is my recommendation. This is a made in the USA product.

Benjamin Bulldog .357 Air Rifle (Big Game Hunter’s Pack) Specs

  • Caliber: .357 Nosler 145 gr. pellet
  • Power-plant: PCP
  • Lead Pellet Velocity @ 3000psi: Up to 800 fps
  • Operation: Slide lever bolt action
  • Weight: 7.7 lbs
  • Length: 36 inches
  • Air Reservoir: Max 3000 psi
  • Barrel Material: Steel
  • Barrel Type: Rifled/Shrouded
  • Foot pounds: 200
  • Magazine: Rotary 5 Shot Pellet
  • Mounting Rail: 26 inch Picatinny
  • Trigger: Two Stage
  • Stock Style: Fixed Bull
  • Sling Mounts Included: Yes
  • Sling Mount Type: Rear Post / Front Post
  • Safety: Lever in front of trigger
  • Baffle-less SoundTrap™ shroud for big bore sound suppression
  • MSRP: $1,099 not including the PCP Charging System
  • MSRP: $429.99 PCP Charging System

Crosman
www.crosman.com/airguns/air-rifles/bulldog-sportsman-s-pack

Chain Ranch Outfitters
Canton, OK
405-669-1435
www.chainranch.com/hog_exotic/ok_hog_exotic.html

Henry Repeating Arms