Benjamin-Bulldog.
This report covers:
- Not a .357 on steroids
- How many shots?
- Shots per fill
- The rifle
- Ambidextrous
- The clip
- The clip is one-way
- Sights
- Trigger
- Threaded muzzle
- Summary
Today we begin looking at the Benjamin Bulldog .457. This is Benjamin’s big bore bullpup that plays with the big boys in the big bore world.
Not a .357 on steroids
The .457 Bulldog is a completely new air rifle. It’s not an enlargement of the .357 Bulldog. It’s larger, holds more air (440cc), gets fewer shots per loaded clip and it costs $140 more than the .357. We will look at that in this report. There is no possibility of converting a .357 into this .457.
They want you to know what it is.
How many shots?
The .357 rotary magazine holds 5 rounds. The .457 clip is gravity-fed and holds three rounds, which turns out to be convenient because three are all you’ll get on a fill of air. These ain’t pellets, folks, they are genuine lead bullets — the same that can be fired in a black powder muzzleloader.
Shots per fill
The Bulldog .457 gets 3 shots per fill — period! And that isn’t all. The Bulldog .357 was advertised as getting 10 shots per fill. Well, it never did! When I tested it, the .357 Bulldog got 8 or 9 shots per fill, but never 10 good ones. The last shot from a magazine was always lower on target, which was probably due to the magazine rather than the fill. Velocity testing showed 8 or 9 good shots, depending on the bullets fired and I did also test the one pellet that was available at the time (2015).
The Bulldog fills to 3,000 psi, which is good. You don’t need more pressure than that. The specs say to expect up to 450 foot-pounds at the muzzle. That would be with the heaviest bullets the rifle will handle.
Tyler Patner tested the .457 and found that three shots are all you get on a fill. Coincidentally the clip holds three bullets, so one clip per fill. That’s straightforward.
The rifle
While the Bulldog .457 is a bullpup design it is not small. It weighs 8.75 pounds, compared to the .357’s 7.7 pounds and it’s 36.3 inches overall. The bullpup design allows for a 28.5-inch barrel, and barrel length is where big bore air rifles get their power.
Ambidextrous
The stock is ambidextrous and the side lever that cocks the action can be switched to either side of the rifle but you have to order the switch when buying the rifle because the swap isn’t done by the owner. Tyler said the hammer spring is stiffer on the .457, so the side lever has to be somewhat harder to cock. Given that, I tried it for you. Remember, it’s been 7 years since I tested the .357. The .457 side lever takes a little effort, but it’s certainly not that hard. At least not for this 74-year old man.
And you can pull the trigger while holding the side lever to uncock the rifle. Obviously a bullet would be loaded if there were one in the clip, so pay attention to what you’re doing.
There is a cleaning rod that comes with the rifle. If a bullet is loaded and you want it out, this rod is used for that.
The stock has sling swivel anchor points at the bottom of the butt and at the bottom forward end of the forearm. These are steel anchors and given the weight of the rifle when scoped, you’re going to want a sling for carrying.
The clip
One thing that I do find a little challenging, at least for the moment, is the 3-shot gravity-fed clip. I find that .457-caliber bullets are too small to be held rigidly by the clip. I seems that the top bullet is supposed to press down on the other two and hold them in place, but so far they are spilling out everywhere.
Okay, it’s not perfectly round but this 300-grain lead bullet measures 0.457-inches on one side, anyway.
This is how they are supposed to be held in the clip. The plastic fingers on top press the top bullet down on the other two.
When the clip is moved from the vertical the bullets come tumbling out.
Obviously BB is going to need to learn how to load this Bulldog. The manual says to first insert the clip into the receiver then load in the bullets into the clip one at a time, nose first. They must lay flat in the clip, which means aligned with the bore. I guess BB will have more to say about it in Part 2 when he tests velocity. But for now the point is you aren’t going to carry spare loaded clips in your pockets, because that’s not how this rifle works.
I loaded the clip into the rifle and looked and obviously the receiver helps keep the bullets inside the clip. They are loose and are going to rattle but I don’t think they will fall out. BB needs to see.
The clip is one-way
The manual doesn’t tell you but the clip must be properly oriented to go into the receiver. A slot on one side of the clip aligns with the back of the breech that projects out just a little.
That projection around the breech is what the clip aligns with.
That cutout clears the projection at the breech.
And there is the clip in the rifle.
Sights
There aren’t any sights. But there is a 26-inch Picatinny rail on top of the rifle. That ought to be enough, don’t you think?
There is no rail under the rifle for a bipod, so if you want one it will have to mount to the overhead rail as some do. It would be nice if there were M-LOK slots along both sides of the forearm, but that can’t happen because the aluminum forearm is a trapezoidal barrel shroud.
Trigger
The trigger is two stage. The manual says stage one is approximately two pounds and stage two is approximately three pounds. Of course I will test it for you.
Threaded muzzle
The Bulldog’s muzzle is threaded, though the caliber dictates that a special silencer be used. The threads are M18, which means an 18mm diameter. That’s a big one!
Summary
What more can I say? Crosman has taken the Bulldog from the 200 foot-pound region up to the the 400+ foot-pound arena where the big boys play. When you get to this level, the rifle is a serious medium-game getter for sure.
B.B.
That has to be the ugliest thing I have ever seen.
They should nick name it the Whale!
Sure hope it is worth your effort?
-Y
Yogi,
It is b’ugly, but it does look space blaster deadly. Several years ago, I had the opportunity to shoot one of the first .357 Bulldogs manufactured.
The very first thing I noticed is I did not like the cocking lever at my shoulder. Forward cocking levers on ‘pups had been around for a few years already. TCFKAC never updated the design with it, the arrow shooter or the .457. Shame on them.
The next thing I noticed is it produced a pattern at 50 yards about the size of my hand. I prefer a much tighter group than that. I would accept 2 MOA from something like this, but Great Googely Moogely… I hope the .457 does better, but TCFKAC has never done well in the big bore arena.
BB,
I don’t see how anybody would want a pre loaded clip of three shots if they have to refill the air reservoir first before they can shoot again after the first three shots. Besides this is a big bore rifle I cannot imagine a circumstance where somebody will be discharging this rifle rapidly and continuously.
Siraniko
PS: Section Sights second paragraph first sentence: “There is no rail under the rifle four (for) a bipod, so if you want one it will have to mount to the overhead rail as some do.”
Siraniko,
Got it. Thanks,
BB
Siraniko,
Some don’t practice a quick reload for a potential follow up shot.
Some have Buck Fever so bad they can’t see or feel how to do the reload; i have seen folks do some really strange things in the field…UGLY! Like complete loss of composure or bladder/bowl control! Glad it was just on game hunts.
shootski
Shootski
Yes I have seen the same.
That scares me. It’s like control is loss.
I’m a very calm person. You got to be in touch with yourself. Got to be under control.
Well, I never was a fan of the .357 Bulldog. I doubt you will win me over with this. It is not the looks either. It is how it functions. Also, the .357 was not interesting. I hope this is.
Not a .357 on steroids
We will look (at) that in this report.
RR,
Fixed. Thanks,
BB
VELOCITY OUTDOORS! Are you reading this?! Move the cocking lever forward! Make it 2 MOA or better! I will buy one then and I will sing your praises from the top of the Appalachians!
In the spirit of BB’s blog about us arm-chair engineers who are never happy with the products’ design AND in addition to RR’s suggestions…
– add a regulator to help the valve cope with the huge pressure drop with each shot
– increase the the volume and max pressure rating of the reservoir so that at least one full mag (3 or 10 shots) could be fired with a more reasonable ES.
…Looks? Well, it is what it is. I’m sure that it appeals to some. Not my cup of tea, as an old guy I prefer more traditional guns… “b’ugly” is the polite way I’d describe it 😉 But then you’re not seeing the gun when you’re looking through the scope anyways. Sorry to be crotchety, I haven’t had a coffee yet (ar least that is the excuse I’m using 😉 )
Happy Friday all!
Hank
Hank,
Shame!
Regulator on a two+ shot. Pfft!
shootski
Shootski,
Was thinking about the “10” shot for a reg.
Vana2,
Lol!
I had my Jacobs before I wrote that ;^)
shootski
Hank,
Regulator? A waste of money. Designing a regulator to work at that pressure and volume would not be easy either.
3000 PSI is plenty. How many shots do you think you get with most big bores? My HM1000X .357 only gets about 14 shots per fill. That is a punky little 81 grain pellet. It has a 4800 CC bottle filled to 3200 PSI.
This is for hunting, not target shooting. How many shots are you going to use on that poor deer? If you cannot kill it with one or two at the most, you do not need to be hunting in the first place.
RR,
It’s not about shot count, it’s consistency. With the air consumption on these big bores I figure that they need all the help they can get in that department.
Relative to their benefits (fill & forget, flattened curve, low ES) I think that regulators are a good thing. They are not expensive to make – couple of O-rings, a few Belleville washers and a bit of brass that can be made on an automatic machine in a minute or so. Yeah, the after market regulators are expensive but I’d bet that 90% of the sticker price is profit.
IMHO, big bore airguns are a novelty item, Yeah you can hunt with them but are they practical? Seen videos of a guy that hunts big game with spear, I kinda put big bores in the same category.
Personally, I would prefer my home made wood bow to a big bore for deer hunting. Each to their own eh?
I’m mildly curious about big bores. More as a platform to try home made boolits than anything else.
I understand that larger caliber airguns are needed for certain applications and I’m good with that. Sometimes you need caliber, weight and power.
For my applications, .22 and 30 fpe is lots 🙂
Have a great weekend RR!
Hank
Hank,
For most airgunners, big bore are entirely unnecessary. Big bore airguns have been around since perhaps the 15th century. History gets a little foggy way back then. In the late 1700s they went to war. Into the 1800s, rich Europeans hunted deer, boar, etc. with them. Then they sorta faded away as gunpowder became better.
In recent times with modern technology, they have started to make a comeback. They have become more affordable. I do not think they are a novelty. They are here to stay.
They are the domain of the hunter. A lot of airgunners have bought them recently who do not really need them. They have bought them as novelties. They will play with them a bit, find they use a horrendous amount of air, then put them in the closet or safe and pull them out on occasion to impress one of their friends with. I wish they would just sell them.
I understand what you are saying about a regulator. If the air reservoir was big enough, it would be a great idea. I get about fourteen regulated shots from my HM1000X in .357, but I am only putting out about 100 FPE. I can get over 200 FPE from it, but I have to get rid of the regulator and my shot count will go waaaaay down. The more power, the more air is needed.
Another thing you will find with truly big bore is 50-100 FPS is nothing. I have seen big bore produce cloverleaf groups at 50 yards and each shot would vary more than 100 FPS.
Dennis Quakenbush, Gary Barnes and a few others have been making big bore for many years. They are here to stay.
RR,
Rember reading that the military was considering an airgun because they could recharge them in the field where with black powder when you were out you were done shooting. Evidently, the specs required that a 1 inch ball penetrate a 1 inch oak board at 100 yards – that would take some serious power!
Interesting that the big bores are not as velocity-sensitive as the small calibers. Wasn’t aware of that. Wonder if it is a mass/inertia thing.
Yeah, when I said big bores were a novelty thing I was thinking about the closet queens that were bought for bragging rights rather than serious use.
In some countries big bores are the only option so I know that they are effective.
Each to their own eh? I like my bows; light weight, quiet and efficient – and don’t damage a lot of meat. Granted, they are a sub 25 yard weapon but I’ve taken plenty of deer with them. That and I can make one for a dollar or two (dacron string and varnish) in a couple of hours. The ammunition is reusable as well 🙂
With .22 caliber PCPs approaching 90 fpe technology is changing things eh? My (factory stock) Impact is making 50 fpe – no sweat. That’s with the 160 bar (max) reg set to about 120 bar.
Still, big bores have their attraction. I have a 12 ga rifled barrel ( .61 caliber?) that I thought I might hook up to my HPA tank with a solenoid valve. Might be fun to play around with and design some boolits.
Cheers!
Hank
She might be ugly. But if she knows how to dance I could like her. 😉
Put a pork chop ’round her neck, and a red dot on. A ghirandoni doesn’t have a mag on it.
Rob
You have to take the pork chop off in order to dance. Otherwise the dogs’ll trip you up.
pacoinohio
The dogs know to stay away from me. 😉
The Girandoni had a 20 round side mounted gravity feed magazine.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girardoni_air_rifle
And a removable P.V. My Bad, Kinda like an AirForce Texan..
R
1stblue,
The secret of the Girardoni is the valve system. It is only filled to 600-800 PSI. It will get over twenty shots per fill. I would really like to see someone build a modern version of the Girardoni.
Rob
Oh if she is good she will show it.
We all know that.
Gunfun 1,
Just wanted to let you know that you weren’t just “Whistling Dixie” about those starlings and your 362. Took two off the martin gourds this morning. One at a piddling 18 yds but the other one was an honest 35yds. Works for me!
Now about that Bulldog thing? Sorry, but thats what Mr Mauser designed the 7X57mm for!
Have a Good one!
BobF
Bob
And I know you will be more and more happy with your 362. They are for sure good shooting pumpers.
For sure.
BB-
Do we know the muzzle thread pitch? M18 is typically x1 or x1.5. Thanks.
B.B. and Readership,
The Old School Big Bore shooter looks forward to this series of blogs on the Bulldog .457.
Test items i would like to see:
1. How it holds Off Hand.
2. How it holds Off Hand in gusty side winds.
3. The shot power curve to disprove once and for all the need, nay the obsession, with regulators versus the balanced valve.
4. If a bipod can be mounted to the forward sling stud as it is on many firearms.
5. ACCURACY of all three shots to at least 80 yards.
shootski
PS: It is unattractive in my eyes.
#2 got a laugh.
I know, it will never be a Remington Falling bloc/ split bloc.
I don’t think the Indians would care tho.
Rob
1stblue,
Kind of like operating an M16 equiped with an M79 or M203 at a helicopter LZ!
shootski
But shootski is telling the truth about #2.
It definitely is a sail.
Shootski,
Most especially 3 and 5. I am so tired of hearing or reading the word regulator. Do not get me wrong. They are great on small caliber air rifles for target shooting. When it comes to hunting, you are better off with a tunable valve.
I had an AirForce Talon SS that I only had to put 1800 PSI in to reach the beginning of the top of the power curve and had 20-30 good shots in it. I really do wish I had hung on to it now. I hope GunFun1 is enjoying it. 😉
Number 4 is yes.
RR
I have it resting next to my shooting bench for quick access if needed. I shoot it everday. And I fill it to 2000 psi (our gauges are probably reading different) and I get easy 30 shots per fill. And I have the short 12 inch .22 caliber in it. You sent me 2 barrels with it. I think the other barrel is 18 inches long in .177 caliber. But yes I enjoy it very much. Thanks. 🙂
GF1,
The long barrel is .25. I originally had a 24 inch .177 barrel in it, but it was just too hot for .177 in that length. It was shooting H&N Silverpoints at over 1000 FPS.
At the time I was filling it with an AirForce hand pump. I want it back if you decide to get rid of it.
RR
Yep I replied below it was .25 caliber. Guess it posted in the wrong place.
And you will be first in line to get it back. But don’t hold your breath. Done learned that lesson about getting rid of a good gun.
B.B.,
Late testing thought.
Can you get a finger on the trigger with a winter shooting glove?
shootski
Shootski
The glove all depends on how far forward the safety lever is when ready to shoot.
It looks like it’s similar to the Marauder safety. And I have no problem wearing gloves with the Marauder.
Hopefully BB see’s your comment and replies. I would like to know.
BB Thanks for this report. What size space bugs can be splattered with this? I would interested to see how far the bullets would penetrate into your rubber mulch trap.
Roamin,
Yeah, you would. No dice. This thing is a real big bore.
BB
OK. I was just asking because we have seen on your blog the rubber mulch trap absorb a .223, a .22 LR, and several small bore pellets, this would be another point of reference regarding the effectiveness of the rubber mulch trap. The Bulldog would not approach the ballistics of the .45-70 cartridge for example. From a quick Google search: “45-70 Ballistics. Typical 45-70 ballistics with modern factory ammo are a 300gr bullet at 2,350fps (3,678 ft-lbs), a 325gr bullet at 2,050fps (3,032 ft-lbs), and a 405gr bullet at 1,330fps (1,591 ft-lbs).” So I was wondering if it would penetrate the mulch trap. Would be cool if it didn’t.
Roamin,
Okay. Because you asked and also because I sorta wanted to anyway, I’ll try it. But I already tested velocity today, so it will have to wait until accuracy testing. You remind me if I forget.
BB
Woohoo! I wish I could be there with you to watch that happen!
About 95% of 338 grain .510 NSA slugs at around 860 fps from a Texan LSS we’re stopped by around 18” of my mulch trap. The secondary backup trap of wadded cloth stopped the remaining ones. The tertiary backup inch of solid wood was untouched.
Mulch traps are awesome. Thanks for that, MisterAP.
Roamin Greco,
The QUESTION should have been: How FAR will the BULLDOG.457 launch B.B.’s rubber mulch filled trap? Also…
I doubt you could anchor a corrugated cardboard box well enough to stay put and if you did manage to keep it in one place how to avoid it tearing/blowing apart on the first shot.
Anyone planning to test this rubber mulch trap vs Big Bore out had best have a steel secondary backstop and a large and substantial tertiary backstop.
shootski
Shootski,
Well, we gonna test that, too, aren’t we” 🙂
BB
BB,
It may be a video worthy event, at least worth setting up a video cam just in case.
Mike
Shootski
I’m thinking BB better be at the range when he tests the 457. Might get in trouble if testing at home. Plus a different kind of energy.
Gunfun1,
With the cats for certain!
shootski
Shootski
Yep that too. I’m betting it’s going to be loud when it shoots.
This keeps everything in place. The cardboard boxes aren’t very long lasting with the big bore while they seem very long lasting with the 22 SAM.
For big bore I think a deeper mulch trap with a front setup similar to Hank/Vana2 would be much better.
Couldn’t edit to attach the image
MisterAP,
What caliber Big Bore? What FPS and what type/size made those holes in the insulated box?
The reason I ask is I have no experience shooting any of mine into a home built trap. I either shoot mine at the range or prey in the field.
I did find an airgunner’s account of first time shooting a Quackenbush Outlaw Pistol on the Archer Airguns web page; it makes me laugh every time I read it. ” MANUFACTURERS AIRGUN PELLET AND BB TRAP AIRGUN REVIEWS
INDUSTRY BRAND QB78 AIR RIFLE
RWS DIANA 350 MAGNUM FEUERKRAFT COMPACT PRO REVIEW
SUMATRA CARBINE REVIEW
RAT KILLING STATION FOR AIRGUNS
Category Archives: Quackenbush Airguns
AIRGUNS, HUNTING CHAIR, OUTLAW AIR RIFLE, QUACKENBUSH, SHOOTING BENCH, SHOOTING CHAIR
BORN WILD SHOOTING CHAIR
AUGUST 2, 2018
The Born Wild Shooting Chair is designed for precision and comfortable hunting and target shooting. The Born Wild Shooting Chair is made in Northern California one at a time by talented craftsmen. It was designed for folks who shoot and hunt with rifles, both airgun, center fire, rim fire and even shotguns. It works well for the range, or out in the field. It will make any shooter improve on accuracy and comfort.
Personally, I use the Born Wild Shooting Chair for varmint and pest hunting in my backyard at night with my .25 caliber air rifles. I also use the Born Wild Shooting Chair for banging steel gongs at a farm at 50, 100, and 200 yards away with my .458 and .58 Quackenbush Big Bore Air Rifles. Those things kick like a center fire powder burner, and I have developed a serious flinch. Using the shooting chair helps remove my flinch and I can sit comfortably, line up my shots and squeeze. Because the shooting chair swivels 360 degrees around, and up and down, it’s easy for me to target a gong to my right and quickly shift way to my left and at a farther distance.
Turkey Hunting Chair
While I haven’t used it for serious hunting yet, it is on my bucket list to take it Turkey hunting this fall with the intention of taking head shots only. I think that the shooting chair or perhaps turkey hunting chair will steady my shots, and allow me smaller targets at greater distances. The tan color of the chair helps it blend in to the background. Turkeys have excellent eyesight, and so I will end up setting up a camouflaged blind, set up the hunting chair, and wait for the Turkey’s to come on by.
Born Wild Shooting Chair
Born Wild Shooting Chair
Ground Squirrel Hunting Chair
Next on my list is ground squirrel hunting at a beef cow farm in the valley. The California ground squirrel is a serious pest for farmers, whether it be hay, vegetable crops, dairy, meat cow, horses etc. They dig deep burrows that will break a critter’s leg, and break equipment come harvest and plowing time. They can decimate a nut crop, or just bring disease onto a farm. The nasty ground squirrel carries fleas, and diseases such as bubonic plague. Farmers hate them. So I’ll drive to a farm I know of and set up my squirrel chair and blast squirrels all day. Can’t think of a better use for a Born Wild Ground Squirrel Hunting Chair.
Range Shooting Chair
When I head to the range it’s to sight in my rifles, to blow off some steam and just have fun. I do hate the typical concrete benches and steel stools. My fanny ends up aching, and my neck gets out of whack since I can’t quite move things around to my liking. I often carry my Lead Sled to the range, weight it with 25lbs of steel, and strap my flinch inducing DAQ .58 Short Rifle or the DAQ .458 LA Outlaw. It is so uncomfortable to shoot though. It’s just one of the things I love about the Born Wild Shooting Chair. Plop your rifle in, strap it in or not, sit down, and adjust height, or angle to make yourself comfortable, and shoot away. It really is like night an day in terms of comfort. Plus, I shoot much better since I’m comfortable, I am stable, the rifle is stable, and fatigue sets in much, much later.
Portable Shooting Chair
A shooting chair ain’t worth a squat if you can’t get it to where you want to do your shooting or hunting. The Born Wild Portable Shooting Chair shines in this feature. It is reasonably light, and you can pack it in your backpack, or in a duffle that Born Wild will be offering. It takes just a minute to assemble and disassemble, so you have more time to shoot. Make a shooting chair a portable shooting chair, and hunters and shooters will fall in love with it, and treat it as indispensable as any other hunting and shooting gear.
Prairie Dog Shooting Chair
Out on the rolling plains you’ll find massive numbers of Prairie Dogs, and a gaggle of Prairie Dog hunters, all taking a different approach to setting up and shooting these pests. Some folks use a shooting bench, others lay on the ground with the bugs and deal with itching. Others use fabricated hunting chairs. I think the Born Wild Shooting Chair is perhaps a perfect solution. It swivels up and down and side to side, and allows you to quickly target prairie dogs on a wide field.
Best Shooting Chair
What features make the Born Wild Shooting Chair the best shooting chair for hunting, plinking, and target shooting?
Born Wild Shooting Chair Features
Light Weight
Portable
Ambidextrous
Powder Coated
Leather Forearm and Rear Arm
Comfortable
Adjustable Height
Ammo Tray
Adjustable Padded Seat
Secure Rifle Strap
Rotates 360 degrees
Tilts Up and Down
Comfortable Arm Rests Left and Right
AIRGUNS, BIG BORE AIRGUN, D.A.Q., OUTLAW AIR RIFLE, QUACKENBUSH, QUACKENBUSH AIRGUNS
BIG DAQ LITTLE DAQ
MARCH 30, 2017
Big DAQ Little DAQ
A Pairing of Quackenbush Airguns might sound silly, as it suggests a similar gastronomical pairing such as wine and cheese, or eggs and bacon. But perhaps it’s not so silly after all. In this case I have paired a .58 caliber Quackenbush Pistol with my latest airgun purchase, a .58 Quackenbush Outlaw Short Rifle. It made sense because I’ve started casting my own lead bullets and roundball for .58 caliber (actually .575 cal).
Big DAQ Little DAQ
Big DAQ Little DAQ
AIR GUN, AIRGUN, AIRGUNS, D.A.Q., QUACKENBUSH AIRGUNS
QUACKENBUSH .58 OUTLAW PISTOL
JULY 3, 2016
.58 Outlaw Pistol outfitted with a Red Dot Sight.
.58 Outlaw Pistol outfitted with a Red Dot Sight.
.58, .45, .25, .22, .177 in comparison. DAQ .58 pistol in background.
.58, .45, .25, .22, .177 in comparison. DAQ .58 pistol in background.
Business end of the .58 caliber Quackenbush Outlaw Airgun
Business end of the .58 caliber Quackenbush Outlaw Airgun
Quackenbush .58 Pistol came without trigger group. I added a Crosman 1322 trigger group.
Quackenbush .58 Pistol came without trigger group. I added a Crosman 1322 trigger group.
Dennis A. Quackenbush .58 Outlaw Airgun, breech loading handle, and hammer cocking handle.
Dennis A. Quackenbush .58 Outlaw Airgun, breech loading handle, and hammer cocking handle.Dennis Quackenbush has been making extremely desirable big bore airguns for many years. Old world craftsmanship with modern know how and machinery, and a classic aesthetic as well as massive power are some of the admirable and desirable attributes of Quackenbush Airguns.
Quackenbush airguns are in such demand that he only sells Outlaw air rifles after he opens up a list that is really a raffle that people are randomly chosen from. Once on the list it may take a year or more to actually get the Airgun you ordered.
I have been trying for three years now to get on that list, but I’ve yet to get lucky. Well, unlucky until a few weeks ago. I regularly go by the Quackenbush (D.A.Q.) website to check on that list and see if it is open or there has been some other status change. On this particular day there was no change in the list, rather there was a status change in that Dennis had some DAQ Outlaw Pistols available for purchase and there was no list involved! Hoozah!
I will admit that as I slept on this knowledge that I could soon be an owner of a Genuine Quackenbush I also was worried that the .58 caliber ammo was going to be hard to find and be so huge as to have a air powered slingshot as opposed to a pistol or a carbine. A 58 cal lead ball is pretty heavy at 279 grains and I thought that I might be biting off more than I can chew. I also admit to myself and anyone listening that I do love big explosions and horsepower like my 12 valve Cummins surrounded by a Dodge. I threw caution to the wind and called Dennis and agreed to send him a bunch of money and in return he’d send me a 58 Caliber Dennis Quackenbush Outlaw Pistol mechanism minus the Crosman 1377/1322 trigger frame assembly he recommends as a suitable trigger.
I just posted the following to the AirgunGuild:
Quackenbush .58 Outlaw Pistol First Thoughts.
When I unwrapped the package containing one Quackenbush (D.A.Q.) .58 caliber Outlaw Pistol minus trigger assembly I thought to myself that this is some serious business. Beautifully blued barrel, air tube, and breech and some mighty large chunks of metal for the bolt and cocking handle, hammer, etc. To tell you the truth I was suddenly a bit nervous holding this thing in my hands. It looked and felt huge for a pistol.
Got down to business and installed the new Crosman 1377/1322/2040 etc trigger frame and pieces and parts. Then realized I’d neglected to install the spring and ball bearing for the safety. Took it apart and installed the safety bits, but before reinstalling squashed the trigger spring a little since trigger feel has so stiff. Put back together and left in in gun cabinet for a few days.
Got home from Jujutsu and made a Beeline to the shop. Took the DAQ out and decided to see how it felt with a Crosman plastic stock on it. Not bad, but I really think the DAQ needs a chunk of walnut caressing all that blued steel. Stock needs to be maybe an inch longer for me.
I think I have a large enough chunk of walnut somewhere. I think being the keyword.
Started to put on a Bugbuster scope, but alas won’t fit. The mounts are too close together. Going to have to figure something out. Decided to order a red dot… Will see how that works out.
I worked the bolt and cocking knob for a while being that everything is tight. Greased up the metal to metal contacts to avoid galling.
Finally decided it was time to fill the beast up. Took it slowly up to 3k which may actually be 2800k since this gauge is a bit questionable. Shot it with no bullet and as it went off in my closed up shop, I jumped. Holy $&@;! That surely woke the dead. Refilled to 3k and stuck in a 58 cal store bought round ball. Stacked up two layers of 2x fir in front of my pellet trap, and a 2×12 behind the trap and one additional layer of 3/4 plywood. Turned on Chrony, held my breath and pulled the trigger.
Holy mother of God, the sound was even louder, and I jumped as most of the wood in front and behind the pellet trap went flying every which way. First 2×4 split in two and dented 2×6 behind it. I swear the pellet trap which weighs about 35lbs got moved a few inches. Chrony said 446.3 fps.
Put all the wood back together and clamped the mess together. Loaded up the Outlaw again, cocked and held my breath and let loose the hand cannon. KAPOW! Stuff fell off the shelves and knocked the wood apart as the clamps gave in. Chrony said 538.3 fps.
I stopped. Was fearful I was going to break something.
I am still giggling at the absolute raw power of this Quackenbush Beast of an AirGun!”
I have added a picture of the indoor range I am lucky enough to have nearby. Keeps me out of trouble with my neighbors who put up with my .177 pistols, 10M rifles, and the SIG SSG ASP 20’s.
shootski
B.B.,
Got any of the mr hollowpoint rounds in .457/8 laying around?
shootski
Shootski, no option to reply directly to you above.
Those holes are from 338 grain .510 NSA slugs at around 860 fps from a Texan LSS. The white box is my mulch trap. The secondary backup trap of wadded cloth is the CheezIts box. The black garbage bag covers the final backup trap of a couple of layers of inch thick solid wood.
If you scroll up a bit, I have a picture of the slug that penetrated to the secondary trap.
Attached here is part of my shooting table. I put a tv table on top and depending on the rifle, layers of towels to line me up. I like to shoot while standing. I’m only shooting rested so I can get better groups. My ideal is to shoot offhand.
Best,
AP
BB
So,, it’s a clip and not a magazine??
Ed
Ed,
You could say it is a gravity fed tray. I would like to know how well it holds the “pellets” in should you sling the rifle or turn it upside-down.
RR
I was thinking the same thing. It seems like an odd way to do it. I guess one could go the duct tape route,, but that really shouldn’t be necessary on a new rifle.
Ed
I am certain we can get BB to test the retention capability of this clip.
Are you reading this BB? Load the clip and insert it in the Bulldog and turn it upside down to see if any bullets fall out for us!
I need one more air rifle to complete my collection here at RidgeRunner’s Home For Wayward Airguns. I say there will be one more, but I am certain others will show up looking for a place to stay for a while and I will be more than willing to accommodate them.
Of all of the “modern” airguns out there, I would like to have an AirForce Texan LSS Carbon Fiber in .457. I could turn my HM1000X into a hunter by removing the regulator, but I think I would rather play with a Texan. I guess I will just have to sell that HM1000X and get one.
RR
AoA has a used one right now in .45 caliber that is not the silenced version for $799. They will swap guns too. You should give them a call today. I believe they are open till 4pm. And they seem to answer the phones quicker on Saturday’s for some reason. Let me know what you think. Oh and they will send you more pictures if you ask them.
GF1,
I have talked with AoA before. They offered me a ridiculously low price for my HM1000X. They probably only gave $300 for that Texan. I am very cautious when dealing with those folks. I am pretty cautious with PA also.
RR
I guess since I have done business with them for a long time now with new and especially the used guns that they know me now. Usually all it takes is for me to say is but you gave me a better deal on such and such to jog their memory and we end up working something out. They know I’ll say no real quick if they don’t do what I’m after. So far they have done me good. And the used guns I got was in better condition than they listed them at.
Put yep you should always be cautious.
RR
Just went down stairs to get a extra butt pad I have to but on the Daystate Renegade that came today from AoA. The other barrel was a 18 inch .25 caliber barrel. I remember now I wanted to use the shorter .22 Caliber barrel so the Talon SS would be silenced like they came from the factory. Plus I already got the .25 caliber Condor SS. Just wanted to mention it was .25 caliber not .177 caliber.
Sorry everyone,
I tried to copy a post on Archer Airguns and I guess it got away from me.
I tried to edit it to the small part i wanted to share but got cutoff at the pass by the time limit. It was only supposed to be the part where he shoots the blank and the actual Lead ball shots into his pile of wood and steel trap.
shootski
Shootski,
It looked like an April Fool’s article.
Siraniko
Siraniko,
B.B. does way better on those!
shootski
The Lee Bullet Mold for the Ruger Old Army BP revolver is .456-220 gr. It would probably work.
Mike
Big Iron,
What diameter do the bullets drop as cast?
A .456 may be a tiny bit undersized for best accuracy but you never know until you slug the entire barrel.
shootski
I don’t have any bullets cast right now. The mold mikes at .4572.
Mike
BB! Oh BB!
We need you to do a little test for us by the next report on this Bulldog. We need you to load up that clip and insert it into the Bulldog and turn it upside down to see if any of the bullets fall out.
RR,
Tomorrow and no.
BB
Big Iron,
From my experience with casting (no real expert) depending on the bullet mold steel , brass or that other metal; they will usually drop a bit larger than nominal size or the cold mold miked size.
From what B.B. says in Part 2 about the Bulldog.457 i would be surprised if your mold would cast an accurate bullet for the Dog. That said, you have the mold and all it would take is some Lead and some work to find out. For someone with a new Bulldog.457 it might be best to sample the commercial bullets to get an idea of what their barrel likes before dropping some coin on a bullet mold.
shootski