In the list of PCP air rifles, Benjamin Bulldog is a bullpup model available in .357 calibers. Its modern look and multi-shot design, as well as its power output, distinguish it in comparison to other hunter-air guns that are available.
It’s a middle-range rifle between .22 and .25 caliber airguns that is best suited for small games, and the bigger .457 and .50 air rifles commonly employed to hunt large games. This is why I believe it is best suited to hunt predators and hogs.
The Bulldog isn’t a powerful big bore, partly due to the choice of calibers. An air rifle can achieve a certain amount of power with the .357 caliber slug. The gun is strong enough for the larger game in the right conditions. It has proved it in the field as I’ve killed hogs with it.
The Bulldog can produce 180 to 200 ft-lb right out of the box for the initial few shots, but it begins to fall as the pressure drops. This isn’t as high as the 800 ft-lb produced by one of the most potent air guns. However, it still packs enough for a medium-sized game.
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Contents
Benjamin Bulldog .357 Features:
- Precharged pneumatic
- 5th auto-indexing rotary clip .357
- Third gravity-fed tray .457
- Sidelever
- 28.00″ Rifled barrel .357
- 28.5″ shotgun barrel .457
- SoundTrap baffle-free trapezoid-shaped sound-suppression
- .457 version has M18 threads at the end of the shroud
- 26″ long Picatinny rails for optics
- Safety of the manual
- 36″ long .357
- 36.3″ long .457
- Synthetic stock with ambidextrous properties
- Pads for recoiling rubber
- 3000 psi maximum fill pressure
- A reservoir of 340cc is available in .357 and 405cc in .457
- 10-shots per filled in .357 and 3 inches .457
- .357 Weight is 7.70 pounds.
- .457, a weight of 8.75 pounds.
- Foster male quick-disconnect
- 200 ft-lbs. Maximum with .357 and up to 450 feet-lbs. Maximum with .457
Benjamin Bulldog .357 Air Rifle Details
Stock
The Bulldog utilizes an ambidextrous synthetic stock that measures an entire length of just 36 inches and yet includes a rifled barrel of 28 inches. The barrel is covered in a shroud and housed inside the modern-looking stock.
The shroud is integrated and can effectively cut down on the sound signature, but it still has an acceptable report. The gun weighs 7.5 pounds when a scope is placed on top. It also has mounts that work with the Weaver/Picatinny rail.
Sidelever
The gun is geared with an auxiliary mechanism. And I have to be grateful to Crosman for introducing this configuration prior to its current popularity. It has a very low effort of cocking, and also auto-indexes the five-shot rotary magazine quickly and with a high degree of reliability.
Air Reservoir
The air reservoir is 340cc. The reservoir is filled up to 3000 psi and produces 10 shots for each fill. The gun is connected directly to an air supply to fill using a standard quick-release Foster fitting. After the first release, many large bores used the fill probe made by a company called a fill probe. This was one of the little things that Crosman added, and I was happy with it.
Bullpup Design
To summarize the attributes notable about the Bulldog, it is small and is a multi-shot repeater. This is a shot-count gun and comes with a shrouded barrel during the summer months when I hunted extensively using it. It was reliable, and there are just a few of the characteristics I am looking for when hunting with my guns.
Velocity
The maximum fill pressure for the Benjamin Bulldog Bullpup is 3000 psi. The first shot you take will be the most potent, travelling at a speed of 800 fps because of the increased pressure. Next, the psi will gradually decrease until you’re shooting at around 670 fps at 2000 psi on your final round.
The manufacturer also claims that this gun can fire at a rate of 910 feet per second. This is, presumably, the case when all external factors are optimized and the maximum amount of mental and physical energy is directed toward a single effort.
Performance
The Benjamin’s Bulldog.357 PCP bullpup air gun is a pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air rifle. This indicates that the rifle may take advantage of an external air supply, such as a hand pump or gas canister. This pressurized air is kept until it is released from the rifle’s reservoir. The reservoir capacity of this bullpup air gun is 340 cc.
Other Things To Consider
We also appreciate the fact that they’ve added an automatic safety feature to this strong air gun. It is, in fact, a deadly weapon! The length measures 36 inches and the barrel measures 28 inches, which gives plenty of space to move around.
Additionally, it weighs 7.70 pounds, which is extremely light when compared to other products available. We also forgot to note that the .357 ammo comes in pellet form. This means that there’s a wide variety of different kinds which can be purchased or made to make a budget ammo selection in comparison to cartridges.
Furthermore, you will receive Swab-Its which are great for cleaning and applying grease, which is included in the package.
Why Choose a .357 Airgun?
It’s a good question to ask, but let’s make it clear that this isn’t a Magnum round. .357 rounds are usually found in revolvers. However, this airgun is extremely powerful and could be used to kill animals as big as deer.
It’s true that you’ll need to be within range to kill a humane. If you’re in the proper distance, you’ll be able to kill varmints and game effectively and efficiently.
The most ideal range is around 80 yards depending on the conditions. In this range, you can see that the .357 round can be shot very precisely using the Benjamin Bulldog .357 Airgun. These types that are compared with the small bore airgun are truly remarkable.
The main advantage you’ll get with this powerful airgun is that it’s a shrouded model. It’s significantly quieter than a typical hunting rifle, which could give you time to eliminate additional varmints, for instance. The most common varmints it can handle include feral hogs, which could cause a lot of trouble for US agriculturalists and their farms.
Benjamin Bulldog Performance at the Range
I used the Bulldog for a day at the range where I shot various ammunition, including guns of 145 grains Nosler Extreme, 77-grain JSB .35 Air rifle Exact Diabolo pellets, the 82-grain H&N HP and a 117-grain.
I started by shooting a string of 10 shots employing every one of four projectiles. The fastest speeds were obtained with the smallest pellets. However, all the way through, I was impressed with the reliability and consistency of the power decline as the pressure decreased. There was minimal variation in the angle of impact, as evident by the target.
The most accurate shot was achieved using Nosler EXTREME bullets and the H&N Slugs, even though they were not as accurate. JSB pellets were very close.
In reality, there was not a significant difference between the three projectiles, and all were suitable to hunt with. But, I would go for the eXTREMEs when you are hunting larger quarry or further into longer distances. I would recommend the Grizzlys when hunting predators and taking those longer shots.
Furthermore, I would also use the pellets only for predatory-sized hunts at shorter distances, such as the suburban hunt for coyotes. Cast bullets didn’t do so well, but I’m confident that if I continue trying, I’ll discover an effective option. Airguns are known to have their personal preferences for ammo. Sometimes, you have to play around with various airguns to dial in.
The gun was simple to operate, and the magazine auto-indexed consistently. In addition, the trigger broke quickly and with pulling at 3.2 pounds. The stock was comfortable and ergonomic, although I’ll discuss one thing I didn’t like in the next section.
The scope on my rifle is fitted using medium profile mounts, providing a great sight alignment. The air gauge (manometer) located on the right-hand edge of my Bulldog was simple to read and provided precise information about the amount of pressure applied while shooting.
Benjamin Bulldog .357 PCP Video Review by Shooter1721
Benjamin Bulldog .357 Pros and Cons
Pros
I think this gun is at its finest as it is a prey gun. It’s well-powered for clear 100-yard killings of coyotes. It’s smooth shooting and precise, and the magazine and action allow for quick subsequent shots when needed. I am also impressed by the large shot count that the gun offers with a charge of 3000 psi, which is an excellent control valve as well as air management. Although the Bulldog isn’t controlled, Crosman has done an excellent job balancing the springs and achieved remarkable reliability. When you reach the 10-th round, speed decreases significantly, but I generally charge up following every magazine.
This gun, or any .35 caliber, would not make my top choice for a large game gun category. It’s an acceptable option for hogs or deer. If you’re looking for a gun that you can use to hunt all the time, most of which will involve predator hunting, the Benjamin Bulldog could be the ideal weapon for your needs. You’ll need to adjust your approach to hunting according to the situation, keeping your shots closer and selecting the best shot position. Another thing to verify is the legality in your state. A caliber or power restriction governs numerous venues that permit big-bore airguns to hunt deer.
Cons
There are some things that I would change if it were me. For instance, the Benjamin Bulldog is chunky and has an angular design with an eerie look. Some people love it, but my perception of aesthetics is in an entirely different direction. This is certainly a subjective choice. If you love the futuristic feel or are committed to “form that follows function,” it’s not an issue. The material is synthetic and has a plastic-like feel. However, it’s a form-following function.
The final item concerns the location of the side lever. If the shooter’s cheek is locked, the cocking lever will be located just behind the weld on the cheek. That means the gunner has to be able to reach behind the point to turn the gun. This slows the cycle of the gun. However, it’s quicker than most large bores. I would have preferred to have the side lever positioned closer to the trigger. Moreover, the ergonomics of this gun are still very good, and it is possible to be taught to deal with this.
Conclusion
As a hunting rifle Bulldog is a great hunting rifle. It has an excellent power profile, precise and high shot count rapid action and a five-shot rotating magazine, making it an excellent choice for anyone searching for a multi-purpose hunter rifle.
I’ve used the Bulldog regularly over the past few years and found it robust and reliable. I’d recommend putting this medium-sized bore on your list. It’s got the essentials set, and, as I’ve mentioned, once the basic requirements are satisfied, the rest is up to personal preference.