Old .50 Benjamin tranquilizer gun

[spctrbytz]

Dad passed recently and this one was sent home with me. I remember using it for doctoring cattle as a teen back in the early 1980s.

I have some livestock now but doubt I'll need to tranq them with a gun as they are hand tame.

I want to have a little fun with it... Does anyone have experience with "alternate" projectiles, such as a plastic blowgun dart or other improvised dart?

 

[denster]

Had one of the pistol versions. Since they are 50cal you can get a 1/2 in wad punch and cut out card wads from poster board or you can buy 1/2in felt wads and load as a muzzle loader. Just make sure that you mark your ramrod so it loads ahead of the transfer port. I used mine to take out wasps and bumble bees on the fly out to about 20ft loaded a charge of dried rice did them in. You should have extra range with the carbine. You can also use 3/4in sections of dowel rod for annoying pests. One caveat if you miss a bumble bee. Run they can id threat source and are not forgiving.

 

[Jim Watson]

There are .50 paintball guns. Not just paint but solid rubber and plastic "training" balls, pepper balls, and steel cored "riot balls."
Exact diameter and compatibility with your tranq gun, I don't know.

While a Benjamin brand, yours is on the Sheridan action originally used for 5mm pellets. Benjamin bought out Sheridan some time ago.

 

[spctrbytz]

Actually I was completely guessing the brand due to the layout... there's not a marking on the thing that I have seen. Will poke around for the .50 stuff - something commercially produced would certainly help lower cost and effort.

 

[Septicdeath]

Try the .50 cal plastic black powder wads.
If you ever feel like selling it let me know.
It's a Benjamin .50 dart

 

[jmorris]

I have some livestock now but doubt I'll need to tranq them...

What do you use and where are you getting it?

 

[spctrbytz]

What do you use and where are you getting it?

We had been using disposable darts similar to the current Pneu-Dart Type C back when this was in regular use. Acepromazine maleate is pretty popular, but you cannot use it on animals intended for human consumption.

 

[Septicdeath]

Air Projector Rifle-Breech Loading Model 178B
I believe they where made by Benjamin.

 

[Septicdeath]

I found this if your interested.

This would be the current model with synthetic stock. The older models have wood.

Air Projector Rifle-Breech Loading Model 178B
, Model 178B Specifications
Stock and Action - Benjamin Sheridan
Sleek weather resistant stock design
Elevated cheek rest for quick reticle reference
Enlarged forearm to reduce pumping effort
Overall Length - 41"
Barrel - 13mm caliber Smooth Bore
Sights - Open
Weight - 7 Ibs

For ammo these would probably work great with a .50 cal cloth patch.
https://www.moonmarble.com/c-75-peewees-approx-12mm-or-12-and-smaller.aspx

 

[JohnKSa]

I like the idea of trying to use it as a shortrange air shotgun.

 

[Septicdeath]

I like that idea as well. Wonder what the fps of the dart gun is at 10 pumps


This is a 8mm smooth bore shotgun mod from a Hatsan 130QE .30 I made. I shoot hand made shot sabots weighing 50 grains of whatever shot I load them with at 570 fps. Works very good at 25ft and under