Ballista Captive Bolt. Any experience?

[Chicken-Farmer]

Over on the backyard meat rabbit Facebook page folks are praising the Ballista Captive Bolt dispatch tool. Priced at $60, stainless steel construction, and self contained spring mechanism. Does anyone have experience using this tool? It is sold by bunnyrancher.com

 

[BusterHill]

not yet, but I'm buying one I'd hate to use up out stock pile of .22 to butcher rabbits.. which is what I have been doing...

 

[katiebear]

It seems to me that the owner of Bunny Rancher,com is a member here...darned if I can remember her name though... :? Gettin old is wonderful :evil:

Ok I looked her up it's Wildeden....

 

[Chicken-Farmer]

I've always used .22 colibri ammo to dispatch my rabbits. The Ballista is made in Germany by F Dick company. My oldest sister is a Chef and her knives are made by F Dick company. The price on the Ballista is considerably cheaper than other captive bolt guns in the market. I have one on order and soon will find out.

Chicken-Farmer

 

[jeannie]

I will be ordering one too. Looks like early Feb that they will be available.

 

[alforddm]

I'd hate to use up out stock pile of .22 to butcher rabbits.. which is what I have been doing...

It is impossible to find .22 ammo around here. Hasn't been any available in well over a year. I talked hubby into getting a .17 pellet rifle instead of a .22 for my daughter for Christmas because of this.

 

[BusterHill]

we stocked up when there was talk flying around obout boosting gun control... we've got a lot on hand... but it does feel like wasting them at this point.. I was using them for chickens too lol I don't own a bb gun of any fashion, or id have atleast done those guys, they were banties lol ... i was sure they were dead though

 

[OneAcreFarm]

Just got mine in the mail, I plan to video using it and will post it here for comment.

 

[wamplercathy]

Just got mine in the mail, I plan to video using it and will post it here for comment.

I watched the video online and there seem to be a lot of kicking. With the rabbit wringer it appeared to be less. :? Can't wait to see your video and what you think are the pros and cons are.

 

[katiebear]

So anyone have any opinions on this yet? My Father in Law offered to buy me one, so I thought I'd check on any news here...

 

[OneAcreFarm]

You will get kicking with any rabbit you dispatch. The reason there *seems* to be less with the Wringer or Hopper Popper is that you are holding them in a stretched out position briefly before removing them from the tool. I find that if you use a Ballista or pellet rifle to dispatch, pulling front and back legs and holding tension between them immediately after dispatch will prevent most of the kicking/twitching. I have used it on three rabbits and I have to say, I FAR prefer this over ANY method I have used. The rabbit is not stressed at all, and they are dead pretty much instantly. Here are some pics of the spot where it penetrates the skull. On the last two, it did not penetrate the skin/fur but punched a neat hole in the skull, instantly killing the rabbit.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I am considering this as an option for the rabbits I sell frozen whole (skin on, not gutted) for animal consumption. It is very important that there is no blood visible.

Was there any blood from the nose, mouth, ears, or eyes?

On the last two, it did not penetrate the skin/fur but punched a neat hole in the skull, instantly killing the rabbit.

Do you think this was because your technique changed a bit, or was the first rabbit younger or a doe? I can't have holes in the rabbits for my zoo/reptile guy.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

I am considering this as an option for the rabbits I sell frozen whole (skin on, not gutted) for animal consumption. It is very important that there is no blood visible.

Was there any blood from the nose, mouth, ears, or eyes?

No, no visible blood.

On the last two, it did not penetrate the skin/fur but punched a neat hole in the skull, instantly killing the rabbit.

Do you think this was because your technique changed a bit, or was the first rabbit younger or a doe? I can't have holes in the rabbits for my zoo/reptile guy.

They were bucks, young ones, no more than 12 wks.

 

[wamplercathy]

Got to get one of these. I have been weighing the different ways of dispatching. :x Hubby isn't going to be helping he looks like a bruiser but he's a big softy. So I need a way that won't strain my back, doesn't cost a fortune, and is humane.

:x The rabbit didn't scream, right? :x

 

[katiebear]

I processed 7 yesterday..I am still not happy with the bop method..mostly because of my own failings..I did all but one correctly. I "pulled" my blow...not good ..had to re-bop. I am also not to fond of the eyes..if you bop you know what I mean..If F.I.L. is serious about getting me one of these I will be ordering as soon as possible.The web site said they have 4 available and the shipment will be in on 2-27.
(this part of my post was 2-20-15)
__________ Wed Feb 25, 2015 10:20 pm __________

Well, I processed 7 more today...apparently that impressed the F.I.L. At dinner tonight he said that when I order it he will pay, I told him I would order tonight! He laughed because the internet has been down all day due to someone cutting a fiber optic line. As soon as it came back my order went in!! :lol:
So according to their web site there was three left so now two...If ya want to get in on this shipment you better get over to bunny rancher.com...
(2/24/15)

Cathy, I have tried most methods of dispatch, with the exception of a firearm..they are all only as effective as the dispatcher...You have to set it in your mind that you can do it...You will make mistakes we all do. Just be prepared to fix them quickly. With more practice you get better...
There will be death throws in most methods...and if you are not accurate you may get some noise. This is the hardest part but I am telling you so you won't be taken off guard.
I had to let my hubby out of it too... because he just couldn't handle it...If it was up to him we would never dispatch LOL...
By the end of a long (6 or more) session my back hurts, my feet hurt, and my heart hurts....The road to self sufficiency can be a bit bumpy, but you will get there. Remember that you are not alone,we will be here to help you..Just ask.
The fact that you are providing the highest quality, hormone free, and delicious meat that you can is comforting....

 

[OneAcreFarm]

Got to get one of these. I have been weighing the different ways of dispatching. :x Hubby isn't going to be helping he looks like a bruiser but he's a big softy. So I need a way that won't strain my back, doesn't cost a fortune, and is humane.

:x The rabbit didn't scream, right? :x

Nope, not a peep. Instant kill.

 

[Chicken-Farmer]

Received word that the Ballista's have hit American soil. Hope to have mine in hand by the end of the week. I have 17 growouts to process this Saturday.

Chicken-Farmer

 

[katiebear]

:cheer1: :cheer2: Now it is up to U.S.P.S. I have a couple of weeks on my next batch, they are only 7 weeks old..And I am on the other side of the country.... :tumbleweed2:

__________ Thu Mar 05, 2015 5:41 pm __________

Just got the update on the Ballista shipment. It is due to get to New York on 3/11. Then to Maine..then out to purchaser... :tumbleweed: waiting..waiting...waiting... <br /><br /> __________ Thu Mar 19, 2015 9:35 pm __________ <br /><br /> Got my Ballista today!!! :bananadance: :bananadance: :bananadance2: :bananadance2: I weighed my 12 grow outs and they came in at just under 5 lbs..so maybe a week or so before trying it out.I have "dry fired" it a few times and I really really like it. The pull on the trigger is a little firm but I can cock it with very little effort..
I will post back after using it on the group...Wish me luck everyone 12 is a lot!!!!

 

[baefull.wolfbunnies]

Is the bolt worth the money? If Roxie kindles in April like I think she will the popples will be ready roughly the week of my birthday, so I could ask for it as a present.

 

[katiebear]

Is the bolt worth the money? If Roxie kindles in April like I think she will the popples will be ready roughly the week of my birthday, so I could ask for it as a present.

In my opinion.Yes..keep in mind I have not used mine yet..But One Acre Farm has shown her results and I trust her skill. The Rabbit Zinger (brand name.from the rabbit wringer folks) looks like it is very large and hard to use,(again my opinion) And it runs about $300. To rich for my blood But I must say that it does look like a good unit..You can view it in use on a board on their web site, just google rabbit wringer.. One member here tried to fabricate one and spent more than that. I do not know of any other manufacturers in the U.S.
The Ballista is compact enough for me,a woman, to use with my smaller woman hands..at $60.plus $11. for shipping to me it is worth it,,and not so expensive that I can't justify it.The company that sells them (bunny rancher) imports them from Germany, I like German steel for knives..I had to pre-order mine because they sell out fast. I ordered on Feb 28, and got it yesterday,March 20. But they do keep you updated on their facebook page.
DISCLAIMER-I am not comparing the two units, I have not used ether unit and am only stating my own personal opinion.Based on my own limited experience.I am in no way disparaging ether company whose names are listed in the above post.This post is an opinion only...