- Raging Bull Long Horn

First Impressions
Released in June 2013, the Seismic Raging Bull Long Horn is an asymmetric bowling ball that combines the proven core technology of the series with a modified shell. Visually, the ball stands out with its striking color combination of Bright Denim and Goldenrod, which provides good visible contrast on the lane. Inside works an adapted version of the asymmetric Horn Core. On this model the densities of the core were slightly altered, resulting in a radius of gyration of 2.53 at a standard weight of 15 pounds. This somewhat higher value favors a pronounced skid phase in the front part of the lane. The differential sits at 0.045, combined with an intermediate differential of 0.017. These numbers point to moderate to strong flare potential and a noticeable but controllable asymmetry. The cover is the S F 9/8 Pearl Reactive coverstock. This is a modified version of the base resin already used on the in-house Raging Bull Stampede, here fitted with special pearl additives. Out of the box, the Long Horn's surface is polished to a high gloss. This configuration of high RG, asymmetric design and polished pearl cover is primarily laid out to glide easily through the heads and save rotational energy for a late, defined change of direction.
Comparison The specific ball motion of the Seismic Raging Bull Long Horn can be placed very well through comparisons with established models. Taking the popular benchmark ball Storm Phaze II as a reference, massive differences in length development become apparent. While the Storm Phaze II builds traction very early with its dull solid cover and produces a continuous, round motion toward the pins, the Raging Bull Long Horn stores its energy much longer and reacts noticeably sharper and more angular at the breakpoint. In direct comparison to the Seismic Raging Bull Stampede, which is based on the same base resin as a solid version, the Long Horn offers exactly the length the Stampede often lacks on drying lanes. As soon as the Stampede builds hook too early and loses energy, the Long Horn is the ideal alternative for playing the boards further inside and getting the ball safely through the heads. Against a classic symmetric pearl ball like the Storm Hy-Road Pearl, the strength of the asymmetric Horn Core shows. Because of the asymmetry, the Long Horn reacts somewhat more abruptly and dominantly at the breakpoint, which makes it look more angular in its change of direction and creates a steeper entry angle into the pocket without becoming extremely unpredictable.
On the Lanes The Seismic Raging Bull Long Horn was developed specifically for medium lane conditions. Thanks to its polished pearl cover and the modified asymmetric core, it plays to its strengths especially when the lanes have already been played in up front and transition sets in. In such moments a ball is needed that glides cleanly through the depleted heads and only reacts late to the friction in the back third of the lane. If you have a lower to medium ball speed, you'll benefit enormously from the ball's natural length, since it doesn't burn up prematurely. If you have a high rev rate, you can use this model to play deep angles and take advantage of the full width of the boards, since the asymmetric core reliably helps bring the ball back to the pocket even from big angles. The late and sharp hook motion should deliver excellent carry, as the ball hits the pins with maximum stored energy and drives them dynamically across the pin deck. Should the oil volume be too high or the pattern very long, however, the polished surface can cause the ball to slide past the breakpoint. In that case, switching to a more aggressive solid model is advisable. All in all, the Raging Bull Long Horn offers a very reliable and defined option for situations that call for a strong backend reaction on medium conditions.