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Ouch!
31-10-2008, 05:14 AM
I'm new to aiguns so please bear with me.

I had a Weirauch HW77k and found it a tad heavy so I traded it in. I tried all the spring guns in the shop and it was a toss-up between the XL and the XL Tactical. I found both guns light and easy to handle. I didn't want to go straight down the PCP route as money is a bit tight and as a newbie I want to make sure I like it before I commit to a PCP.

My intention is to practice for a bit in the back garden and at a local range (when I can find one). Before trying my hand at a bit of hunting. I would like to join a decent club if I can find one. (I opted for .22)

So far, I have been very impresed with the BSA. The gun is light and easy to point and I find it strangely more accurate than the HW77k as, for me, it's easier to hold steady. The recoil is more noticeable, but not too difficult to cope with. The HW exuded quality. The BSA feels well made but not bomb proof.

The woodwork is very nicely finished with deep clear chequering and a nice even finish. The rifle was purchased as part of a deal from The Aigun Center and came with a Hawke Eclipse IR scope. Due to the diminutive size of the BSA it only just fits on the action with room to cock the weapon. The trigger feels just as positive as the 'Record' jobby on the HW.

The safety is a purely manual one, which I must say I prefer. The automatic one on the HW used to catch me out sometimes.

The built in silencer, on the BSA is of limited effect, but looks really nice and gives the weapon a nice style. The report of the gun isn't really all that loud, but it's nowhere near PCP standard.

I find the rifle shoots really nicely if you let the recoil happen naturally and dont strangle the life out of it. Supporting the rifle gently works better than gripping firmly. I've only put about 250-350 pellets through it but already my shooting seems to be improving and I'm getting the pellets to go where I want more often than not, groups are getting smaller.

The only downside to this rifle, so far, is the documentation that came with it on cd......I'm a bit old fashioned and yearn for a nice thick instruction book, but the videos were nice for a beginner like me.

I have tried Accupells and RWS superdomes and both seem to suit the rifle nicely.

I would recommend this rifle without reservation. It's simple stylish and easy to point. I really like it!

Ouch!

tankosl
31-10-2008, 08:25 PM
Hi,

For someone new to the game I think your going about it spot on :)

I like to shoot my Lightning to try and improve my accuracy and really notice the difference when I swop back to my X2 pcp.
I have fitted a gas ram to mine instead of the standard spring which I think has smoothed things out a bit as well.

Put the practice in now and I'm sure you wont regret it :D

Happy shooting !!!

Seawolf
01-11-2008, 03:32 AM
It's been three month since I bought my BSA Tactical XL. I've put through 700 pellets and currently I can squize 10 shots into 5 penny at 25 yards. The rifle is very sensitive to how you hold.

I have heard fitting Gas ram changes "twang" recoil to smoth quick one, but have never experienced myself yet. Accupels and RWS seem to be the best choice for BSA Tactical XL but rifle would not be far less accurent with any other pellet.

Overall you get a good rifle for its value! The BSA Tactical XL is defenetely good rifle for a beginner to practise target shooting and varmint hunting.

secret squirrel
02-11-2008, 11:57 AM
GREAT WRITE UP/REVIEW....


I to have an lightning xl .177 and find it a right hoot to shoot!! admitedly the first time i shot it most of my teeth fell out and the pellets went eveywhere!!. but having put maybe 250(she seems to like aa fields) through her so far the grouping is getting better all the time.think its a great gun for the money(i paid £175 for gun,scope,hard case)it makes me smile everytime i pull the trigger:D!! am thinking of gasram/venom kit though.. And when i swap to the AA S410c i can virtually put pellets through the same hole!!:eek:

also getting a hw97k in a week or so,so am looking forward to shooting that.:cool::cool::cool:

ogilkes
02-11-2008, 02:01 PM
I have a lightening XL .177 I've found them getting a certain amount of stick on various fora for being harsh etc. and some people seem to have trouble getting tight groups. I don't really use mine enough but I have found that it is an exceptionally light and easy gun to use, very pleasant.

chris04
02-11-2008, 05:06 PM
I also have an XL Tactical in 22 flavour and it is a joy to shoot , am also thinking about gas ramming it! As new it smoked like a rimfire but I have put about400 pellets through it now and it is settling down nicely!! In hind sight the gun was obviously over lubed and I should of dismantled it and sorted it out ! Still as i have said this is a realy nice gun to shoot and I would, if the chance arose, buy a 177 !!!
Chris.