BSA Lightning XL Tactical

[hwtyger]

Got myself a Tactical yesterday, a 5.5 12Ftp.
Some specs:
OAL: 37' iirc, 99cm
barrel: 10"
weight 2.75k
That shorter and way lighter than my Evo, it's pcp weight actually!
The barrel is from BSA, cold hammered, has 12 grooves and a 1:19' rifling. Usually BSAbarrels are pretty good.
The action is blued, the quality is ok but less than my Theobens/Webleys. The manufacturingstripes can still be seen, the polishing is less. It makes mé think about the Gamo's I've seen. But that's good enough for the main purpose of this rifle: a hunting tool.It has a full-length silencer/shroud, prefitted for sling-swivels.It has the Maxigrip dovetail fitted ónto the action. Yes, ón, not ín. It seems to be a strange size, 13.9mm, but many normal mounts will fit if you can turn them around. The Maxigrip has some shockabsorbing qualities; kinda like a Dampa rail.The rear screw simultaneously acts as a scopestop. It lóóks like it's not possible to fit large scopes due to the compact action.It has a manual safety.

The stock is synthetic and looks GREAT.Also great for hunting. It has additional grippanels on pistolgrip and forend. It also has a thumb-up position.

It's very easy to unlock tha barrel. But it shóuld be ok, BSA uses a patented barrel latch to ensure perfect barrel alignment. Cocking is easy.The cockinglink has NO play and looks very sturdy.

The trigger is a 2stage unit, adjustable for weight.It was pretty heavy at first. After lubing and a half turn adjustment it's far better now.Good enough for some testwork.I think the trigger is about Theoben Evo quality.
The first stage díd feel kinda rough;probably a rough 1st stage spring.
Bút, very important, NO creep!
When shooting there's NO twang either, just a twak.Looks like the BSA is internally of high quality, with tight fitting guides.
It's also more quiet than my Evo so it seems.
There áre tuningkits and rams available for it. But I don't think it's a DIYjob; the Maxigrip rail has to come off iirc, and it's pressed on it seems. Not easy to remove or replace. Removing probably also requires new rubbers underneath it.
It's available in .177, .22 ánd .25. In FAC as well, giving 15/16/18Ftp.
There áre differnces with the normal Lightning and Lightning XL:
Lightning: beech stock, looks very boring, no chequering, no full-length silencer/shroud, less trigger.
Lightning XL: has the better trigger, better looking beech stoch with chequering.
It's very light and compact, it shoulders fast. That combined wih the all-weather stock makes it a perfect hunting or HFT tool imo!

+ LOOKS!
+ no creep in trigger
+ no cockinglinkplay
+no springtwang

- blueing

[Hinksy]

Personally I found the stock on the tactical to be a little rough, kinda like having a piece of sandpaper pressed against my cheek and it felt really unpleasant to handle when wet, that was why I chose the beech stocked version (although I have sold it now) I agree they are a very nice little rifle for the money, nice review sir

ATVB

Ben

[Powderfinger]

The scope rail is held on by two or three keyhole slots on the cylinder. Lugs on the rail fit into the slots. A tap on the rail backwards towards the butt with a rubber-faced mallett should release it and will allow the piston to be removed.

[Cyber_Prelude]

very good review. I used to love my lightning but never shot the XL. I'm a PCP convert now lol although I would have a springer again.

[Chief Wiggum]

its going to be advertised in the next sporting shooter, if anyones interested?
pm me!

for u

[hwtyger]

Did some fast shots into the pellettrap yesterday, to look/feel the BSA's shooting behaviour.
Well it's a JOY to shoot! As I said before, NO twang, and during the shot I ónly saw a light vibration in my scope, THAT'S IT! VERY nice job BSA!
So it's véry easy to hold aim as well after the shot. So, imo, it certainly doesn't nééd a tune of gasram!
Hope to do some testing soon.

[blakes]

Got myself a Tactical yesterday, a 5.5 12Ftp.
Some specs:
OAL: 37' iirc, 99cm
barrel: 10"
weight 2.75k
That shorter and way lighter than my Evo, it's pcp weight actually!
The barrel is from BSA, cold hammered, has 12 grooves and a 1:19' rifling. Usually BSAbarrels are pretty good.
The action is blued, the quality is ok but less than my Theobens/Webleys. The manufacturingstripes can still be seen, the polishing is less. It makes mé think about the Gamo's I've seen. But that's good enough for the main purpose of this rifle: a hunting tool.It has a full-length silencer/shroud, prefitted for sling-swivels.It has the Maxigrip dovetail fitted ónto the action. Yes, ón, not ín. It seems to be a strange size, 13.9mm, but many normal mounts will fit if you can turn them around. The Maxigrip has some shockabsorbing qualities; kinda like a Dampa rail.The rear screw simultaneously acts as a scopestop. It lóóks like it's not possible to fit large scopes due to the compact action.It has a manual safety.

The stock is synthetic and looks GREAT.Also great for hunting. It has additional grippanels on pistolgrip and forend. It also has a thumb-up position.

It's very easy to unlock tha barrel. But it shóuld be ok, BSA uses a patented barrel latch to ensure perfect barrel alignment. Cocking is easy.The cockinglink has NO play and looks very sturdy.

The trigger is a 2stage unit, adjustable for weight.It was pretty heavy at first. After lubing and a half turn adjustment it's far better now.Good enough for some testwork.I think the trigger is about Theoben Evo quality.
The first stage díd feel kinda rough;probably a rough 1st stage spring.
Bút, very important, NO creep!
When shooting there's NO twang either, just a twak.Looks like the BSA is internally of high quality, with tight fitting guides.
It's also more quiet than my Evo so it seems.
There áre tuningkits and rams available for it. But I don't think it's a DIYjob; the Maxigrip rail has to come off iirc, and it's pressed on it seems. Not easy to remove or replace. Removing probably also requires new rubbers underneath it.
It's available in .177, .22 ánd .25. In FAC as well, giving 15/16/18Ftp.
There áre differnces with the normal Lightning and Lightning XL:
Lightning: beech stock, looks very boring, no chequering, no full-length silencer/shroud, less trigger.
Lightning XL: has the better trigger, better looking beech stoch with chequering.
It's very light and compact, it shoulders fast. That combined wih the all-weather stock makes it a perfect hunting or HFT tool imo!

+ LOOKS!
+ no creep in trigger
+ no cockinglinkplay
+no springtwang

- blueing

Do you think a left handed shooter could shoot the Tactical without any problems? Does the silencer make it very quiet?

Thanks

[Arcticgun]

Do you think a left handed shooter could shoot the Tactical without any problems? Does the silencer make it very quiet?

Thanks

My mates a lefty and he used it no bother,however it is a predominatley right handed, atb Richard

[psycho]

the spring noise cannot be heard at 10 yards

the silenser is so quiet from this range all you here is the pellet hitting the target

this really is a great rifle and i would recommend it for all your hunting needs

[darren m]

what are these like tuned ie venom or other .

anyone tuned one with good results

[b@rt]

I tuned (fited a POK mainspring and let some good fitting guides made, polished some) my own it is remarkable quieter. although it is quieter you still here the action slaming to the front, a V-mach powr pulse piston seal would make it more quiet. fitting some baffles in the silencer (with tight holes) would also reduce some.

[steve1992]

just been out with mine again today, really likes RWS superpoints and the old webley husellers also accupell and powerpell hope this helps


Thanks steve

[psycho]

accupell and powerpell suit fine

[steve1992]

milbro jets? i wouldnt touch anything with milbro or smk in the name. they may fit well but trust me whack a target up at 30 yards use the above pellets-accupel,powerpel, rws etc then use a smk or milbro you will be shocked how bad the accuracy is, i know i tried it out yesterday with some rubbish smks i got for free.



Thanks steve

[wild dogman]

Spot On Steve