BSA Lightning accuracy

[1airways]

Just got a second-hand Lightning to be independent of a bottle and really struggling to get any decent group.
is it just me or is there a knack to springers as I am fine with a rapid 7. Any help or advice much appreciated

[Gwylan]

Springers are a lot more difficult to shoot, as the "recoil" makes them very hold sensitive. Light rifles like the Lightning make things worse, especially in .177, and the triggers aren't very good. Check that the breech is sealing properly, put a small piece of tissue over the breech, if it blows of on firing, the seal needs replacing, if the pivot pin is worn, that's tricky. Check that the main spring isn't broken. If the rifle is OK, it's just down to practice, on targets of course.

Gus

[timmytree]

There is a knack to shooting springers, google "artillery hold" for some more info.
The Lightning is not known for accuracy or ease of use unfortunately, for every happy owner I reckon there are 10 unhappy ones and quite a few more who have got rid of them.
If you'd asked before buying, most would say leave it well alone. As it is, you may be lucky and have a good one but only you will know if you are happy with the performance.
Certainly for those who buy new there are better guns out there for little more than half the price.
Hope the artillery hold works for you.
Regards
Tim

[GoodWILLHunting]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxYNayWTK3Q

[robstat]

I had a new xl sfs tuned and kept it two weeks the shot cycle was much smoother but it was like a scatter gun and the trigger was terrible so I traded it in for a hw, I would buy another one tomorrow if I could find an accurate one, I am told they are out there you just have to be lucky to get one. I have also got a sfs goldstar that has a much better trigger than the xl and is as accurate as any hw I have owned.

[oliver13]

I got 25M groups of 20mm with mine when it was new, I've got that to nearer 10mm now. The gun took a fair bit of sorting but an awful lot of it was recovering my springer skills & getting the hold right, it's a jumpy little beast.

[PCPShooter]

Just got a second-hand Lightning to be independent of a bottle and really struggling to get any decent group.
is it just me or is there a knack to springers as I am fine with a rapid 7. Any help or advice much appreciated

Lightenings are not the easiest rifle to shoot, OK in 22 with cracking technique, eventually
Clean barrel if rifle new to you, do some pellet tests too, just because one lightening likes something, doesn't mean the next one will ...

[TheWilding]

I have my Lightning .22 set up for targets, it now shootes a 5p size group @ 24yds (measured), prone, off the back of a balled fist (practice to start doing HFT )


It is very hold sensitive, even after doing a full tune, including buttoned piston and adding a hamster and adding weight to total 13.5lbs, my next mods are to include a bolt through the barrel hinge instead of the pin, short stroke it and make a full custom stock for it



I find the best hold for mine is to rest it either on or in my hand about 50mm (2") infront of the trigger opening, very lightly hold the kneck so that the only real pressure comes from the trigger finger and only lightly put the butt against the shoulder


As for the trigger it does need a very good polish, aswell as the piston shoulder, and the sear retainer spring can be bent so its slightly softer , then its quite a good trigger.


Sean

[timmytree]

I have my Lightning .22 set up for targets, it now shootes a 5p size group @ 24yds (measured), prone, off the back of a balled fist (practice to start doing HFT )


It is very hold sensitive, even after doing a full tune, including buttoned piston and adding a hamster and adding weight to total 13.5lbs, my next mods are to include a bolt through the barrel hinge instead of the pin, short stroke it and make a full custom stock for it



I find the best hold for mine is to rest it either on or in my hand about 50mm (2") infront of the trigger opening, very lightly hold the kneck so that the only real pressure comes from the trigger finger and only lightly put the butt against the shoulder


As for the trigger it does need a very good polish, aswell as the piston shoulder, and the sear retainer spring can be bent so its slightly softer , then its quite a good trigger.


Sean

I salute you for your dedication!
Personally I would have given in and gone for a more user friendly gun and in .177 if I was thinking of HFT.
I hope you do well with it!

[hermun]

I too bought a lightning a gas ram rather than springer, what I have found is that a lot of top quality pellets are too fat for it and cheaper ones that fit into the chamber seem to group acceptably.

it seems that BSA's are a marmite rifle......

still searching for a decent pellet.....

[TheWilding]

I salute you for your dedication!
Personally I would have given in and gone for a more user friendly gun and in .177 if I was thinking of HFT.
I hope you do well with it!

Why thankyou sir



Im still tossing coins on the .177 thing at the mo, swap it for a supersport .177 barrel or be one of the few at the bottom of the entry list, wrestling with range estimation in .22


Sean

[smiithy1]

Ove just bought a second hand bsa lightning xl tactical in .177 and I had it for its first outing at steve smiths shooting range to get zeroed was there for 2 hours shooting targets the best tifle ive owned spring wise its berm made so better at the end of the day I was shooting drawing pins that were holding my targets up at 33yards 4 pins in 5 shots totaly unfettled tifle to

[oliver13]

Ove just bought a second hand bsa lightning xl tactical in .177 and I had it for its first outing at steve smiths shooting range to get zeroed was there for 2 hours shooting targets the best tifle ive owned spring wise its berm made so better at the end of the day I was shooting drawing pins that were holding my targets up at 33yards 4 pins in 5 shots totaly unfettled tifle to

Which I think just goes to show it basic QC rather than bad design, a certain percentage will be right & you've got one - I get the impression that you are in the minority though.

[Trumpetier]

Life's to short to try and master a lightning.....sell the thing and get something that is capable of hitting what your aiming at.....sorry pal but they are a pile of poo....I to once made the mistake and bought one of the things ...to say it was truly awfully would be a understatement, twangy as hell, harsh to shoot ,poor build quality and couldn't hit the barn let alone its door with the thing

[Trumpetier]

Any help or advice much appreciated

Sell it