BSA .22 Barrels 5.6 5.5

[magnummike]

Hi peeps anyone know when BSA changed over to 5,5 from 5.6 and can you get a Merc with a 5.5 cal barrel . I have a merc Challenger that shoots well with 5.5 cal pellets ATB Mike

[Blackrider]

Be interested to know the same.
I own or have owned .22 RB2's a Stutzen, S'Stars, G'Stars a Challenger and a Mk.6 Sporter and all were happy on 5.5mm.

[piggy589]

A Mk2 Super Meteor 1969-73 we have needs 5.6 Wasps, but a Mk2 Scorpion won't accept them in the breech.
Which would suggest late seventies,early eighties.
But from what I've heard of BSA's use of parts in the factory,there's a lot of bitsas out there.

[El Garro]

I think it was mid 80s when they changed. The rifling is visibly different to the old barrels and I'm pretty sure they were larger outside diameter too.

[Blackrider]

Was/Is the Centenary A'Sporter happy with 5.5's, anyone got one in the know ?
They are 82's so that should prove something of a yardstick ?

[ropeworkuk]

I have a BSA Mercury 1970 0.22 that has a higher fps and better accuracy with 5.5 mm rws superdomes compared to defiant vintage 5.6mm
Also £5.00 cheaper per tin

Cheers
RW