For the attention of Wiggers! (Wonky HW95 tune)

[Bad Beagle]

I have a .177 95k that was short stroked by Dave Price (WW). It was done in 2015 and is the only rifle I wouldn’t ever part with, super accurate with a very fast firing cycle.

It had originally been bought by me from SFS with a stage 1 tune but within 6 months began to creep over 12 Fpe. Dave transformed it and it is a joy to shoot. Nowhere near £200 iirc.

[look no hands]

I have a .177 95k that was short stroked by Dave Price (WW). It was done in 2015 and is the only rifle I wouldn’t ever part with, super accurate with a very fast firing cycle.

It had originally been bought by me from SFS with a stage 1 tune but within 6 months began to creep over 12 Fpe. Dave transformed it and it is a joy to shoot. Nowhere near £200 iirc.

The tune cost £160 but I added the postage both ways into the equation, so come up with a £200 total.

Pete

[SCW22]

I spent over £400 on a vmach tune/shims and the rest on muy old fac 80 and it was horrid to shoot. It shot better before I sent it - never again.

Tuned my last couple of springers and got my own guides made, they shoot spot on.

I would keep your money and have ago yourself if able, you could be surprised with the results

Steve

[TonyL]

I own a few Venoms and Steve of V-Mach recently refreshed two of them - my reduced cylinder Bullpupped '80 and '77 Vantage.

And I have sampled a few of Dave's (WonkyDonky).

All sublime, as are the many expertly fettled (in some cases extensively re-engineered) ones by Mick (T20), NickG and Jon Budd.

For many, as in the OP, a simple fettle and fitting of correctiy fitting guides and caring relube is sufficient to rid twang and bestow a satisfactory level of refinement for most of us. After that it's a case of spending time getting to know your trusty Boinger.

[TonyL]

And, Pete, there's nothing remotely "lowly" about being a BSA fan.

I owned many over the years which all gave great satisfaction at the time.

I haven't owned one for years until the freebie little Supersport came into my life a couple of weeks ago. Much of what I remembered from years ago were the horrid Meteor pistons formed from sheet. But this Supersport really surprised me. It's obviously had a hard-ish life, but the cylinder and piston are perfect (the piston being VERY impressive, actually) and the much feared wobbly breech isn't there. Some bits maybe a little "flaky" like the cocking linkage, although I'd guess that that is a non-issue if not using an overly strong spring.

And I have shot a few Beesas which impressed at the various Bash events.

I could quite easily become a BSA fan all over again.

Can't wait to get this one built up!

[Shed tuner]

yeah, there is a strong law of diminishing returns...

I think my advice would be to start off with something basic / cheap, and you may find that is all you need. Job done. If you want more, you will at least then be more educated in what exactly you are looking for having sorted out the basics (i.e. properly fitting spring guides / piston sleave / seal / lube) first, and you will know if the gun has the inherant accuracy to be worth the effort.. you can then go onto whatever floats your boat (e.g. need it softer, or faster, or less hold sensitive, or quieter to cock, or easier to cock ) - with a specific goal in mind, which will dictate your selection of tuner / kit.

Ignoring re-engineering projects, of which I've obviously done a few, I have to say a lot of my springers have still just got a basic respring / tighter guides / plastic piston sleave and are really quite nice, thank you. Even when a resleave or something else involving a lot of machining costs only my time, not £200+, I still won't just do it for no reason... if a gun shoots nice with a basic tune then job done

HTH - JB


PS Pete, the best BSAs are pre-war, and I guess the early airsporters are OK too

[TonyL]

Excellent post, Maestro.

And that little Meteor of yours isn't exactly shabby, is it?

[look no hands]

And, Pete, there's nothing remotely "lowly" about being a BSA fan.

I owned many over the years which all gave great satisfaction at the time.

I haven't owned one for years until the freebie little Supersport came into my like a couple of weeks ago. Much of what I remembered from years ago were the horrid Meteor pistons formed from sheet. But this Supersport really surprised me. It's obviously had a hard-ish life, but the cylinder and piston are perfect (the piston being VERY impressive, actually) and the much feared wobbly breech isn't there. Some bits maybe a little "flaky" like the cocking linkage, although I'd guess that that is a non-issue if not using an overly strong spring.

And I have shot a few Beesas which impressed at the various Bash events.

I could quite easily become a BSA fan all over again.

Can't wait to get this one built up!

To be honest Tone, I do feel that BSA's are looked down on nowadays, which to be honest I can understand as I/we feel like we've been let down by BSA in recent years for producing such utter crap that shows the prestigious BSA name up, if it wasn't for Air Arms doing such a good job, we'd be the laughing stock of Europe regarding springer production (even the Turks can do a better job than BSA) and I can see why people buy HW's instead (but it pains me to say that).

Pete

[TonyL]

I know where you're coming from and feel the same, Pete. With all that rich history and pedigree, it's such a shame.

Just one high-end springer, even if based on an older design but brought bang up to date, would do the trick, methinks.

By the way (and sorry to ramble off at a tangent), I was having a quick look on the BSA site a few days ago. The scope ramp fitted to the new Supersport and Lightnings appears to now be a Gamo (unsurprisingly) type bolt-on affair? Correct?