BSA XL SE .22 Advice

[TonyL]

Maybe "a dog" is a little too harsh?

For sure, it's harder to get consistent, repeatable accuracy from these compared to more refined rifles, like many of the models from Weihrauch, Air Arms, Walther and Diana.

I'd certainly do some testing with a wider range of pellets to see which your rifle prefers. You might already be well aware of this, but the difference between group sizes of different (even higher quality) pellets can be alarming at times.

Then it will be down to getting to know it better and how best to manage the recoil and surge. They are lively, but paying extra attention to a consistent, loose hold, trigger technique and follow through, you may well see a large improvement.

Maybe make sure that the barrel detent is adequately lubed for consistent lock up in the meantime.

Check that there is no side to side play in the breech to cylinder jaws area. If there is, take it straight back. If it were a used gun, you could accept this and rectify it, but it wouldn't, in my view, be acceptable on a new gun.

If you have a good relationship with the shop, see if he'll be happy to refund / exchange after this extended testing period.

Hope this helps a little.

[piggy589]

I spotted a Lightning in the back of a Rentokil van last year,but the pest controller did refer to it as a last resort.

[angrybear]

Beg, borrow or buy a selection of pellets, stick to diabolo (round heads) like H&N ftt, AA field, Accupell, RWS super field.
Pellet selection sets are usually for sale on the bay of e .

In all likelihood one of them will group well, if no joy with any of them I'd take it back as not fit for purpose.

[piggy589]

Beg, borrow or buy a selection of pellets, stick to diabolo (round heads) like H&N ftt, AA field, Accupell, RWS super field.
Pellet selection sets are usually for sale on the bay of e .

In all likelihood one of them will group well, if no joy with any of them I'd take it back as not fit for purpose.

Sound advice,and indeed, if all else fails invoke the lemon law.

[Portzy]

I have one of these although it's the GRT variant. At first I was reasonably happy with things but then it seemed to go off for some reason, so much so that it got relegated down the pecking order.

After giving it some thought I, like you, removed the riser and fitted the scope directly to the dovetails. Big mistake because I ran out of elevation but then realised that I had heard BSA dovetails are different to the norm and needed specific width mounts. New BSA dedicated mounts obtained and things were looking better.

All along it seemed that most pellets were a rather tight fit so after much testing I settled on JSB 5.50.

It now groups at 1/2" @ 25yds on a good day and 5/8" on a not so good day, both are enough for me and its intended useage and I dare bet that a better shot could improve on that, or at least have better consistency.

[robs5230]

Pretty sure V-mach don't offer parts made for the spanish made ones.

Barrels can be an issue and can suffer tight spots along the length that can really affect accuracy.

My advice would be if you're not happy , take it back.

[rabbitwrecker]

I hate to say it, Lee - but I'm not in the least bit surprised. There are far better Chinese rifles out there at half the price of a Lightning...