5.6 pellets

[kev.f]

You can get the FTT in 5.55mm too.

To be honest trying not to make it an issue anymore.I used to think it was important but now less so. done some pellet testing today in the backyard and out of the 7 types of pellets i tried out RWS superdomes came out on top,and none of them were anywhere near 5.6.......

[Geezer]

To be honest trying not to make it an issue anymore.I used to think it was important but now less so. done some pellet testing today in the backyard and out of the 7 types of pellets i tried out RWS superdomes came out on top,and none of them were anywhere near 5.6.......

This!

There is a slightly obsessive forums thing about 5.5 v 5.6.

Reality is that many/some “5.5” pellets work fine in “5.6” barrels. And, in the old days, 5.6 in 5.5.

There is an issue with older bigger barrels, and it can be a bit hard to find a pellet that works best. But it is neither impossible nor the massive challenge that some think.

And, let’s face it, someone using a .22” Webley Mk3 or BSA Airsporter these days is hardly likely to be using it as a serious hunting or competition tool.

[edbear2]

This!

There is a slightly obsessive forums thing about 5.5 v 5.6.

Reality is that many/some “5.5” pellets work fine in “5.6” barrels. And, in the old days, 5.6 in 5.5.

There is an issue with older bigger barrels, and it can be a bit hard to find a pellet that works best. But it is neither impossible nor the massive challenge that some think.

And, let’s face it, someone using a .22” Webley Mk3 or BSA Airsporter these days is hardly likely to be using it as a serious hunting or competition tool.

I did lots of tests in my 1911 BSA .22 I used for HFT and the Quigley comps. Defiant and Wasps were good out to 40 yars or so, but at 80 yards the H+N FTT in 5.54 I had at the time were by far the best with no flyers. I had a 45 yard indoor range at a warehouse where I work, and shooting from a rest the 1911 gun could match my little used MK1 HW 80 in group size, with the sights actually being better for my eyes than the 80 broad foresight.

I did a quick comparison with another .177 BSA vs a TX in an awkward setting, but just shows how well a well preserved bored oldie can perform......I used this gun in a HFT comp up at Rivi once and was the only non scoped gun, and did not come last!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/312284...57625297485090

Everone should try some long range open sight practise, it is quite eye opening what a sub 12 pound rifle can do with careful aim and trigger control, especially with apeture sights .scopes make people lazy

ATB, Ed

[andrewM]

I did lots of tests in my 1911 BSA .22 I used for HFT and the Quigley comps. Defiant and Wasps were good out to 40 yars or so, but at 80 yards the H+N FTT in 5.54 I had at the time were by far the best with no flyers. I had a 45 yard indoor range at a warehouse where I work, and shooting from a rest the 1911 gun could match my little used MK1 HW 80 in group size, with the sights actually being better for my eyes than the 80 broad foresight.

I did a quick comparison with another .177 BSA vs a TX in an awkward setting, but just shows how well a well preserved bored oldie can perform......I used this gun in a HFT comp up at Rivi once and was the only non scoped gun, and did not come last!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/312284...57625297485090

Everone should try some long range open sight practise, it is quite eye opening what a sub 12 pound rifle can do with careful aim and trigger control, especially with apeture sights .scopes make people lazy

ATB, Ed

That is a fascinating post. The old BSA open sights are amongst the best I have seen and perhaps the best. It is unfortunate that this style was not maintained in later models or, indeed, introduced by other manufacturers. I agree entirely with what you say about shooting with open sights. It is also far more rewarding.

Personally, I have tried fairly extensive testing in my old BSA Standards (.22) with numerous pellets. There was little in it between the old Eley Wasps, Defiants and S.Domes. At a pinch, S.Domes probably were best but a little below Wasps in power - perhaps 1/2 ft/lb. I was not so impressed with the H&N FTT although I used the 5.53mm.

What type of groups were you getting at up to 80 yds?

Rgds
A

[edbear2]

Hi Andrew, at 80 yards inside a hanger the best one off I managed was not much bigger than this standing 50 yard group by Trev;

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tjm_45...7622365206865/

At 50 I could get something about 3/4 or less the size of Trev's group as was shooting prone and rested, only managed it with the one IMD Sporting I have which is a bit special for some reason, but Trev's shooting shows what most will do even at 50 yards.....again I did a one off a fair bit smaller but it's hard work on the eyes and to cocentrate on the trigger!

They are normally good enough to hit a FT target plate out to 45 yards , and sometimes you fluke a knockdown at the extreme ranges, but many folk can hit all the closer stuff out to 30 yards stuff quite easily with practise.

The problem is in HFT no adjustments allowed so you are often covering the target with the bead at the longest ranges , I used to zero at 25/30 yards in .177 and get a second zero at about 6 yards or so depending on the gun with the POI being higher between these distances.

But practise helps and It's great to see peoples face who only use scopes ... All quite normal at Bisley and other places where they have vintage comps and people are well aware of what these guns can do, and in the hands of younger shooters with good eyesight they will really hold there own.

ATB, Ed

[andrewM]

Thanks for that Ed. I was delighted to see the target in the link you posted. That appears to be a 2 inch group, approx, at 50yds. That tells us all we need to know about these wonderful rifles, over 100 yrs old.

However, that you could obtain the same at 80yds is more impressive.

I am even further impressed that you managed a 3/4 in group at 50 yds. I think this is an exceptional rifle for some reason, or have you found that this is typical of the BSA Standard (pre and post WW1)? Did not BSA themselves suggest a 2in group at 50 yds?

I also noted from the photo that Superdomes were used - which at least tends to verify my own research in the matter. This said, I see that Dave has suggested Maxima Power Force pellets from Henry Kranks. It would be interesting to hear from others how they have found these perform in the old BSAs.

I would be interested to attend a vintage shoot at Bisley but have not yet learnt of any taking place.

Warmest rgds
A

[edbear2]

Thanks for that Ed. I was delighted to see the target in the link you posted. That appears to be a 2 inch group, approx, at 50yds. That tells us all we need to know about these wonderful rifles, over 100 yrs old.

However, that you could obtain the same at 80yds is more impressive.

I am even further impressed that you managed a 3/4 in group at 50 yds. I think this is an exceptional rifle for some reason, or have you found that this is typical of the BSA Standard (pre and post WW1)? Did not BSA themselves suggest a 2in group at 50 yds?

I also noted from the photo that Superdomes were used - which at least tends to verify my own research in the matter. This said, I see that Dave has suggested Maxima Power Force pellets from Henry Kranks. It would be interesting to hear from others how they have found these perform in the old BSAs.

I would be interested to attend a vintage shoot at Bisley but have not yet learnt of any taking place.

Warmest rgds
A

Not 3/4" Andrew , about 3/4 the size of Trevs, so yes about 2 inches........The main factor with the old guns is how they have been treated, I know mine was bought by a dealer / collector about 40 + years ago and carefully stored, and then after he passed a friend bought it, and sold it to me without shooting it as he saw it whilst bidding for a Baker rifle I recall. The bore was full of cosmoline type hard grease and it had the original springs, just the washer needed doing as had gone really soft due to being soaked in oil.

I have no idea why it was not used all this time, the dealer had one or two only air rifles in his private small collection , all the other stuff was classic powder, so maybe a personal reason or memory made him buy the Sporting all that time ago


https://www.flickr.com/photos/312284...-rGp25a-nxDpXV

ATB, Ed

[Jimny4x4]

This!

There is a slightly obsessive forums thing about 5.5 v 5.6.

Reality is that many/some “5.5” pellets work fine in “5.6” barrels. And, in the old days, 5.6 in 5.5.

There is an issue with older bigger barrels, and it can be a bit hard to find a pellet that works best. But it is neither impossible nor the massive challenge that some think.

And, let’s face it, someone using a .22” Webley Mk3 or BSA Airsporter these days is hardly likely to be using it as a serious hunting or competition tool.

Yes there is a lot of hot air about 5.6 agreed . And very rightly as you say its not a big challenge to find a suitable alternative today .
However 'fraid me ole Geezer plenty do still use older their classics for outdoor work These two specifically were good enough for serious use when released .