Okay......
I've owned a BSA BullBarrel in .177 flavour.
IMO the BSA S10 stock is a little heavier than it need be. I suspect it's because it was 'designed' to last. Size=strength. The Mk III is a great improvement, but I would go further, as the grip needs reducing too.
Shouldering and holding the rifle feels good. The rifle is quite short and the bottle is a 200cc aluminium type, that adds very little weight at the wrong end. Perhaps this is another reason the stock is heavy, it helps the overall balance of the rifle and makes it quite neutral.
I found myself quite happy with the magazine. There is a new one about, but I had the older (more familiar) one. Never had a problem with these, I know some do, but I never have. Mag holds 10 pellets.
Loading is quite straight forward. BSA wants the shooter to pull and lower the bolt, then raise it before pushing it forward (loading the pellet) then locking the bolt by pushing it downward again. At first this seems a bit complicated, but in practice it's quite a quick operation.
The trigger is wonderful. A proper 2 stage affair with adjustments a plenty. There's also a safety catch. To de-cock the rifle, pull back the bolt and lock it in the 'pulled' position. Remove the magazine, then pull the trigger, while releasing the bolt (slowly) toward its normal forward position. They may still be a pellet in the barrel, but the rifle cannot be fired until the bolt is pulled again. [Re-cocked.]
I'm not completely sure, but I think the bottle is good for 100 shots. Many more than I use while out for a stroll with my rifle...![]()
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The Bullbarrell works quite well, but not as well as some sound moderators. In some respects I expect the B/B was designed for use in the American market where sound moderators are either not allowed, or a lengthy aquisition procedure is required. The B/B works, but it isn't whisper quiet.
These rifles come with a regulator as standard. And they work.![]()
Accuracy is very good. If you own one that isn't, get it fixed. The mag may contribute if it marks the pellets, but some problems will almost certainly be down to regulator issues. If the rifle is in warranty, return it to BSA though your local air rifle shop. If out of warranty, consider sending it to the rifles designer. For £75 he will alter the performance of the rifle to that of pre-production design specifications. [It's known as 'blueprinting'. This service work also renews the warranty status of the rifle. Well worth £75.]
This rifle is best described as 'sturdy'. It'll do the job you want it to, day-after day-after day. I only sold mine to fund another project.
The S410 carbine is the best 12ft/lbs hunting rifle for the money. But it is a 'budget' rifle. The blueing is not really thick enough, and the mag indexing lever needs replacing every couple of years.
The B/B is without doubt the better of the two rifles, but you'd need to put the two of them up against each other to appreciate the differences. As an example, I think the BSA barrel is more accurate than the AAs410.
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