When did BSA change to 5.5mm barrels

[greenwayjames]

Sorry for being obtuse but are we to understand that reducing bore size presumably caused more friction thus slowing the pellets and reducing power?
This is a very interesting post.

That was the general idea. Dont forget that at the time BSA Pylarm pellets were identical to Eley Wasp made in Witton Birmingham and supplied to BSA to rebrand. They were a large stiff pellet although power levels were checked with BSA Huntsman which were not available to the public. It was made exclusively for BSA as a pointed pellet and unusually was quite accurate. JB told the fanpage that during development he used several one gallon paint tins full of them. It worked well and gave good power in the springers too even the magazine fed ones despite weighing 16.3 grains.

[TonyL]

Absolutely fascinating; thank you.

[greenwayjames]

Absolutely fascinating; thank you.

You are welcome. JB also told me that the sloping back block of the Gamo equivalent couldnt use the same component as the old Airsporters and Mercuries because BSA's subcontractor wouldnt release the tooling for that forging. Thats all I was told.
Personally the sloping back feature gave one of the best "lines" of almost any air rifle yet produced.

[Dornfelderliebe]

You are welcome. JB also told me that the sloping back block of the Gamo equivalent couldnt use the same component as the old Airsporters and Mercuries because BSA's subcontractor wouldnt release the tooling for that forging. Thats all I was told.
Personally the sloping back feature gave one of the best "lines" of almost any air rifle yet produced.

Hear hear, a design classic, for me culminating in the Stutzen tap loader.

[look no hands]

You are welcome. JB also told me that the sloping back block of the Gamo equivalent couldnt use the same component as the old Airsporters and Mercuries because BSA's subcontractor wouldnt release the tooling for that forging. Thats all I was told.
Personally the sloping back feature gave one of the best "lines" of almost any air rifle yet produced.

Hear hear, a design classic, for me culminating in the Stutzen tap loader.

Wow! Glad to know there are others who think the same as me

[WebleyWombler]

You are welcome. JB also told me that the sloping back block of the Gamo equivalent couldnt use the same component as the old Airsporters and Mercuries because BSA's subcontractor wouldnt release the tooling for that forging. Thats all I was told.
Personally the sloping back feature gave one of the best "lines" of almost any air rifle yet produced.

Possibly the company wished to continue production but Gamo would't pay the price they were asking.