BSA Lightning CLX.

[Neil54]

I have read that the code WD is year 2025.
So I guess XC is 2024.

[ashf9999]

I have read that the code WD is year 2025.
So I guess XC is 2024.

Well that is what’s been said on another forum. There would seem to be more WD out there, but it seems that this is a new format BSA are using compared to before, so I wonder if this is based on fact or an assumption. If so, and looking at guntrader, with walnuts appearing in the 300 range, and some beech starting to filter through with XC on them, they’ve obviously been producing both walnut and beech in small batches concurrently.

[Neil54]

I have had a chance to shoot mine today.
It's good, nothing is bad with the shooting cycle.
Trigger is good, not to much first stage and good let off.
735fps which is 10ftlbs with AADF pellets.

Scope is a little high. Original mount and low mounts.
May have to remove damper mount and try mediums.

[Neil54]

The fluted nut on the moderator has sharp edges.

[yorkiets]

I have had a chance to shoot mine today.
It's good, nothing is bad with the shooting cycle.
Trigger is good, not to much first stage and good let off.
735fps which is 10ftlbs with AADF pellets.

Scope is a little high. Original mount and low mounts.
May have to remove damper mount and try mediums.

Thanks for the feedback, Neil.

How does it compare to a 95 (if this is even a fair comparison)?

[Neil54]

I don't have a 95 anymore, couldn't get on with it.
I could compare to my 98 but that has been short stroked.

[maximus]

Got mine last Saturday and had also ordered a BSA 3-9×40 from JSR to go on it (really great scope at a bargain price with the usual fantastic service from JSR). Had a few shots to try and zero but the two piece mounts supplied started to creep and were not right for the dovetails on the cylinder (had removed the rail). It did seem to be accurate with AA DF despite the scope creep though. I have now ordered some sportsmatch BSA two piece double clamp, again from JSR which I should be able to use the arrestor pin and prevent any creep. Anyway, back to the rifle, the firing cycle was quick without any bad twang and the trigger seems to have a crisp let off. I will take it apart though and try and improve with a re-lube and guides etc. if required but first impressions of the 177 are favorable and the stock has nice grain too.

[Neil54]

Been down the range today.
Put a good number of pellets through the lightning.
Grouping improved but was hampered by the moderator coming loose, the dampamount thingy coming loose.
Compared to my mates 95, the lightning has a snappier shot cycle and fierce recoil.

Grouped well with FTT and AADF pellets.
Groups were cloverleaf except where I let them down.
So far very pleased, thinking of a TBT spring in the future.

[ashf9999]

Been down the range today.
Put a good number of pellets through the lightning.
Grouping improved but was hampered by the moderator coming loose, the dampamount thingy coming loose.
Compared to my mates 95, the lightning has a snappier shot cycle and fierce recoil.

Grouped well with FTT and AADF pellets.
Groups were cloverleaf except where I let them down.
So far very pleased, thinking of a TBT spring in the future.

I’ve had to take the rail off, undo the main arrestor bolt (the vertical one), then really press the rail down hard with my thumb as I progressively tightened the side rail bolts (starting with the arrestor section). Otherwise I found it looks to be on and secure, but isn’t. It even chose to pop off when I was trying to fit a scope.

Though different sizes fit, I stretched an 8.5x2.5 o-ring over the unf thread (as that’s a size I had to hand). It seems to have solved the loosening issue.

I’ve also got a factory (so not tweaked) HW95 (4 or so years old). Elsewhere says BSA handling is better, but the trigger obviously isn’t - so that’s made me want to try a side by side look at them too.

[TonyL]

I have had a chance to shoot mine today.
It's good, nothing is bad with the shooting cycle.
Trigger is good, not to much first stage and good let off.
735fps which is 10ftlbs with AADF pellets.

Scope is a little high. Original mount and low mounts.
May have to remove damper mount and try mediums.

Been down the range today.
Put a good number of pellets through the lightning.
Grouping improved but was hampered by the moderator coming loose, the dampamount thingy coming loose.
Compared to my mates 95, the lightning has a snappier shot cycle and fierce recoil.

Grouped well with FTT and AADF pellets.
Groups were cloverleaf except where I let them down.
So far very pleased, thinking of a TBT spring in the future.

Sounding good overall then, Neil, but with a few surmountable little niggles?

Thank you for sharing.

[TonyL]

Got mine last Saturday and had also ordered a BSA 3-9×40 from JSR to go on it (really great scope at a bargain price with the usual fantastic service from JSR). Had a few shots to try and zero but the two piece mounts supplied started to creep and were not right for the dovetails on the cylinder (had removed the rail). It did seem to be accurate with AA DF despite the scope creep though. I have now ordered some sportsmatch BSA two piece double clamp, again from JSR which I should be able to use the arrestor pin and prevent any creep. Anyway, back to the rifle, the firing cycle was quick without any bad twang and the trigger seems to have a crisp let off. I will take it apart though and try and improve with a re-lube and guides etc. if required but first impressions of the 177 are favorable and the stock has nice grain too.

Great to hear you finally got yours.

Enjoy!

I bought a set of those exact same mounts from JSR for one of my earlier 35s last week too.

[maximus]

Great to hear you finally got yours.

Enjoy!

I bought a set of those exact same mounts from JSR for one of my earlier 35s last week too.

Thanks Tony, I have to say they the BSA scope is brilliant for the money. Mine is the non ao version but seems to focus well, no problem seeing pellet holes at 28 yards on 7x, pretty crisp image for non ao and very bright too.
Regards Max

[ashf9999]

My Sportsmatch TO6C mounts arrived today (the BSA 13mm type), which I fitted to the .177. They fitted the rail nicely, but as I haven’t got round to modifying the vertical arrestor bolt, this rail also started moving back on the cylinder dovetails within 10 shots. This was despite taking about 10 minutes to remove and reposition the rail very carefully alone, and ensuring the torx bolts were tightened in order to a decent torque.

It may improve if I can machine down that rail arrestor bolt so it actually fits the cylinder hole, but for the moment I’ve just removed the rail.

These same TO6C fitted directly to the cylinder dovetails perfectly - torqued up to Sportsmatch recommend settings there’s still a slither of a gap twixt mount and its clamp. So this 13mm mount is not too big for the BSA dovetails on this cylinder.

Out of interest, I also tried a pair of standard (11mm) Sportsmatch, and the clamp was adopting a funny angle - certainly when compared to my Omegas. Too tight.

So I think I can conclude that the rail itself is sort of near 13mm, but the machined cylinder dovetails are still a bit wider than the 11mm ones Webley used, possibly not quite as wide as on the R10s, and aren’t happy with what Sportsmatch consider to be 11mm.

[Blackrider]

Would a 13mm one piece be an option perhaps ?

[maximus]

Would a 13mm one piece be an option perhaps ?

Fitted my sprtsmatch 13mm direct to the cylinder today. Unfortunately can't use the arrestor pin as its too close a fit in the hole in the cylinder. They did creep a bit so I tightened them as much as I dared and they seemed to stay put. I didn't want to use the rail as it puts the scope too high. For the best solution a 13mm one piece mount would be the best solution on this gun.
Whilst messing I ran the gun over the chrono, its doing 800 fps with 8.44. Too close for comfort so it will come apart to reduce velocity and harshness. Still happy with my purchase though