BSA Ultra MS

The Ultra is the shortest carbine in the BSA stable, yet this little PCP offers full legal limit power despite it’s diminutive size. The MS is the ‘multi-shot’ version, but before dealing with the mechanics, let’s take a look at the woodwork.

I feel that the stock of the Ultra MS is one of the best for a rifle of this size, because you get no more - and certainly no less - than you need to operate and easily handle the rifle. Overall, the woodwork is quite chunky with a high well-proportioned cheekpiece. The forend likewise has a solid appearance yet it sits admirably well in the hold, and in use is a godsend for the cocking procedure which we’ll look at later. The thick ventilated rubber butt pad is not needed for recoil, but certainly adds to overall handling when you tuck it into your shoulder.

The pistol grip is quite substantial, capably filling your hand. It also has a slight thumb shelf should you prefer a ‘thumbs up’ hold. Both pistol grip and forend have panels of chequering on each side. In use the beech stock works well, and not being a mantelpiece gun collector, I like the fact that it’s well lacquered and practical – just what you need from a hunting rifle that could take a few ‘knocks’.

Filling and firing

First visit for any PCP is to fill the fixed onboard air reservoir and the Ultra uses the Safety Dampened probe filling system, as used on BSA’s single-shot PCP rifles. After you’ve unscrewed the inlet valve cover from the end of the reservoir, the probe adaptor supplied can be slipped into the quick fill point (a hole directly underneath the reservoir giving access to the inlet valve) for filling. Maximum recommended fill pressure is 200-bar and thanks to the efficient new internal valving it gives approximately 35-40 full power shots in the .177 calibre version here on test.

Now to the loading and cocking mechanism. The multi-shot Ultra uses an upgraded version of the time tested BSA 10-shot rotary magazine, as fitted to the SuperTen MkIII. Like its single-shot relative, the MS version uses a unique action known as a ‘Drop Lever Loading’ system, that’s basically what it is – drop a lever, push in a probe and its loaded. But first, you need to press the probe release catch situated at the right of the action block which allows the spring loaded pellet probe to ‘flick’ rearwards. Then if an empty magazine is in the rifle or if putting in a fresh magazine you also need to have the magazine retainer catch pushed forward. This now gives a clear path for the magazine to be slipped into the housing.

A filled magazine can then be inserted into the side-loading gate at the left of the action and the serrated edge magazine retaining catch can be slid back to its original position.

The loading probe is then pushed forward to seat the pellet directly into the match grade barrel. This is the same barrel as fitted to the SuperTen, and it’s also free floating, hand crowned, choked and chambered. In other words the Ultra has a top quality, well proven tube.

Once you’ve pushed in the loading probe you’ll hear it lock in place with a positive ‘click’ as it forms the airtight seal at the breech. Now to the cocking procedure and what is termed MMC or ‘Micro-Movement Cocking.’ The rifle is primed by pushing in the cocking knob (as it’s affectionately termed) found at the front of the forend, just under the air reservoir. When you press it in, you know it has cocked the rifle, as you’ll hear a click as the trigger sear engages.

BSA claims it’s been designed to almost eliminate movement that could alert your quarry. This is because you can have a pellet loaded but cock the gun only when ready to shoot. Should you decide to hold off taking a shot or the quarry disappears from view, you hold in the cocking knob and squeeze the trigger releasing the knob back to the un-cocked status (under tension from your hold) until it returns back to the de-cocked position. When this system first appeared on the now discontinued Hornet, in actuality you needed to move your leading hand forward to cock the rifle, then bring it back to hold the forend and shoot. However, as the Ultra is such a short rifle your hand can be directly on the cocking knob while you are holding aim. So this time I feel the system is a very useful change from the traditional side bolt or lever, and when shooting from my 4 X 4 I’ve really come to appreciate the ease with which the mechanism operates.

Performance

Thanks to the flat receiver there are no problems mounting any size scope (within reason) anywhere on the grooved action block as long as you use suitable mounts. I’ve had big low light scopes compacts and Nightvision units on board but I’ve mostly used the BSA 1.5 – 4.5 X 32IR Catseye. Granted, it’s a compact optic but the magnification range and illuminated floating cross reticle is perfect for the hunting you’d do with such a compact rifle.

The 2-stage trigger unit, is termed the LS (Low Stress) trigger mechanism because it’s designed to work with no internal friction and to be self-lubricating, meaning no maintenance is required. The trigger is factory pre-set and should you want to adjust it you need to remove the action from the stock. For my tastes I couldn’t fault the factory setting and it performed impeccably. A nice addition now is the manually operated trigger safety catch, sited on the right of the action just above the trigger. The large serrated edge cover cap is kind on the finger as well. Of all the features of this rifle the trigger screams its presence. Combined with the high-grade barrel, superb trigger and handling – accuracy is not an issue. The test rifle is in my favoured .177 calibre and using Bisley Magnums I soon produced one-hole clusters out to a set zero of 30-yds shooting from a rested position.

The Ultra’s muzzle is capped and threaded for a standard ½” UNF female thread silencer and comes with BSA’s compact SAS moderator. When screwed on, this little silencer sleeves part way back on the barrel, so it’s unobtrusive when fitted. Here is where I realised the compromise of small silencer, relatively small barrel; as they equal a louder muzzle crack. Though the standard silencer does reduce report, using a larger can will drastically change this to a more acceptable level. If you’re shooting close up ratting or rabbits from a vehicle I’d say use the SAS that comes supplied, if hide shooting and you don’t mind a tad extra length, use a larger silencer and you’ll have no worries in sound pollution.

Conclusions

In my opinion, the unconventional cocking action will still be a deciding factor whether or not hunters like or dislike this rifle. However, I highly recommend you try before you discount the mechanism as it really does ‘fall to hand’ on this size of rifle. As for accuracy, efficiency, performance and handling, it’s a sure fire winner. After using it from hides and a 4X4, and teamed up with an NV Riflescope, it keeps on proving it’s a rifle capable of virtually any task asked of it. In particular, the accuracy continually impresses, and after much trialling with various quality brand ammo it’s shown itself not to be pellet fussy.

Designed and intended for the hunting market, I feel BSA have come up with yet another rifle that any hunter would be happy to own.

ACTION: Rear position loading probe and forward position cocking knob, multi-shot, precharged pneumatic
PRICE: £399 (approx.) including mounts and compact SAS silencer