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BSA R10

BSA R10

A WORTHY SUCCESSOR?

Many readers will know that I’ve long championed the BSA’s old flagship PCP - the SuperTen. I still have a few in my armoury ranging from 12ft lbs to FAC power that are regularly chosen for hunting trips. I mention this as when the original R-10 was launched it caused much interest but unfortunately had teething troubles. Thankfully these were quite quickly resolved by the company which resulted in the Mk2 variant being released not very much longer after the original. Due to the amount of R&D that went into the rifle, and the options it can now be purchased in, it has taking me a long while to finally decide to take one out for test.

Variations

The range of options and finishes the Mk2 is available in include a bull barrel version or the standard rifle with a VC silencer. Also three stock options are available - high quality Walnut, Black Finish and Woodland Camo – no prizes for guessing which I chose for test?

However, the stock design is the same for all options (including the integral sling swivel studs), but the camo and black options have a rubber over-mould that envelopes the dramatic sweeping lines of the Minelli crafted hard wood stock. This is treated to be ‘grippy’ and so effective is this treatment BSA have decided to omit the chequering found on the Walnut stock option.

The right hand roll over cheekpiece is relatively high and gives way to a sliding height adjustable rubber butt pad. The forend is quite chunky and relatively short ending in a semi-Schnabel tip. This lack of length doesn’t affect your leading handhold but does tend to make the rifle look deceptively lengthy which - as you’ll soon read - it isn’t.

We can’t leave this area of the rifle without addressing the rather familiar camo pattern it’s covered in. I say familiar because this camo (designated ‘Next’) is seen on quite a few models of other air rifles (and crossbows) of foreign origin. As the stock is manufactured by the famous Italian based manufacturers mentioned, I’m guessing this is a European company that carries out the camo coating – whoever does the process though does it very well.

Filling Up

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The R-10 Mk2 uses a removable/fixed 200cc buddy bottle to store the compressed air but for on-rifle refills or ‘top ups’ there’s a neat inlet valve port on the underside of the stock adjacent to an equally neat air pressure gauge. This takes a Quick Fill probe (supplied) and has a recommended fill pressure of 232bar. This reputedly gives 165 shots in .177 calibre and 225 in the .22 calibre rifle as seen here on test. We’ll see if this is a genuine figure shortly.

Like its discontinued predecessor, the R-10 Mk2 has an uninterrupted flat receiver for scope fitting making this one of the few rifles where you don’t have to struggle to fit almost any optic of choice. I chose to scope up using an MTC Optics 3 – 12 X 44 IRS Viper in medium mounts, which during the test proved to be an ideal pairing for handling and balance.

The rifle comes with BSA’s own VC (Variable Choke) silencer which when screwed onto the 15.25” long tube once again tends to make the rifle appear a tad lengthy but note earlier when I used the word deceptive in relation to length as the rifle still only nudges the tape to a very manageable 40.5”. This overall length isn’t and doesn’t feel overly long when holding the rifle on aim.

Multi-shot

The R-10 Mk2 uses the now up-graded 10-shot removable magazine familiar to all PCP’s from BSA. These also now have a colour coded high impact polymer inner rotor (exposed part of the rotary drum), which is also numbered and indexes around much more smoothly and positively than the original all-metal version. This magazine ‘rotor’ is coloured blue in .177 calibre and red as per .22 calibre rifle to differentiate between the specific magazines. The mechanics that secure the magazine, cock and load the rifle are again all tried and trusted systems now predominantly used throughout the company’s multi-hot PCP range. These include the large finger friendly serrated edge magazine retaining catch positioned just forward of the action block on the left of the action. Just draw back the rear mounted cocking bolt, with the retaining catch pushed forward, and the magazine can be lifted out of the left hand side of the action block.

The trigger unit is another area of change. Though the trigger blade and shoe are very reminiscent of the ‘Ten’ the internals have been worked on, making this an even more efficient unit. Classed as a semi-match trigger, it can be fine tuned for even the most finicky of trigger tastes including angle of shoe position, length and weight of pull, however, adjustments do have to be made with the action out of the stock.

During testing, using most quality ammo, the rifle soon showed its worth printing touching groups at 30yds, only widening slightly when pushed out to 40yds. It was here I was able to assess BSA’s shot count claims and as pellets didn’t drop off the aim point at the target after 200 shots I’d say they’re pretty much on the button and that strange front top action mounted air regulator is certainly doing a great job.

Conclusions

The big question has to be is this rifle a worthy successor to company’s old flagship multi-shot PCP, the SuperTen? Well, after a lengthy test period I can say a resounding yes on virtually all fronts, except I’d certainly like to see BSA offer a carbine version. However, in the early days its predecessor spent a long time in full-length format before being chopped and made appealing to carbine loving hunters such as myself. However on the positive side all key areas of the R-10 are better or certainly as good as any PCP that BSA has ever created.

This is a very desirable rifle, in my opinion the selling points that appeal are going to be a larger shot count and regulated action. In that respect I must say I found shot to shot consistency to be very high and coupled with the quality barrel and superior trigger release aided the rifle’s inherent accuracy potential. Add all these to the other features (magazine securing system and cocking/loading bolt) then you’ve got yourself a natural and very worthy successor to BSA’s PCP throne. GM

  • BSA R10 - image {image:count}

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  • BSA R10 - image {image:count}

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  • BSA R10 - image {image:count}

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  • BSA R10 - image {image:count}

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  • BSA R10 - image {image:count}

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  • BSA R10 - image {image:count}

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  • BSA R10 - image {image:count}

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  • BSA R10 - image {image:count}

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  • BSA R10 - image {image:count}

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gun
features

  • Model: BSA R10 Mk2
  • Type: Buddy Bottle fed Multi-Shot PCP
  • Action: Bolt operated
  • Stock: Hardwood right hand sporter design with camo covered rubber over-mould (dedicated left hand stock vailable)
  • Length: 40.5” incl silencer
  • Barrel: 15.25”
  • Weight: 6.7lbs
  • Calibre: .22 on test, .177 available
  • Trigger: 2-stage, adjustable
  • Safety: Manual
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