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BSA R10 SE Black Edition

BSA R10 SE Black Edition

The BSA R10 or RTEN Regulated as it’s now denoted (and as the eagleeyed will notice now wears that name boldly and stylishly etched on the action), has been with us in one guise or another for over a decade. Even so, due to the company’s rolling development programme, it still remains the flagship rifle in BSA’s high-quality precharged roster.

Since the time of its launch, I’ve tested all the variants of this rifle that have at one time or another been in production, but this is the first time I’ve been able to get my hands on the new look, BSA RTEN SE Standard Length Black Edition.

However, it’s actually available in four stock options, including Walnut, Black Edition, Realtree Xtra Camo and Black Pepper Laminate. And as you’d expect, it can also be purchased in .177, .22 and .25. Incidentally, the Walnut stock is available in right or left-hand (special order) configuration, while all others are of an ambidextrous design.

So, now let’s check out what is indeed a very good looking stock.

Laying down rubber

Interestingly, both the Realtree Xtra Camo and Black Edition stocks have a rubber over-mould that fully envelopes the dramatic sweeping lines of the beech wood that hides within.

The Black Edition’s ambidextrous handle features a relatively high, well-defined and quite substantial cheekpiece, plus the aft section is fitted with a multi-adjustable rubber butt pad. This can be altered laterally plus has the more conventional, sliding height adjustment facility.

The slim neck has a nicely sized thumb shelf and the steep drop-down pistol grip gives your hand the ideal platform from which to operate the trigger.

The forend is quite thickset, tapering upwards and inwards as it moves forward to end in a semi- Schnabel tip, and at this point, it slightly reaches under the buddy bottle, so you feel stock and not cold metal.

Although the inherent nature of the stock material is to have a nonslip, grippy feel, there are three panels showing impregnated chequering on either side of the pistol grip and along either side of the forend.

Sling swivel studs have been prefitted at the factory and are ideally positioned, so even when you’re not using a sling (or bipod attached under the forend) they don’t hinder or affect your leading handhold.

Incidentally, although the RTEN is obviously longer than the Super Carbine version, the balance and handling are such that the rifle feels far shorter than it actually is.

Get your fill

The removable/semi-fixed buddy bottle is charged via the rifle’s neat inlet valve port, found on the underside of the stock. A fill is easily injected using the company’s familiar safety damped, quick-fill probe (supplied).

A recommended fill pressure of 232bar returns 190 full power shots in .177 and 250 in .22 calibre as per rifle on test, and the same in .25 calibre. This high shot count is due to the rifle not only being able to store and use a larger volume of compressed air but also due to the up-graded air regulator. And as many might know, the latter unit is a unique design due to it being positioned at the very front/top side of the action, so it can be easily accessed and removed or replaced for servicing and/or maintenance.

An air gauge with a stylish black background and colour highlighted pressure settings, is deeply recessed into the underside of the stock for keeping a check on your air reserves. This design of gauge is an easy read unit and one that BSA seem to have settled on fitting to most of their PCPs.

Action stations

The generously sized Bolas bolt is ideally positioned at the rear of the action and after turning the bolt up from its closed position, it slides backwards very smoothly to lock back securely in the rearward position.

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For magazine removal or fitting, after the bolt has been taken to the rearward position, you can then unlock the magazine from its housing.

This is done by sliding the retaining catch (positioned in front of the action, on the left) to the forward position, whereupon you can then lift the magazine out from the left of the action.

Self-actuating

As you’d expect, The RTEN SE uses the now upgraded, self-actuating 10-shot removable magazine that’s familiar to all BSA multi-shot PCPs. Though I’ve mentioned these upgrades in the past, no harm checking through them again here as every feature on the magazine is beneficial.

They feature a colour-coded, high impact polymer inner rotor (exposed part of the rotary drum) which has a serrated outer side for ease of use, plus is numbered on the outer edge so you can also keep a check of your ammo store. The colour denotes calibre, with blue being .177 and red, .22.

Also, there’s a small aperture (hole) that now shows as a yellow dot in the faceplate, to indicate you’re on the last shot. There’s also a useful finger groove in the backplate that aids the removal of this very efficient and smooth operating unit, even if wearing gloves.

Trigger treat

BSA bless the rifle with their acclaimed 2-stage, semi-match grade adjustable trigger unit, which is still one of the better mechanisms for shot release available on any air rifle.

Being a straight post and shoe design, it can be fine-tuned for even the most finicky of trigger tastes, including angle of shoe position, plus length and weight of pull. It now also has what the company term, ‘Enhanced Trigger Function’, for better shot control. It’s a superb and precise unit to use, and the manual safety lever positioned above and to the rear left side of the action, operates very positively.

Shrouded

Now we come to a feature that since its inception and inclusion on the rifle, has proved to be a highly impressive and formidable sound suppression system. That being the full barrel shroud with a semi, perma-fix secondary moderator attached at the very front.

Termed CCS (Customer Configurable Shroud), this highly developed sleeve is a totally innovative design and has clearly visible vent holes that help to dissipate air that follows the pellet as it exits the barrel. At the front, the secondary unit takes over to further reduce the report, using a combination of internal baffles, sound deadening felt and spacers. There’s also vent holes integrated into its build, which can be clearly seen at the front as well. As it comes set from the manufacturer, both combine to make for a remarkably efficient unit, and without doubt, the rifle is still one of the quietest production PCPs on the market.

But there’s more because as the name clearly implies, the shroud and front silencer can be configured to suit customer preference. You can remove the secondary can, then the barrel shroud (thus exposing the Cold Hammer Forged Barrel) and then re-attaching the secondary silencer to the muzzle again using the adaptor supplied. It’s just a case of removing and resetting a few fixtures, but I highly recommend taking advantage of the combined performance of both units for the high level of sound reduction they offer.

Easy optic fitting

As expected, the RTEN utilises BSA’s familiar uninterrupted flat receiver for scope fitting, making this an air rifle where you don’t have to struggle to fit almost any optic of choice. I decided to fit a Walther ZF 4-12x50AO IR and despite its generous proportions, it complimented the rifle very nicely indeed, without disrupting the balance.

After setting a 30 yard zero, the .22 calibre test rifle soon showed its pedigree and performance by printing ragged onehole clusters. Pushing out to 40 yards, ½” groups quickly became the norm.

I was also able to assess BSA’s shot count claims as pellets didn’t drop off the aim point at the target after 200+ shots. So, the air regulator is certainly doing an impressive job.

Conclusions

The BSA RTEN SE Regulated has all the qualities and features any airgun hunter could ask for. The stock is an impressive design, not only due to the shoulder adjustment it offers but also the material used in the manufacture and overall ergonomics. The grip is well proportioned and gives the user a superb platform for trigger operation, plus installs a feeling of security when manoeuvring the rifle onto the target.

It goes without saying that the inherent accuracy potential of this gun isn’t an issue, and the rifle performs incredibly well when fed with quality ammo. For the hunter who prefers a more standard-length, all-weather stock air rifle, this version is a very tempting proposition.

Thanks to T & J. J McAvoy LTD for supplying the rifle on test.

  • BSA R10 SE Black Edition - image {image:count}

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  • BSA R10 SE Black Edition - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • BSA R10 SE Black Edition - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • BSA R10 SE Black Edition - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • BSA R10 SE Black Edition - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

gun
features

  • Name: BSA RTEN SE Black Edition
  • Type: Multi-Shot PCP
  • Stock: Ambidextrous beech wood sporter with over-mould
  • Length: 40.25” including silencer
  • Barrel: 15”
  • Weight: 7.4lbs un-scoped
  • Calibre: .22 on test, .177 and .25 available
  • Trigger: 2-stage, adjustable
  • Price: £949
  • Contact: BSA Guns Ltd - www.bsaguns.co.uk
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