BSA Silver Star

The British Shooting Show at the NEC, Birmingham, has become a real showcase for the industry and it has become customary to announce/launch new models. BSA certainly went into overdrive at the 2019 event, with something like eight new products, spanning their various brands including Gamo and Winchester. However, one newcomer to their own range, announced as the Silver Star, didn’t fully register and rather slipped under my radar, so to speak.

Yes, I clocked it on the stand, but BSA’s initial marketing seemed to suggest that this brand new rifle was to be solely a low powered, indoor target model. I test airguns right across the disciplines, but with my passion for outdoor competition unavoidably at the forefront, I placed the Silver Star on the mental back burner, without fully acknowledging just what was on offer!

Better late…

So, here it is; BSA’s Silver Star, and I have to say, considered from several different viewpoints, it really is something to get quite excited about. Whether they had a change of heart, and switched emphasis, mid-project, I’m not sure? But what we now have, is a super compact, PCP air rifle, with built in versatility, and a host of features, aimed at both, the indoor target shooter, and the HFT market. OK; all things to all people, normally means the dreaded compromise, but the clever part of the burgeoning spec sheet, comes with the way the Silver Star can be ordered. Most notable with either a 12 ft/lbs main cylinder, or one set to around 6 ft/lbs. With the former for HFT/FT work, and the latter indoor 10m target shooting.

Continuing with the specification, we get a 2-stage, adjustable, match-type trigger, semi-target stock with adjustable cheek piece and adjustable butt section. Along with a new ambidextrous, T-bar cocking bolt, single tray loading, integral accessory rail, front mounted manometer, manual safety catch, BSA barrel, and quick fill charging system. An impressive list of features I think you’ll agree; so, let’s give it the once over.

All aces

Build quality is good and everything feels well finished, with the matt black of the action contrasting with the glossy chemical bluing of the cylinder and barrel. At £699, it’s competitively priced, and its unregulated action doubtless keeps the costs down. Stock-wise, there is a choice, of beech (on test) with the contrasting cheek section, or a black stained version. I like the slimmed down, angular forend, and with its neatly recessed, accessory rail, useful for a bipod or even fitting a hamster. The pistol grip is well shaped and the deep-cut chequering is in the usual places and an impressive detail that transforms handling.

The gun has several aces to play and that kicks off with a level of adjustability to satisfy those looking for proper gun fit. Rear right on the butt, are three Allen bolts. The top two can be slackened off, and the cheek piece raised or lowered to suit. I noted that as it’s raised, it actually leans slightly to the left as the bolts are tightened. It didn’t seem to affect my final comfort or stance but didn’t appear to be an intentional design feature. Slacken the rear bolt and the butt assembly can then be pulled out and extended by up to 3.5”, giving an impressive LOP adjustment from 12 to 15.5”. A final bolt sits in the centre of the butt pad. Slacken this one, and it can be raised or lowered, again to suit.

What all this means is that the rifle can be basically made to fit the shooter. Alter the LOP, and both juniors and gentlemen such as myself, are easily accommodated. Take the time to set the other elements until eye relief and a relaxed shooting position just fall into place naturally, and the task is complete.

Way to go

The Silver Star’s next ace is the way that the main cylinder is easily detachable, surely something of a first for BSA, as far as I’m aware. Meaning you could buy the 12 ft/lbs spec, then order the low powered, unit as and if desired or vice versa. A red anodised filler valve at the front denotes the 12, whereas 6 gets silver. Switching around is simple, making the system so appealing. Just unscrew the cylinder at any time, and slide in the replacement. Nip it up hand tight, and you’re away. All importantly, charging to the prescribed 232bar is done in situ, so zero isn’t disturbed in any way. A quick-fill probe is supplied and screws onto the airline in the usual way.

To charge, just pull off the plastic valve cover, insert the probe, and slowly open the airline. In terms of best practise, I would always recommend checking that the probe is still fully inserted into the valve early in the charging routine, wait till the prescribed pressure is reached, bleed the line, and remove the probe. Slide the dust cover back into place, and we’re done. That removable cylinder really makes sense in my book as a safety feature and I would hope the industry will go down this route in the future, given that it allows for the pressurised vessel to be easily tested for integrity further down the line.

Time for ‘T’

This model comes fitted with a 2-stage, semi match trigger and, whilst this is specified as a fully adjustable unit, I left it as delivered, since it felt reasonably light from the off. The blade can be rotated around its axis too, so the angle can be altered for those who prefer an off centre release. Another new feature, and something I think we’ll be seeing on other BSA Models, is that chunky metal, T-shaped bolt handle, it’s ambidextrous and doesn’t need to be twisted, instead relying on a straight line pull. Cocking effort is reasonable, with some resistance at the start and the bolt can be felt to snap back into position at the end of its travel before the shot is taken; so, all quite satisfying in use.

Low power target configuration

Currently only specified in .177, the Silver Star utilises BSA’s own and much vaunted cold, hammer-forged barrel and, with it being free floating, it is the ideal configuration for competition shooting. For the record, I had both 6 and 12 ft/bs cylinders for the duration of my test, so as to get a proper feel for both set-ups. Order the model with the 6 ft/lbs tank in place, and you also get BSA’s dioptre sight set, which includes the fully adjustable dioptre rear unit and also a small foresight that clamps onto a dovetail barrel adaptor.

Over the chronograph, I recorded almost identical energy figures of just under 5ft/lbs with a variety of pellets, including H&N Sniper Medium, and JSB Exact RS. With the dioptre sights all bolted in place, it was a quick job to get the rifle zeroed, via the two, clearly marked, finger wheels. Accuracy from a rest over 10 yards, was excellent, with a genuine single ragged hole group being the result. From a freestyle standing position, I managed fairly easy sub-1/2” clusters at this distance too, and clearly technique is all that stands between any budding enthusiast and very creditable results. Expect around 175-shots in this mode.

Full power cylinder

Now it was time to spin the red banded, full power cylinder into its thread. Purchase the Silver Star in this guise, and you also get the small barrel adaptor, which can accept the foresight at a later stage. Fixing a scope in place is simple enough here, since the Silver Star carries dovetail rails along the two ends of the receiver and, with an MTC Viper Connect in place, I was ready to hit the test facility.

Back to the chronograph and whilst BSA currently claim 85-shots from full power, apparently with heavy pellets, my testing was with a view to a super consistent band of useable shots for serious competition. From the 232bar fill pressure, I managed 55 shots with 8.44 grain pellets, all within 15fps, which is creditable consistency. Shooting the full 75 opened up the velocity to 47fps spread, but this is all from an un-regulated action don’t forget. Admittedly, the super consistent band of shots isn’t huge, but do your homework and realistically, there’s plenty to play with.

Power on test was a little low, equating to around 10ft/lbs irrespective of ammo used. However, accuracy- wise, groups of 3/8” over 40yds proved a point for sure. Handling is impressive, and all the features come together nicely. Muzzle report is quite significant however, so personally, I would fit a silencer, which would also add front weight.

Verdict

So, plenty of plus points then, from this refreshingly versatile rifle. I really enjoyed my time with this new BSA and it reminds me of the MPR, a now sadly discontinued model from Air Arms, that catered for the competition shooter, but kept things relatively simple and cost-effective. That’s praise indeed, believe me. Build up the stock via the accessory rail, add more to the barrel in terms of air stripper or silencer. The choice is yours, but the foundations for success are clearly here, at a price point that should appeal to many.

With thanks to Jake Miller for the kind loan of his rifle for this test, and BSA for the extras supplied.