BSA Ultra MS Tactical & BSA Scorpion SS Tactical

Many will be aware that BSA’s Ultra MS carbine and Scorpion bolt-action sporter are popular PCPs. The Ultra fills the mini carbine role admirably whilst the Scorpion appeals to the no frills hunter and HFT shooter. Both these are now available in synthetic stocks and designated Tactical’ models. The furniture was designed by John Sykes (Hydrographics) and was first seen on the BSA Lightning XL Tactical and has now been modified for these two PCPs.

So why am I reviewing two different guns together? Simple they use the same stock. My main concerns were how they altered handling and are they of benefit? The buyer now has the choice of three different stock options – beech, walnut or synthetic, which gives a lot of choice… Plus the design is subtly different for each gun too.

Not Just Eye Candy

Though looking good the Tactical stock is much more than eye-candy! Moulded from a high-impact polymer a lot of effort went into getting it right, as it needed to be tough and strong to live up to expectations. Truth is there are many stocks of this concept that have come and gone. When I first used and abused a rifle in this furniture, I felt, as I still do; this was the material that would change a lot of shooter’s opinions on synthetic stocks because this one lives up to the maker’s claims.

Manufactured to be hardwearing, lightweight and stable under all conditions, this is exactly what most hunters want from a rifle. I like nice wood, but if a synthetic is properly made it’s far superior to timber for a field rifle!

This stock is absolutely spot on for handling! The right hand, roll over cheekpiece is substantial with it running on line with the top of the forend, which suits the scope only configuration of both guns perfectly. The neck is slim but the pistol grip is thick set, dropping at quite a steep angle and it shows a perfectly positioned thumb channel too. The palm swell really fills the hand to offer a secure and comfortable position. Light stippling in all the usual places further enhances hold. Though there’s a bit more up front on the Scorpion as the Ultra has a somewhat abbreviated forend… Overall handling and shootability is 100% spot on!

Incidentally, before moving forward you can’t fail to notice the sweeping curves that lead down to the ventilated rubber butt pad. This unique styling allows the butt pad to be positioned smack bang where it should for optimum shooter comfort (in the shoulder pocket). Moving forward the trigger guard is integrated into the moulding and the forend tapers forward to be recessed where necessary, with a slightly flat underside. As I’m sure you’re now aware, I really do like this stock design as do many other shooters. 

Ultra Cool

When the Ultra was first released it was originally a single-shot in a rather plain beech stock but quickly progressed to a multi-shot version (MS) using the SuperTEN, 10-shot removable magazine. The rather unorthodox drop lever loading and micro movement cocking mechanism wasn’t to everybody’s taste, but it soon proved to be a winner due to its handling and accuracy potential. For me it’s a superb little air rifle for shooting from the confines of a hide or the cab of a 4 X 4.

When BSA spruced up their PCP roster, it was made available in a luxurious looking Grade 2 Walnut stock. It now looked as good as it shot and its continued production was assured. An original gripe with the Ultra is the SAS design silencer it comes with. Granted it doesn’t affect handling as it sleeves part way back along the barrel. Unfortunately it isn’t that efficient. To improve this, many shooters fitted a can of their own choosing. I’d advise that you fit BSA’s new VC (Variable Choke) calibre specific silencer. As a matter of interest it does lengthen the 34” Ultra to 36.75”, but I still find this perfectly acceptable for shooting from awkward cramped places.

To their credit BSA have fitted QD sling studs to both rifles, but the Ultra’s front one is very close to the tip of the forend and of little use for a bipod, but then again many will say why bother?  Unfortunately you can feel the stud ‘dig’ into the palm of your leading hand as you operate the front (CK) cocking mechanism. I reckon they should have set it two inches further back, so you don’t feel it when cocking, which would also address pod mounting too.

Scorpion Sting

The Scorpion was originally launched as a single-shot in a timber stock, though the Scorpion T-10 Tactical multi-shot that followed came in the synthetic stock as seen here.

The gun is simple and easy to operate as befits a bolt-action – opening the bolt cocks the mechanism and exposes the chamber. Slide in a pellet, close the bolt and you are ready. The Tactical furniture really transforms the Scorpion’s handling, and (unlike the Ultra) the longer forend with the QD stud placed further back makes it easier to fit a bipod. 

So the hunter can now get the single-shot Scorpion as an all-weather, one shot potter which is also well suited for the HFT competitor - and like the Ultra, the handling is completely transformed.

Whilst the Ultra comes ready supplied with a compact can, the Scorpion instead shows a vented muzzle compensator screwed onto the pre-threaded barrel (1/2 x 20 UNF). HFT competitors might well leave it place, but as a hunter I’d recommend the VC silencer option. This changes overall length from 34.75” to 40” and this common thread allows you to fit whatever can you like. I used these as they’re very efficient and don’t alter handling or add too much to the length of what are generally compact rifles straight from the box.

What immediately strikes you on handling the new Scorpion SS Tactical is just how naturally this variant falls into any hold you care to adopt. I’ll say it again - the thumb channel running up the right hand side of the grip really does beg to be used. Surprisingly it’s a feature omitted on the wood stock version for a much more simple thumb shelf/rest. However, not to ‘diss’ the timber, those who prefer a longer sporter design with added weight for stability may well prefer the non-synthetic for those very reasons.

It’s worth mentioning that both rifles share the same LS 2-stage, adjustable trigger unit with manual safety set above and on the right of the action. It performs nicely, releasing shots crisply and cleanly without a hint of creep. As for accuracy, both share the same high potential and the stock also gives you a good level of trigger control, with the potential for creating more consistent groups.

Conclusions

Both these rifles work well in wood stocks, but when using them in their synthetic, Tactical clothes I feel it allows the shooter to get the best from them in terms of performance. Granted, you’ll still always have those that prefer timber, but take a look at what black plastic has to offer and you might just decide to go with modern technology…

WE RECKON:

• The plastic is fantastic
• Scorpion good basic SS PCP
• Ultra MS a radical uber carbine

PRICE: £449 / £390