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BSA Tactical Case Mat

  • Review
BSA Tactical Case Mat

I’ve said it on various occasions, but when we have invested heavily in a top-quality rifle and up-market glassware, it has to be pretty foolhardy to just use a cheap old case or gun slip that can’t offer anywhere near the level of protection our precision tool deserves. Yet amazingly, I’ve seen it done time and again.

If you do stumble across a genuinely classy case, they can often have too much intrinsic weight, which can be tiring as it saps your energy when out and about for any length of time. Indeed, it’s no use having a nice compact rifle, only to carry it around in an overly heavy bag.

BSA branded

Well featured here, is a highly impressive alternative which seems to me, to be a serious candidate for any shooter looking for that manageable middle ground - a case that properly protects, yet doesn’t weigh a ton! The Tactical Case Mat on show here is made by BSA and is designed to be ultra hard wearing as well as supremely practical. The manufacturers also make a point of stressing that it’s designed to offer superior protection for a treasured rifle/ scope combo, and the shooter! Intrigued? Well, it all makes sense when you delve further.

Constructed from what BSA describe as ‘super tough, wipe- clean nylon’ the case, on first impressions, feels really well padded, with a significant internal layer bulking out the dimensions somewhat. And whilst we’re on the subject, the dimensions come in at 48 x 12 x 4” (LxWxD), making it a fairly sizeable specimen overall. To give some idea of carrying capabilities, my old faithful Airmasters HW77, complete with full-length barrel, was well and truly eaten up, with space to spare. Normally an excellent benchmark. Throw in a BSA Scorpion (I just happened to have one lying around for the test) and it only serves to emphasise the space on offer. Basically, most rifle/scope combos with bipod, even FT rigs, should fit nicely.

Features

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Storage of accessories and important items have all been taken into account too, and with features such as the small pouch with a see-through window (ideal for an ID/shoot permissions authorization card for example), it’s clear there’s some serious attention to detail. There’s a small pocket to the right side and two longish pockets on the left (ideal for a silencer or bi-pod) and all of these feature Velcro pressure pads to close. The huge central cargo pocket gets a full-length zip, and this could take all manner of items. Look inside the large pocket and there’s an internal zipped section, which is great for documentation and such like.

Flip the case over, and there’s a full-length shoulder strap (with pressure clips for removal), so fancy slinging the rifle over your back and hiking through the rough shoot - no problem.

Flat out

But there’s more, and the clue is clearly in the name! Twin chunky zips make opening quick and easy, and the clever design intends the case to be fully opened out flat, to then become a shooting mat if required. First, open those zips right back, open the case flat, then unclip the internal nylon flap, and extend this out. You then have an instant shooting mat, fit for purpose! The extendable section adds 24.75”, so that means the shooting mat measures approximately 72.75 x 24”. That’s pretty good, and when you think you’re adapting the rifle case in a field scenario, it makes everything very manageable, with no extra mat to carry.

If you get everything soaked through on an expedition, then the internal seam (more Velcro) simply pulls open, and the foam liner within can then be removed for full airing and drying. Yes, those pesky designers do seem to have thought of everything! Throw in a neatly designed comfort handle, that grips together with a Velcro wrap around panel, and this Tactical Case Mat starts to look like the real deal.

Verdict

The case is one of the best I have seen for striking the perfect balance - proper cosseting of our beloved hardware, yet with no excessive intrinsic weight. Factor in the shooting mat transformation and this is a wonderfully versatile product from BSA, highly recommended.

  • BSA Tactical Case Mat - image {image:count}

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  • BSA Tactical Case Mat - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • BSA Tactical Case Mat - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • BSA Tactical Case Mat - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • BSA Tactical Case Mat - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • BSA Tactical Case Mat - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

gun
features

  • Name: BSA Tactical Case Mat Case Dimensions: 48 x 12 x 4” (LxWxD) Mat Dimensions: 72.75 x 24”
  • Price: £79
  • Contact: BSA Guns - www.bsaguns.co.uk
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