GTA
All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Air Guns And Related Accessories Review Gates => Air Gun Review Gate => Topic started by: Cathartes on September 26, 2016, 11:17:18 PM
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I recently jumped on an Amazon deal for a BSA Buccaneer SE in .177. Every few months a deal comes up on them on Amazon where they are $300-$400. I paid $316.98 for mine, which seems to me is a great value for this gun.
Fit and Finish
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KWZ8tLEHT5OZTNdam8yYCWSgrJHrd8L4hYb2Z6th5ITF6e1pecZYjKH5cJIsdKqwRu8cfmwSSy_Z=w1202-h676-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/tnq1-p8m00py5z6UVlSZ_hRclh_AQc85FJokjP0_j9CsOycQibpZBTt2pHVT6LcH6TSRPgM_7ASxAKIYoDgSHwgKmKJZENhOXY2pf4D9KXzDuhndI-oZiM27Uc6ayfaM7W7eNBFzY2n8EXh_hCEr7_wBNGbczMwNWqYYwR9dfz6RUFSPEjw0NbY_ud111ykCIGbYYmy9XwxjjgkUKldnkAtQupdLRyOflaRUS-GDQrvDPNQZ2VF2ouMLmmB4-wSq5JB25Oua0PGF33O76EBJjwvw0LYu-Q98Kkee_NuRuE6xDMs811bMe5zGdvRFrxw2viWZmL4TR40Ij5jDonRfgVgbuNlfcet8ogmTxFcpmH_ef4iAGDoqVom_dH70N9OynY9cxsHknqT6AdstEoKmUGteSjKBifeQfm4RtWekE6M50p01vvjaSDVdp8M-DeGCqXkJtA9panpsBd5JB1wf3Tt1ybFmEZElOC8xW7y166yWPZy3gk9VvlOUeBwp_juLQwU0sfgI0rPy_W-ZlncWCC03rwlesPNHkY3k9X0Y34ThBfgeNq8aagsE0dXabzmMq6Z98xMKooM1N78obnGHw8PUe7uMJ4LRuIZHAQ1CZ5LchPO9=w843-h632-no)
The beech stock on this gun is reasonably good looking. It has excellent checkering on the grip and forearm, which is something often lacking in guns in this price range. It definitely has that European feel, and shoulders and balances well. Fit of the stock to the butt pad was a little on the sketchy side.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oB0Ueky4dT2oI1g66xzpQr6fEmE9lJdA214qLiYg-e1LzcoyIw2db8vcJ0UKMgxPzQWPhJALP4Z_=w526-h296-no)
The bluing is about standard for the $600 range, nothing too impressive, but not bad. The barrel band, which is useless as far as I can tell, had some obvious machine marks, but everything else was pretty smooth.
Controls and Function
I like the feel of the bolt handle, which was a little stiff at first but is already getting smoother. It locks back with a satisfying click. One thing to watch out for, though: the bolt position is adjustable, and mine came adjusted so low it had put a small dent in the soft beech. I probably should have sent it back, but it's even less noticeable in person than in the photo, so I didn't bother with it.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ovi73DJkF5fwyj3R8tZupyGXkbVNWhh6ivKluga2H5hDw6b2t_NNm8wSowb77-xAHZnY7iAHvZjd=w1202-h676-no)
The magazine is functional but feels a little on the cheap side. Not more so than the Marauder magazine, but considering that the BSA mag costs $49.99 and the Marauder magazine costs $14.95, I think Gamo/BSA is cheaping me. Both my Air Arms and Evanix magazines are heavier and seem to be made of more sturdy material. Still, the BSA mag is easy to load and shows how many rounds you have remaining.
The trigger pull is long and creepy out of the box. I haven't done any adjusting to it yet, though. Some of the fellows here recommended that I replace the set screw on the trigger blade with a longer one, so I will try to post more after I've done that. The trigger is definitely predictable enough to not drastically affect my shooting, however. I got comfortable with it fairly quickly.
Accuracy
I also plan to do some Chronograph testing with it and post back. The light was fading on me today and all I had time to do was sight it in, shoot a group, and try some offhand plinking. I shot four magazines and I was still well in the green, but I'll post back with shot strings later.
It took me a little less than a magazine to sight it in at 30 yards. The following group is my second full magazine at that distance.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XU485GhKalIByC1WfA4CoXd_hmmJaxd52LBtdzaLMoIdX6JXIXr6qeC-KW4BZTdyiXsTRz9qE8uf=w693-h676-no)
This a .41 inch group, or .26 inch if the one that got away from me is removed. I was pretty impressed that the gun shot this well on its second magazine.
I shot a Caldwell resettable target at 50 yards and easily racked and reset them without a miss. I also tried the gun offhand on beer cans at 70 yards and I found this much easier than with a stock Marauder. All of this was with brown box CP 10.5 gr. So much the better.
Overall, I'm very satisfied with this gun, and I think it'll make a great plinker and small game rifle.
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Here's some shot string info. I started at 232 bar and shot 60 shots.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/b0_NLrygMVUCADFDrUDmL1SG7RU4H570Vcd9w_bPYT6ZyOntyQ7n6_AxXqLBdYCkm_HDglIk7B7M=w759-h376-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/s0rbRAf6Aszxz-NvhRW9NafM8T4DkAWPX7wTEWqcx201XxRoZL2urZCJN_9wbXefMuMgalXmkly_=w391-h198-no)
That's more spread than I was expecting to see in a regulated gun, but the shot count is still good. 40-50 usable shots at 19 FPE is no slouch. Now to start weighing my tuning options.
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20 fps extreme spread is not bad at all. There shouldn't be any POI change at that ES.
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I didn't think any of the guns below the R10 came stock with regulators. I know my Scorpion SE didn't.
Beside that, I wonder how you would rank it for overall out-of-the-box value against a Marauder (if you have or have had one).
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I do happen to have a Marauder. The each have their strong and weak points. Of course, the shot count on the BSA is a lot better, it is much more balanced for offhand shooting. The stock and the bluing are perhaps a bit nicer than the Marauder. They seem comparable on accuracy so far, but the BSA isn't broken in or even tested with multiple pellets. My Marauder (.22) only really likes H&N Barracuda Match and took some breaking in. The Marauder trigger is clearly better out of the box, and it's quieter.
When woods walking for small game I believe I would choose the Buccaneer simply on feel, weight, and shot count. For bench shooting or long range rested pesting I would choose the Marauder.
It is marked as having a "self-regulated valve" on Pyramyd Air's site. If it's not regulated that shot count is even more impressive.
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I have not chronoed mine yet but it accuracy is best with the 10.3 from the tin once psi is down to about 2500 psi, more than that it tends to throw fliers out just a touch... have only went 50 yards with the sniper mags and Monsters a few times but feel above moa is on me not it...
It also likes a lower fill with AA 10.3 above 2500 psi groups open up. So far at 30 yards it likes the Cpum a bit more than the AA 10.3
Got good groups at 30 yards with Benji 7.9 at 1800 psi...
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Though the Buc is heavy it just feels so much more balanced than the Mrod you don't notice that much, I really like mine... I send a magazine or two and pump back up and try to stay in what I think is each pellets sweet spot with fill pressure.
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Thanks for the feedback. I sometimes think about replacing my .22 Marauder with a Scorpion, and have wondered how close the Buccaneer performance would come. It sounds like $300 more buys me a better trigger. :o
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Hi.
I’m looking to buy a Buccaneer. Huma air makes a nice barrel shroud for BSA guns. But the barrel band has to go.
Do you have any problems with the barrel band removed?
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Great out-of-the-box review.
Looks to be a solid performer here at the beginning.