AIR RIFLE REVIEW: IMPECCABLY INCREDIBLE

Created on 15th May 2009

Chris Sanders tests BSA's Scorpion T10 Carbine - a great modern-era PCP

BSA'S SUPERTEN multi-shot has been the company's flagship PCP since its launch. Despite that rifle's success, though, BSA has tinkered with other designs which don't follow the SuperTen's front buddy-bottle-mounted blueprint. One of these was the Scorpion single-shot, which followed the more established ‘piggyback' (barrel over reservoir) format. On test here is the new multi-shot version of this model. Its new features include an ABS stock and a Tactical-style designation. And it could be BSA's finest PCP yet.

First look

First, the stock. It uses the same design as BSA's Lightning Tactical XL break-barrel springer. It looks both hardwearing and lightweight and should prove stable in all weather and temperature conditions. Look beyond the sexy synthetics and you'll spot a few more interesting features. Though the Scorpion T10 is threaded for a silencer BSA has fitted it with a screw-on ported muzzle compensator at the front, rather than just protecting it with a screw-on muzzle cap. This is a nice cosmetic flourish - although airgunners will surely opt for one of BSA's own SAS moderators or a personal favourite.

It's immediately noticeable that the Scorpion T10 handles superbly well: the point of balance is ideal for such a compact rifle. This is all the more impressive given the weight difference between wood and synthetic materials.

The stock

Hydrographics mainman John Sykes designed the stock, as he has on a number of BSA models. BSA obviously has faith in his ideas and this faith is well founded. While some may have had reservations about the rather radical lines of the Lightning XL Tactical's stock, for example, I can't see anyone complaining about this one. It matches the Scorpion T10 down to the ground. The right-hand rollover cheekpiece is quite high, with striking lines. It matches the scope-only configuration perfectly. On the opposite side the rifle is slightly scalloped, allowing your trigger finger to meet the palm swell with ease. The neck is slim but the pistol grip is quite thick-set and drops almost vertically to end with a recessed end cap. The palm swell fills out to give the hand a firm hold and there is a slight stippling effect at the pistol grip and along the forend for extra grip. The latter takes the form of three sets of small sections of panelling on either side. This is for cosmetic appeal as the stock's material is inherently ‘non-slip' and feels good in the hold. There's a thumb channel cleverly integrated into the moulding which gives an ideal thumb-up hold. This runs all the way up the rear right-hand side of the grip and works with the pistol grip configuration to give a high level of trigger control.

You can't fail to notice the sweeping curves that lead all the way down to the butt pad. The unique styling at this position lets the pad sit just right for optimum comfort: right in the cleft of your shoulder. The trigger guard is integrated into the moulding. The forend, yet another unique feature, tapers forward to be recessed, but rather than narrowing towards the top it curves outwards, rounding out snugly around the air reservoir. The latter protrudes from the sharp taper at the stock tip to the ridged screw on the fill-point cover cap.

Filling to the 200-bar recommended air pressure capacity is a simple affair due to the safety damped probe inserted into the inlet valve fill point. This gives a generous 50 shots per fill in the .177 calibre on test and an equally liberal 80 in .22. There's obviously been some serious internal upgrading done on this rifle.

The T10 has a self-regulating air release valve. This automatically compensates for the change in pressure as you fire the rifle. In other words the ‘power curve' remains almost constant for a full fill. Testing showed that the T10's shot-to-shot consistency is at least as good as some regulated rifles.

Loading

The T10's chunky ball-ended cocking bolt is ideal for driving the upgraded magazine BSA is gradually introducing. This new magazine loads in the same way as previous versions but its securing design is different. It is now held in place with a serrated-edge retaining catch positioned directly forward of the action block (as seen on BSA's discontinued Goldstar springer). To remove a magazine you pull the cocking bolt fully rearward and then slide the retaining catch forward. You can then lift it out of the housing from the left of the action. Design-wise the new magazine is all metal and has far fewer moving parts. To fill the chambers you turn the inner alloy drum anti-clockwise to drop in a pellet. It is much easier to fill than the old version and it looks better too. Status - full or empty - is clearly shown by a red dot which comes into view on the top of the inner magazine portion.

Once filled you simply slip it back into its housing, slide back the retaining catch and push in the cocking bolt. The rifle's now ready to fire. If you didn't do so before you took out the magazine, pull back the safety catch (just above the trigger blade on the right-hand of the action) now.

Barrel

The trial rifle was supplied with a BSA Panther 3.5-10x50 scope and a BSA SAS silencer (both optional extras). The flat receiver seen on BSA PCP models is often taken for granted but it offers a solid platform and allows for easy scope fitting with plenty of options.

The T10 comes with a stylish muzzle-flip counterweight to protect the barrel. The barrel itself is the very same free-floating, screw-cut, 15" engineering marvel fitted to the SuperTen - so for starters you can be confident this rifle isn't going to be pellet-fussy. Many recommend using Air Arms Field or Daystate Select for initial testing of .177 calibre PCPs: these brands are well-suited to virtually all rifles on the market at present. After zeroing at 30yd I settled on Air Arms slugs. These brought in ragged pellet-sized clusters consistently from a variety of (rested) angles.

I took the T10 into the field for an intensive session, where its handling and down-range performance continually impressed me. The silencer too: there's hardly a sound on discharge. Before I took it out I also pushed this sub-12ft/lb rifle to the limit of its effective killing range on knockdown targets - and although most PCPs will out-shoot their users this one is so accurate and easy to handle it makes almost any shot straightforward. My best groups on paper targets were sub ¾" at 50yd.

Two-stage adjustable trigger

This shows yet another design change. Outwardly there's not much to see but inside those sears must be as smooth as silk if the crisp, clean shot release is anything to go by. The unit is not actually that new as BSA designed it for the single-shot version. It's known as the LS (low stress) mechanism because it's designed to work with no internal friction and to be self-lubricating. This should mean that no maintenance is required. The trigger is factory pre-set; if you want to adjust it you need to remove the action from the stock. I couldn't fault the factory setting and found it performed impeccably as a two-stage unit. The safety is of rocker style and has a serrated edge.

Conclusions

This is a great example of a modern-era PCP. It handles superbly, performs impeccably, looks incredible and is as accurate as some air rifles costing twice as much. In fact, at a time when some air rifles are reaching the £1,000+ mark it costs less than £500. This is a heck of a lot of technology for your money. Plus, you'll never have to worry over a dint in your high-grade walnut stock ever again!

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