BSA Scorpion SE .22 Review - A Quality Mid-Priced PCP

[Antoni]

I've been on the lookout for a new PCP since my second Nova Vista Liberty started leaking. After posting some threads and considering all the available options, I went with the BSA Scorpion SE as my pick. My first Scorpion (the gun featured in this review) came to me refurbished and with some issues. Something was wrong with the barrel (accuracy wasn't much better than 1" at 50 yards), and the chrome plating on the bolt was flaking. Since I was to return the gun as soon as the week was over, I decided to quickly review the gun before returning it. This is what I came up with:

https://youtu.be/fNOyw5jD3TU




Since then, I have returned the lemon and now own a new BSA Scorpion SE in a gorgeous beech wood stock. I am happy to announce that accuracy has greatly improved (MOA at 50) and the bolt is ridiculously smooth. I may re-review the Scorpion in the near future (trying a different reviewing setup) because my first lemon does not do this gun justice at all.

Hope ya'll enjoyed the video and have a great day!

Thanks,

AK

 

[Yo]

Thanks for the video! Which gun is more accurate at long range? The problematic leaky $200 Nova Liberty or the BSA?

 

[Antoni]

Thanks for the video! Which gun is more accurate at long range? The problematic leaky $200 Nova Liberty or the BSA?

At 50 yards (10 more than what I tested my Liberty) BSA is way more accurate for sure. At 85 yards I don’t know yet because I only shot one group with my parallax wrong and not really paying attention so I’ll do more testing tomorrow. 

I mean, the Liberty is very accurate and I can’t take that away from it, but it just can’t compete with the BSA’s quality and consistency. Thanks for watching Yo!

AK

 

[JohnL57]

Nicely done video and you speak very well on camera-keep it up! I'm considering getting a Scorpion myself.

 

[Antoni]

Nicely done video and you speak very well on camera-keep it up! I'm considering getting a Scorpion myself.

Thanks! If you don’t mind the relatively low shot count, I’d say go for it! You won’t be disappointed.

Thanks,

AK

 

[Antoni]

Well, it definitely IS more accurate then my Liberty. Here’s my first 5 shot group with the AA 16g pellets at 85 yards:

0.8425” (sub MOA)

Here’s a group when (I suspect) the gun was going through the steep part of the power curve (JSB 15.89g, 5 shots, 1.59” CTC)

And a group at 50 (15.89g JSB 5 shots, 0.467”)

Thanks,

AK

 

[wyshadow]

Years ago, I owned BSA r10 and I would never own another BSA again because of the bolt. I sent off the gun to be tuned because the chrome flaked off the bolt and got everywhere inside the gun. The tuner informed me this was very common problem with BSA's. He sent in the bolt to be re-chromed but did let me know this will happen again.

The problem with the chrome flaking was a shame because it was a very nice gun and very accurate 

 

[oldsparky]

That is a nicely done review.I went to your channel and watched several of them. I enjoyed them. Hope you keep it up. Hey let your sister shoot be nice! Ha

 

[Antoni]

Years ago, I owned BSA r10 and I would never own another BSA again because of the bolt. I sent off the gun to be tuned because the chrome flaked off the bolt and got everywhere inside the gun. The tuner informed me this was very common problem with BSA's. He sent in the bolt to be re-chromed but did let me know this will happen again.

The problem with the chrome flaking was a shame because it was a very nice gun and very accurate




I’ve heard that they have since improved on the design and now there’s less of a chance that this will happen. From what I’ve heard, if you start to feel that the bolt is gritty you have to immediately disassemble it and fix the position of something (ball bearing I believe). It is a shame that BSA have this problem as they are extremely accurate!

Thanks,

AK

 

[Antoni]

That is a nicely done review.I went to your channel and watched several of them. I enjoyed them. Hope you keep it up. Hey let your sister shoot be nice! Ha

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the videos, and I’ll be sure to give my sister a go. Maybe next week...

Thanks,

AK

 

[Yo]

Years ago, I owned BSA r10 and I would never own another BSA again because of the bolt. I sent off the gun to be tuned because the chrome flaked off the bolt and got everywhere inside the gun. The tuner informed me this was very common problem with BSA's. He sent in the bolt to be re-chromed but did let me know this will happen again.

The problem with the chrome flaking was a shame because it was a very nice gun and very accurate

So thats why they are no longer Chrome. 

 

[MScottLeeman]

What's going on with the bolt? It's moving back when fired,my R10 SE doesn't do that and neither does my Gamo Urban.

Thanks!.

Mike.

 

[Antoni]

What's going on with the bolt? It's moving back when fired,my R10 SE doesn't do that and neither does my Gamo Urban.

Thanks!.

Mike.

Probably had to do with the flaking probe—my new one doesn’t do this.

Thanks,

AK