Is this normal? BSA Meteor

I just picked up and old MK4 one of these for my dad. It's in great condition - hope that accuracy is a trend!

Dontcha just LOVE that?? I'm thinkin thats due to that BSA barrel. Looks like a keeper to me!

Mike

Old-school manufacturers took care when rifling their bores. Nowadays it’s more of a crap-shoot.

SHHHHH!! Try to keep it quiet!

Why do you think us old-springer nuts are so fanatical about ‘em...cuz you so often stumble upon beautifully styled, well-made, and great-shooting guns for pocket change, that’s why!

Lower velocity also equals better accuracy. A better comparison would be with different rifles with near equal velocity .

I do like the Field Trophy pellet.

My .177 Airsporter S is super accurate as well. Mine shoots RWS Superdomes the best of anything I tried so far. It's a one hole gun at 25 yards and a lot of fun to shoot. I limit this one to paper and paintballs as targets due to the limited amount of power.

Lower velocity also equals better accuracy. A better comparison would be with different rifles with near equal velocity .

I do like the Field Trophy pellet.

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I very much agree with your conclusion, but would split hairs with your opening sentence.

Lower-powered springers are not inherently more mechanically accurate (which has to do with barrel quality, action consistency, proper pellet match, and other things). But their lesser size, easier cocking effort, and more benign firing behavior, tends to make them easier for most of us to shoot well in the real world, than the higher-powered “boingers.”

Lower velocity also equals better accuracy. A better comparison would be with different rifles with near equal velocity .

I do like the Field Trophy pellet.

Click to expand...

I very much agree with your conclusion, but would split hairs with your opening sentence.

Lower-powered springers are not inherently more mechanically accurate (which has to do with barrel quality, action consistency, proper pellet match, and other things). But their lesser size, easier cocking effort, and more benign firing behavior, tends to make them easier for most of us to shoot well in the real world, than the higher-powered “boingers.”

Click to expand...

When I say "lower power" I am talking about firing characteristics. More jolt, recoil, etc. results in less accuracy. The increase in accuracy has nothing to do with less velocity. Just what happens when you pull the trigger. And on that point we agree.

We have successfully resolved all split hairs, LOL...

I’ve always thought of springers as an “iron triangle” of three characteristics: power; size/weight; and cocking/firing behavior.

To my mind, rifles in the 650 to 750 FPS range are where those things are in pretty much perfect balance. Trying to improve one inevitably makes the other two worse...

-More power (“magnum” rifles) extends range, but means a bigger, heavier action that’s harder to cock and less pleasant to shoot.

-Less size/weight (pistols) can be a lot of fun, but means less power in a package that’s harder to shoot well.

-Better cocking/firing characteristics (recoilless match rifles) are awesome in their own way, but means a bigger, heavier gun with less power.

So start with a medium-power action, toss in some nice old-time classic materials, styling and craftsmanship, and you end up with rifles that are way easy to love! Vintage classics like the BSA Meteor, HW 30 and (original!) HW 50, Diana 27 and 35, CZ 630 series, Anschutz 330 series, Walther 51 and 53, and similar are great toys that every airgunner should treat himself to!

Lighter-shooting springers (like the ones listed above) are, for me, more relaxing to shoot for extended sessions than some of the Howitzers I own.

Going to break out an old ElGamo 68 here, in a minute. Only does abt 500 fps w/.22 Hobbies, but the way it smacks the cans around is a joy to behold. 

An all-day plinker

According to Richard Middleton, Man_Powered Weapons And Ammunition, pg 156. He discusses air drag which has a negative effect above 800 feet per second. He states that range as measured by the kinetic energy of the pellet increases the range by only about 10 yards and if the extra speed causes pellets to be blown all over the target that it reduces range and does not extend it.

I would add that even if the rifle (or pistol) is very accutate, if the firing behavior causes the shooter to shoot poorly extra energy is a waste and again the range is shortened.