An airgun geezer, a 1910 Beezer, and a 55 yard target.
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2014 1:15 am
The other day, just for giggles, I thought that I would try shooting my 1910 BSA Improved model D at 55 yards to see what it (and I) were capable of. This Model D has the Model 12 peep sight set right into the trigger block from the factory, so it seemed this would be the best equipped gun to try at that distance.
But first, a couple of disclaimers....LOL.
The former owner of this gun had it rebuilt in the UK, before he immigrated to Canada about five years ago, and I believe that it has been over-sprung, with what appears to be one of the Titan square section mainsprings. This heavy spring makes for an absolutely abysmal trigger pull weight. The trigger is set about as light as safety will allow, and it is still horrible. The shot cycle is very harsh, so it required a tight fitting pellet to tame that down a bit. Pellets chosen were the 7.9 gr Crosman Premier Lights, shooting at right around 700 FPS.
All shooting was done from a seated position (on my FT stool), with elbows rested on knees. Not the most stable of shooting positions, but one that I am confortable with. There was a light, variable breeze which may have been more of a factor than I initially thought it would be.
A ten yard target was shot first, using the tangent rear sight, and was quite acceptable to me. Appears that the tangent sight could stand a light tap to the right though. (The tangent sight would have to be removed if I were to want to try the peep at that range). A regulation 10M rifle target was used at this range.
It took a few tries on the targets at 55 yards, to see where the shots were hitting, and to get the peep sight dialed in just right. Once I was satisfied with all my settings, I posted "the official" 55 yard target, which in this case, was an official 10M pistol target, for it's larger bull. (I had a hard time seeing the much smaller 10M rifle target bull at 55 yds).
I fired three, five shot volleys, with a brief rest in between volleys. When I finally walked down to the target, I was initially a bit disappointed with what I found. However, after considering the age of the gun, the age of the shooter, the position from which the target was shot, that absolutely horrendous trigger, and the light, variable breeze, I decided that the group wasn't so bad after all. All fifteen shots were at least within the 6.5" square target card - although three shots were outside the scoring rings. I was quite pleased that six shots were actually in the bull area
All things considered, not bad for a 104 year old airgun, with a decrepit old geezer on the trigger.
PS - Yes, this gun will be receiving some TLC in the not-too-distant future to correct the shortcomings noted in my "disclaimer" above.
But first, a couple of disclaimers....LOL.
The former owner of this gun had it rebuilt in the UK, before he immigrated to Canada about five years ago, and I believe that it has been over-sprung, with what appears to be one of the Titan square section mainsprings. This heavy spring makes for an absolutely abysmal trigger pull weight. The trigger is set about as light as safety will allow, and it is still horrible. The shot cycle is very harsh, so it required a tight fitting pellet to tame that down a bit. Pellets chosen were the 7.9 gr Crosman Premier Lights, shooting at right around 700 FPS.
All shooting was done from a seated position (on my FT stool), with elbows rested on knees. Not the most stable of shooting positions, but one that I am confortable with. There was a light, variable breeze which may have been more of a factor than I initially thought it would be.
A ten yard target was shot first, using the tangent rear sight, and was quite acceptable to me. Appears that the tangent sight could stand a light tap to the right though. (The tangent sight would have to be removed if I were to want to try the peep at that range). A regulation 10M rifle target was used at this range.
It took a few tries on the targets at 55 yards, to see where the shots were hitting, and to get the peep sight dialed in just right. Once I was satisfied with all my settings, I posted "the official" 55 yard target, which in this case, was an official 10M pistol target, for it's larger bull. (I had a hard time seeing the much smaller 10M rifle target bull at 55 yds).
I fired three, five shot volleys, with a brief rest in between volleys. When I finally walked down to the target, I was initially a bit disappointed with what I found. However, after considering the age of the gun, the age of the shooter, the position from which the target was shot, that absolutely horrendous trigger, and the light, variable breeze, I decided that the group wasn't so bad after all. All fifteen shots were at least within the 6.5" square target card - although three shots were outside the scoring rings. I was quite pleased that six shots were actually in the bull area
All things considered, not bad for a 104 year old airgun, with a decrepit old geezer on the trigger.
PS - Yes, this gun will be receiving some TLC in the not-too-distant future to correct the shortcomings noted in my "disclaimer" above.