BSA R-10

BSA R-10

What are the benefits to having a tune up?

It is a good way to make sure you are getting the most out of your rifle.

The tune up generally improves the consistency and therefore the accuracy of the rifle.

The bolt is modified to make changing magazines easier on Mark 1 R-10s.

The gun is usually smoother and feels more refined.

What is involved in a full tune up?

• the action and regulator are stripped and the anti-tamper cup is replaced after the work is complete.

• any loose or ill fitting parts are tightened and refitted correctly.

•  burrs, fillings etc are removed.

• any worn or damaged O rings are replaced and they are all lubricated when the action is being reassembled.

• the regulator is checked and the regulator pressure is set to the correct pressure for the calibre and length of barrel (not carried out on a basic tune-up/service).
  

• The action is set so you get less of a difference in foot pounds between light and heavy pellets.

• I replace the standard metal spring guide with a lightened spring guide which reduces recoil.

• clean up the trigger sear to make it smoother.

• modify the bolt on the Mark 1 so you do not need to pull the bolt back the extra bit when changing the mag, it makes changing magazines much easier.
  

• check the barrel is aligned correctly with the transfer port, apply thread lock to the barrel fixing screws.

• check the crown on the barrel and repair if necessary,
  

• make sure the gun is in good working order.

• reset the power to make sure it is running below 12flbs, unless it is an FAC model.

• if you have the latest mags then I can remove the indexing arms and associated parts, to make the rifle more consistent.

• this list is not exhaustive and is subject to change as new ideas and modifications are implemented.

Tench Regulator

I can fit the well known Tench regulator to your R-10 regulator body, which I believe is a great way to improve the consistency and reliability of the R-10.
It involves machining out a section of your R-10 regulator body to house the Tench regulator and drilling new ports to allow the standard regulator internals to be bypassed. Adding the Tench reg still allows you to use your pressure gauge and quick fill port as standard.

Fitting a Tench regulator includes the tune-up detailed above.


Basic Strip, rebuild and service

This is for people who want parts repaired or replaced (replacement parts are not included in the price of the service),
Barrel swaps, shortening, threading etc
Power adjustments.
This does not include working on the regulator, only the action (if you would like your regulator worked on then you will need to go for the full tune-up or Tench regulator) but includes pretty much everything that is included in the tune up shown above.

How many shots can I expect from my R-10 after the tune up?

The .177 15” barrel should give 160+ regulated shots.

The .22 15” barrel should give 180+ regulated shots.

The shorter the barrel the more shots you will loose because shorter barrels are less air efficient than longer barrels. Shorter barrels force the action to work harder because it requires more air to get the pellets up to speed before leaving the barrel. It also makes the action louder.

Please note these figures are averages and some rifles may be higher or lower, it also depends on the pressure the reservoir has been filled to and the type of pellet being used etc.

What pressure should I fill my airgun to after the tune-up or service?

Fill to the manufacturers recommendation of 232bar or less. A lot of standard R-10s do not like being filled to over 200bar so I would suggest you check your rifle over a chronograph when you fill to over 200bar to make sure you are getting full power shots.

How long does it take to be tuned or serviced?

It depends largely on how many jobs are on the go when you send your airgun in, they are fitted on a first come, first served basis. The tune up takes around a day to complete if there are no other problems with the rifle. I try and turn guns around in 7 - 10 days from the date I receive them. If you would like a more accurate lead time, contact me before sending me your airgun or keep an eye on my Facebook page. Stock modifications can take longer because they tie up a lot of my workshop space and machinery.

How do I send the rifle to you and what do I send?

I only need the action when doing the tune up, please do not send the scope, stock or silencer, it may add to the return postage cost.

Please remove the trigger or make sure it is well protected because it is easily damaged in the post.

The action should be wrapped in bubble wrap and put in a sturdy cardboard box. The box will need to be under 600mm long for some carriers. You may need to remove the shroud to get it below 600mm.

Please note you are not allowed to post pressure vessels, so please make sure your buddy bottle is empty before sending it to me. Your buddy bottle will be returned empty.

YouTube clip showing how to prepare your action for posting

You can use:

Royal Mail Special Delivery, which is insured and next day delivery costs £25 for parcels between 2kg and 10kg. Royal Mail Price Finder

You can use any courier but please be aware that some will not cover airguns, read the small print.

Delivery in person.

Can I drop off and collect my gun rather than posting it?

Yes this is an option, if you want to drop it off and collect it at a later date then please give me advanced warning, so I can make sure I am available.

Can I send you my regulator without the action?

If you feel confident that you can remove/refit the regulator and adjust the power to keep it below 12 ftlbs, with any commercially available pellet after the regulator is refitted, then yes.

You will need to send me the regulator, toast rack, regulator fixing bolt and part #38 on the exploded parts diagram.

Will it affect my BSA warranty?

If you have any BSA warranty remaining on your rifle, then it will be lost after any tuning work or modifications are carried out.

The BSA warranty is not transferable when the rifle is second hand, even if bought from a RFD, so if you are not the original owner you will not be covered by the BSA warranty.

Generally very little goes wrong with PCPs, the usual faults are leaks and I will repair these for free for the person who originally had the work carried out by me as long as the rifle has not been tampered with.

If the fault is not related to the tuning process, I will inform you and quote to repair the problem before carrying out the work.

Please note the warranty is a return to base (RTB) warranty, which does not include postage costs.

When is the best time to get a tune up?

If the gun is brand new then it is probably best to run a tin of pellets through it before sending it in for a tune up. This will give you a chance to spot any issues/faults with the gun, which can be dealt with by BSA under warranty.

Can you change, thread or shorten my barrel?

I will not shorten R-10 barrels to less than: 11" on a 0.177 calibre and 9" on a 0.22 calibre.

Roughly 3" of the barrel is held within the breech.
Shortening the barrel will reduce your shot count because shorter barrels are less air efficient
To work on the barrel involves stripping the gun and removing the anti-tamper devices, which will invalidate the BSA warranty. If the barrel is shortened/lengthened then the regulator pressure and power will need to be altered at the same time.

-  It is free to swap a barrel of any length, if done at the same time as a tune-up/service.
- £40 to shorten a barrel when done at the same time as a tune up.
- £35 to screw cut a barrel if done at the same time as a tune up.

- £75 to supply a new BSA barrel (the 12" Ultra barrel is a popular option for people who want a shorter barrel).

It may pay you to buy a second-hand barrel that is already threaded and the length you want because the labour soon adds up when you have the original barrel shortened and threaded. I can supply new barrels and I can PX your old barrel if it is in good condition.

Can you shorten my shroud?

Shortening the shroud is a cost effective way of shortening the R-10, without having to go to the expense and trouble of shortening the barrel and getting the regulator and power adjusted. There are 2 options when it comes to shortening the shroud:

- Shortening from the breech end of the shroud - Early Mark 1 R-10's can be shortened quite a bit because they were fitted with 12"  threaded barrels, the later Mark 1 & 2 R-10s can be shortened by around 83mm because they are fitted with 15" barrels. The shroud is shortened and then internally machined and threaded to replicate the original shroud. The springs and plastic baffles are not used after shortening the shroud as there is no space for them inside the shroud.

You will need to post me your shroud and let me know which barrel you have fitted.

- Shortening from the muzzle end - This is best if you have a threaded barrel on your R-10 or you plan on using a silencer adaptor fitted to your barrel.

I will need an accurate length for this to be done, so you will either have to measure the length of the shroud yourself and I will cut it to the length you give me or I will need your action to make my own measurements.

YouTube video showing the shroud fitting and options

Will my old silencer/moderator fit my rifle after the shroud has been cut down?

Silencers/moderators that have a chamfered end on them, like the HW, Twink and BSA VC will not finish flush with the shroud. Silencers with a more square back on them like the BSA R-10 VC and SAK will fit nicely, without any steps or gaps.

I can machine a shoulder on some silencers, to make them fit but it depends on the model, I charge £10 if you want it done on it's own or £5 if it is being done while other work is being done to your rifle.

What power do you set the gun to after tuning the airgun?

I set the gun to around 11.5flbs using a heavy pellet in .177 and a similar power using a mid weight pellet in the .22.

I will not set your airgun to over 12ftlbs unless you have a valid FAC and the gun in question is on your certificate, so please do not ask.

If you want an airgun that shoots over 12ftlbs then apply for a FAC.

Do you only tune up R-10s?

No, I can swap or thread barrels, add custom parts, carry out repairs and service your rifle.

I can also make modifications to the stock, such as adjustable cheek pieces and hamsters etc.

If you can think of something that you want done then there is a good chance I can make it happen or I can put you in touch with somebody who can.

I am also fitting Tench regulators to Ultras, Hornets and Scorpions and the Air Arms S200 rifles.

Prices vary depending on what you want do, so please feel free to get in touch for a price.

Do you carry spare parts?

I don't generally carry a stock of spare parts apart form the parts used for servicing the rifles and modifying the regulators.

If you need spare parts, I can source them from John Knibbs International, who are now dealing with all the spare parts for BSA. You are also welcome to source your own parts for me to fit.

Please note that if I need spare parts, repairs may take a bit longer, as they need to be ordered and delivered.

Will my gun need maintenance after getting tuned?

Like any mechanical device, a rifle needs regular maintenance. Parts wear and lubrication can dry out etc. The action and stock should be wiped down with a corrosion inhibitor, moving parts should be lubricated and O rings should be lubricated with a suitable product, like Abbey SM50.

Please don't use 3 in 1 oil or engine oil to lubricate your gun, use proper gun oil.

It is a good idea to clean your barrel with a pull-through after your rifle returns from having work done and also when changing brands of pellets.

It is advisable to chronograph your rifle regularly, to ensure it stays below the 12flbs legal limit with ANY commercially available pellets. Chronographs can be bought for as little as £40.80 and are a worthwhile investment if you want to keep yourself and your airgun on the right side of the law. It is also good to keep an eye on the consistency.

What lubricant/oil do you recommend for the airgun?

I use Abbey SM50 on the O rings and seals.

Any quality gun oil with a corrosion inhibitor like Napier Gun Oil is recommended to wipe down the action, especially after using the airgun outdoors.

Do not spray oil directly into/onto the action because if oil gets onto the hammer it will effect the consistency and is not covered by the warranty.

The stock can be maintained using stock oil or conditioner, available from your local RFD.

Please do not use 3 in 1 oil or engine/motor oil on your action, it does more harm than good.

What are the best pellets for my airgun?

Generally BSA barrels tend to like larger sized pellets 4.52 in .177 and 5.52 in .22.

The actual choice of pellet is personal to your barrel/gun combination, there is no one pellet that is perfect for all barrels. The best way to find your barrels favourite pellet is to try a number of different brands of pellets and see which gives you the best grouping, remembering to clean your barrel when swapping pellet types.

When using a chronograph to check your airgun is legal, make sure you use a pellet that gives the highest power/efficiency.

Generally pellets such as Bisley Magnums or JSB Exact Heavies in .177 or AA Field or JSB Exact in .22 are best.

It is your responsibility to ensure your airgun is below the legal limit.

How do I pay?

- You can pay by selecting the relevant options from the eShop, which include the PayPal fees.

- PayPal to xtxair@gmail.com, please note that you are responsible for paying the PayPal charges (normally around 4%). Please also include your name and address with the payment, so I know who has paid. If I receive a payment from bigstuff@btinterweb.com , with no other information, I will have no idea who it was from and it may delay any work.

- You can either send the cash or cheque with the action (make sure it is insured because I will not be held responsible if your riffle and/or cash do not arrive).

- If you are paying by cheque I will return your rifle once it clears. Please allow for the additional time while the cheque clears, typically 2 weeks.

- You can also pay by bank transfer, send me a message if you would like to pay using this method and I will send you my bank details.

Which airguns do you work on?

I specialise in BSA PCPs, like the R-10, Scorpion, Hornet and Ultra and Air Arms rifles but I do work on other makes and models of airguns and rifles.

My airgun has been blueprinted or tuned by somebody else, can you work on it?

Yes, this is not a problem.

Where can I find out more information about my airgun?

One of the best resources for BSA airgun information is the BSA Owners Group forum.

www.bsaog.co.uk

You can also find information on the BSA website  www.bsaguns.co.uk
R-10 exploded parts diagram click me.
YouTube channel showing loads of useful R-10 maintenance tips & repairs click me.