BSA Meteor - comes back to life - (& some pellet advice please)

[hedge]

Today I spent a very enjoyable morning helping a friend shoot some feral pigeons that were plaguing a dairy farm.

 

For the last 10 years I have shot mainly clays but my background in my youth was pests/vermin control and I am trying to get back into it.

 

I was asked if I could help out on his permission and did I have an air rifle and would be okay on pigeons at up to 20 yards? (we would be walking the yard and buildings, taking the majority from the RSJ's and roof lines).

 

Well I do have an air rifle but wasn't too sure on the second bit. 20 yards isn't that far but pigeons are tough little critters and my air rifle is quite `old`.

 

I located my trusty BSA Meteor, which we sadly worked out I have had since about 1986 (when I was 13). The only thing added to it were an Ox spring many years ago and a very basic 4x20 sight. It had seen very little use in over 10 years and to be honest I had kept it mainly for sentimental value. I was hoping that the spring was still pushing out something close to or above 10 ft/lb. The last time I tried in on some targets it was really `loose` and I assume end of working life. I actually bothered to get the screwdriver out, tightened the 2 main screws and hey presto, tight action and no barrel wobble. Sighted the scope (if you can call it that) at 20 yards (don't laugh) and all was well. I shot a steel paint pot to check power and it make a decent dent (sorry no chrono!) so happy it had some stopping power of sorts.

 

My friend had a .22 rimfire for anything further away that was safe enough to shoot and brought his HW97C (.22) in expectation of my Meteor's epic fail and any indoor use. He also had a very nice laser dot and torch add on (it did look very pretty).

 

Well - not only did the Meteor hold it's own, but it shot really well, took some really clean kills and nailed a 40 yard shot that surpised even me. I missed a few but can't blame the gun for that.

 

My friend was so impressed that he put the rimfire away and joined me walking the buildings and said he hadn't had so much fun with an air rifle in years - like me he had considered it to me an inferior/less enoyable way of shooting.

 

About 50 ferals later (he took a lovely crow at 35 yards with the HW as well), we were happy as Larry and so was the farmer. He has offered permission to pigeon shoot but as it is dairy there isn't a lot about. He even offered to pay us but we declined in exchange for recommendations to his neighbours.

 

The moral of the story is that we had a great 3 hours sport, my Meteor rose from the ashes (he's given me an old 4x40 to fit to give me a better sight picture) and my friend has a renewed passion for air rifles. We are going back in a few weeks to try and repeat the exercise. It's so much fun and really cost effective. We also hope to get more shooting (ideally pigeons) from it.

 

It changed my view that to have fun shooting vermin/pests that you would need a FAC go-faster gun with lots of add-ons. Long range (humane) shots are great but this was good old-fashioned up close and personal (we also agreed that we couldn't have used anything more powerful indoors or we would be blowing holes in the roof).

 

My questions - In terms of a decent .177 pellet to put through a sub-12 ft/lb springer for pigeons does anyone have any recommendations? I was using Eley Wasps (probably bought in 1986) and they seemed okay but I know there is quite a lot to choose from.

 

Sorry about the long post but I had such a good time and it cost next to nothing (I ditched a £20 clay day to do it) so quids in!

 

Feedback welcome.

 

Thanks.

 

Hedge

[jgguinness]

Brilliant stuff mate.

 

I also had a Meteor at around the same time (mid 80's) when I was around 9. It's still at my parents. My youngest brother had an Original Model 50 too. Great times and happy memories. I also used Wasps. Reading this was like a journey back in time.

 

I had a Crossman Pumpup pistol, a Webley Junior and Tempest, Mk1 BSA Airsporter and this Chinese thing, side lever EM45B2A ( my brothers used to take the Pee and call it the barcode haha)

 

Jonathan

[jgguinness]

Pellet wise, recently I used H&N Field Target Trophy in the HW80k that I've jus sold. They were cracking pellets, well made, no rough edges etc.

 

Jonathan

[demonwolf444]

stick with what you know, since its on .177 cannot say much - were it in .22 i was recenlt told that the english guns were a true .22 with a 5.56mm barrel not a true 5.5 mm barrel as found on the european guns, eley make 5.56mm pellets ( just bought some for my mercury also fitted with an OX ) and they seem allot better than others ive tryed

[hedge]

Thanks for the replies gents.

 

I will stick with what I know - not got enough other uses to justify getting anything better. Just really pleased with the fact it can still kill stuff.

 

Will have a look at the H&N pellets as well. Quite fancy having a play with a few to see what results I get.

 

Hoping to get out on Friday evening with the `new` 4x40 scope to see if that helps.

[andy198712]

I've got one too and tempted to take it out, replace the odd seal and use it......

[CypriotHunter]

if you just change the spring behind the piston head , everything will be lovely i assume it lost a bit of strength , hence produces a bit less pressure . i can explain it to you if have any difficulties with it .

[andy198712]

Thanks

[secretagentmole]

I know where there are some just post war Eley Wasps for sale, 1000 of them...