by B.B. Pelletier
BSA’s Tech Star is an airgun hunter’s dream!
Things are always changing at Pyramyd AIR, and today I would like to look at a gun that has become a super buy – the BSA Tech Star.
Small gun packs a punch!
The Tech Star was designed to be a less expensive option for those who wanted a BSA Hornet but were on a budget. As the Tech Star was designed, however, it became a lot more. The Hornet was designed for the UK, where the limit for air rifles without a Firearms Certificate (FAC) is 12 foot-pounds. In the UK, no matter how much an air rifle costs, 12 foot-pounds is pretty much the limit if the owner doesn’t want to go to the expense and hassle of obtaining an FAC. Among other things, one of the FAC requirements is a gun safe bolted to the structure of your house, which usually means the studs. So almost everyone has a 12 foot-pound gun.
But, the Tech Star was designed specifically for the United States, where we are blessed with no power restrictions. It looks like a Hornet but has a beech stock instead of walnut. It produces 32 to 38 foot-pounds, though mine works best at about 30 to 35. I like shooting Beeman Kodiak pellets, which I find very accurate. With the heavier Eun Jin pellets, you can boost the energy to the limit – and this gun has the power to handle them fine. However, I just like Kodiaks for their accuracy.
Made for covert hunting!
The real reason to get a Tech Star is its covert hunting feature. The rifle loads with a bolt that pops open by depressing a latch. All the bolt does is load the rifle. The rifle is cocked by pressing straight back on a large round button in front of the forearm! This was made for hunters to sit or lie in a blind with an uncocked but loaded gun. They could then cock the gun without scaring the game by simply pressing back the cocking button. It’s quite possible to be nearly silent with this design, and that can save a lot of missed opportunities.
If you weren’t able to take the shot, it’s also possible to uncock the gun by holding in on the button and pulling the trigger. You can then ride the hammer and striker spring down to the uncocked position. If you are hunter, you’ll know the value of these features.
Talk about VALUE!
The REAL story today, is the price. Pyramyd AIR has this rifle on sale at $369.75! That’s $90 LESS than a Talon from AirForce! And, you’re getting a real BSA barrel with this rifle, which is as accurate as a Lothar Walther (in case you didn’t know). The top British makers use BSA barrels on their best rifles because BSA has a splendid reputation for accuracy.
Small reservoir – higher pressure
The Tech Star is set up to operate on 235 bar or about 3,500 psi. It will work at 3,000 psi, but you won’t get as many shots as the rifle is rated for. The Hill pump is capable of reaching that pressure, as are some larger scuba tanks. I tell you this so you know up front how the rifle performs. It’s a high-performance PCP in a very affordable package.
BB,
This seems like a great first PCP gun – but what else will need to get into the PCP world? In addition to this Tech Star – should I get a hand pump or what is the cheapest reasonable alternative? Are we looking at at least another $200 or so?
Great blog by the way.
Thank you,
Hi, I’m thinking buying of Sumatra Carbin. & woundering of how accuratry is, compare w/ Tech Star? Is it good buy for hunting?
I like of multi-shots, power adj=200fps to 1000fps, of Sumatra. Which one would you suggested???
Thank you, & Merry Christmas to you.
It sounds like you have already made your choice. The Sumatra is great for hunting, though I think the rifle is more versitile than the carbine. It has more flexibility in velocity, plus, since it carries more air, it gets more shots.
But the carbine is a nice gun, too. If you want a light fast gun, that’s the one to buy. The Sumatra is certainly easier to power adjust than the Tech Star.
Merry Christmase,
B.B.
No worries BB, I got the information on the total costs and options for starting into PCP guns from another site. sorry if that was too much of a novice question.
Hi, im in Australia, and im purchasing the .177 version of this rifle, i’ve read so many good reports about it in .22 cal, though im a little worried about about the rated 1050 – 1450 fps quoted for the .177, as im after accuacy, and feel the steep fps could hinder me, are these rifles able to be wound down in power beyond the factory screw, by having some sort of regulator fitted etc… , i bought the rifle because its such a good deal, comes scoped and with a pump for $500, normaly $1200, was the demo model and im waiting for my permit to purchase to come through. Any idea of accuracy with such high velocity? I figure not as good.
But when i consider i could probably get close to what i paid, just for the secondhand rifle, and still be left with the scope, rings and pump, i cant help myself.
Though id like to tame it and get more shots from the small cannister and have better accuracy and a softer report.
Your Thoughts?
thanks, steve.
Steve,
Use the heaviest pellets you can buy to lower the velocity. The Tech Star is capable of great groups., You should be able to shoot 1/2″ at 50 yards for sure with the right p[ellet.
With high velocity the accuracy will run 3-5 inches at 50 yards.
The Tech Star can be adjusted down in power, but it has to be removed from the stock to access the screw.
B.B.
Hi again, would you recomend using the heavier pellets over adjusting the power down and using lighter ones, it seems to me to make sense to use heavier pellets as they will retain more energy, be less likely to be blown off course etc..
i just didnt want to have the tumbling bullet syndrome with lousy accuracy with a sursonic bullet. 950 fps was about what im after.
Cheer’s, steve.
Steve,
I dialed my power down but also shot Barakuda pellets. Mine was a .22, so the velocity was in the low 800s.
By dialing down you will get more shots per fill. The gun has plenty of power at all settings.
B.B.
Steve, where in Aus were you able to purchase the Techstar for $500 including scope and pump?
Small point, but most homes in the UK are built of brick, stone and concrete rather than the wooden homes enjoyed by the majority of Americans. The police expect you to bolt your gun-safe to at least a brick wall, not studding. FAC airguns appeal to a minority of hunters, as .22LR and .17 HMR are easily available. A Fire Arms Certificate is not difficult to obtain so long as you are a member of a club or have written permission to shoot over suitable land. That BSA looks lovely, we have the BSA Scorpion which is similar now, but I'll be sticking to my BSA Hornet … great blog by the way!
Hey,
Would you still consider this PCP rifle to be of good value? I can buy a used one with MTC Cobra scope, bipod, silencer and a pump…
As my first gun this would be quite interesting because it’s all i’d need but it’s an older model so i don’t know if it kept it’s value?
Jay,
This is still a good rifle, though outdated by technology. It fills to 232 bar, which is almost impossible to do with a hand pump. But the gun is accurate. If the price is right, go for it.
B.B.
Yeah, hard to tell what the right price is..i’m in europe so that might change something.
Its a rifle from 2005, mtc cobra from 2012 and a hill 2stage pump…he’s asking 860$ for this set..
Theres an unspecified silencer and bipod as well..
The rifle being that old makes me think thats not such good a price…i was thinking more along the lines of 615$ maximum, if its in a good state..
Jay,
Honestly for that rifle in the U.S. I would not want to pay more than $300. The scope, bipod and silencer add very little, in my opinion. The pump adds about $100 more.
B.B.
Jay,
If B.B. has not sufficiently discouraged you from buying this rifle and accessories, there is one very important item that you need to consider, the silencer (moderator, suppressor). Even though they are legal in many European countries, they are not in the U.S. unless it is registered with BATFE. There are a few states that do not allow possession of them at all. If this particular one would fall into that category, it would be a very serious offense to transport it across international borders and or state lines.