by B.B. Pelletier
Let’s over to the .22 caliber B40. The criteria are still the same. Just because the .177 performed so well doesn’t mean I will cut this rifle any slack.
B40s have an adjustable 2-stage trigger!
The owner’s manual was packed in the .22 box, so now I know how to adjust the trigger. I will cover that in a later segment, but trust me, the B40 does have a real 2-stage trigger. I know that because the trigger in the .22 came properly adjusted! That removes one of the harshest criticisms I had for the .177. Finally, I know how to make that trigger work as it should.
No need for duplication
The .22 B40 is essentially the same rifle as the .177 except for the caliber, so there’s no need to cover every point again. You can go back and look at the first report, Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 if you want to know the basics. I’ll report differences as I see them. The trigger was the first; now, let’s talk about the stock. This one has less wood filler (but it still has some). It’s a lighter shade of Asian walnut and feels exactly the same as the .177.
Cocking
Cocking the .22 seems a trifle harder than the .177. It may just need a break-in, but there is more internal rubbing going on. When I looked inside the place where the chamber slides, it was immediately apparent what was happening. Part of the chamber is dragging inside the gun as it slides. This area can be lubed with moly grease to reduce the friction. When I initially closed the sliding chamber to fire, the ball detent that holds the underlever seemed very stiff. All it needed was to have a part screwed in tighter and everything went back to normal. Remember what I said about getting spring guns ready to shoot? Looks like I should take my own advice.
Linear scratches inside the outer tube indicate some rough spots on the sliding chamber. Lubrication or careful filing may eliminate the friction.
Shooting
The rifle shoots nearly the same as a .177 TX 200. There is no spring twang, but there is a bit more of a forward jolt. The silencer in the shrouded barrel is just as effective as the one in the smaller-caliber rifle. The pleasure of a positive two-stage trigger has me anticipating my trip to the range. I hope this rifle is just as good a shooter as the .177 turned out to be. There’s a small indication that it will be, because the rifle shoots like it’s been tuned!
Extreme consistency
I got the rifle out of the box and immediately went to the chronograph. That’s not a recommended way to do business with a spring-piston gun. You should allow it to break in with at least a few hundred shots before clocking anything, but I just couldn’t wait. Imagine my surprise when the numbers turned out so good that it looked like the gun had been custom tuned. Crosman Premiers averaged 701 f.p.s. with a high of 707 and a low of 697. That’s an extreme spread of just 10 f.p.s.! The muzzle energy for the average shot was 15.61 foot-pounds. I would expect that to improve with a break-in, because the .177 rifle hit a high of 16.34. You usually pick up 20 percent more power when you move up from .177 to .22. JSB Jumbo Exacts averaged 652 f.p.s., with a maximum spread of only 7 f.p.s.! That’s where regulated PCPs usually are! Energy for the 15.9-grain pellet was 15.01 foot-pounds.
I’m going to do three things to this rifle. First, I’ll adjust the trigger to just the way I like it. Second, I’ll lube the area where the sliding chamber drags to see if that can be reduced. Lastly, I’m going to mount a more powerful scope on this rifle than I used to test the .177. Since there is no TX 200 in .22 caliber to compare it to, I want to see everything this rifle has to offer.
How is the Weight? Is it over or under 9lbs?
bb,
You did a brief review on the RWS 48, but didn’t really touch on the accuracy. Could you do another review and focus on the consistency and accuracy, please? I am more interested in the .22. Thanks.
I’m looking for a good .22 hunting rifle (around $100 to $250 at most) and would like your advice – which one of these would you recommend? Beeman GH950, Gamo Hunter 890S,Beeman SS1000, Crosman Quest 800X or Mendoza RM-200? I’m really interested in either the Crosman Quest 800X or Mendoza RM-200 because of the low price – or would there be a significant difference between these and the others?
Can anybody tell me how to remove the rear sight on a Benjamin 392?
Weight,
The stated weight on the Pyramyd AIR website is correct. I just weighed the .22 rifle I’m testing and it weighs just under 8.5 pounds.
B.B.
.22 RWS 48,
I find the .22 caliber model 48 to shoot like a dream. As I recall, I had tuned mine to get rid of some vibration, and it shot very smoothly. It could group almost one inch at 50 yards on a dead-calm day.
B.B.
On your list, the following rifles stand out, in my opinion:
Gamo 890S and Crosman Quest 800X
But the Bam B40 beats them all.
B.B.
BB,
WOW!!!!!That bam b40 is one great rifle for the money.
I think about getting into airsoft.Nothing serious,just to play with some friends.I am going to buy a sniper rifle.I know that in airsoft the sniper rifles are not as accurate as the real thing but Wich one is better in your opinion?
1-UTG M324
2-UHC Super X-9
Ive read some reviews that say that the M324 is better in accuracy but I want to hear your opinion.Thanks BB.
CF-X guy
BB,
Minor question–where do you get such things as moly and lithium grease? Are they unique to a gunsmith or can they be purchased at other stores?
CWI
CFX guy,
I have not tested either of these two sniper guns so I really can’t offer an opinion. I’d say go with the best reports.
B.B.
CWI,
Ther are several outlets for lithium grease. Tractor supply stores, large hardward stores, etc.
Moly is more specialized. You can order it through the internet, and that’s how I buy it when I need it. I buy so much that I go for decades before needing more.
B.B.
I’m new to airguns and trying to setup a safe outdoor range. How do I calculate the velocity/lbs per foot at impact if I’m shooting say 10 yards, 20 yards, etc. What would the impact be at 50 yards? I have a Crossman 664 that shoots at a maximum of 680 fps at 10 pumps but normally shoot at 4-5 pumps. The target area is 10-15 meters away and although I know the pellet hits the ground first (because the angle of the shooting)… neighbors don’t like shooting. There are two six foot tall wooden fences spaced about 6″ apart another 33 meters behind the target area and before the neighbors propery. I figure if I missed I would hit the sandy loam area (the ground) about 20 meters from the fence due to the anlgle of the shot…and then there is still the fence. Can anyone give any insight as to the impact at 10meters, 20 meters, 50 meters using this gun in foot lbs or other examples of possible impact damage? Does anyone know where I can find detailed information on proper design of a target area?
BB!
BAM B40 in .22 caliber: Part 2 Please!! I want to learn more about this .22.
Which mount should I use? Can you send me the link at Pyramyd AIR for the mount? They didnt show any mount there.
Is Leapers 3-9X50 Full Size Range Estimating Mil-Dot Scope good enought for this?
Please cover the Pallets too on the part 2.
Many Thanks! Roy
Roy,
Any Leapers scope is good enough for the BAM B40. As for mounts, I use 2-piece mounts for greater flexibility. One piece mounts lock you in to a very narrow range of where the scope can be located.
Get a mount that has a vertical scope stop pin in it. That goes into one of the three holes on the top of the B40.
I’ll tell you what – I will extend the B40 test to show you how the scope gets mounted. Will that help?
B.B.
BB
That will be great! Many thanks for the help. Really looking forward for the part 2!
Roy
I’ve had my .22 B40 a week now; perhaps I can offer some initial impressions.
It has a 3x12x44 BSA scope, at 10 yards (my garage “range”) it stacks Crow Magnums in one hole. The trigger is fantastic, maybe too light, but it will be adjusted in time.
The cocking lever was a pain to disengage from its retaining spring loaded ball bearing, but a few minutes with jewelers’ files made a groove and it feels good now, securely retained, but not requiring a lever to pry out of engagement.
I’m going to refinish the stock because I don’t like the plastic-feeling semi opaque stain-expoxy they put on. These Chinese stocks often show interesting grain if you let them out to the light and air.
It is very quiet, almost like a Red Ryder BB gun, and not at all like any of the other magnum air rifles in my vicinity.
So far, it seems a fine rifle and I see no reason not to recommend it highly to anyone looking for an excellet air weapon at a relatively reasonable price.
OK, got the .22 B40 to the range today, shooting 50 yards in steady, light rain. The rifle rested across my shooting bag.
It shot Crosman Premier Heavies in about 2-1/2″ groups.
Diablo Exact Jumbos shot about 3/4″ side to side, but strung vertically about 4″.
Wolverine FTs grouped about 1-1/2″ with the core shots going well under 1″. Excellent, in these conditions.
3 shots of Kodiak Extra Heavies went under 1″, but the range officer pointed out the range was closed (I was increasingly thankful for having a 44mm objective on the scope) and we had to leave.
Shooting it in the garage last night, it became hard to disengage and engage the cocking lever—in spite of having filed a groove to ease things. Turned out, the end cap which engages the ball bearing retainer had turned in its threads, so if you file or Dremel a groove in yours, be sure it is threaded home and Loctited before removing metal. There was crap like black, jagged sand inside the cocking lever, so it’s time to tear the thing completely down and give it a bath before smoothing parts and putting it together right.
First timers to Chinese air rifles should know that what you’re getting (at this point of their technology) is really a kit. It may shoot well, may last a while, or may not. But virtually all of them benefit greatly from the cleaning and upgrades available from many on the net and elsewhere, even the relatively expensive B40s.
I’m just wondering if the tuning parts for the tx200 would also fit this gun?
That’s a good question. The gun is supposed to be very close in most respects, but I wouldn’t recommend any parts unless I knew for sure they fit.
Since I haven’t tuned a B40, I cannot recommend any parts, however, those who sell the parts should know the answer.
B.B.