by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier
Ataman BP17 Soft Touch bullpup PCP air rifle.
This report covers:
- Scope
- Nomad air compressor
- The test
- Sight-in
- JSB Exact Jumbo
- Trigger
- RWS Superdome
- Hades pellet
- Is the JSB Jumbo more accurate?
- Summary
Today we begin testing the Ataman BP17 PCP bullpup air rifle for accuracy. Today’s test will be at 25 yards . Before I could do that, though, I had to mount a sight.
Scope
I mounted the Aeon 8-32X50 SF scope in UTG P.O.I. high rings. I linked you to regular P.O.I. high rings but the ones I used were 35mm offset. Pyramyd AIR doesn’t seem to carry those.
I mounted the 8-32 scopes in UTG P.O.I. offset rings. Notice that the 8-32 power scope does not come to the end of this bullpup’s muzzle. The Aeon scope is really compact!
Nomad air compressor
I tried to fill the rifle and found that my largest 98 cubic-foot carbon fiber air tank would only fill to 3,800 psi. The smaller 88 cubic-foot tank has even less air at this time, but fortunately I had left the Nomad II compressor hooked up. It only took a minute to attach to the rifle and finish the fill to 300 bar (4,350 psi). I’m starting to really appreciate that Nomad compressor for its convenience!
The test
I shot all targets from a bench at 25 yards with the rifle rested on a sandbag. I used a rear bag to steady the rifle even more.
I decided to shoot 7-shot groups since that’s what the magazine holds.
Sight-in
I sighted in the rifle with the first 7 shots. I made certain the groups would be below the aim point because this Ataman has a reputation for pinpoint accuracy and I didn’t want to blow away my reference point.
JSB Exact Jumbo
The first pellet I tested was the .22 caliber JSB Exact Jumbo that Tyler Patner had tested in his video. He shot 7 shots at 45 yards and I was shooting at 25 yards, so my groups promised to be a little smaller. Seven pellets from the test rifle went into 0.237-inches at 25 yards. That’s a tight little group! Tyler put 7 of the same pellets into 0.38-inches at 45 yards.
Seven JSB Exact Jumbo pellets went into that tiny group at 25 yards.
Trigger
The super-light trigger was no problem for this test because the rifle was benchrested. But I would still like the trigger to have a precise second stage.
JSB Exact Monster
The second pellet I tried was the heavyweight JSB Exact Monster. You will remember that this was the pellet that generated the most power in Part 2. I could hear these pellets going noticeably slower than the ones before, and they landed even lower on the target. Seven of these pellets went into 0.384-inches at 25 yards — another good group! Tyler didn’t mention testing this pellet in his review.
Seven JSB Monsters went into 0.384-inches at 25 yards.
RWS Superdome
Next I tested 7 RWS Superdome pellets. I thought they would strike the target about where the first pellets had or perhaps even higher since they are lighter, but they didn’t. In fact they landed so low that parts of the lowest pellet holes are off the target paper. So, I measured this group with the target still taped to the backer board, to get the exact size. Seven Superdomes went into 0.545-inches between centers at 25 yards. Since the JSB pellets are so accurate, I don’t believe I will shoot Superdomes in this rifle anymore.
Seven RWS Superdome pellets went into 0.545-inches at 25 yards. The lowest pellets were off the paper, so I had to measure the group with the target still taped to the backer board.
Hades pellet
The last pellet I tested was the JSB Hades pellet that has proven to be so accurate. It weighs the same as the JSB Jumbo pellet, so I expected it to shoot the same or better. But it didn’t.
This pellet also landed so low that I had to measure the group with the target still attached to the backer board. Seven Hades pellets made a 0.47-inch group at 25 yards. That’s not bad, but the Jumbo pellet I shot at the first target was more accurate.
Seven JSB Hades pellets made a 0.47-inch group at 25 yards. It’s pretty good, but not special.
Is the JSB Jumbo more accurate?
After shooting the Hades group I wondered if the JSB Jumbo pellet really was more accurate, or was I perhaps getting tired at this point in the test? So I shot a final 7-shot group with the JSB Jumbo. This time 7 pellets went into 0.295-inches at 25 yards. That is a little larger than the first group. but it’s also smaller than the Hades group. So it appears in this BP17, the Jumbo pellet shoots better than the Hades pellet.
The second 7 JSB Jumbos went into 0.295-inches between centers at 25 yards. It’s larger than the first group, but not by much. It’s the second-smallest group of the test.
I think it’s pretty clear that of the 4 pellets I tested in the BP17 so far, the JSB Jumbos are the most accurate.
The rifle handled well and had no failures to feed. I did remove the clip with one pellet left inside twice (can’t count to 7 I guess), but all I had to do was insert it again and pull the cocking lever forward 8 times. The pellet is guaranteed to be in the breech if you do that. Don’t do it with more than a single pellet left in the clip.
The rifle holds pretty well for a bullpup. Bullpups aren’t my favorite rifles to shoot because they are too easy to cant, but with concentration you can get past that.
Summary
The Ataman BP17 is performing like it should. It isn’t as picky about pellets as some PCPs, but it does favor some pellets over others. The Lothar Walther barrel gives it an overall good chance for success.
I thought the 300-bar fill would be a problem, but since I have the Nomad II compressor available, it’s a breeze. I think I will keep the compressor up and running as we head into the 50-yard test that comes next. That will be outdoors, and because the Nomad II works off a car battery, too, I think I will go on using it.
Sounds like the Nomad II was the star of the test.
-Y
B.B.,
Nice shooting. Not too pellet fussy I see. Looking forwards to the 50 yard.
Good Day to you and to all,………. Chris
BB,
You have given me much food for thought this day. I have been considering allowing a small ‘pup to join the residents here and this one is a real possibility, but some negatives seem to be creeping into the evaluation of this one.
Your raising the issue of having it cant easily is serious. Because of its very compactness you hold it differently. I suppose with time you can learn to compensate and it would no longer be much of an issue.
The trigger is a different matter. Both you and Tyler describe this trigger as having an ill defined second stage. Being the trigger snob I am, that does not sound very appealing. Perhaps if you were to adjust the trigger to be a little heavier you might have more of a second stage definition?
I do like the accuracy of this little ‘pup. The lightness is another big plus. I prefer the walnut stock and am glad they brought that out also. I am really pulling for this petite little sweetie. If you can improve that trigger a bit I just may have to give her a call some time. 😉
B.B.,
Given its 14.5 inch barrel would its present air use benefit from a slightly longer barrel? That would probably help decrease its sound signature and increase the velocity. I know a longer barrel would not increase accuracy but it would allow this PCP to be more efficient with its power plant.
Siraniko
Siraniko,
Yes, with a pneumatic a longer barrel does increase efficiency. And the sound does decrease. But the compact size is as important to those who love a rifle like this as anything.
B.B.
Siraniko,
I echo BB’s comments. I would like to shorten the barrel and shroud so as to barely protrude from the stock. With a little reshaping here and there it would be sweet. That and some trigger work.
What a handy little package. Is that a FFP scope on there? Might not be the best bench rest platform tho.
Dang. I blew away my chrony last night with Prod. The little plastic thing with an oring on it on the end of the barrel worked loose. 22. cal FTT @ 770fps right thru the LCD. Expensive hobby!
I’m getting another, cant tune without it.
Those are some great groups B.B.
Best, R
1st Blue,
No, this scope is SFP.
Sorry about your chrono. I haven’t owned one yet than I didn’t shoot at some point.
B.B.
B.B.,
I was going to venture a guess that SF meant second focal plain, but after looking it up,… I see side focus must be the reason for the SF. I would never have a front AO after using a side AO. A wheel makes it even nicer.
Any word of UTG/Leapers working on a FFP?
Chris
Chris,
SFP = second focal plane.
No on Leapers.
B.B.
I think the BP17 would be a good small game/ ratter gun, or for hitting wire nuts out to 50yds?
At 25yds, with the fast bolt action, its a powerfull action shooter, but I would want a longer eye relief scope,
and some type of sling mounting points, for being out and about. I also think a UTG FFP scope would be interesting. I just ordered a scout style long eye relief 2×7 UTG from Pyramid. It focuses to 10 yds. I am thinking bench rest pistol. Maybe you could go over the plusses and minuses of FFP scope style B.B. ?
Rob
B.B.,
Granted, these were not 10-shot groups, but just the same the Ataman and the Sheridan Blue Streak must be getting you used to tiny groups! Congratulations.
Michael