Barra Schofield BB revolver.
This report covers:
- Barra Schofield Dual Ammo Kit
- RWS Hobby
- Discharge
- JSB Exact RS
- Loading
- RWS Superpoint
- Sig Match Ballistic Alloy
- Shot count and trigger pull
- Discussion and Summary
Today we look at the velocity of the Barra Schofield BB revolver shooting pellets. Remember that someone asked whether this gun would shoot pellets, too, and I checked. The cartridges from the Webley Mark VI, among others, fit so I said I would test pellets for both velocity and accuracy. In fact I asked you whether I should test for accuracy from 10 meters or 25 feet, since the barrel on this one is smoothbore. Nobody answered me, so I’m going to test accuracy from 25 feet. But not today. Today we test velocity with pellets.
Barra Schofield Dual Ammo Kit
You should know that this exact revolver is also sold as the Barra Schofield Dual Ammo Kit. It comes with both BB cartridges and pellet cartridges. So in essence that is what I am testing for you today.
RWS Hobby
First to be tested were RWS Hobby pellets. They averaged 414 f.p.s. At that speed they generate 2.66 foot pounds of energy. The low was 400 f.p.s and the high was 432 f.p.s. So the extreme spread was 32 f.p.s.
Now, steel BBs averaged 404 f.p.s. with a 26 f.p.s. spread, so this revolver seems to do the same as BBs or a little better with pellets. Let’s hope it will do that when it comes to accuracy, as well.
Discharge
The discharge with BBs was 113.6 dB which I find pretty loud. With pellets the discharge scaled back to 101.3 dB which is definitely quieter.
JSB Exact RS
Next up were JSB Exact RS pellets. They weigh more than Hobbys but they are also a little smaller in diameter and are sometimes a little faster, as they were in today’s test. They averaged 418 f.p.s.At that speed they generate 2.84 foot pounds. The spread was 34 f.p.s., from, 406 to 440 f.p.s.
Loading
Because the pellet cartridges load from the rear and the Schofield breaks open, it’s really easy to load this revolver. Leave the cartridges in the cylinder and just put the pellets in, one at a time.
Because the cartridges load from the rear and the revolver breaks open, pellets are easy to load into the Schofield.
RWS Superpoint
The next pellet I tested was the RWS Superpoint. They averaged 391 f.p.s. with a low of 383 and a high of 412 f.p.s. So the spread is 29 f.p.s. At the average velocity this pellet generates 2.78 foot pounds of energy.
Sig Match Ballistic Alloy
The final pellet I tested today was the Sig Match Ballistic Alloy wadcutter. At 5.25 grains I know this pellet will go the fastest from the Schofield. And indeed it does. Six shots averaged 508 f.p.s. with a spread from 501 to 530 f.p.s. — a 29 f.p.s. spread. At the average velocity this pellet generates 3.01 foot pounds of energy.
Shot count and trigger pull
I didn’t bother testing the shot count or the trigger pull because nothing has really changed. I still expect to get about 10 full cylinders, which is 60 shots per CO2 cartridge.
Discussion and Summary
I didn’t expect the Schofield to be as powerful with pellets as it is. It seems this revolver is intended to shoot pellets, even if it is a smoothbore. That makes me look forward to the accuracy test, though I still plan to test it at 25 feet.
The trigger is still gorgeous and the muzzle is still heavy. I still like the easy way it cocks, though its hammer is not as well-formed for thumbing as the hammer of a Colt SAA.
The velocity spread is high for both BBs and pellets. It doesn’t seem to relate to the revolver cooling down from the gas, either, though the first shot after a couple minutes of down time was always the fastest.
Overall I like this Schofield more than I expected to. It’s a neat replica airgun that might be accurate with pellets as well as BBs.
“Leave the cartridges in the cylinder and just put the pellets in, one at a time.”
B.B.,
That’s a pretty sweet feature of this revolver, the easy loading for pellets.
I hope they get some decent accuracy.
For sure, this gun deserves extra points just for looking really cool. 🙂
Blessings to you,
dave
B.B.,
I wonder if there is any relationship between the cylinder rotation and the pellet velocity. Is the high and low always at the same place on the cylinder? It also might be worth trying seating the pellets a little bit. The spread isn’t bad but similar for all the pellets tested that just makes me curious.
Don
BB,
I agree that 25 feet is the distance you should test this smoothbore gun for accuracy. Two reasons come to my mind. The velocity of the pellet combined with the high drag of the diabolo shape already limits the energy available to stabilize it by drag alone that by 10 meters it will probably be unstable to the point that the target groups may be as large as the bull. Second the short sight radius of this pistol (compared to the Diana 25) increases the difficulty of getting good groups. Then again all my arguments above become moot if you get intriguing enough groups to justify retesting this pistol at 10 meters.
Siraniko
Some resettable metal targets have paddles or silhouettes which can be as small as 1″ diameter which can be quite the challenge to hit (for me anyway) at a distance where the projectile still has sufficient energy to work the target.
Tom Gaylord (B.B. Pelletier), I wonder what is the furthest distance at which this Schofield can plink, for example, how far out will it still a) confidently hit a tin can and b) not just dent it but puncture one or both sides?
Not everybody has the made for airguns metal targets but we all have rubbish to shoot at! 🙂
3hi,
Over quite a period of years, I have slowly put together a decent collection of spinners. As the years progress, I get smaller and smaller ones. My favorite is 3/8″ in diameter.
I know some of those things can be right expensive. I do not have any of them. You can buy some at quite reasonable (cheap) prices. I have some pretty small ones that screw into wood. I made a stand for them out of scrap 2x4s.
Empty CO2 cartridges hanging by a cord from a screw in the puncture hole are nice little targets also.
I still enjoy killing feral soda cans. 😉
hi3,
A “tin” can? This revolver won’t penetrate even one side at point blank distance. “Tin” cans are made from sheet steel that’s plated (sometimes) with tin and they are tough. An aluminum soda can, though is soft and easy to penetrate.
BB
Thanks Ridgerunner for your idea. I admit that I don’t have any spinners. Yet.
They are now on my to-be-researched list. Thereafter the most promising ones will go on my fun-shopping list. 🙂
Tom Gaylord (B.B. Pelletier) I apologise for my unrealistic expectations. As the Schofield plinks in a class of soft targets, I wonder how distant an aluminium soda can, it can hit and puncture? Maybe plastic bottles too?
It appears that plinking related information is sadly lacking in my preferred airgun discipline! 🙁
Hihihi, I found the easiest way to search this site for old blogs (and the comments) is to set up a Google Advanced Search (Google that) and then limit your search to this blog’s website. You will find lots of ideas for fun reactive targets from the likes of GunFun1 (of course), Shootski, and many others. If I recall, someone invented a dueling spoon target, among others….
Thanks Roamin Greco for your suggestion. Although I like to stay away from google, I might give their advanced search a try.
Happily I have already ordered a variety of plinking targets.
So far, I have received and played with, my new ‘badabang’. It is a very well built, 4 paddles in a box target that requires software to use. Hits are confirmed and transmitted via bluetooth. The thing I like is the hardware. 🙂
hihihi,
Here’s something that you can make from Hank’s shop: /blog/2017/03/diy-spinner-targets/
Siraniko
Thanks Siraniko. I’ve just seen your link and followed it. I like what you’re suggesting. 🙂
BB,
I would be interested in seeing what a domed alloy pellet might do out of this thing. Don’s idea of seating might also help.
In the beginning I tried various “fancy” pellets, but never had much luck in the accuracy department. I guess it is a stage all newbies go through. Like fishing lures, the pellet design is to attract the shooter’s eye.
Recently I watched an episode of American Airgunner where the dudette shot various pellets from the same sproinger into a block of ballistic gel. The “best” pellet went all the way through. Really? No consideration for accuracy? No consideration for energy transfer? Somebody needs to sit down with that dudette and teach her some fundamentals.
RR,
That “dudette” is doing what she is told by the director — Rossi Morreale. She has no control over what she does.
BB
I guess that is why I have mostly stopped going to American Airgunner. Rossi has shown himself to be clueless.
RR
These are not air gunners who are trying to entertain,, They are entertainers who are trying to shoot airguns. Not everyone can be like BB,, who was an air gunner who decided to write about them,,, and quite well, I believe.
Ed
edlee,
Indeed. If you watch some of the older episodes where BB is on with Rossi, you may notice a little annoyance? frustration? on BB’s part.
From what I understand, Rossi is really a pretty good shot. Unfortunately, some of the episodes seem like infomercials to me, most especially when he is reviewing an Umarex airgun. He will tend to gloss over the failings it has. Of course, they pay the bills.
What “cartridges” are you using for the pellets ? I have a Umarex Legends “Cowboy” lever action. I drilled and tapped the receiver for a Williams 1894 Winchester peep sight , it is a really fun plinker. I use the “cartridges” for the Single action Army C02 revolvers. RWS Meisterkugeln .8.2 g r are the right medicine for the smooth bore carbine , at twenty yards it surprisingly accurate having no trouble hitting two inch spinners offhand and one inch from a rest. Since I tried pellets the carbine never gets bbs only pellets sometimes Crosman WC but mostly Meisters.
SSC,
I’m using the cartridges that come in the Webley Mark VI.
BB
BB-
Just out of curiosity, I would like to see a group or two where you utilize only one cylinder and one cartridge- the same duo for each shot- to see if there is any tightening of the velocity spread. Thanks.
Now fellows- might we be be getting into the weeds here with our high expectations. How fast can a VW bug go with nitrous? A little faster than slow?
B.B.,
I think the brass is a nice idea for the Replica concept but a nightmare in the making for a product reviewer.
You have readers providing great ideas for testing…especially the ones that want a way to get to ultimate accuracy and/or precision. Is all that in your Test Plan that strives to eliminate all of the variables?
In my opinion the projectile loaded into a Case for the sake of realism is just another variable that has an inordinate chance of introducing inconsistency. It could be from how each pellet is loaded, how each case differs from the next and of course all that added to how the cylinder is bored and its runout…FUN! Only scratched the surface of the mechanical nightmare of testing for you.
You have your work cutout for you B.B!
shootski
shootski,
It would be if I was doing DT&E. But this is OT&E. How will this pistol shoot for you?
BB
B.B.,
You caught my drift or KNOWED it all along!
Wax on, Wax OFF!
shootski
B.B. and Readership,
Continuation of shootski’s RANT from yesterday:
Of interet to BULLET (slug) shooters or those considering trying them.
Continuation of shootski’s RANT from yesterday:
/blog/2022/10/overhauling-an-fwb-124-part-four/?swcfpc=1#comment-494919
To add to the (your) general knowledge read all of the blog that B.B. made this comment in the Replies:
“Yes if a lead ball is oversized it does conform to the inside of the barrel.
There is next to no drag in the barrel. People talk about that a lot, but once the ball is engraved by the rifling, the drag (friction) drops away. The process of engraving the ball does take a lot of force, but what that does is simply allow pressure to build behind the ball until it pops like a champagne cork.
B.B.”
/blog/2015/12/the-importance-of-rifling/?swcfpc=1
So much for the assumptions of most airgunners about ball, bullet (slugs) and the effects of the grooves in the bore! Dead soft Lead IS VERY SLIPPERY at even very slow barrel speeds at around 800FPS it has a micron thick layer at contact points that can’t decide if it is a liquid
or a solid! It will actually melt and plate a bore once it exceeds about 1,800 FPS which is why high speed firearm projectiles are at minimum copper washed or copper (other metals) jacketed.
shootski
I have enjoyed this series but try as hard as I may, I just cannot get excited over 1 inch groups at 5 meters with anything. Maybe 1 inch at 10 meters with a hand gun….maybe. I know it is all about matching expectations and performance with the platform but it just doesn’t work for me. Good thing there are so many options that will do what I am looking for, or you, or him, her or that guy over there.
Honest Bob,
I remember you had problems with your Dragonfly 2 multi[pumper and were sending it back for an exchange. How’s the replacement? Is the pumping arm hard to open or hard to extend all the way open? Does the arm line up w/ the rest of the rifle and close completel;y?
Thanks, crackedshot2.0
The replacement is just as advertised. Easy to cock, lines up well and accurate. It’s still a multi-pumper and I can’t say it’s smooth as silk, there is still some play in the linkage that makes it a bit clacky, but it’s head and shoulders above any other MP gun that I have used. The first one was the proverbial lemon, but this one is a keeper.