The BAM B15 breakbarrel air rifle.
Little springers Part 1
B15 Part 1
B15 Part 2
This report covers:
- The test
- Sight in
- RWS Hobby
- Shooting experience
- RWS R10 Match Pistol wadcutters
- JSB S100 Match
- Discussion
- Summary
Today we’ll look at the accuracy of the BAM B15 breakbarrel air rifle. I knew nothing about this rifle other than what I learned overhauling it and testing the velocity, so today’s test was a challenge.
We all thought the B15 looked like a decent spring-piston rifle, but looks can be deceiving. Today we find out if the performance matches the looks.
The test
I shot the rifle off a bench at 10 meters. It was both rested directly on sandbags and also held in the artillery hold. I shot 10-shot groups with each of three pellets.
Every pellet was seated deep in the breech with a ballpoint pen. I used the same ballpoint pen to seat each pellet.
Sight in
Since I was using the iron sights that came with the rifle, I started at 10 meters. It took 8 shots to get the pellets into the black bull, more or less. And I found the sights easy to see.
The rifle was hitting a bit high and right after the sight-in but because each different pellet would go to a different point of impact, I went with the sight adjustment when the pellet began hitting in the black.
I also discovered during the sight-in that resting directly on the sandbag was slightly better for accuracy.
RWS Hobby
I sighted in with the RWS Hobby wadcutter so the first group was them as well. Ten shots made a group that measures 1.665-inches between centers. I show this group differently and those that follow differently than in most accuracy tests because I took the picture with the target taped to the rubber mulch pellet trap box. I did that because one of the three groups had holes off the target and on the box.
The B15 put 10 Hobby pellets into a 1.665-inch group at 10 meters.
I will note that Hobbys were hard to push into the breech. A couple times I had to look to make sure they went in, and they always did.
Shooting experience
The rifle functioned perfectly and the deep-seated pellets seemed to be working fine. They made it to the target swiftly and at a uniform speed, shot-to-shot.
The single-stage trigger is light enough but it does have some creep. After perhaps 20 shots I became familiar with the creep pattern and was able to do good work. There were no shots in this test that were called pulls.
When I closed the barrel the ball-bearing detent was noisy and gritty. If I closed it quickly this was masked. I don’t know of a good way to resolve this and it does put the B15 behind the small Diana breakbarrels when it comes to smooth operation.
The shot cycle is quick and smooth with a bump at the end. That means the SLIP 2000 EWL that I lubed the rifle with is working fine.
RWS R10 Match Pistol wadcutters
The second pellet I tested was the RWS R10 Match Pistol wadcutter. Like Hobbys these pellets also weigh 7 grains. They deep-seated much easier into the breech than Hobbys. They also made the smallest group at 10 meters, with ten pellets going into 0.938-inches between centers.
The BAM B15 put ten RWS R10 Match Pistol pellets into a 0.938-inch group at ten meters.
JSB S100 Match
The last pellet I tested was the JSB S100 Match wadcutter. Weighing 8.3 grains/0.535 grams, this is a heavier pellet than the first two and they got to the target noticeably slower. I adjusted the rear sight in a direction that I thought was to the left but it wasn’t. As a result, a part of this group was off the paper and on the target box. This is why the photos of the groups do not have the dime comparison coin and a pellet by them in the photos.
This group is harder to measure accurately, but it’s around 1.7 inches between centers. It’s just about the same size as the Hobby group. And the S100s loaded easiest of all.
The B15 put ten JSB S100 pellets into approximately 1.7-inches between centers at 10 meters.
Discussion
This test of an air rifle was a doozie because I knew nothing about the airgun before starting it. The sights were way off the mark and, since I had no idea of what pellets the rifle liked, I had a hard time knowing whether the rifle was shooting where I wanted or if the shots were hitting the target just the result of luck. I may have to write a report about how you decide on things when you know nothing at the start.
The rifle is very attractive but the operating characteristics, the opening and closing of the breech, leave something to be desired.
Summary
Now we have looked at a Chinese spring-piston breakbarrel air rifle that is surprisingly well made. It’s no target rifle, but the success of the R10 Match Pistol pellets makes me wonder if there might be a better pellet for it.
I won’t be testing this one again soon, but another accuracy test at some time in the future does sound possible.
Tom,
I think that would an interesting article regarding determining a starting point for a rifle you absolutely have no knowledge about. Do you start with research or do you simply shoot it first to see if it is something you want to spend time with?
Siraniko
Siraniko,
I don’t know is my answer. I know what I did with this one, but they are all different, aren’t they?
What could be needed is a short series.
Ponder, ponder…
BB
BB,
I am certain we would all wish to be informed of your pondering.
RR,
Give me a little time…
BB
BB,
All the time you need.
I think that JBS pellets are a good place to start. 🙂
Mike
When I sold the 15’s the crown needed to be checked and recut on most of the barrels, made a big improvement…
B.B.,
You could do a quick skim of: https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2018/03/how-to-treat-a-new-airgun/
Just input New Airgun into the SEARCH BOX is also a good spot to start as long as it doesn’t get eaten by The Nothing*.
Much of the work has already been done and only needs a little updating on the things you have learned in the interim.
shootski
* The Never Ending Story
BB,
Off subject. I just entered two posts to the 2010 Blog on the Healthways Plainsman, a more appropriate place for information in it. A comparison between two variations. However, I needed to add a comment on the second and did try but when I hit the post button all I got was a spinning wheel. There was a picture in that blog before I changed it and added a comment. Does this mess up the modified posting, having a picture involved. Happened before.
Just checked, it did not add the change and just stayed the same. Spinning wheel gone
Bob M,
I don’t know either. Pyramyd AIR keeps eliminating older posts that haven’t seen much traffic, so the blog library is vanishing.
BB
BB,
Vanishing, now that’s not good, may need to review and copy some. Now if the airgun vanished, I could see it, but not too many totally disappear.
Do you know if there is any priority to removing blogs, say rebuilds over reviews, or is simply as you say, lack of interest. Now I know why I cant find some old ones. I was using my P/A account to keep track of my airgun inventory, parts purchases, dates and cost and they dumped that without informing me a while back.
If this setup is all automatic? and you have any favorites, perhaps we could all log on to them and increase the traffic count? Same for anybody who wants to retain certain ones. Just list the blog dates.
BobM,
The priority to taking down reports is traffic.
BB
Bob M,
That post is still there. The problem must be on your end. Dump your cookies and try again.
BB
This is alarming news. Your blog AND the comments are a wealth of information that should be preserved, in my humble opinion.
Tom,
You might recommend they convert the multiple blog reports with associated comments on a topic into a single pdf.
Mike
B.B.
I’m trying to be nice. I guess you would say it is not an heirloom airgun!
-Y
Yogi,
I don’t think this one is an heirloom airgun. At least I don’t know how to make it one. But like I said, we may eventually see.
BB
Yogi,
Going by my usual premise that “Every gun is a tack driver within it’s effective range”…
You figure this gun is ok for tin cans out to 12 yards, and pesting, maybe half that?
Hank
BB,
Found a picture of my younger sister from the 60’s and another probably in her 6o’s. Returning the favor. Over 70 now.
She survived the Cancer surgery and things look good. Not complete yet, still needs radiation treatment.
Thanks to all who offered a prayer for her … Bob. Her hair is solid white now. Started turning in her late teens.
Bob M,
She was a very good-looking girl!
BB
Indeed!
Bob M,
Glad to hear the good news and prayers for her radiation therapy to be as precise and effective as is possible.
Also hope you will be getting fewer (preferably NONE) transients through your land now that Border Patrol can do their job once again.
Take care Shipmate!
shootski
Shootski,
Thanks, in her words, “The pre-surgery was hell”
Things look back to normal for Border Patrol Agents. Glad to be able to do their job again. They also assist the true migrants looking for asylum, although I don’t know how they distinguish them. They are good at their job.
Getting to know one Agent. He really wants to buy one of my ’69 Mustangs. He has one himself. Says they are all totally restored and expensive or junk and mine is just right, Original. Have had it for 55 years.
Should be receiving two plinkers today and some .22 ball ammo for the Plainsmaster Pistol … along with more rain.
Bob M.
I’ll put your sister on my prayer list.
My wife is also undergoing cancer therapy at the moment, so I feel for you.
Blessings to you,
dave
davemyster,
Appreciate that and will do the same for you. As we get older our days become much more valuable.
“As we get older our days become much more valuable.”
Amen!
Dave,
“As we get older our days become much more valuable.”
It might also be said that our fear of death becomes less than our fear of loss of health.
Getting old is not easy.
Mike
I do believe that with a little TLC and a good break in period, this air rifle can become something. The build quality is surprisingly high. The simplicity actually works in its favor.
Will this air rifle ever become “heirloom quality”? Probably not, but I have seen stranger things happen. I would not mind playing with it some.
Found this video about the BAM which may be useful to the readership – certainly the videographer got his at the “rat price.”
https://youtu.be/Vd3meF7oII0?si=0V1XDBonGTcM69qL
“the success of the R10 Match Pistol pellets makes me wonder if there might be a better pellet for it.
…another accuracy test at some time in the future does sound possible.”
BB,
Based on the velocity of this air rifle, and they success I’ve had with them, I would suggest trying some of the RSB RS 7.33-grain pellets; they can hold a 3/4″ group at 15 yards from my .177 Haenel model 1.
Blessings to you,
dave
P.S. That Haenel was one of Frank B’s airguns, and I think he’d be happy to know that it was gifted to an old friend who is using it to teach his nephew to shoot. I sent him a good supply of the JSB RS pellets to save him time (on accuracy testing), since I told him they performed best in the rifle. He said he concurred, since he was able to hit an acorn at 50 feet. 😉
P.P.S. With scope or open sights, either way, he’s a much better shot than me! LOL
Received my two break barrel pistols this afternoon. Both are very nice, and the price is good for both.
The Umarex Ruger Mark IV and Diana p-five.
The P Five is just right for a medium powered pellet pistol. It’s big for sure at about 15″ long but not too heavy at all and very comfortable to cock and shoot compared to a P5 Magnum, and it does not have an automatic safety, thank you. The grip is really nice, and it has fully adjustable sights
The Umarex Ruger Mark IV is a different pistol entirely. Extremely comfortable angled grip like the firearm.
Mostly Composit material and very light. Well detailed. It also has adjustable sights.
It has an automatic safety but it is very easy to disengage with your thumb as you hold it. Almost second nature to disengage it as you grab it to shoot. Very well positioned, if you shoot right-handed anyway.
It shoots with authority and has a solid thud in your hand despite being so light. An all-day shooter for sure.
Now the exposed cocking linkage takes away from the replica image, unlike the Hatsan TAC_BOSS Mod250XT replica, but it is a CO2 pistol. All in all, it is not as distracting as all the white advertising print on the right side of it. Totally unnecessary.
Now this cocking linkage is an unusual set up for a break barrel. The pivot point for the barrel is a full two inches forward and pivots about one third of the way down the barrel causing the breach to actually pivot upward. In cocking you pull down with your fingers and push up with your thumb. It kind of messes with your wrist but then I noticed I was actually just holding the barrel and cocking the pistol with the grip. Big change and more much ‘gooder’.
It becomes natural with your thumb on the barrel pushing up. Like breaking a twig.
The inner barrel is offset high in the outer but i see no problem there. It locks closed in detents in the fixed pivot extension. Unusual, will it last long? Looks like spring metal tabs lock in detents. Lube points for sure.
I am not the least bit disappointed with these. I have not shot them for accuracy, but I did not get them for that. Relaxed shooting fun but time will tell. A late Merry Christmas for me.
Hey everyone. For your consideration, Beeman Crow Magnum .20 cal.:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/256842112903?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=-0YuSMyHS8O&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=g1VQzXcdTNm&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Just learned today that Weihrauch is producing a walnut-stocked version of the HW30 – the stock looks like the “old” style one that Tom and apparently a few others prefer over the Minelli new-stock version. This will be known as the “HW30N.”
BB,
This is quite a ways off-topic, but I was wondering about the RovAir compressor that stopped working for you. Have I missed where you wrote about its return?
Thanks.
Bill
Bill,
Yes, you must have missed it. PA did give me a new one, so why the other one failed is something I will never know..
I am using it again and have mentioned that in reports.
BB