Barra Cowboy Series pellet and BB multi-pump pneumatic.
This report covers:
- The test
- First BB — a Daisy Premium Grade
- Crosman Black Widow
- Air Venturi Dust Devils
- Observations
- Summary
Today we look at the accuracy of the Barra Cowboy Series 1866 BB and pellet rifle while shooting BBs and I have to tell you there is a surprise coming. At least it was a surprise to me!
The test
I shot the BB rifle — and let’s remember this really is a rifle — from 5 meters. I supported the rifle on a UTG monopod. And I did one more thing that will make me return to test the accuracy of pellets once again. I shot wearing my reading glasses with the +1.25 diopter correction. I found I was able to see the front sight more clearly than if I wore my regular glasses that I wore when shooting pellets.
I shot 10-shot groups with all BBs. And the rifle was pumped five times per shot. I loaded all 10 BBs into the internal magazine and let the magnetic tip on the end of the bolt feed them one at a time. Feeding was flawless.
First BB — a Daisy Premium Grade
First to be tested were the Daisy Premium Grade BBs. At first I thought I was going to have a screamer to show you but after shot five the group grew. In the end 10 Daisy BBs went into a group that measures 1.472-inches between centers. It’s not a great group but it did form around the bullseye.
At 5 meters the Barra Cowboy put ten Daisy Premium Grade BBs into a group that measures 1.472-inches between centers.
Crosman Black Widow
Next to be tested were Crosman Black Widow BBs. This is the surprise I told you about. This time ten BBs went into a group that measures 0.854-inches between centers. And note how well-centered this group is. Also note that seven of the ten BBs are in the bullseye in a group that measures 0.327-inches between centers! As far as I am concerned — this group is worth a scream! Other than the three outliers, this target looks like it was shot with a Daisy 499B.
The Barra Cowboy 1866 rifle put ten Crosman Black Widow BBs into a 0.854-inch group at 5 meters. Seven of the BBs are in 0.327-inches!
Air Venturi Dust Devils
The last BB I tested was the Dust Devil from Air Venturi. Ten of them went into a group that measures 1.967-inches between centers. The 10th shot is the highest one on the paper and opened the group from 1.321-inches.
The Barra Cowboy 1886 air rifle put ten Dust Devils into a 1.967-inch group at 5 meters, with nine in 1.321-inches.
Observations
I find the Barra easy to shoot, each to pump and quite accurate with BBs. As I said earlier, I found that wearing my reading glasses enabled me to see the front sight more clearly, and that may have made a big difference, so I’m going to rerun the pellet accuracy test a second time.
I find the Barra easy to pump and it feeds steel BBs reliably. the trigger is nice and crisp, if not that light. The only detractor I see is how difficult it is to load pellets. But I’m not going to let that deter me from running as second pellet accuracy test.
Summary
I find the Barra Cowboy Series 1866 BB and pellet rifle to be a well-made airguns and worth consideration by those wanting a multi-pump that shoots both BBs and pellets. And, there is at least one more report to come.