Barra Cowboy Series pellet and BB multi-pump pneumatic.
This report covers:
- Pumping
- Loading
- High velocity
- Realistic velocity
- BB velocity
- Pump effort
- Trigger pull
- Summary
Today we test the Barra Cowboy Series 1866 BB and pellet rifle for velocity. Since it shoots both BBs and pellet, we will test both. There is a lot to see so let’s get started.
Pumping
This is a multi pump and what appears to be the lever is the pump handle.
The pump handle extends to here.
Loading
I found loading pellets to be a pain. I dropped them into the breech several times and once into the BB magazine. Yes, that was the second pellet I dropped in, but shaking the rifle got both of them out.
I dropped several pellets in the breech. This one is on top of the BB magazine. The rear of the barrel where they are supposed to go is that shiny silver place (arrow).
Loading with tweezers proved the safest, though the slowest as well. Grab the pellet by its edge and inside the skirt.
High velocity
This Barra is rated to 800 f.p.s. I assumed that is with the lightest pellets, so I tested it with Sig Match Ballistic Alloy wadcutters. Because loading was so slow I only shot 5 rounds and all were on 10 pumps.
Shot………Vel.
1……………785
2……………788
3……………790
4……………797
5……………796
The average for that string is 791 f.p.s. but it looks like the rifle is breaking in. I reckon it will shoot a little faster when it’s been shot more.
Realistic velocity
I next tested the rifle with an Air Arms 8.44-grain dome to see what the velocity is in the real world. I only shot three times at each pump level because of how long the rifle takes to load. Even with that the following test took 45 minutes.
Pumps……………………………….Vel
2………………………………..342, 360, 362
3………………………………..443, 441, 450
4………………………………..499, 496, 495
5………………………………..546, 541, 544
6………………………………..578, 577, 554
7………………………………..595, 587, 595
8………………………………..622, 621, 623
9………………………………..623, 625, 636
10………………………………643, 643, 651
BB velocity
I tested the velocity of the Barra with AGS Blaster BBs because I find them to weigh and to be sized like all other premium BBs. The magnetic bolt made it very quick and easy to load BBs — as long as they were steel. Given the pellet loading problem I declined to load lead BBs.
Pumps………Vel
2………………362
3………………472
4………………537
5………………576
6………………611
7………………640
8………………653
9………………664
10…………….704
Pump effort
I measured the pump effort from pumps 2 to 10.
Pump……Effort (lbs.)
2………………8
3…………….11
4…………….12
5…………….13
6…………….14
7…………….15
8…………….15
9…………….16
10…………..15
Trigger pull
The two-stage trigger is not adjustable. Stage one takes 3 pounds. 8 ounces and stops at stage two that beaks crisply at 6 pounds 8 ounces.
Summary
The Barra Cowboy Series 1866 BB and pellet rifle is interesting. It is both difficult to load pellets and easy to load BBs. The pump effort is light yet the trigger pull is heavy. The rifle is a study in contradictions, but let’s hope the accuracy is there.