sambo123 594 Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 After a lot of thinking it through and deciding what my choices are I've managed to narrow it down to two rifles that may become my first PCP. The BSA R -10 and the Theoben Rapid Mk 1.( Mk1 because it's more in my price range than the other models ). I can't seem to decide which would be best for me as both keep swaying me towards them. The rifle will be used at 12 ft/lb only and will be used mainly for hunting. I like the look of the R - 10 a lot ( and the price! ) and have heard good stuff about them but don't know if paying the extra few quid for the Theoben is worth it? I keep hearing about the brilliance of these guns, build quality etc. There not the best looking guns but is that worth turning a blind to because of other aspects of them?? I just generally want some advice off experienced shooters to help me make up my mind. Any help is a lot of help! Thanks! Sam Quote Link to post
zini 1,939 Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 Hi Sam, Two really great choices there pal of rifles to use for hunting. I’ve never owned a Rapid 7 myself but have shot one quite a lot belonging to my old pal Geoff some years ago when he was my shooting partner and I owned an Air Arms S310. The Rapid I remember as being a very accurate and capable shooting tool in my pal’s hands with him regularly taking 40 to 45 metre corvids and doves off sittee trees. I would defo own one if I got the chance mate and its got to be up there with one of the 9 or 10 best PCPs that you can buy for hunting. I personally own a BSA r10 myself though and have used one now for approximately 2 years. For me the r10 is the best rifle I have ever owned and up there with the best I have ever shot. I say this as my r10 as been customised to my requirements and fits me very well. Even out the box though it was a lovely rifle and I shot many a head of vermin with it before it getting customised and tuned. In my own opinion the r10 was released a little too early by BSA which gave it a bad reputation due to design faults. This bad rep stuck with the rifle at first and its only just now starting to get the rep that it rightly deserves as a deadly accurate quality hunting and HFT tool. I would not ever sell mine and if I was to be going on a day time hunt with my friends the .22 r10 would go before the HW100T every day of the month. Not because it is a better rifle than the HW100T because its not. The HW100T is fantastic too for what I use it for at night as its in .177. Its more because its my day time combo and fits me so well. I also know its trajectory like I know the back of my own hand and my rifle and scope are highly calibrated to my own hunting needs in conjunction with my LRF. In summary I would say that the Rapid and the r10 are on the same par for accuracy and quality as a hunting rifle and both will fill your game bag if you do your bit. I would suggest that maybe going to a good gun shop and shouldering both rifles before trying them on a indoor gun shop range will help you make up your mind pal. Please keep me up dated on what you end up getting and how you get on with it. Cheers Si Quote Link to post
Water Badger 26 Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 (edited) Rapid 7 mark one IMO had one scince i was 17 32 now and it is still one hell of a tool bought a BSA recentley bench rested it out the box to test the grouping boxed it back up and sent it back not what i expect 15 years on mu 410 (shot gun) groups better Edited February 20, 2011 by Water Badger Quote Link to post
stoaty 171 Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 Gotta say good choice of rifles for 1st time .I loved my mark1 Rapid was a fantastic gun would of still had it if it hadn't been stolen in the post.Had a Rapid mark 2 and to be honest I preferred the feel of the mark 1.Mate had a super 10 and gotta say one of the most accurate and unfussy guns with pellets I have seen but I would have a rapid 1st anytime although the 400 and 410 are great rifles too imo Stoaty Quote Link to post
Big Paul 0 Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 I dont think the MK1 rapid is worth the extra few quid over the R10 , both are comparable guns, but you gotta try before you buy , personally I found the Theobens stock did not suit me , but others will find its bang on , the only other thing I will say is if thinking of ever going FAC then I would get the Theoben and change the stock. Quote Link to post
zini 1,939 Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 (edited) Rapid 7 mark one IMO had one scince i was 17 32 now and it is still one hell of a tool bought a BSA recentley bench rested it out the box to test the grouping boxed it back up and sent it back not what i expect 15 years on mu 410 (shot gun) groups better Hi Badger, I would say that you had a faulty BSA rifle if it was grouping like a shot gun mate. Every BSA pcp that I have ever shot were deadly accurate and if matched with the correct pellet will put a pellet on top of a pellet at 40 metres easily enough and even with my average shooting skills. I shot Andy&Archie's .22 r10 about 3 weeks ago with Falcon Accuracy Plus pellets and did a 10 shot 1 hole group with un sorted pellets at 30 yards that was covered by a 5p coin. This 10 shot group was with a straight out the box r10, i.e not tuned or customised. I then shot a 10 shot 1 hole group with a total diameter of 17mm covered easily by a 5p coin at 30 yards with a BSA Ultra also witnessed by Andy throgh his scope as i did it. After speaking to Tench when I was at his work shop before Christmas he told me that in actual fact the BSA barrels are amongst the best barrels that you can buy due to something they do to the barrels and how it is constructed in the factory. I think he called it cold swayging but I,m not 100% sure now as it was 2 months ago. I recon that your BSA was broken and kicking out inconsistent velocities with a poorly matched pellet mate I really do. Where are you from buddy, as I'm over again in the UK in a few weeks to drop my girlfriend off in the Uk before I go to Canada to work and if we are close enough am willing to let you shoot my r10 and try it out for accuracy buddy. Maybe we could test it against your rapid for accuracy etc and see how it performs. We could even film it for the forum so others can get a idea of how they both perform. I think that you would be very surprised mate how a working BSA accounts for its self. ATB Si Edited February 20, 2011 by zini Quote Link to post
mick01 36 Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 hello mate, which ever you choose i dont think you will be dissapointed. my mate has a rapid mrk 1 its years old and is still deadly accurate. its had no problems that i know of, my other mate has an r-10 hes only had that about a year or so and hes over the moon with it. i have only personally shot the mark1 and it was fantastic. some of these boys will advise you better mate.. ATB Quote Link to post
sambo123 594 Posted February 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 Thanks for all the replies up to now lads, keep them comin! Quote Link to post
Water Badger 26 Posted February 21, 2011 Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 Rapid 7 mark one IMO had one scince i was 17 32 now and it is still one hell of a tool bought a BSA recentley bench rested it out the box to test the grouping boxed it back up and sent it back not what i expect 15 years on mu 410 (shot gun) groups better Hi Badger, I would say that you had a faulty BSA rifle if it was grouping like a shot gun mate. Every BSA pcp that I have ever shot were deadly accurate and if matched with the correct pellet will put a pellet on top of a pellet at 40 metres easily enough and even with my average shooting skills. I shot Andy&Archie's .22 r10 about 3 weeks ago with Falcon Accuracy Plus pellets and did a 10 shot 1 hole group with un sorted pellets at 30 yards that was covered by a 5p coin. This 10 shot group was with a straight out the box r10, i.e not tuned or customised. I then shot a 10 shot 1 hole group with a total diameter of 17mm covered easily by a 5p coin at 30 yards with a BSA Ultra also witnessed by Andy throgh his scope as i did it. After speaking to Tench when I was at his work shop before Christmas he told me that in actual fact the BSA barrels are amongst the best barrels that you can buy due to something they do to the barrels and how it is constructed in the factory. I think he called it cold swayging but I,m not 100% sure now as it was 2 months ago. I recon that your BSA was broken and kicking out inconsistent velocities with a poorly matched pellet mate I really do. Where are you from buddy, as I'm over again in the UK in a few weeks to drop my girlfriend off in the Uk before I go to Canada to work and if we are close enough am willing to let you shoot my r10 and try it out for accuracy buddy. Maybe we could test it against your rapid for accuracy etc and see how it performs. We could even film it for the forum so others can get a idea of how they both perform. I think that you would be very surprised mate how a working BSA accounts for its self. ATB Si Si the ultra in question has been sent back to BSA it was purchased from pickering air guns and when I got it I put a post up enquiering as to the best types of pellets, Batch tested them but no joy, the eventual conclusion IMO is the mag housing is too big and when reloading a small % of pellet is shaved off when seating ? gone back but if I spend that sort og money i expect a spot on gun. will PM for a meet up Quote Link to post
gurtwurz 792 Posted February 21, 2011 Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 hi mate, i've owned both an R10 and stil own a mk1 rapid, and although they both shot as well as each other, the rapid wins for me cos its fairly easy to maintain yourself, very few internal parts so even a techno- numpty like me can service it! also, you'll get more shots out of a rapid(a LOT more if you use the 400cc bottle) which wont matter when hunting but makes a huge difference when plinking or doing more serious target practice. the r10 was a lovely rifle to shoot and shoulder tho, and every bit as accurate. cheers, wurz Quote Link to post
sambo123 594 Posted February 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 Also is there a difference in performance as the r - 10 is regualted and the Mk1 Rapid is not? Sorry if thats a daft question, just trying to learn?! Sam Quote Link to post
mikeyblue 28 Posted February 21, 2011 Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 Hi Sam, I currently own a R10 (tweaked by Tench) and used to own a Rapid MKII (Tweaked by John Bowkett). I dont think the Rapid MK1 was regulated where as the R10 is, so in theory, should be more consistant. My R10 is +/- 5fps over a 20 shot string using JSB Exact Express or Mossies. I 'liked' my Rapid but I 'love' my R10. i think its just down to personal preference really mate. As sugested try and get a hold of both and see what feels most comfortable in your shoulder. My MKII before I sold it. My R10 out in the field. Regards, Mikey. Quote Link to post
sambo123 594 Posted February 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 I really like the r-10 but I'm sick of reading bad press about them.... Quote Link to post
mikeyblue 28 Posted February 21, 2011 Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 Know what your saying Sambo. I think it was the earlier ones that had the problems, but they seem well sorted now. Mikey. Quote Link to post
craig33 10 Posted February 21, 2011 Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 anything that could poss go wrong with a rapid can be fixed by you at home with no special tools needed id go rapid if i were you my daughter could strip and build a rapid Quote Link to post
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