BSA lightning clx first impressions

OK guys, I know there have been a few asking.
So, CLX in .22, with DM80 mod, scope rail removed and 2-7x32 scope (and one coat of oil 🤣)
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I'm not a fan of anything bigger than a 40, and I find depth of field better on a 32.
But a few were asking about a 32, whether it was on this thread or another (I don't remember lol).
 
jonnymac said:
I'm not a fan of anything bigger than a 40, and I find depth of field better on a 32.
But a few were asking about a 32, whether it was on this thread or another (I don't remember lol).
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I think I’ve got used to super high mag lol but I agree no big 50’s for sure.
 
bootneckbob said:
It's surprised me how many .22 seem to be getting bought. Even I bought one! I was thinking long and hard about which calibre to go for, and I think I've covered it in another post, but .22 wasn't the obvious choice for me as a target shooter not a hunter anymore. I have shot HFT with my Pro Elite though using RS pellets and the drop isn't that bad, especially if you're used to .177 heavies.
Anyway, I didn't buy it win trophy's, I bought it to enjoy shooting.
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I'm predominantly a .177 calibre guy but i decided to get the CLX in .22 as its a little shorter and i will only be using it out 30yds max as my ability with spring guns is very limited and i may use it for the odd rabbit should they venture into the horse paddock.
 
is there any differance in sound between the standerd mod and the DM80 looks better with the DM80 on thats for sure.
 
ninja9 said:
is there any differance in sound between the standerd mod and the DM80 looks better with the DM80 on thats for sure.
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Neither are particularly loud. I would say the DM80 dampens the muzzle report slightly more, as you can hear slightly more mechanical noise.
Obviously I only put a few pellets through each.
 
Further fettling revealed that it was bouncy without the piston weight fitted and slightly down on power so I’ve trimmed the weight to 35 gram and slid it into a top hat but not had time to reassemble although it will leave me with with 270 gram piston which is right between standard and no weight fitted so I should be about right with the original spring and I think it will end up around 10.5ftlb with some breaking in to do still on the piston seal.
 
Mattyw1987 said:
Further fettling revealed that it was bouncy without the piston weight fitted and slightly down on power so I’ve trimmed the weight to 35 gram and slid it into a top hat but not had time to reassemble although it will leave me with with 270 gram piston which is right between standard and no weight fitted so I should be about right with the original spring and I think it will end up around 10.5ftlb with some breaking in to do still on the piston seal.
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I'll be interested to hear what you're findings are with a 270 gram piston. I think 10.5 ftlb will be a sweet spot power wise. I would rather a smoother firing cycle than a harsh one that decreases accuracy for the sake of getting as close to 12 ftlb.
 
shmeegalRegal said:
I'll be interested to hear what you're findings are with a 270 gram piston. I think 10.5 ftlb will be a sweet spot power wise. I would rather a smoother firing cycle than a harsh one that decreases accuracy for the sake of getting as close to 12 ftlb.
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I will let you know bud at 235 gram it was fast but the difference in power between 7.87 and 8.44 was more than you would want so clearly bouncing but at full weight it was too much so hopefully this will be a sweet spot.

I think the short stroke and 29mm bore needs more weight than ideal to counteract bounce.

I need to get it back together quick when I get home so i can take it to the range lol.
 
Mattyw1987 said:
I will let you know bud at 235 gram it was fast but the difference in power between 7.87 and 8.44 was more than you would want so clearly bouncing but at full weight it was too much so hopefully this will be a sweet spot.

I think the short stroke and 29mm bore needs more weight than ideal to counteract bounce.
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That's amazing that .57 of a grain can have such a power deviation due to bouncing. Really appreciate the time and effort you're putting into this new rifle. It would be great if a drop in tuning kit could come to fruition because of it. 😁
 
shmeegalRegal said:
That's amazing that .57 of a grain can have such a power deviation due to bouncing. Really appreciate the time and effort you're putting into this new rifle. It would be great if a drop in tuning kit could come to fruition because of it. 😁
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Yes it was shooting 0.8ftlb higher with them and was the same difference when using other lightweight pellets like hobbies and even worse when going up to 9.56 grain qys but I’ve found it sometimes doesn’t take much extra weight to sort out and sometimes just another spring can change it but the original seems okay so will see how I get on and don’t fancy messing with the transfer port.
 
jonnymac said:
OK guys, I know there have been a few asking.
So, CLX in .22, with DM80 mod, scope rail removed and 2-7x32 scope (and one coat of oil 🤣)View attachment 652755
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So busy looking at the beauty of the stock that I forgot about the mod!
This is perfect to my eyes, exactly what I would want if I had one. It’s very discreet and doesn’t distract from the rifle 👌
 
Well that answers my question on the DM80. Now, how to get hold of one. Pretty sure the one on my 80 is loctited on and I don't want to mess with that anyway so I will need to aquire one.
 
I would caution that a DM80 steel mod while lovely looking, is quite heavy, obviously dependent on length. So I'd try and simulate a similar weight on the end of the barrel and see how you like the balance before you splash out.

Mine is great on my Longbow, but makes my 95 feel a bit too front heavy for my liking.
 
Varminter said:
I would caution that a DM80 steel mod while lovely looking, is quite heavy, obviously dependent on length. So I'd try and simulate a similar weight on the end of the barrel and see how you like the balance before you splash out.

Mine is great on my Longbow, but makes my 95 feel a bit too front heavy for my liking.
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I can confirm it is heavier by 16g. DM80 is 157g, BSA mod 141g.
TBH the DM80 feels great on the lightning.
I will put some more time into both, maybe at the weekend, after I have more pellets through both.
 
Well just got finished with the final fettle on the lightning and I’m happy it’s now doing between 747 and 751 with Baracuda 8 over 10 shots so right around 10.5 and it’s so nice to shoot with zero mechanical noise or twang and it’s doing 10.65 average with the lightweight pellets so nicely ballanced.

I cut the original piston weight down and made the front face 2mm shorter and it ended up at 35 gram then used a Remington express spring guide and cut it in half so it’s like a long top hat and the weight slides in it.

It’s basically got a spring guide front and rear and I also opened out the spring ends with my diamond files as it was tighter on the last coil of each end and finished off with some battery shrink wrap around the guides it took two layers and I’m leaving it as is as it’s head and shoulders nicer than when I got it in the firing cycle and trigger to be fair it’s turned out a really nice rifle with looks to boot but did take a bit of work although well worth it.
 
jonnymac said:
I can confirm it is heavier by 16g. DM80 is 157g, BSA mod 141g.
TBH the DM80 feels great on the lightning.
I will put some more time into both, maybe at the weekend, after I have more pellets through both.
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Ah that’s negligible - I was thinking of HW mods that are only 100g!
 
Mattyw1987 said:
Well just got finished with the final fettle on the lightning and I’m happy it’s now doing between 747 and 751 with Baracuda 8 over 10 shots so right around 10.5 and it’s so nice to shoot with zero mechanical noise or twang and it’s doing 10.65 average with the lightweight pellets so nicely ballanced.

I cut the original piston weight down and made the front face 2mm shorter and it ended up at 35 gram then used a Remington express spring guide and cut it in half so it’s like a long top hat and the weight slides in it.

It’s basically got a spring guide front and rear and I also opened out the spring ends with my diamond files as it was tighter on the last coil of each end and finished off with some battery shrink wrap around the guides it took two layers and I’m leaving it as is as it’s head and shoulders nicer than when I got it in the firing cycle and trigger to be fair it’s turned out a really nice rifle with looks to boot but did take a bit of work although well worth it.
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That's great to hear,glad you've got it shooting smoother and we now know it's possible to improve its shot cycle 👍
 
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