BSA Buccaneer Pro air rifle review

Building on the success of the Buccaneer SE PCP rifle, which has long been a favourite among those who love a bolt action, BSA has given this original model a complete overhaul to produce the new side-lever version in the form of the Buccaneer Pro.

Working closely with its UK distributor, Range Right, BSA has produced a budget-friendly beauty of an air rifle.

BSA Buccaneer Pro stocks

The Buccaneer Pro is available in two different stock options, those being a traditional beech wood and a more modern black synthetic variant.

This gives the rifle two different weights, those being 7.4lb for the beech and 7.7lb for the synthetic. Rather surprisingly, it also gives two different lengths.

I’m not entirely sure why, and it is minimal, but there is a difference, nonetheless. The beech version measures in at 952mm, while the synthetic model is 10mm longer at 962mm.

Both stocks feature similar stylish lines, with ambidextrous cheekpieces, ample stippling on the pistol grip and forend, plus a rather slim front end profile which sits very nicely in your leading hand.

However, you will notice that the synthetic stock is slightly different in shape, and that’s because it is, in fact, an updated version of the Scorpion stock.

Thumb support

I like the steep rake and the deep scallop shape of the butt end of both of these stocks, and as someone who likes to shoot with their thumb up top, I really, really like the cut-away that scoops into the rear of the actions to provide a very comfortable thumb support.

BSA Buccaneer Pro: Safety lever

As far as the safety lever goes, that’s another tried and tested BSA classic lever, which can be found directly above the trigger unit at the rear of the block on the left side.

Simply push it forward to fire and pull back to make the rifle safe.

Butt pad

At the very rear of the stock is a vented rubber butt pad, which is in a fixed position.

Pre-fitted studs are another nice extra on both stocks, which provide secure anchorage for a sling or bipod.

Having them fitted by the factory team saves you from having to attempt the job yourself.

Yes, it’s an easy job, but it’s also easy to get wrong.

Point of balance

With a 3-9 x 40 scope fitted, the point of balance falls from directly in front of the trigger guard to about five inches down the forend, which is a huge area of pivot.

It’s really going to suit a lot of different sized shooters.

Speaking of scopes, I have to mention at this point that BSA has decided to produce this rifle with a removable one-piece Picatinny rail, which sits on top of a traditional dovetail rail.

So, whether you’re using a traditional day scope, which are usually dovetail mounted, or some swanky new night vision, which are usually Picatinny mounted, the Buccaneer Pro has got you covered without the need to buy additional mounts.

Side-lever action

Like many of the newer BSA PCP rifles, the Buccaneer Pro is built around BSA’s Mono Block platform, which is super strong and machined to ridiculously high tolerances.

The side-lever action is superb, and extremely easy to use. It is a short stroke biathlon type, which is spring-loaded, so when you make the initial pull it springs back and you just have to pull the final inch or so to cock it.

The entire action is silky smooth, aided in no small part by the short drop handle.

Cold-hammer forged barrel

One feature that remains the same as the original bolt-action model is BSA’s famous cold-hammer forged barrel, which in both cases is 470mm long (18.5in).

The Buccaneer doesn’t come supplied with a silencer, but I would suggest that if you are a hunter then you should add one to the 1/2in UNF thread underneath.

Which magazine does the BSA Buccaneer Pro use?

Behind the barrel sits BSA’s trusty 10-shot magazine, which pulls out from the left when the side-lever is pulled all the way back.

It’s very easy to load and you simply drop a pellet in, then rotate the inner drum anticlockwise to drop another pellet in, which in turn increases the spring tension inside.

It is very pellet-friendly and features a countdown display so you can keep an eye on how many pellets you have left.

Both the .177 and .22 model magazines hold 10 shots, whilst the .25 model has eight shots.

Two-stage Match trigger

One of my favourite features on this Buccaneer Pro is its excellent two-stage Match trigger.

I have been reliably informed that the actual trigger unit itself is a tweaked version of the one they use on the Scorpion and Ultra range of rifles, but this one has been developed specifically for this rifle.

Apart from being able to adjust length of weight of the second stage, you can also tweak length of pull.

Straight from the box, the trigger on the review gun had a long first stage, which came to a clear stop before a short, crisp and relatively light second stage.

It didn’t need any adjusting for me, it’s just how I like it to be. The break is extremely crisp with absolutely zero creep to be found.

BSA Buccaneer Pro: Shots per fill

The Buccaneer Pro features a brand new regulator, which has improved the efficiency compared to the previous model.

Using 8.64gr BSA Gold Star pellets, the .177 calibre test gun was running at 11.4ft/lb with a variation of just 9fps over a string of 10 shots.

From a full 232 bar fill, you can expect 155 shots in .177 and 210 in both .22 and .25, which again is a vast improvement, and perfect for hunting.

Filling is via a probe that pushes into an inlet hidden behind a rotating shroud on the end of the cylinder, and there is a colour-coded fill gauge on the very end of the cylinder, too.

You can actually pull this shroud straight off the end of the cylinder very easily, if you so choose when it comes to filling up.

Is the BSA Buccaneer Pro any good?

This new Buccaneer Pro is extremely accurate.

In fact I was very pleasantly surprised when I hit my local club’s range to put it through its paces.

I was regularly landing pellet on pellet at 30m from the bench, and still hitting small groups that could be covered by a 5p piece at 35m with both the .177 and .22 models.

The combination of BSA’s legendary barrels, consistent power output and very predictable trigger all contribute to this precise shooting.

If you fancy owning a BSA PCP but can’t quite stretch to the likes of the R10, R12 or Ultra, or maybe you just fancy a different calibre BSA to add to your collection, then the Buccaneer Pro is well worth exploring.

BSA Buccaneer Pro air rifle specifications

Make: BSA Guns
Model: Buccaneer Pro
Type: Multi-shot PCP
Stock type: Sporter
Cocking: Side-lever
Trigger: Two-stage adjustable
Safety: Manual switch
Calibres: .177; .22; and .25
Overall length: Beech 952mm (37.in), Synthetic 962mm (37.75in)
Barrel length: 470mm (18.5in)
Weight: Beech 3.36kg (7.4lb); Synthetic 3.48kg (7.7lb)
Cylinder: 29mm, 141cc
Fill pressure: 232 bar
Shots per fill: 155 (.177); 210 (.22); 210 (.25)
Magazine capacity: 10 (.177); 10 (.22); 8 (.25)
Energy of test rifle: Avg 11.4 ft/lb over 10 shots
Variation (10 shots): 9fps
RRP: £699 (synthetic) and £739 (beech)
Website: bsaguns.co.uk