Recommendations
Been looking at the HW80 and HW90. I’ve never had a breakbarrel or gas piston, i.e. HW90. I’m a bit concerned about the longevity of the gas ram.
Primarily to be used for hunting/pesting, .22 or .25 cal. Accuracy and reliability are most important. There are times when I don’t want a 3,000 psi air cylinder (pcp) riding next to me in a car/utility vehicle.
Any recommendations, even other brands?
Thanks.
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Viewing 11 replies - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)
Hard to say which stock might allow for best accuracy. I will say that because I shoot springers often, I would not pick the thumbhole if it didn’t have the cutout for the thumb up position. Now that said, with springers, it’s all about consistency so you can hold the gun ‘wrong’ and if you do it consistently, then your groups will reflect that… but I think that the thumbhole will be a bit harder to maintain that consistency when moving from bench to offhand, to shooting from a tree, etc. Still, I am only throwing out a semi educated guess here based off my own experience. I would venture a guess that whichever stock you choose, you’ll need to practice with it and for a hunting gun, I wouldn’t think you would see a big difference in accuracy.
Understand that when I talk about thumbs up and using a certain rest, etc, etc… I am shooting for the best possible groups. It’s that kind of attention to detail that makes groups like I’ve shown possible with springers, but you certainly don’t need to be that anal about it for a hunting gun…so pick whichever you find most visually appealing and practice with it and you’ll do just fine.
Here are the two HW97 stocks in question:
Rob, since you know these rifles (or anyone), which stock is likely more accurate? I’m guessing the thumb hole does have the thumbs-up cutouts. It’s an ambi stock, so the grooves above the grip are on both sides. Likely designed for the index finger on one side, it looks like the opposite might serve for thumbs up, yes?
My RWS 48 has a Vortek kit in it.
Damn good shooting there! Seems like all air rifles are pellet-picky when it boils down to the “best” accuracy.
If you want to go on the cheap do not over look the china guns,
They have come a long way and want the green back, (dollar)
You have to learn to shoot with springer’s but in the long run it will make you a better shot, ( I think)
My first china gun was a Super max 177 side lever cocking gun, I paid 100 bucks for it, 38 yards dime size groups with practice , It will rattle your fillings in your teeth out, Not for sale , That says something,
Next is a open site Tech Force 99 primer 177 , Shit the china people have there shit together, Nice gun shoots right with My beeman 177 124 a 500 dollar gun, I do not remember what I paid for the Tech Force, Not much,
I would do a tune on either one at a drop of a hat.
I got a couple of P17 pistols 35 bucks , Hard to load but a 350 dollar pistol might shot better, Just do not know of one.
Do not count the Chinese out , There working hard for our money.
Mike+
Underlevers…. The two big contenders there is the TX200 and the HW97, which you’ve mentioned. Of the two, in particular for .22, I would go with the HW97. Mine I had in .22 was picky… but it was spot on with (or all things… ) RWS HP’s. It grouped them like a champ. I traded it for my HW97 in .177.
For thumbholes in springers, be aware that you wont want to ‘grip’ the gun with the thumbhole. You likely wont be able to group it as well. A ‘thumbs up’ hold will be much more consistent and accurate. My TX200 thumbhole has the ‘thumbs up’ cut out into it, as did/do all my thumb hole stocks on springers. I dont know if the 97 has that in stock form or not.
Here is a group with the HW97 in .22..
As for what a kit does (Macarri or Vortek… same as Ford/Chevy) you’ll find little to no vibration and just a solid ‘thunk’ when firing. I’m not sure how to describe it, but if you have the chance to shoot a well tuned springer, you’ll know the difference straight away. No buzz, no twang…
I’ve put these kits in many springers… they arent hard to do. I did a write up somewhere on an R11 with pics… will see if I can dig it up. All are roughly the same though… a spring compressor is handy, but not needed. I’ve even done a Patriot without a spring compressor… but wouldnt want to again.
I’ve got a thirty year old RWS 48, .22 which was tuned by John Thomas, a decent springer… heavy.
The .25s will probably shake too much for my uses and I’ve got several pcps in .25 for bulk pest control. Besides, a .22 is adequate for getting squirrels/birds out of fruit trees and rabbits in the gardens.
The high cheek weld, and thumbhole stock are big pluses for the HW97K-haven’t seen much about the claim of reduced vibration.
Rob, you mention a Macarri kit on the HW80/R1; what advantages does this provide vs. the stock mechanics?
Looks like the above two are the main contenders. Any views on under lever designs?
My take on those you’ve mentioned. The HW80 is the same as the Beeman branded R1. It’s a great gun with a bit more oompf than the R9. My R1 in .22 was spot on accurate…
But was quite pellet picky, as you can see…. (as is the case with most springers/gas rams) This gun, I tuned myself with a Macarri kit. Mine loved FTS pellets, but wouldnt shoot JSB’s for crap.
The HW90 or Beeman RX2 is a gas ram gun and while I dont own one, I’ve shot them. Same everything as with any other higher powered springer. They can be picky. I have a Lightning, Kodiak and Patriot all gas rammed. You cannot tell them apart from a well tuned spring gun. The main difference is you can leave them cocked for extended periods without worrying about loss of power. Gas or spring, they will all be subject to the same nuances when shooting.
The RWS 34/36 is often brought up, but to be honest, I’ve owned 4 of them and I find them to be more picky than most. I think an a good all around hunting springer would be the R9/HW80 in .22. Better yet, if you are on the fence and dont want to sink a lot of money in one the B26 is a damn good Chinese copy of the R9. I had one in an R9 stock and tuned with Macarri bits and you would be hard pressed to tell it from a ‘real’ R9.
As to longevity, I’ve got one gas ram I’ve had for 8 or 9 years, no loss in power, no issues.
In .25, forget about the Hatsans or the like. If you are hell bent on a .25 springer, find a used Kodiak or Patriot. Know that you will have a bitch of a time getting used to hitting anything with it if you are unfamiliar with big springers. They ‘can’ be accurate though… but it takes time and lots and lots of practice.
Sounds like you are not looking for a beater for the woods. If you were I would say go for a RWS 34 P in .22 I know some say they are for beginners but they are accurate and handle well in the woods. Also if you do ding it up you will not cry (as much) :biggrinn:
Thanks for the input, and the AOA info. didn’t realize they had so many models…nice!
At this point, I’m seriously looking at the HW97K Thumb Hole stock, in .22
My right wrist was partly destroyed and may end up fused w/ stainless steel some day=no movement. The thumb hole styles are easier to hold when one’s wrist won’t bend. Mostly, I’m making excuses ’cause that’s a fine looking rifle 
Hmmm… decisions decisions…
Yep AOA has some great deals for sure . I have my eye on a HW 35 ….No particular reason over any of the others , I just think it looks cool with the breech lock . Mike ( iride) has one of the HW95 he got there and loves it . His words plenty good enough for me ! I just like the shorter guns I guess . Only trade off is the carbines are harder to cock .
I personally like the HW rifles better than the Diana’s . But I honestly don’t think either of the 2 you mentioned would be anything but incredible !!! Keep us posted and start a thread with what I’m sure will be great groups
I’ve never owned a gas spring rifle, but they seem to be fairly reliable these days. Anything Weihrauch, and you should be good to go. If a regular spring air rifle is something you are interested in, I know Airguns of Arizona has a deal on the Weihrauch HW95 which was $299, but went up to $315 last time I looked. That is a great deal on a great gun. It was a stalwart hunting and field target platform.
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Given that that thumb hole version is an extra $185, the regular stock is a better buy. Even if my wrist gets fused, it should be able to hold a regular stock. I could always bring a rifle in with me and tell the surgeon to “fuse it in this position” 😛
Mike, I have a friend that’s looking for a budget gun, I’ll pass your info to him, thank you. He and I hunt/pest some of the same lands at work. It’s surprising how much meat gets put on the table.
To me, the German springers are the bomb. Besides tight tolerances and good design, they seem to be durable. Never had an issue with the RWS, except after 20 years, the spring was old enough I chose to replace it.
Side lever designs appeal to me and are easy to cock. The big issue with any springer in a hunting situation is the animals see the motion of cocking/compressing. One shot one kill only works if there’s one squirrel in a peach tree; when you’ve got 3-5 in the same tree, it’s trickier. My guess is cocking the under lever design may be less obvious than side lever or break barrel.