A decade or so ago I foolishly sold two Weihrauch airguns, one HW77 (underlever cocker, .22 cal.) and one HW80 (barrel cocker, .177 cal.). I soon regretted it and went through a few guns looking for a replacement that I would enjoy just as much. I tried a Diana 350 (handled like a railroad tie), a Diana 52 (unpleasant firing behaviour), a Benjamin Discovery (very poor fit and finish), an Airforce Condor (a little too "Star Wars" for me), and most recently an Air Arms Prosport (I actually liked this one). I probably would have settled on the Air Arms gun, but recently at a gun show I picked up an HW97.

Wow! This is IMHO the perfect air rifle. I love the self-contained nature of spring-powered guns...I don't need a compressor, a SCUBA tank and a support team. I like the handling, the weight, the styling. It is far easier to shoot well than the Diana 52 or Air Arms, both of which were quite demanding of shooting grip and style. It doesn't require the awkward contortions of the PCP guns to insert a pellet with my chubby little digits. It allows for easy insertion of a pellet without cocking the gun, letting you quickly cock and shoot when that starling shows up at the feeder. In the area of fit and finish, it is at least equal to the considerably more expensive Air Arms.

All three brands of pellets I have tried shoot beautifully, although the gun is still new and probably needs a couple hundred more rounds to fully break in and hit its stride. The Barrakuda pellets (thanks for that recommendation, JDollar) that were the Air Arms' favourite ammo, are producing dime-sized groups at 50 yards. It's only going to get better.

The last time I was this enamoured with an air rifle was when I got my HW77 about 20 years ago...and look what happened to that gun...it's gone! I hope I'm smart enough to keep this one. I like it even better.

if you like it now- you will LOVE it after 500 rounds downrange. springers( and to a limited degree, PCP's) have a definite breakin period during which the moving parts have to wear a bit and smooth out. as the barrel "seasons" and the cocking mechanism slicks up, it will get more accurate and more pleasant to shoot. and nobody makes a better springer than Weihrauch.

+1

I bought an HW97K this year, and it shoots a 5 shot ragged hole at 50 yards. I am taking it to Zimbabwe with me for my August safari. The doves and francolin are in deep kimchi!

Mangwana

Oh, man, the HW97 is a true classic.
Subsailor, can't wait to hear your report, as I thought an air rifle would be the nuts for francolin and guinea fowl in Namibia.

What is the best caliber for general shooting as well as squirrels and such?

Mike: The experienced guys will tell you not to ignore .177; it shoots relatively flat and penetrates well. I like the .22 (given a powerful enough air rifle to move the pellets at 750 fps or more) because of the heavier punch when it connects. My current .22 is a Xisico B -25, one of the nicest of the Chinese guns and with a great trigger. I am also planning to add a Hatsan Model 95 in .25, just because of the accuracy and value in these Turkish-made springers. Even just loafing along, a .25 pellet hits like the medicine ball of the airgun world.
Pellet selection is best with .177, but there are many, many fine pellets in .22 and .25.

JWM: Sorry for the hijack.

Thanks. No hijack, I was referring to what caliber would be preferable in the HW97K. Looks like a helluva on an air rifle for backyard vermin.

97 is a very nice gun Mike but heavy as hell. If your arms are all buff from totin' them big bores fine. I prefer an R9 or other break barrel and sold my 97 with no regrets.

Mjines--Mike, I have shot both .177's and .22's as well as .20 cal (5mm)and in my books the 5mm-.20 cal beats em both--it's the best of both worlds. I did google and the rifle you mentioned can be special ordered in .20. I have zero experience with .25 but did notice the pellets are pricey.

Thanks. I am leaning toward the R9 in .20. Most places have them backordered until early June though.

MJines--Pellet selection in .20 may not be as varied as in .22's and .177's but in my books, either of the Sheridan offerings are all you need. I think you'll like the cal. What town in Texas?

Mike, I had an R-9 in .20 and it was a very nice rifle. Mine liked the Czech-made JSB pellets. Hope you get yours soon and report!