I have both-- here's my observations on MY range with MY units. Your experiences may vary.I have Airmax scopes on both. The 97 is the 12fpe version. 97 is way cheaper from Krale. I prefer the push button cocking arm storage on the 97I prefer the 2 1/2lb trigger on the 97, the 200 is only 1lb and it's infuriating. They both group 10 shots either side of 1" @ 50 yds if things are going well. The 97 will go just under, the 200 just over. Although that might be me as I have to fight the featherweight trigger on the 200. The 97 cocks and fires noticably smoother. The trigger pack on the 200 is riveted together, so if you wanted to take the guts out it's going to be a fight. If looks matter, The bluing on the 200 is better. The wood stocks are comparable, but the 200 doesn't look right. The brown grip cap with white line is nice touch but the recoil pad has no white line, is black and ventilated. Doesn't match and it looks ridiculous, this is a pellet gun not a .30-06.I've had the mainspring out of both with no spring compressor needed. You won't regret either one, but if I had to choose I'd keep my HW97.