We're strictly target shooters, so nearly all our guns are 177, though we do have a couple in 22 cal that we bought used. The couple 22s don't get shot much, since we really have no need for 22s. If we were hunting, might be a different story. And then there is 20 cal. We have the HW50 in 177 and recently added one in 20 cal, since we have a nice assortment of Sheridans and always keep 20 cal pellets on hand, anyway. I do very much enjoy the HW50 in 20 cal. The 20 cal pellets are just enough larger than 177 to make handling and loading easier and the 20 does hit steel harder, too. I think 20 is a good match for the HW50 power level. Gets me the same power level as my Sheridans at max pumps, but without all the pumping. Hate to say it, but the Sheridans aren't seeing much action now that I have the HW50 in 20 cal.
No regrets on my HW50, it is .20 cal and it shoots very nice. I did buy my HW95L in .177 and converted it to .22, for me the conversion was the right choice, I still have the original .177 barrel just in case.
I don't huntbut all things being equal I prefer .22 to .177 because the .22 pellets are MUCH easier to load than the .177 for 70 year old fumbling hands.But all things are never equal- .177 pellets especially lead free ones I use-are cheaper-and I can load the .177 OK-just not as easy as the .22Lot to be said for Cheaper-
Yup, (years ago) as an experiment, purchased .22 barrels for my HW30, HW35 and HW50's. I needed to find out if I liked .22 in lower powered airguns. Tried them for a bit and then removed ALL in favor of .177.My HW80 is .20 caliber ... that tells you what I think of larger calibers in Springer's - Plus I don't hunt.
Quote from: jccams on September 14, 2021, 12:26:21 PMNo regrets on my HW50, it is .20 cal and it shoots very nice. I did buy my HW95L in .177 and converted it to .22, for me the conversion was the right choice, I still have the original .177 barrel just in case. What do you like about 22 over the 177cal in the 95?
Quote from: Bayman on September 14, 2021, 12:38:57 PMQuote from: jccams on September 14, 2021, 12:26:21 PMNo regrets on my HW50, it is .20 cal and it shoots very nice. I did buy my HW95L in .177 and converted it to .22, for me the conversion was the right choice, I still have the original .177 barrel just in case. What do you like about 22 over the 177cal in the 95?Shot cycle, .22 is not snappy, which I thought the .177 was, very smooth and just a nice thump. I did put a maccari kit in it. Flat shooting is not a big deal with my limited shooting distance.
Quote from: jccams on September 14, 2021, 12:55:20 PMQuote from: Bayman on September 14, 2021, 12:38:57 PMQuote from: jccams on September 14, 2021, 12:26:21 PMNo regrets on my HW50, it is .20 cal and it shoots very nice. I did buy my HW95L in .177 and converted it to .22, for me the conversion was the right choice, I still have the original .177 barrel just in case. What do you like about 22 over the 177cal in the 95?Shot cycle, .22 is not snappy, which I thought the .177 was, very smooth and just a nice thump. I did put a maccari kit in it. Flat shooting is not a big deal with my limited shooting distance.Was the jm kit done while it was 177?
Quote from: Bayman on September 14, 2021, 01:07:19 PMQuote from: jccams on September 14, 2021, 12:55:20 PMQuote from: Bayman on September 14, 2021, 12:38:57 PMQuote from: jccams on September 14, 2021, 12:26:21 PMNo regrets on my HW50, it is .20 cal and it shoots very nice. I did buy my HW95L in .177 and converted it to .22, for me the conversion was the right choice, I still have the original .177 barrel just in case. What do you like about 22 over the 177cal in the 95?Shot cycle, .22 is not snappy, which I thought the .177 was, very smooth and just a nice thump. I did put a maccari kit in it. Flat shooting is not a big deal with my limited shooting distance.Was the jm kit done while it was 177?No it wasn't Ron I did the conversion at the same time I installed the kit.
Quote from: jccams on September 14, 2021, 01:15:23 PMQuote from: Bayman on September 14, 2021, 01:07:19 PMQuote from: jccams on September 14, 2021, 12:55:20 PMQuote from: Bayman on September 14, 2021, 12:38:57 PMQuote from: jccams on September 14, 2021, 12:26:21 PMNo regrets on my HW50, it is .20 cal and it shoots very nice. I did buy my HW95L in .177 and converted it to .22, for me the conversion was the right choice, I still have the original .177 barrel just in case. What do you like about 22 over the 177cal in the 95?Shot cycle, .22 is not snappy, which I thought the .177 was, very smooth and just a nice thump. I did put a maccari kit in it. Flat shooting is not a big deal with my limited shooting distance.Was the jm kit done while it was 177?No it wasn't Ron I did the conversion at the same time I installed the kit. Interesting. I wonder if the gun would have been more satisfactory in 177 if it had the kit in it. I'm sure the shot cycle is nicer in 22 no matter what, but I just don't find the 95 overpowered for 177. An R1 on the other hand is.
Quote from: Bayman on September 14, 2021, 01:26:35 PMQuote from: jccams on September 14, 2021, 01:15:23 PMQuote from: Bayman on September 14, 2021, 01:07:19 PMQuote from: jccams on September 14, 2021, 12:55:20 PMQuote from: Bayman on September 14, 2021, 12:38:57 PMQuote from: jccams on September 14, 2021, 12:26:21 PMNo regrets on my HW50, it is .20 cal and it shoots very nice. I did buy my HW95L in .177 and converted it to .22, for me the conversion was the right choice, I still have the original .177 barrel just in case. What do you like about 22 over the 177cal in the 95?Shot cycle, .22 is not snappy, which I thought the .177 was, very smooth and just a nice thump. I did put a maccari kit in it. Flat shooting is not a big deal with my limited shooting distance.Was the jm kit done while it was 177?No it wasn't Ron I did the conversion at the same time I installed the kit. Interesting. I wonder if the gun would have been more satisfactory in 177 if it had the kit in it. I'm sure the shot cycle is nicer in 22 no matter what, but I just don't find the 95 overpowered for 177. An R1 on the other hand is.It may have been, probably not a fair comparison, but I really like it in .22 so I imagine I'll never know.