HW98 VS HW95L

[chuckinohio]

  All things considered, does any one think that Weihrauch puts the extra effort into the HW98 to justify the cost over the 95L, or is the extra cost due solely to the adjustable stock and barrel sleeve on the 98? Do they go the extra mile to make them superior to a more mundane production model rifle?

  My thinking is this-
  I don't really care about the adjustable butt pad and comb, you wouldn't be able to utilize them in HFT in any event.
  I do like a muzzle heavy rifle for off hand shooting, but I can strip the sights from a 95L, add the 98 barrel sleeve, and VOILA, I have a base model or plain jane 98.
  I have heard of just as many 98 owners tuning their rigs as I have heard of 95 owners doing the same, so they seem to be same same as far as build quality goes.


  So, please share your thoughts and insights on the above.
I'm thinking that I'm all good with a 95L and added 98 barrel sleeve for a weight forward accurate rig................ 

 
 

[limbshaker]

I don't have a HW98, but I'm fairly certain that they just use an HW95 tube and stick a barrel sleeve and fancy stock on it. If they would fix the long reach to the trigger thats common on all the Weihrauch springers, it may be worth the added price to me. As for a better made product quality wise over the HW95, I seriously doubt it is. They are really neat guns though! I'd like to have one.

If you just want the barrel sleeve to add to a 95, you can get a new barrel with sleeve, in different calibers here: http://www.specialtyshootingsportsoutdoors.com/air-gun-parts/weihrauch/weihrauch-parts-hw98.html

[JohnWI]

I believe you're correct.  Same action, add the sleeve and expensive stock.

[chuckinohio]

  I figured that they were all same same, but was hoping someone who had been inside of each model would chime in with a definitive yeah or nay.
 
  Judging from how many folks tune their 98s as well as 95s or R9s, I guess that I already had my answer.............. 

  Looks like a 95 Luxus and a barrel sleeve for me!!

[limbshaker]

That would be a sweet looking gun, no doubt! I dont know just how MUCH weight you want to add to the barrel, but have you considered a shroud on the barrel? Paul Watts will do a barrel chop, choke, and recrown and then install a shroud over the barrel that will extend past the muzzle a little. (Like a TX200) So it should be quieter and have a little more forward weight. Just a thought, I just figured I'd mention it. 

[palonej]

That sounds interesting Shaker! I have a 98 and it is without a doubt louder than my TX and 97.

[limbshaker]

That sounds interesting Shaker! I have a 98 and it is without a doubt louder than my TX and 97.

...plus those shrouds just look totally awesome 

[chuckinohio]

  Shaker with the save!!! 

  That route may very well wind up producing a better balanced rifle.
I planned on balancing the barrel sleeve with weight in the butt if necessary, until I got the muzzle hang that I want, but a shrouded barrel sounds even better.

  Where's the balance point on your 98 Joe?

[palonej]

Hello Charles my friend!!
Mine balances on the bag about 2" from trigger guard. And she is accurate!!!
Gets awesome numbers too!!
98 10 shot string JSB 8.4

Lo 906.6
Hi 910.5
Avg 908.4
ES 3.88
SD 1.41

[chuckinohio]

  Sweetness from that rig my man, thanks for the info bits!! 

  I'm thinking of trying my hand with a PG2 kit, some Ultimox, and some pellet testing to see what I wind up with.
  It wont have the magical Motorhead Mojo , but I can always ship her off to get straightened out if it doesn't live up.

[palonej]

Scott installed the PG2 full power kit. It's smooth, plenty of power, not hold or pellet fussy and accurate!! I have close to 10000 down the pipe and am loving this rifle!! It's so tight I swear I could use it as a crow bar!! The sound of lock up at bottom of cocking stroke is just awesome!! Nice SCRUNCH!! Great trigger too!

[Axelr]

I bought a 98 about 6 months ago and just recently decided I wanted a more traditional hunting stock on it. So I just put the action in a Beeman R9 stock I got from Pyramid. Weight wise I haven't noticed much of a difference and the balance point hasn't really moved. Not noticeably anyway. Still a couple inches in front of the trigger.

What I really like is it has improved the gun for offhand shooting tremendously. The pistol grip on the R9 stock is thinner and much more comfortable for me. I have small hands. The fore stock is also narrower and easier for me to hold. The gun is definitely nose heavy with the 98 barrel but I tend to like that. The checkering on the R9 stock isn't as grippy as the stippling on the 98 stock though.

I have a v-mach kit in it and have de-burred and polished it. Has a Rowan Engineering extra set-back trigger which was needed for my short stubby fingers.

Numbers wise:

It shoots JSB Exact jumbo Express 14.35g at 680fps

SD is 1.5fps

If you want the gun for hunting I would go with the HW95 in .22
For target shooting I would get the HW98 in .177. If you like a rifle with a bit of weight up front and you're hunting with it then get the 95 and put a 98 Barrel on it. Cheaper than the way I did it but I already had the 98.

In any case I think you'll be happy with the performance of either gun. Very forgiving springer to shoot it seems. Mines taken about 20 squirrels this year from 10 to 35 yards. Can't remember the last time I missed with it. It's a laser.