FWB 300 or 601, 602, 603

[Dr.J#13@AZ]

I’m looking to purchase a target rifle for informal 10 meter target practice and metallic silhouette air rifle competition.  Although I’ve narrowed it down to the FWB 300, 601, 602, or 603 models, I’m open to suggestions.  My hesitancy with the 300 is the age, specifically durability.  I don’t want to purchase a gun and have to send it out for repair.  I’ll be averaging around 150 shots a week.  I will most likely be purchasing from Jim E. or Carel.  My main criterion are accuracy and dependability, hence my wondering if a 600 series rifle might be a better choice.  I’ll initially be shooting with the stock target sights, but plan on mounting a scoring in the near future.  Your comments would be appreciated.  The, Tom

[ssbn617]

My friend,
 With all do respect, I do not think the 300 will ever “wear out”. Seals will over time , but the rifle is repairable and certainly can be gifted to your grandkids.
I have dealt with Jim E and will continue to do so.
Just my opinion,
Mitch

[redcobra04]

I have a 300s a 300s mini and 300s universal.  I woulnt trade them for
any of the 600 series. I had the 300s tuned and reasealed by David Slade at Airgunwerks. All three are extremely accurate. Ive bought all three and. a Walther LGR from Jim E. Parts are out there and people to work on them.

[DonC]

I own a 603 SSP.
I really like it. It'd the last SSP that Feinverkbaugh made and has all the improvements that were possible. I used to own a PCP Anshutz 2002. Both of these rifles are capable to shoot one hole at 10 meters.
My 603 likes H and N Final Match and discontinued Vogel.

[T-Higgs]

I’m looking to purchase a target rifle for informal 10 meter target practice and metallic silhouette air rifle competition.  Although I’ve narrowed it down to the FWB 300, 601, 602, or 603 models, I’m open to suggestions.  My hesitancy with the 300 is the age, specifically durability.  I don’t want to purchase a gun and have to send it out for repair.  I’ll be averaging around 150 shots a week.  I will most likely be purchasing from Jim E. or Carel.  My main criterion are accuracy and dependability, hence my wondering if a 600 series rifle might be a better choice.  I’ll initially be shooting with the stock target sights, but plan on mounting a scoring in the near future.  Your comments would be appreciated.  The, Tom

I currently own a 300. I’ve owned and sold a 603. I’ve shot a 601, 300s and countless other 10 meter rifles. All are more accurate than any of us unless you are an Olympic shooter. The 600 series are FANTASTIC shooters but a pain in the Southern Hemisphere to scope but it certainly can be done (I’ve scoped a few). The 300 series are easy to scope. Shorter scopes work better of course. I’ve rebuilt both several times and the 300 is easier to work on but the 600’s are not bad after a few times. Diana 75 series rifles are fantastic and easy to scope but I do not have the knowledge to rebuild one myself (I own 2). Read a bit about the Walther LGR. THE FIRST SSP rifle to the competitive market. It put to rest the FWB 300 series rifles and made FWB develop the 600 series rifles which took ten years if I remember correctly. The Walther LGR was so accurate that it claimed two world records after it was introduced and was the reason that the size of the now standard Olympic target was reduced from prior. Probably the easiest SSP to scope and about 60% the cost of a 600 series.
  I still claim that they are all more accurate than us. It comes down to which one feels most comfortable.

If you can’t tell, I love ten meter rifles!

[redcobra04]

I haven't scoped any of my 300s or the Walther. I enjoy the challenge of the
stock sights. I believe i would get bored if they were scoped. With the right pellets i can put 10 pellets in less than 1/4 at 25 yards.

[T-Higgs]

One of the few I haven’t owned yet is the Anschutz 380. If you are quick, there is one on eBay that ends in one hour. I’m tired of owning righ5 handed rifles and trying to shoot them lefty so I’m not bidding on it. They are great rifles too but they are springers, recoiless springers. This one is missing the sights.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/323877578162?ul_ref=https%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F0%252Fe11010.m1951.l7534%252F7%253Feuid%253D738e0191b634471d8b7b0145c0dbf712%2526bu%253D43356017893%2526ut%253DRU%2526loc%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.com%25252Fulk%25252Fitm%25252F323877578162%2526exe%253D21789%2526ext%253D56613%2526es%253D0%2526nqc%253DCABAAAAAABAAAAAAABAAAAIAAEBAIAEAAAACAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACCAAAAAAAAABAAAAAAAAAgAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEA**%2526nqt%253DCABAAAAAABAAAAAAABAAAAIAAEBAIAEAAAACAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAAAAAACGAAAAAAAAADAAAASAAAAgAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEA**%2526ec%253D1%2526sojTags%253Des%253Des%252Cnqc%253Dnqc%252Cnqt%253Dnqt%252Cec%253Dec%252Cexe%253Dexe%252Cext%253Dext%252Cbu%253Dbu%252Cut%253Dut%2526srcrot%253De11010.m1951.l7534%2526rvr_id%253D0%2526rvr_ts%253D887e472d16c0ac7ac792372dfff7b5e4&ul_noapp=true

[Dr.J#13@AZ]

Thanks for your comments.  Did any of the FWB 300 variations come with an adjustable comb and/or butt plate?  I’ve read about a 300 mini, are they adult size rifles or a junior sized gun?  Is there a post or website that lists the variations and years of manufacture of the FWB 300?  Sorry for all the questions, but I want to make sure I knows what I’m talking about when I make my purchase.  Thanks again, Tom

[Franklink]

I've got a 300s Mini. Perfect gun for urban backyard. They have a reduced length of pull. The buttpad is adjustable but only up and down, no cant.

In the pic, the Mini is the blonde stock. The reddish one is a stock from a Chinese clone of a 300s.  The walnut stock is a full size lefty 300s.

No barrel muzzle weights, barrel sleeves, and the smaller dimensions of the Mini stock shave quite a bit of overall weight.

I've scoped my Mini and it's my dedicated low-power, extreme accuracy, no fuss, no muss, zero complications (PCP) deadly accurate plinker.

I left the 300 with diopter sights and that's my 10 meter gun.

[Yogi]

Miss January or Miss February or Miss ---------------, decisions decisions?

All of them will shoot better than you can.

Find the one that shoulders the best FOR YOU.

-Y

[redcobra04]

The 300s universal has a adjustable comb and butt pad. Check out
Vintage Airguns Gallery . Just scroll down until you get to FWB 300s.
One big thing ask is does it have a blue or green breech seal. The white
seal is a original seal and usally crumbling do to age. The blue and green seal are the good ones.

[Seanh]

On the FWB 300s. The running board model came with an thumbhole stock adjustable cheek piece and vertically adjustable butt plate.  The only problem with it is that it doesn't have Provisions for iron sights.  I wish I could provide pictures but mine are too high resolution in won't save here.

 I've got one, made around 1980. Only thing that needs to be replaced are the standard piston and breech seals and mainspring on occasion.

Accuracy? Well... It's a 300s

[mafatone]

The FWB 300S is heavier but will give you more FPS than the 600 series. If you're going to shoot off hand  the 600's would be more comfortable. I don't own a 603 but if you can afford it, get it. They're like Corvettes. They hold their value and you should be able to resell it at the same price you paid. As far as Jim E, I'm not here to bash the guy, I just want to let another forum member know what I went through before making a purchase. I paid $630 shipped for a FWB 300S with a busted spring shooting at 530 FPS. Sent him the pictures of the gun disassembled with the broken spring. I sent away for the rebuild kit $100 and asked for a refund and I would eat the labor and he said no. Ever notice how all his guns have 95% bluing and shoot 610 FPS? When he says the rifle is "unmolested" and the black on the checkering is missing, that's from an amateur refinish that he bought it from that didn't know how to color in the checkering. Stevie Wonder could this. Don't let him con you into thinking the whole gun is rebuilt because he put in a $9.00 green breech seal. I'm not the only one trust me. Just posting what I experienced to help another forum member from making a very expensive mistake. Can't speak for Carel as I never purchased from him

[young_skywalker]

Read a bit about the Walther LGR. THE FIRST SSP rifle to the competitive market. It put to rest the FWB 300 series rifles and made FWB develop the 600 series rifles which took ten years if I remember correctly. The Walther LGR was so accurate that it claimed two world records after it was introduced and was the reason that the size of the now standard Olympic target was reduced from prior. Probably the easiest SSP to scope and about 60% the cost of a 600 series.
  I still claim that they are all more accurate than us. It comes down to which one feels most comfortable.

If you can’t tell, I love ten meter rifles!

+1 for the LGR - it was my first SSP rifle and agreed on the ease of scoping it. I too have an affinity for 10m rifles, but the LGR is the one I've shot the most. Another plus is if you scope it, a LDC can be added and it will be near silent for backyard plinking without impacting accuracy.

[Dr.J#13@AZ]

I’ve heard that the LGRs are somewhat of a challenge to cock, i.e., take significantly more effort than a FWB 300.  I’m 72, in good condition and want to put my energy into shooting, not cocking a rifle.  Thanks, Tom

[Dr.J#13@AZ]

I’d be interested and would appreciate hearings from others regarding theirs experiences purchasing from Jim E. and Carel.  Send me a personal message, if you would prefer.  Thanks very much, Tom

[Jonah]

I purchased my FWB 300s from Carel about a year ago.  No problems, received the gun very quickly.  Have been very happy with the gun.

[ssbn617]

I have had 3 transactions with Jim E and no complaints. I emailed him looking for a rear sight and he responded that he did not have any. A week later one of his postings was altered with a lower price but no rear sight. The sight was listed separately, which I bought. Good marketing in my book.
In the future when I need something I will reach out to him first.
Mitch

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

I have a FWB 300s rebuilt by Joe Rhea. (cyclops)
That gun is a 10M wonder with the peeps....and 25-30M scoped.
When people say "Boring Accurate" I just laugh... you have no idea.

[T-Higgs]

I’ve heard that the LGRs are somewhat of a challenge to cock, i.e., take significantly more effort than a FWB 300.  I’m 72, in good condition and want to put my energy into shooting, not cocking a rifle.  Thanks, Tom

Tom,
Full disclosure here. I have a LGR in the classifieds right now and don’t want to seem like I’m blowing sunshine but here’s my opinion. I’ve owned a 603, shot a 601 many times, I own a 300, and have shot many 300 s rifles. The LGR is different in that the charging stroke is almost 180 degrees on the charging handle where the 600 FWB series is maybe 95to 110 degrees. (I’m going from memory). I believe the reason that some say the lgr is harder is that you push the compression stroke whereas on the 600 guns you pull back to compress the air. I don’t think the force needed is all that different but the mechanics of are definitely different and I believe the 600 rifles have better mechanics making it seem easier and more comfortable. The spring guns (300 series) are different in that you pull back to load the spring and freely push forward to close the compression tube. It’s the pushing force forward of the lgr that feels funny to people. One you get used to it, it’s second nature.  It’s just my take on it. I will say I think the lgr is 368% better looking than the 600 series and that’s saying something because I LOVE the FWB 600 series rifles. But dang they are a pain to scope. Hopefully some other lgr shooters will chime in with opinion.

Higgs