What pellet does your HW97K like best in .22? Does it like slugs at all?

[scafo54]

Looking to buy a HW97K in .22 for both target and small game. Your experience will help me greatly. Thanks for any feedback!

[Robert 5mm]

I think it would be an excellent airgun.
I do not think it would have the power to shoot heavy grain slugs.

[Denby95]

I thought slugs are not recommended for springers? I thought tins of like the H&N rabbit slugs say PCP only

[Cslinger]

I have a 77K which should be more or less equivalent.

Never shot slugs.
My 77K likes H&N FTT very much. Specifically the 5.55’s but the 5.53s shoot very well too. It also does well with Air Arms Diabolo Fields.

It doesn’t care for CPHP beyond plinking duty but most of my Weihrauch’s in .22 fall in that camp while the .177s almost universally do well with CPHP.

I know not an exact analog but hopefully a close enough data point.

Chris

[Bayman]

I have a few Weihrauchs, none of them prefer heavier pellets. The accuracy may be good but they lose so much initial energy it makes them no better than standard weight pellets downrange. Ymmv. I've never tried slugs so I won't make  comment.

The 97 IMO is borderline power for 22. Also if you're hunting in the field a Hw97 is a pretty heavy rifle to lug around. As a bench gun shooting known fixed distances the 22 caliber 97 is fine. As a field gun it's heavy and loopy. You better be really fit and have excellent ranging and holdover skills. I think that the powerplant is better suited to 177 & 20 caliber.

[Sky]

My 97 in 22 likes JSB 18.13 domes. The H&N FTT are a close second.

[Mark 611]

Out of the box, in.22cal most 97k's will shoot a 14.3 to 14.66gn pellet between 650 to 700fps, IMO for a .22cal with this power plant, this is not a horrible thing, They can be tuned and make more power! if that's ur intent?  IMO if you want a .22cal rifle? in either a 97 or 95 {ETC} this is an exceptional velocity range for this power plant, If you plan to shoot this rifle out to ranges beyond 50yds their will be some hold over, not that much about a Mil or 2 out 50yds with a 30yd zero, and that's not a big deal to me, I shoot them all the time! My HW95 in .22cal aves, 630fps with FTT's 14.66gn it takes 2mils from my rifle @55yds 1 Mil from my .20cal with a 11,42gn FTT, either way my target is eliminated!!!

[Bayman]

Out of the box, in.22cal most 97k's will shoot a 14.3 to 14.66gn pellet between 650 to 700fps, IMO for a .22cal with this power plant, this is not a horrible thing, They can be tuned and make more power! if that's ur intent?  IMO if you want a .22cal rifle? in either a 97 or 95 {ETC} this is an exceptional velocity range for this power plant, If you plan to shoot this rifle out to ranges beyond 50yds their will be some hold over, not that much about a Mil or 2 out 50yds with a 30yd zero, and that's not a big deal to me, I shoot them all the time! My HW95 in .22cal aves, 630fps with FTT's 14.66gn it takes 2mils from my rifle @55yds 1 Mil from my .20cal with a 11,42gn FTT, either way my target is eliminated!!!

Very well said Mark. I agree on all accounts. My Hw50 in 22 sends FTT in the mid 620s. Did you "detune" your 95?

[ER00z]

My expirence with my .22 HW97K is limited, as I don't shot it as often as the .177 HW97KT-Synthetic. Going by the trajectory, 14-16gr pellets are probably best, right from the box. Last time I took it out I shot Crosman hollow points which left some to be desired. Decent to 30 yards, but beyond that they were inconsistent. I could still hit a 1.25' spinner @ 50y, but maybe 5-6 out of 10 shots. The H&N FTT"s did much better if I remember correctly.

About slugs, forgive me for long ramblings...

I have not tried slugs in the HW97's. Usually slugs want to be pushed over 900fps, and in my limited expirence with them is they generally lose about 1.5fpe due to extra friction going down the barrel. The HW97 is roughly a 15fpe gun as is. Going with these estimated figures, you'd need a ~8grain slug to hit ~900fps (for down range stability beyond 30 yards) and as far as I know, there are no .22 caliber slugs are available this light. You'd need at least a 31fpe in .22 to get decent results with lightest commonly available slugs (that I know of). There was a review on Youtube of a Blue Laminated HW97K in .177 that the reviewer did have some success with light .177 slugs. This should be considered the exception and not the rule. When it comes to slugs, so far it's been "try it and see if it works".  Also, spring/gas piston platforms generally aren't the prefered power plants for pushing slugs. The internals are already under high stress (spring/piston seal) and with the extra pressure (duration) could only advance the wear of these components. I only want to inform you of what I've experienced, not to discourage. The HW97 is an excellent gun in .177 and .22 (if you can deal with a loopier trajectory). With the right pellet they are extremely accurate.

[scafo54]

Wonderful feedback and much appreciated! Since my largest target animal is a raccoon, and I can keep the distance to less than 30-40 yards, I can probably get by without slugs. I won't be toting it around much, as any pest control is just around the house. As far as target shooting goes, I understand it to be a very accurate gun. Follow up question is what scopes are you using on your 97k? I understand you have to be careful with scope selection...?

[ER00z]

The HW97 will need a springer rated scope. There are many offerings with options to fit most budgets. Luckily, I don't consider the HW97 a "scope eater". I'm running Burris optics on both my HW97's. I think they're both Fulfields, but not 100% sure. I do know one has a 30mm tube(.22) and the other has a 1" tube(.177). The 30mm tube gives a bit more adjustment (I think) but not necessary on this platform. Also, Drooper mounts will not be needed, but scope rings/one piece mount with a stop pin should be used.

[Bayman]

Wonderful feedback and much appreciated! Since my largest target animal is a raccoon, and I can keep the distance to less than 30-40 yards, I can probably get by without slugs. I won't be toting it around much, as any pest control is just around the house. As far as target shooting goes, I understand it to be a very accurate gun. Follow up question is what scopes are you using on your 97k? I understand you have to be careful with scope selection...?

Racoon inside 30 yards. Head shot only. The caliber is irrelevant. You will need a springer rated scope or a Sportsmatch Dampa mount. I'm fond of the Hawke Airmax scopes. I run a 4-12x40 on my 97. Very accurate gun, well made, just not practical (IMO) for hunting afield. For target shooting and or shooting from a bench the 97 is great.

[DanD]

My 77K is most accurate with Predator GTO.
FTT 5.55 are the best lead pellets I've found for it.

[ER00z]

Looking to buy a HW97K in .22 for both target and small game. Your experience will help me greatly. Thanks for any feedback!

Out of curiosity, what stock preference do you have?

The synthetic thumb hole stock is solid, not hollow. Just figured It's worth a mention. It's the best synthetic stock I've ever encountered on an airgun, though it's also the heaviest synthetic stock. Also, the muzzle report is fairly low, the extra available moderator isn't necessary on the HW97, as it has a hollow can on the muzzle already, but it does knock down a couple db's if you decide to get one.

[Cslinger]

+1 on the muzzle report on the 97s.  In either caliber they are quite quiet for the power IMO. I mean not HW30 quiet but way quieter then you would expect and much quieter then the 77.

Also I am not a hunter but know a little bit about a little bit and Raccoons are insanely tough little critters for their size / weight.  I have seen them shrug off a rifle hit. I mean I am sure they eventually died but it didn’t anchor them.

[Mark 611]

Ron, my gun has the factory spring it tuned up, this rifle also has a OC chopped 12.25'' barrel, This is the 2nd 95 I have owned that shot this velocity with a factory spring and the same weight pellets, I'm good with it at this velocity, its very easy to shoot well and accurate as you can shoot it, it also has a ROWEN extra set back trigger in it, My HW50 .22cal has a 10.5'' barrel, with the 14.66 FTT's 5.53mm it aves 620fps, but its has a JM Hornet kit in it and a ASA piston seal

[uglymike]

My Beeman HW97K .22 shoots 1/2 dozen different pellets well. It's presently tuned at 12 ft/lbs. and I'm using up some AA 13.4gr I have. They're deadly out to 40 yards, haven't tried farther. Also likes the 16gr AAs, FTTs in 14.6gr, H&N Sport wadcutters for close in pest work. Never tried slugs, see no need for what I use it for.

[Bayman]

Ron, my gun has the factory spring it tuned up, this rifle also has a OC chopped 12.25'' barrel, This is the 2nd 95 I have owned that shot this velocity with a factory spring and the same weight pellets, I'm good with it at this velocity, its very easy to shoot well and accurate as you can shoot it, it also has a ROWEN extra set back trigger in it, My HW50 .22cal has a 10.5'' barrel, with the 14.66 FTT's 5.53mm it aves 620fps, but its has a JM Hornet kit in it and a ASA piston seal

Thanks Mark I'm sure it shoots great. I'm just not familiar with 22 caliber Hw95 factory velocities. It only struck me as odd because it's close to my Hw50 with the same pellet. Do you have a 20 caliber R9/Hw95? If so what velocities do you have it shooting? And what pellets do you like?

[scafo54]

Looking to buy a HW97K in .22 for both target and small game. Your experience will help me greatly. Thanks for any feedback!

Out of curiosity, what stock preference do you have?

The synthetic thumb hole stock is solid, not hollow. Just figured It's worth a mention. It's the best synthetic stock I've ever encountered on an airgun, though it's also the heaviest synthetic stock. Also, the muzzle report is fairly low, the extra available moderator isn't necessary on the HW97, as it has a hollow can on the muzzle already, but it does knock down a couple db's if you decide to get one.

I have a syn thumbhole stock on the 97K I have in the cart at Krale. I am secluded enough that a moderator is not on my list, ATM. I am just waiting to see what I might add to the order in terms of pellets and a scope before "pulling the trigger" ...so to speak...:-) 

As you might have noticed, I am new to adult airguns. My "testing out the hobby" gun is a .22 Crosman Shockwave, which I have been enjoying enough to start thinking about upgrading to something a little nicer. (I think I like the accuracy challenge of springers enough that I will stay away from the Darkside for a while longer...)  Thanks for asking and for your feedback.

[scafo54]

Out of the box, in.22cal most 97k's will shoot a 14.3 to 14.66gn pellet between 650 to 700fps, IMO for a .22cal with this power plant, this is not a horrible thing, They can be tuned and make more power! if that's ur intent?  IMO if you want a .22cal rifle? in either a 97 or 95 {ETC} this is an exceptional velocity range for this power plant, If you plan to shoot this rifle out to ranges beyond 50yds their will be some hold over, not that much about a Mil or 2 out 50yds with a 30yd zero, and that's not a big deal to me, I shoot them all the time! My HW95 in .22cal aves, 630fps with FTT's 14.66gn it takes 2mils from my rifle @55yds 1 Mil from my .20cal with a 11,42gn FTT, either way my target is eliminated!!!

I live close to Mike Melick, who has agreed to do a tune up for me, though we have not discussed the particulars, yet. Thanks for the feedback!