Very tempting offer, Kirk. Will keep it in mind.
As mentioned more than once in the past, I purchased and went through 4 of the new sport models. They are rather impressive with the quality of manufacture. And the barrels are very accurate. However the power plant design wasn’t well thought out, not sure why the engineers did what they did. The piston seals weren’t even machined for the piston buttons correctly like we see on the HW seals OEM or aftermarket. I had one come off in the tube when I pulled the piston.My first rifle from PA was full retail with high expectations, just to receive it with differential lube dripping out the action, and the smell was recognizable for anyone who has changed diff lubes in the past.I tuned one down to around 10-10.5 fpe, and it would shoot pertinear the same hole at 25-30 yds. But I felt the action in these becomes sluggish as they slow down much like a TX 200 or a HW80.The iron sights are the best I have seen, and the rifle points very well.I talked with a well known tuner real early in these and he did a couple and stopped as the tubes were gauging out if round, and we know what that requires to address.I do wish they designed these with a 25-26 mm piston instead. But some think the American market wants 1000 fps in everything.I don’t have any of the sports left, but I do have and intend to keep my HW98.Jason
Quote from: Jason_Garvin on January 25, 2024, 06:16:53 PMAs mentioned more than once in the past, I purchased and went through 4 of the new sport models. They are rather impressive with the quality of manufacture. And the barrels are very accurate. However the power plant design wasn’t well thought out, not sure why the engineers did what they did. The piston seals weren’t even machined for the piston buttons correctly like we see on the HW seals OEM or aftermarket. I had one come off in the tube when I pulled the piston.My first rifle from PA was full retail with high expectations, just to receive it with differential lube dripping out the action, and the smell was recognizable for anyone who has changed diff lubes in the past.I tuned one down to around 10-10.5 fpe, and it would shoot pertinear the same hole at 25-30 yds. But I felt the action in these becomes sluggish as they slow down much like a TX 200 or a HW80.The iron sights are the best I have seen, and the rifle points very well.I talked with a well known tuner real early in these and he did a couple and stopped as the tubes were gauging out if round, and we know what that requires to address.I do wish they designed these with a 25-26 mm piston instead. But some think the American market wants 1000 fps in everything.I don’t have any of the sports left, but I do have and intend to keep my HW98.Jason Well Jason,That's the detailed information I needed; which (GTA) members have come to appreciate from you.I think your unbiased observations are very credible ...... and similar to how I would view the gun on disassembly.Hence, I'm glad I never purchased one .......... I very likely would have sold it.Not saying other folks are wrong, but I can see why they were discontinued.
JMO here, I have 1 of OC 98's .177cal, and it's very accurate, I think HW puts a little more precision into the 98 than a standard 95, the 95 is not considered a target rifle, more of a field grade, the 98 is designed to be more of target rifle with the sleeve on the barrel and the stock, so it's hard for me to Imagin the Sport being any more accurate, but again a good rifle is a good rifle no matter who makes it!
Quote from: Mark 611 on January 25, 2024, 05:07:08 PMJMO here, I have 1 of OC 98's .177cal, and it's very accurate, I think HW puts a little more precision into the 98 than a standard 95, the 95 is not considered a target rifle, more of a field grade, the 98 is designed to be more of target rifle with the sleeve on the barrel and the stock, so it's hard for me to Imagin the Sport being any more accurate, but again a good rifle is a good rifle no matter who makes it! Mark, I too am the proud owner of one of OC's 98s. In .177That is no doubt the jewel in my crown.While the other German springers I own, HW, FWB, Diana,... Nothing comes close. Except my Beeman R-10 in .20 is second best.
As mentioned more than once in the past, I purchased and went through 4 of the new sport models. They are rather impressive with the quality of manufacture. And the barrels are very accurate. However the power plant design wasn’t well thought out, not sure why the engineers did what they did. The piston seals weren’t even machined for the piston buttons correctly like we see on the HW seals OEM or aftermarket. I had one come off in the tube when I pulled the piston.My first rifle from PA was full retail with high expectations, just to receive it with differential lube dripping out the action, and the smell was recognizable for anyone who has changed diff lubes in the past.I tuned one down to around 10-10.5 fpe, and it would shoot pertinear the same hole at 25-30 yds. But I felt the action in these becomes sluggish as they slow down much like a TX 200 or a HW80.The iron sights are the best I have seen, and the rifle points very well. The latch up and breech block machined pivot bearings were leagues above HW.I talked with a well known tuner real early in these and he did a couple and stopped as the tubes were gauging out of round, and we know what that requires to address.I do wish they designed these with a 25-26 mm piston instead. But some think the American market wants 1000 fps in everything.All four shot more harsh out of the box than anything I have seen. These were all early serial numbers. They also exhibited stiff cocking and crunching of the springs. For the money HW are a better value and behave better tuned down. I don’t have any of the sports left, but I do have and intend to keep my HW98.FWB was at the 1yd line with these, I wish they would have finished it right and this could have been one of the best break barrels offered today.Jason
Yeah, there were a number of head scratchers on the Sport design that make you wonder what they were thinking. Geez, the accuracy, though. They got that one right. That FWB barrel is pure gold. Not enabling, here. Just for the record. Shot last summer.
What is OC? HW, Diana, FWB... All on my radar as well as Cometa. OC has me scratching my noggin. Is OC a tuner per chance?
Quote from: Hoosier Daddy on January 25, 2024, 08:20:02 PMQuote from: Mark 611 on January 25, 2024, 05:07:08 PMJMO here, I have 1 of OC 98's .177cal, and it's very accurate, I think HW puts a little more precision into the 98 than a standard 95, the 95 is not considered a target rifle, more of a field grade, the 98 is designed to be more of target rifle with the sleeve on the barrel and the stock, so it's hard for me to Imagin the Sport being any more accurate, but again a good rifle is a good rifle no matter who makes it! Mark, I too am the proud owner of one of OC's 98s. In .177That is no doubt the jewel in my crown.While the other German springers I own, HW, FWB, Diana,... Nothing comes close. Except my Beeman R-10 in .20 is second best.I vaguely remember OC working on that one, was that the one he was short stroking? He was talking up the accuracy on that one.
Jason, it is the short stroke gun!
Quote from: splitbeing on January 26, 2024, 10:56:33 AMWhat is OC? HW, Diana, FWB... All on my radar as well as Cometa. OC has me scratching my noggin. Is OC a tuner per chance?Just an ol late friend on this forum known as whitefang, up to his knees in airguns like many on here with great love of this sport, and was always willing to help others in airgunning. The “rambling” ol man is missed,https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/junkyardairguns/in-memory-of-oc-bolding-jr-t3242.htmlJason
My WhiteFang HW98...I dug out my target file folder and found this "note to self".It passes the pellet on turret test.OC delivered.
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