We all love German springers, but...

[Jason_Garvin]

You guys and gals have me quite intrigued about a short stroked Sport now. I placed an order for a TbT 30mm HW short stroke kit. I figure an HW80 piston seal fits so that kit should fit easily enough as well. I think this should really transform the gun

I have not tinkered into this realm, but I could see where this might help the rifle.  I never bit onto short stroking, due to the strange cocking motion to take up the slack as a result of the added spacing in front if the piston (not in the rear side with stem mods).

Custom Air Seals was making a snap on seal for 26 & 30mm pistons.  However it has the cup face style seals which I would rather use in a 97 style comp tube.  The parachute may be the ticket instead in case the tube is slightly over sized or out of round.  Shortening the stroke on that big heavy 30 mm piston may clean up the cycle some.

The safety if I recall is reset with the rear skirt, that wouldn’t favor well I suppose with custom stem or piston work without some serious thought.

Jason

[Sqwirl57]

You guys and gals have me quite intrigued about a short stroked Sport now. I placed an order for a TbT 30mm HW short stroke kit. I figure an HW80 piston seal fits so that kit should fit easily enough as well. I think this should really transform the gun

I have not tinkered into this realm, but I could see where this might help the rifle.  I never bit onto short stroking, due to the strange cocking motion to take up the slack as a result of the added spacing in front if the piston (not in the rear side with stem mods).

Custom Air Seals was making a snap on seal for 26 & 30mm pistons.  However it has the cup face style seals which I would rather use in a 97 style comp tube.  The parachute may be the ticket instead in case the tube is slightly over sized or out of round.  Shortening the stroke on that big heavy 30 mm piston may clean up the cycle some.

The safety if I recall is reset with the rear skirt, that wouldn’t favor well I suppose with custom stem or piston work without some serious thought.

Jason

I'm not 100% positive on the safety but given how it rides the top of the trigger unit I suspect you are correct. I currently only have one short stroked gun and that is my TX200 which I did opt for extending the latch rod. I was never a huge fan of that anti-bear trap ratcheting mechanism so short stroking it that way took care of two birds with one stone. Im very interested to see how these seal extensions work and this seems like a great opportunity to find out. I will keep everyone posted after I get it and likely a new spring installed.

[Hoosier Daddy]

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. 

I recall an R10 that OC installed an HW98 barrel in also, is this the R10?  IIRC, he machined an extension that snapped in the front of the piston, and added a piston seal.  He also claimed it was accurate and smooth.

Jason

Nope this is his HW98 not an R10 .. I have an R10 and wanted a matching R11... Whitefang offered this HW98 instead as a substitute .
And that is how the story began.

[Hoosier Daddy]

So... back on track of the original topic....
A Beeman R10 (HW85) is an outstanding German wonder in .20 !

[SpiralGroove]

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. 

I recall an R10 that OC installed an HW98 barrel in also, is this the R10?  IIRC, he machined an extension that snapped in the front of the piston, and added a piston seal.  He also claimed it was accurate and smooth.

Jason

Nope this is his HW98 not an R10 .. I have an R10 and wanted a matching R11... Whitefang offered this HW98 instead as a substitute .
And that is how the story began.

So Hoosier,
What average velocity are you achieving out the the HW98, short-stroked by Fang?

[Mark 611]

Hey guys I have this rifle, the 98 with the R10 tube short stroked, I do not remember what the numbers were when I got it, but it was turned down, OC, described it as a FWB300 on steroids, I planned to put a full power JM hornet kit for an R10 back in it, I bought the kit awhile back and posted a pix of it, just haven't had the time to do much of anything due to my work schedule and other projects I have going on with custom builds on some PB's, I also have 1 of his hot rodded R1's in .20cal, both of these rifles are fabulous shooters! I really miss my friend OC  

[Hoosier Daddy]

So Hoosier,
What average velocity are you achieving out the the HW98, short-stroked by Fang?

I dug through all my files and can't find where I ever Chono'ed it.
 Good project for today!

[Ike the GSD]

I'm with you Wes, and you said it well.

My original question was to see if some people had changed their preferences with experience, as had happened to me.  My first exposures to good springers were both Diana's, and I was surprised to find that with more exposure I now (mostly) prefer less powerful HWs, because I really like the harder shooting guns.  Started wondering if I was following a common evolution, as it were, away from velocity. 

I've changed to the point that I recently bought an HW30, and I'm enjoying it.  I would not have thought to do so 5 years ago.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not selling off any Diana's and they get plenty of time in my shooting rotation.  In fact I have a little D54 project going on now, and a D460 that will be getting some attention soon too.  But I've found that the HWs suit me better.  Or just please me more.  Not quite sure which.

IPardon me for the long delay in responding to your post and thank you for your compliment. As much as I enjoy target shooting and plinking my air rifles were purchased for hunting, so I expect them to be able to produce a certain level of power, the R9 has become my favorite of the three springers I own, but it's at the bottom end for what I consider a hunting rifle power wise and I limit my shots with it to 30 yards. I realize the Brits do quite well with their 12 ft lb rifles but I'm thankful we aren't subject to such restrictions. I'm not saying I can't appreciate the lower powered springers, but for my purposes the rifles I have cover both the target shooting and the hunting quite well, in particular the R9. An HW30 for me at least would be redundant because of how accurate and mild shooting the R9 is. The 350 is more of a special purpose rifle and I don't shoot it all that often, but it sure puts a smile on my face when I do because of the power it makes. I said above that I limit my shots to 30 yards when I'm hunting with the R9, but I basically limit my shots to 30 yards regardless of which rifle I'm using. I've shot so many squirrels in my life that if one is a little out of range it doesn't bother me to just let it go, my Dad had a saying " If I don't shoot it I don't have to clean it" I'm not sure what he meant by that because he made me clean all the squirrels anyway but that's another story LOL!

[Ike the GSD]

I've been very curious about those 340's for a long time Yogi.  I'd trade my 350 NTEC for one I think, to someone looking for more power.

FWIW-I think the Diana 340 N-tec Compact Lexus(walnut hogsback stock), is one of the very nicest looking airguns.  All the proportions are right and it just fits.
Why more companies do not make hogsback stocks if beyond me.

-Yogi

When I worked at the gun shop we always called them Roman Nose stocks😜

[SpiralGroove]

Hey guys I have this rifle, the 98 with the R10 tube short stroked, I do not remember what the numbers were when I got it, but it was turned down, OC, described it as a FWB300 on steroids, I planned to put a full power JM hornet kit for an R10 back in it, I bought the kit awhile back and posted a pix of it, just haven't had the time to do much of anything due to my work schedule and other projects I have going on with custom builds on some PB's, I also have 1 of his hot rodded R1's in .20cal, both of these rifles are fabulous shooters! I really miss my friend OC

Yeah Yoda,
We all miss FANG's cryptic writing, folksy style and generosity he had for everyone . 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Ain't that the truth!
OC was one of the good ones here.

[Crowman]

Hoosier, I have enough rifles for 10 life times. But that HW85 .20 cal. makes me envious. I have the .177 and .22 which are a treat to shoot. I’m finding the .20 cal. to be favourable. Often wondered what the 85 would be like in .20 cal. Going to be a challenge to get. Thanks for showing. Crow

[Kragman1]

I have often wondered if a Magnum .20 cal would have an advantage over a .177
I see the advantage for sure in .22 because you can run heavier, more aerodynamic pellets up against the 900 fps mark.
And it seems like the 11+ to 15+ grain .20 pellets would work very well in the 800-900 fps range.  Possibly optimizing the pellet weight & BC combo vs velocity generated by magnum springers.

I have considered rebarreling my spare Parrus, but my curriousity is "little", expected cost "lots"....

[Hoosier Daddy]

Hoosier, I have enough rifles for 10 life times. But that HW85 .20 cal. makes me envious. I have the .177 and .22 which are a treat to shoot. I’m finding the .20 cal. to be favourable. Often wondered what the 85 would be like in .20 cal. Going to be a challenge to get. Thanks for showing. Crow

Funny story about that R-10 (HW85)...
I was at the Findlay show sharing a table with Steve... we would take turns and wander around to see the other sellers wares.
 I spotted it early and at the end as everyone was packing up I went back and it was still there.
Talking to the seller I made a last minute trade for a 312, and C9 'streak..
Once the hand-shake was done I said "OK.. what's wrong with it?"
 He said "The caliber... nobody want's a .20"
I giggled all the way home!

[SpiralGroove]

I have often wondered if a Magnum .20 cal would have an advantage over a .177
I see the advantage for sure in .22 because you can run heavier, more aerodynamic pellets up against the 900 fps mark.
And it seems like the 11+ to 15+ grain .20 pellets would work very well in the 800-900 fps range.  Possibly optimizing the pellet weight & BC combo vs velocity generated by magnum springers.

I have considered rebarreling my spare Parrus, but my curriousity is "little", expected cost "lots"....

In a Springer, a .20 caliber HW80 cannot be beat for precision accuracy out to 80+ yards.
I would like to see how a .20 cal. D54 or D56 would compare ............... it's likely their heavier mass/lower recoil would give them the edge.

[nced]

I have often wondered if a Magnum .20 cal would have an advantage over a .177
I see the advantage for sure in .22 because you can run heavier, more aerodynamic pellets up against the 900 fps mark.
And it seems like the 11+ to 15+ grain .20 pellets would work very well in the 800-900 fps range.  Possibly optimizing the pellet weight & BC combo vs velocity generated by magnum springers.

I have considered rebarreling my spare Parrus, but my curriousity is "little", expected cost "lots"....

In a Springer, a .20 caliber HW80 cannot be beat for precision accuracy out to 80+ yards.
I would like to see how a .20 cal. D54 or D56 would compare ............... it's likely their heavier mass/lower recoil would give them the edge.

Seems almost all Field Target  shooters shoot .177 cal with a 20 foot pound max limit. Personally I've never met a shooter using a .20 but I'm sure there MUST be a FEW.

[SpiralGroove]

I have often wondered if a Magnum .20 cal would have an advantage over a .177
I see the advantage for sure in .22 because you can run heavier, more aerodynamic pellets up against the 900 fps mark.
And it seems like the 11+ to 15+ grain .20 pellets would work very well in the 800-900 fps range.  Possibly optimizing the pellet weight & BC combo vs velocity generated by magnum springers.

I have considered rebarreling my spare Parrus, but my curriousity is "little", expected cost "lots"....

In a Springer, a .20 caliber HW80 cannot be beat for precision accuracy out to 80+ yards.
I would like to see how a .20 cal. D54 or D56 would compare ............... it's likely their heavier mass/lower recoil would give them the edge.

Seems almost all Field Target  shooters shoot .177 cal with a 20 foot pound max limit. Personally I've never met a shooter using a .20 but I'm sure there MUST be a FEW.

Yeah Nced,
I understand what your saying, but I'm talking about taking shots well beyond 55 yard shots.  That's were the .20 cal (specifically 13.73 JSB) shines.

[Hoosier Daddy]

So Hoosier,
What average velocity are you achieving out the the HW98, short-stroked by Fang?

I dug through all my files and can't find where I ever Chono'ed it.
 Good project for today!

Well THAT was easy!

When the last numbers on each didn't change I was skeptical and intentionally threw sideways and the chrono confirmed it was reading. 

[SpiralGroove]

Kinda like a Hot HW35E, but lower recoil and better ES.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Kirk,
 I wish we lived closer to each other so you could experience this gun for yourself.
Pellet on turret is easy. I am sure the weight of the rifle helps... but DANG she is smooooth.