Author Topic: HW30S best caliber? (Read 19477 times))

Bryan Heimann · « **on:** August 18, 2012, 11:14:52 PM »

Been shopping a while now for one single airgun to keep me happy- for awhile at least. Probably won't be able to get one till after tax time so i have time to figure it out. I know i want an HW30S, but choosing a caliber is tough. Pyramyd offers it only in .177, but i've seen it in .20 and i think .22 on line. I know it's way too underpowered to hunt with in .22, but with a vortek kit that might be a different story. Seems like to get the most out of the vortek kit your best option would be at least a .20 version. It's going to be my all-around gun. Fun/plinking, small vermin, and a small game hunter and i might even try to shoot FT with it once i get a nice scope in another year or two, but i fully intend to shoot open sight at least for a while- maybe forever (or at least until i upgrade to a more powerful AG). I see you guys hsaking your heads reading about putting in a vortek kit, thinking i ought to get a hw50 and de-tune or leave it as is... i know. I have my heart set on a svelt little 5.5 pound hw30. So, what are your opinions on choosing a caliber based on what you've read so far...

EMrider · « **Reply #1 on:** August 18, 2012, 11:32:26 PM »

IMHO the HW30/R7 is best in .177.

Even with a vortek kit, you will get maybe 700 fps with a JSB 7.9gr. At that power level, your max range is 40-50 yards or so and you won't be hunting larger game. The flatter trajectory will be nice if you do give FT a try too.

R

Calmark · « **Reply #2 on:** August 18, 2012, 11:55:32 PM »

I think the .177 is the best all-around caliber for what you describe, especially since you mention some possible FT. A Vortek kit should help some to up the velocity, or at least smooth things out.

That said, you did mention plinking. Some people seem to really like the extra weight of a .20 cal or .22 cal pellet for smacking cans or other reactive targets. For short distance pest control, it should work fine too. I've read some people report up into the 8 fpe range with the Vortek kit too, so the power can be decent if you get a good gun that reacts well to that tune kit. The larger sized pellets would probably make longer distance shooting more of a challenge, so they probably wouldn't be the best for FT.

Maybe you could buy one of them and a separate barrel of the other caliber to swap in and out? You also just might have to get two, so you know the answer to your question personally.

Petey · « **Reply #3 on:** August 19, 2012, 12:06:10 AM »

.177
It doesn't need a tune kit . The Hw30s is perfect as is, and from everything I have read ,the kits that up the Fps tend to mess up the accuracy.

shoot JSB express 7.87 gr. and you will be amazed at the accuracy...... dare I say,,hit a fly at twenty yards type accuracy.

JimL911 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 19, 2012, 02:07:17 PM »

Get it in .177. I feel the other calibers are under powered for anything other than plinking. You will be at a disadvantage when shooting FT with such a low power. Sometimes the targets are "heavy" and 1-2 fpe at 50 yards might not knock it down. I know you want a light gun but the extra power and length of the 50S, for a little more $ and weight, might be a better choice.

robert w · « **Reply #5 on:** August 19, 2012, 02:55:24 PM »

i agree as lower powered guns do best with 177. petey can show you just how accurate his is as the remains of the fly tells all. 22 in a gun like this wont be near as accurate . my hw -55 is low powered about 550 mabe 600 and its more accurate than i am

Escondido1 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 19, 2012, 02:56:58 PM »

Glad to see the discussion....just sent my HW30s 177 off to John in PA to Vortek tune.....I've read pros and cons on accuracy...jonny sweden vs others....but in a good tuners hands should be sorted and balanced out....

I am still wondering what experience people have had with the 22 cal version....how is the shot cycle and fps with a Vortek tune?? .....or do we have to move to a 50s for a pester?

grumpy · « **Reply #7 on:** August 19, 2012, 03:46:52 PM »

The .177 should do everything you want of it, but FT is pushing it too much in my opinion. Now if you remove FT from your list of needs I think you will be just fine.

For my needs the HW30S in .20 cal. Its way more accurate then I will ever be.

One of these days I may get around to putting a Vortek kit in it..

Petey · « **Reply #8 on:** August 19, 2012, 03:52:09 PM »

The 50's is great AG ,,have one in .177 I tuned it and installed a custom Vortek Kit.
The PG2 kit Tom makes is smooth as can be, but the spring is designed to up the fps.
I had Tom make me a spring that had two less coils so as to keep it at stock or just slightly lower than stock....my goal was accomplished. Super smooth, quiet..and knocked that horrible edge off the recoil. For a few dollars more than the 30s The 50s would be a great choice.
I would take this Ag anywhere. I would also sleep with my 30 if the wife would let me. Lol

Love my 30.

Bryan Heimann · « **Reply #9 on:** August 19, 2012, 05:37:26 PM »

I have been dreaming about stalking the woods and the fields with a handy little HW30S, and filling my bag with bunnies. I wonder what the retained energy figures are at 50 yards with a vortek tune. From what I've been looking at online, it would't surprize me to see around 4.5-5 fpe at that range after a good tune. At any rate, that's a good long way further than I would be comfy attempting a head shot with open sight. Looks like .177 is where it's at though. I imagine that even if the vortek kit sacrifices some accuracy, it will still be more accurate than i am. Surely capable of head shots within a half inch rise or drop from line of sight. The hw50 is a nice one for sure, but just not what I want. Comparing the actual power levels (not advertised) the hw30 should be on par with a daisy 880,or little bit better after a vortek kit- but a lot more acurate and with the rekord ill bet it's easier to shoot although its a springer. There was a time that I considered that pretty good power in a pellet gun. BTW Grumpy, I really like yours! I bet with the added heft of tgat custom stock ypu can hold her however ypu like..

grumpy · « **Reply #10 on:** August 19, 2012, 06:34:28 PM »

Never weighed it before and after but surprisingly its not much heavier. All I know is it just feels right

I have changed it a bit since that picture. It will be wearing a Beeman SS-2 scope with the front sights removed. 4X is all I really need for taking out pests in the yard.

grumpy · « **Reply #11 on:** August 19, 2012, 06:40:35 PM »

Sorry I just could not resist showing it again lol

I just love this one !

EMrider · « **Reply #12 on:** August 20, 2012, 01:32:11 AM »

Quote from: Bryan on August 19, 2012, 05:37:26 PM

I have been dreaming about stalking the woods and the fields with a handy little HW30S, and filling my bag with bunnies. I wonder what the retained energy figures are at 50 yards with a vortek tune. From what I've been looking at online, it would't surprize me to see around 4.5-5 fpe at that range after a good tune. At any rate, that's a good long way further than I would be comfy attempting a head shot with open sight. Looks like .177 is where it's at though. I imagine that even if the vortek kit sacrifices some accuracy, it will still be more accurate than i am. Surely capable of head shots within a half inch rise or drop from line of sight. The hw50 is a nice one for sure, but just not what I want. Comparing the actual power levels (not advertised) the hw30 should be on par with a daisy 880,or little bit better after a vortek kit- but a lot more acurate and with the rekord ill bet it's easier to shoot although its a springer. There was a time that I considered that pretty good power in a pellet gun. BTW Grumpy, I really like yours! I bet with the added heft of tgat custom stock ypu can hold her however ypu like..

Quote from: Bryan on August 19, 2012, 05:37:26 PM

I have been dreaming about stalking the woods and the fields with a handy little HW30S, and filling my bag with bunnies. I wonder what the retained energy figures are at 50 yards with a vortek tune. From what I've been looking at online, it would't surprize me to see around 4.5-5 fpe at that range after a good tune. At any rate, that's a good long way further than I would be comfy attempting a head shot with open sight. Looks like .177 is where it's at though. I imagine that even if the vortek kit sacrifices some accuracy, it will still be more accurate than i am. Surely capable of head shots within a half inch rise or drop from line of sight. The hw50 is a nice one for sure, but just not what I want. Comparing the actual power levels (not advertised) the hw30 should be on par with a daisy 880,or little bit better after a vortek kit- but a lot more acurate and with the rekord ill bet it's easier to shoot although its a springer. There was a time that I considered that pretty good power in a pellet gun. BTW Grumpy, I really like yours! I bet with the added heft of tgat custom stock ypu can hold her however ypu like..

I have a two R7s, both in .177. One with a vortek kit and one pro tuned with standard power spring.

There is a difference in accuracy, but it is very minor and not likely to make any difference at ranges of 30 yards or less. That is a rational and fair price for the greater power of the vortek kit. That said, other shooters have reported no change in accuracy post the vortek kit, so maybe it is my lack of skill?

Net, net I'd pass on the vortek kit if FT or maximum accuracy were my highest objective. If I were hunting or plinking, however, I'd go with the vortek kit and gain a bit more power.

R

Escondido1 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 20, 2012, 08:22:33 PM »

So....let's spin this once more........Vortek up the HW30s 22 to 550-600......how exciting would this be as a general pester...even hunter under 30 yds........

Why has the 22 been so disinteresting to many....especially with Vortek ready to supply a kick...

Bryan Heimann · « **Reply #14 on:** August 20, 2012, 10:20:25 PM »

push the R7 up even just a hair over 9 fpe in .22 and I think it would be a good gun for stalking rabbits and squirrels with open sight, and inside 25 yards i bet it would dispatch them cleanly and consistently even with heart/lung shots. But it would reduce the overall effective range though. Plus even in .177 it should take them with clea hits in the ribs but theres no rom to fudge it. I've dropped squirrels in there tracks with .2pellets right at tge bottom edge of the ribcage. literally through the last rib(although, that was more like 12 fpe on target). I don't think the .177 would do that

edit- so i guess it boils down to personal preference nad your own marksmanship skills. I think at the given power level, as accurate as they are suposed to be, the flatter trajectory of the .177 will give you a better effective range vs. 22 with maybe a little more stopping power but a trajectory like a rainbow...

Bryan Heimann · « **Reply #15 on:** August 21, 2012, 06:56:03 AM »

Well, thanks for all the input so far. I am definitely leaning tpwards .177 for this gun. I do wonder hwere the .20 and .22 R7 owners are at? I figured there would be more than one. Grumpy- how effective is your .20 on the bunnies and squirrels?

Escondido1 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 21, 2012, 11:37:50 AM »

Bryan.......last night I contacted Tom Gore to explore further the HW30 and Vortek issue..........I ended up buying his personnally tuned/PG2 HW30s in 22 shooting Beeman Bears at 575..........I couldn't believe how lucky my timing was.......there goes my Christmas and Birthday money!!! I'll post when it arrives and I test....

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb340/escondido12/vortek2.jpg

Bryan Heimann · « **Reply #17 on:** August 21, 2012, 12:16:35 PM »

Man, that sounds perfect! Sounds like you lucked out. The silver bears and the barracuda green are listed as the same weight, and that makes me wonder how well she shoots them! Might win you access to public land where only lead free ammo is allowed, and where only waterfowl are hunted. Virtually untapped small game hunting...

huklbery · « **Reply #18 on:** August 21, 2012, 01:12:33 PM »

I'm curious how that .22 will shoot, I have a B12 in .22 that's a bit loopy but fun to 25 yards.

Mark

Escondido1 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 21, 2012, 01:39:16 PM »

Hey Huklbery....haven't spoken to you for a while.....

I was just focusing on small and light guns....maybe inspired after I shot your little discovery...but staying with springers.....Rabbits are never more than 25 yds from me in my yard..........maybe I'll start selling my magnums!!!

Asked Vortek to make the trigger light....should be here after that in less than a week...so I will test

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HW30S best caliber?

Author Topic: HW30S best caliber? (Read 19477 times))