HW 50s or 97k

[pipestone]

Hello everyone - I'm new here..and this is my first post. Have enjoyed the community for a while now and want to thank all of the contributors  for their precious time.

I made my first air rifle purchased this past year, a Crosman Benji Trail XL 1100 and did a full tune and made a very nice shooter and have well...kind..of.. gotten hooked.

I'm ready to move ahead and looking seriously at the two above models in .22 for a purchase.. Just curious if anyone out there may have been at this crossroad before?

Thanks -

[jdub]

I recently picked up an HW50S in .22 and am very happy with it.  I would love a 97K but it's too rich for my blood at the moment.  Pyramyd is letting you use their ever present 10% off coupons on the HW50S but not the 97K.   Taking that into account the HW50S is around $260-280 cheaper than the 97K.

Of course I also believe you should get the best you can afford.  I rarely look back after a purchase and wish I would have bought a cheaper rifle.

[huklbery]

There is considerable weight and weight distribution difference between the two.  What style of shooting do you intend to do?

[Petey]

First of all;
                  Welcome to the GTA!


As per  Mark's inquiry .... it would help us to assist you if we know how you intend to use it and what kind of distances and anything else you may wish to share.

Welcome aboard,
Petey.

[amb5500c]

Welcome to the GTA, and I reccommend the 97 if you can swing it. I wish I had one.
Richard

[pipestone]

I do most all my shooting with a bipod that I have had for years, and has become my shooting platform for any of my rifling; not saying bench work isn't fun, but real world for me is more reflective off the bipod for targets.
 The critters are around most all year, so hunting is an enjoyable when it happens, but punching paper has turned into a joyful daily habit or need, or whatever you may want to call it..I'm sure some of you can relate.
I have done rimfire for years..and totally love it, but I must say that the pellet thing with the quietness and convenience is really starting to grab me.

Doesn't have to be as powerful as the Crosman..mine at 860fps..for hunting and would like to see a little better consistency on paper, could be me and it could be the refinement of the rifle.

Anyways that fills you in a little... Its kinda like... I've got the Marlin's now I'm ready for Anschutz

Thanks Guys-



Thanks -


 

[jdub]

For hunting I'd lean more toward the 97K.

If you go to Straight Shooters site they have information regarding velocity and energy levels for both guns with multiple pellets (under "Our Take") that can be very helpful.

Choosing between two nice rifles is an enjoyable problem to have.   And this is totally out of left field but I've heard great things about the AA TX200 MKIII, which is in the same price bracket as the 97K.

[JimL911]

If you are set on .22 go for the 97. I feel the 50S is ideal in .177 and a little under powered for .22. The extra power of the 97 will allow you to reach out farther for your hunting. While I enjoy my 77 in .20, I still shoot my 50S twice as much.
For about the same $ as the 50S, you might look at the 95 in .22. Same power as the 97 and easier loading for hunting.

[amb5500c]

The AA TX200 is definitely a worthy gun. IMO its the most comparable in power and accuracy to the HW 97 than any other gun. I still lean towards the 97 because the loading port is more open and easier accessed by me.
Richard

[s10gto]

I have both and if you can swing it go for the 97K or as some suggested a AA TX200. The TX is smoother on of the box ,but I look at the HW97K as a German TX. The 50 is a nice shooter. Simle light accurate break barrel. Just what I was looking for. For bench shooting the TX and 97K all the way.     

[mtsheron70]

I can say like most have echoed buy as much quality as you can at one time for sure.  I have a HW97k with the black synthetic thumbhole stock in .22 caliber.  I even did a Vortek PG tune to the rifle and now it is like a competition gun for sure.  A bit heavy but this is really the Cadillac of underlevers in the same class as the Air Arms TX200 series underlever.  The Rekord trigger is simply outstanding.

Mine likes Beeman 14.72 grain FTS Copper plated pellets best.  Any Weihrauch you will be happy I assure you.  The HW97k is just a great gun for sure and for some reason even though it is a Weihrauch imported by Beeman, it gets a lifetime warranty through Beeman whereas Weihrauch does not have a lifetime policy.

I can tell you this, I would love to try a AA TX series to see the comparison and may even buy one as well someday to compliment the stable.  But if you get the HW97k it will bring a smile to your face for sure, like this>

[mtsheron70]

BTW- Dustin hit the nail on the head above my post.  These are mainly bench shooters but I would not be surprised if they would not make great hunters too.  With my scope and all I bet this gun tips the 9 lb. range!  I bench shoot mainly and do not hunt so a don't need a lightweight gun.  I can also add that after the tune this gun of mine is in the 16 fpe range which is plenty for most small game for sure.

[Kailua]

Like to add of what have been posted in the past.  Couple of post showing Field Target competitions as showing the Diana 54 coming out on top.

[barcabarca]

Here is a group I shot with my HW 97.  I have also posted here about how accurate the R8 is... my HW 97 is super accurate and easy to shoot, but a little bit twangy.. but so accurate that I don't care a bit.  My R8 ( HW 50 predecessor?)  is a fantastically accurate rifle to 30 yards..  I have shot it successfully in air rifle sillouette to 50 yards...  50s is lighter, 97k is a tiny bit more accurate, powerful, ( 14 fpe vs 8 fpe) and has much more range...IMO...

[Mark 611]

The 97 is your best choice for what you want to use it for or as said a TX or Pro Sport you can't go wrong with any of these rifles but the AA guns are better made! JMO

[jwh]

For a hunter I would go with an R9 in .177 or .20 and if you really want a .22 I would get an R1.
I have and love my HW50S in .22 but it's used more for plinking. My HW97 is used at the bench. I would consider my 50S underpowered for serious hunting and my HW97 too heavy to enjoy while hunting. Just my 2 cents.

[bowzette]

I missed or you didn't state how you plan on using it.  If for hunting go with the 97K in .22.  If for plinking you might want to do research on the HW 30s in .177.  I have a 97K in .177 which is really nice.  I usually shoot it off a bench as it is heavy.

[BlueSteel50]

 I have a HW50S  in 22 and  used to have the R8 in .177. I wouldn't sell the HW50S short on the 22 because of the #s on paper. If the  hunting your doing is small back yard pests the HW50S out to 30-35 yds is an awesome rifle. what the 22  lacks in speed it makes up in impact energy. I realized that the first time I shot it. when that 22 hit it really smacks .  For bigger pest opt for the 97 or a R1 in 22. .just got vintage R1 and it's only a 177 but the grps it's doing out to 45 yds are very impressive . Can't wait to see how well it does on the pests, Didn'r chrony the HW50S yet just  got my chrony yesterday,but I'm betting it shooting low to mid 500s and it still did the trick .  ~~BS50

[pipestone]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, it does help form a picture to set a plan..tomorrow I'm ordering out the 97 in the .22...the Wife said 

Pellet selection might be something to ask of those with the 97..?

..and anyone running the Hawke scopes? I have the Airmax EV 4-12x40 on the Benji-Trail and love it. I was thinking of going up in power some and get into the side winder..either the Hawke Varmint 6-16 or 6-24. Anyone with either of these scopes, input would be appreciated..or like units I guess.

Maybe bases too could be talked about...one piece or two piece??

Thanks-

 

[s10gto]

Hawke do make nice scopes just watch the Mag. When you go high in Mag the scope starts to go over the loading port.

As for pellets mine is a .22 and will stack JSB 14.3 express and 15.9 jumbos.

Mounts I perfer one piece adjustable. These 97's can have some barrel droop so a mount that can adjust for elevation is nice to keep your as close to center as possible.


https://www.pyramydair.com/product/beeman-5039-1-pc-adjustable-mount-w-1-rings-high-9-5-11mm-dovetail?a=1932