New HW90 in .25cal

[kelly]

Howdey All - After getting all caught up in the TX posts I placed an order for a .22 walnut left hand.  Then I started thinking (bad idea sometimes) that I had a nice under lever (hw97kt) and a .22 that I love (hw95) why not go big. So I cancelled my order and started doing some research and on the 24th I got a HW90 in .25 cal .... It sure is a beast ... Only got about 25 pellets though her so far but this weekend will be the break-in ...
Wish me luck that I dont throw my shoulder out cocking this beast
Peace
Kelly
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vcykYCEWBMz7iqIDAeDc3ZHUSFBp--Np0Zq9D3KjhBw?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vcykYCEWBMz7iqIDAeDc3ZHUSFBp--Np0Zq9D3KjhBw?feat=directlink

[Calmark]

Kelly,

I think you did well ordering that HW90.  I've shot my neighbor's original Beeman RX (same gun), and a friend's  RX-1, which is the same, but with a more adjustable trigger.  Both were in .20 cal. and were smooth shooters for the power output.  I really liked the feel of the gas ram, and both guns are very, very accurate for the power.  I'm sure you will find the same. 

I reccommend trying some H&N Field Target Trophy pellets .25 cal. which are 20 grain and on the lighter end of the spectrum.  Its a domed pellet, and so holds good accuracy at longer ranges if you gun likes it.  Another good candidate are the JSB .25 cal in 25.4 grains. 

Have fun this weekend tearing BIG holes in things.  Make sure you've got a beefy backstop to contain all of that lead safely! 

[mtsheron70]

Isn't that the HW with the Theoben gas ram???

[kelly]

Mark - You are spot on with the H&N FTT ... That is what AOA recommended so I have 4 tins to break her in with. If they dont work out I'llgive the jsb's a try .... As for my back stop my pellet trap currently has 18 pounds of duct seal in it and seems to be stopping the pellets ok not even making it to the back wood ....

Mike - Yes the HW90 has the Theoben gas ram in it ...

Peace
Kelly 

[Nikoman]

Wow, you did a complete 180° in the choice of gun
Those guys are right, stay light on the pellet choices to keep the velocity up. The H&N FTT's are the only game in town that are 20gn and stay accurate downrange. Anything heavier than the JSB's will make it hit below 600fps on that gun so I wouldn't go heavier than that. Most important is to see what that gun likes and stick with it, it will still deliver a nice shock no matter how slow the lead arrives

[kelly]

Niko - Thanks for the info .. I see that you have a Theoben .25 what kind of velocities are you getting ??
Also do you adjust your pressure ?? Is it recommended to do so ?? and if so what are you using to do so ??
Thanks for your time
Kelly

[Nikoman]

Hi Kelly,
My Thoeben is getting 30-33fpe and sometimes more. It was launching the the FTT's out of the barrel at 878fps the other day after I resized pellets. The bore is super tight on this barrel so resizing the pellets boosts the velocity quite a bit.
I do not mess with the pressures on any of my rammed guns, never had the desire to although I do like the idea of dropping the pressure on the RX-1 a little bit to make the recoil nonexistent. It's such a smooth shooter anyways so I never pursued it and besides, it was tuned right after I bought it. It had the super gas charge to make it smoother with a little more power. They replaced the air with some kind of inert gas. I find the cocking effort a breeze on the the RX-1 so you should OK shooting that thing all day.

[Onebaddj]

Nice choice of shooter! That 90 in 25 cal is a cannon. Love that 97 thumbhole also. Been eyeballing one for a while now.

[Nikoman]

Yeah, the .25 is deceiving. One look at a tin of those compared to a tin of .177's really brings things into perspective. 
My Crow Magnum shoots amazingly flat for that caliber and Kelly should be able to get some really good shooting with good quality pellets. That's just it though, there's not too many good quality pellets in that caliber, it's the biggest disadvantage to that size - the pellet choices are limited. JSB did well by finally creating pellets in that caliber, I think it will be fantastic when they come out with a lighter and heavier pellet in the product line. It would be ideal to have a 20gn and a 30gn to compliment the 25.4gn. PCP users would benefit with the 30gn, the 25.4 is a good middle ground but the weight still slows down the springers in this large caliber.

[kelly]

Well I just came in after doing a bit of shooting with her and I am averaging 613fps with the FTT's and 535fps with 26gr PolyMag's. Does this sound correct to you guys Seems a bit low to me as the gun is advertised up to 725fps in .25cal ....
But that polymag sure does a number on an old pellet tin @ 20 yards lol ... Dang thats a big hole

[Nikoman]

You won't get anywhere near the advertised 725fps with that gun. Not sure how they came up with those numbers either, kind of misleading in my opinion.
Your velocity sounds about right where it should be
Anything higher than that and you'll be roasting the seal in no time. If anything, it'll speed up a touch after the parts break in a little. I've heard of people pushing them into almost the mid 20's fpe, that's not good for the gun. Yours will be more accurate with those velocity numbers you posted.
BTW, I'm sure that giant hole in the tin doesn't care what velocity it was hit with, you hit it with authority in my book

[kelly]

Thanks for the advise Niko ... I will just break her in and enjoy ... She sure is a sweet shooter with one heck of a punch ...

Peace
Kelly

[Nikoman]

No kidding, my friend!
It's absolute joy every time I bust out my RX-1. I keep forgetting what a wonderful air rifle it is!

One little tidbit I'd like to share.
I hold my all time distance record for taking out a Starling with my RX-1. I laid out the little black devil at 80yds on one knee. I simply bent down down and rested my elbow on one knee, held over the Starling about 10 inches and the rest was history. It was hit so hard that I saw feathers go all over the place. It wasn't a fluke since I laid waste to two more birds at 65 and 70 yds that same day. I love that rifle!

[kelly]

Niko - I sure do hope to get a chance at some shots like you described. Thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions. Knowledgeable folks like yourself taking the time to answer questions is what makes this forum great ...
DJ- Thanks for the comment and I cant recommend the 97kt enough it is a dream to shoot I can pick matchheads off @ 20 yards all day long

Peace
Kelly

[mtsheron70]

Those are fairly heavy pellets for the most part and if your gun is getting those numbers it will send a shock wave through anything you hit.  Lower velocity with mass is much better usually than higher fps with lower mass.  I load a lower grain .357 as well as a higher grain for specific reasons.  The lower grain with the 158 grain mass of the Hornady bullet will not over penetrate what it hits and the organs inside will become mush!  Will, not literally usually but does energy damage from the shock wave sent.  Same as with a air rifle.

Nikoman is a pro on these gas rams and knows them.  Look at his signature line!  I believe I would take his advice and that gun will settle in better and the velocity pick up a tad after breaking in.  You have a fine shooter and I am envious.  I need one as well to compliment the .25 M-Rod!