Shooting HW95 vs HW97K

[snakebite4767]

Got back home from my trip and the new Leapers 4-12 scope for the HW 97 was waiting. Got it mounted up, grabbed several tins of various pellets and headed for the bench. I only got through about 100 rounds late this afternoon, so don't really have a good foundation to make any real judgment. Even tough it is shorter, the gun and scope weigh in about 2 lb more than my HW 95 LUXUS. The 97K/scope weigh just a tad under 11#. At his point, the HW 97 appears to be more hold sensitive than my HW 95... I was quite surprised at that. I expected the weight and fixed barrel to be easier to shoot. I didn't run anything across the chronograph but I do believe that the HW 97 is shooting much faster than my HW 95. It is also doing a little bit of dieseling, so that might add to the difficulty I'm having getting a good group. It seems to like the 14.3 gn CPHP, just as my HW 95 does, however the group is so loose right now, that could change. It sure is a good looking rifle, and the trigger is excellent. I just hope it settles down after a few more rounds, and the oil gets burned out of it. I had decided that I didn't need a large side adjust wheel, but I ended up getting one, and now must say that it does make adjustments easy. I'm not too sure about the listed ranges on the knob, they don't appear to be all that close. At this point in time, the HW 95 LUXUS is more accurate... but again, it has been broken in, and I'm sure is much slower.

Snakebite

oops! wrong forum... should be German....sorry.

[palonej]

Hey Snake. I'm finding the same thing. 97 seems much more hold sensitive and pellet fussy than my 98. Power seems about the same. The only way I am able to group with it is with heavy pellets. I only have around 600 down the tube tho. She seems to be settling down a bit. Shoot it.....a lot!!

[Marc]

Hey Joe - how accurate are the Whisper's you have?  Can they get close to your other guns?

[palonej]

Hey Marc. Not even close bro. But they're a lot of fun to plink around with. I had them both tuned and put nice glass on them. Never really had any problems with them, but the new ones just shoot at a totally different level.

[Marc]

Thanks Joe.  I just got a hankerin' to try a CFR or Whisper Fusion IGT, and figured they may be pretty good as you own some pretty high ender's too.

[palonej]

I think the best one I had was a CFX Marc. Mine are 2005 or 6 models. Not sure about the newer ones. As long as you aren't looking for 1/2 50 yard groups from it, you'll definitely get a kick out of it! Fun guns!

[Marc]

Hey Joe - 30 yds. is max range for me - both target and hunting.  Do you think you could pull 1/2" groups at 30 yards with your Whispers?

[palonej]

I came pretty close withe the CFX........not the Whispers. I would say about an inch at 30.

[Marc]

Thanks Joe.  I guess of those I'll have to look for a CFX or CFR.

[palonej]

I would say that's the way to go Marc. I wish I still had mine! It developed a prob with the breech and when I went to return it there were none in stock. So I got the Whisper. The CFX, IMO, was the most accurate Gamo I've shot. Let me know what you decide.

[snakebite4767]

Did a little checking today. The HW 95 is coming up in velocity the more I shoot it. It started out a little on the low side at 633 fps. It is now 675 fps.. shooting the same CPHP (14.5 actual weight).
The HW 97 is moving the same pellet at a average of 700 fps, but has a much wider spread. I expect that to diminish as the oil burns out..... I hope. If not I'll tear it down and clean it.  I don't know what wt pellets they use for their test values. As I take more time to absolutely duplicate my hold each time I shoot the 97 it is grouping a bit better.. but I can see it is going to take some work before I can shoot it as well as the HW 95. Although I am still in Love with it, I must admit that it takes so much concentration to shoot, that I enjoy shooting the 95 more.

Life is good.

Snakebite

[Motorhead]

Either gun responds quite well to getting there piston seal manually sized which side steps the break in process pretty much 

It is JMO ... but the 97K with it's greater weight and beefier construction all broken in next to an equal 95/98 should be the more accurate gun in able hands.
There BOTH very nice rifles but really so different too !!  ...

[palonej]

Hey Snake. Spent the last couple of days with the 97 and sent lots of lead down the tube. I've tried around 15 different pellets and holds.
I shoot mine off a front bag. I position the trigger guard directly in contact with the bag, only one of my guns that likes this position. The ONLY pellet that I found she likes are the JSB or Air Arms Heavies. And she places them right where I am aiming!!! She's sending them out at 800 - 815 fps.
Some results. First group is at 30 yards, 6 shots.
Second is at 50 yards, 5 shots.
Third also 50 yards, with 20 shots.
Ummmmmm I'm pretty happy with the lady!!! She fought me quite a bit, but the battle was worth it!!
Try some pellets a little heavier, but make sure they're domes!!
Also, mine dieseled quite a bit too. I've cleaned the barrel a few times with Goo Gone and a Crown Saver. She is now in tack driving territory!!
Good luck!!

[snakebite4767]

Joe..Mine is starting to close up. I am also using a front rest. I am not getting the velocity that you are getting... not even close. I'm at 700 fps. I've tried several different pellets, but the CPHP 14.3 seem to do the best job in both of my HWs. Here is what I got today. I'm using downloaded targets from my printer. The Black area is .75" wide. Distance is only 20 yds. The top photo is 5 shots out of the 95 (.3"), the bottom photo is 7 shots out of the 97 (.7").

It's got to get better than that.

Snakebite

O-yeah, I almost forgot... that is some very fine shooting you are doing! Maybe you ought to go to Arkansas. 
 

[Motorhead]

Joes 97K is a .177 cal BTW

[palonej]

That's exactly what I was getting......till she settled down Snake! It will definitely get better!!! Like Scott said, mine is 177.

[snakebite4767]

Joes 97K is a .177 cal BTW

OK.. tnx... I was Freakin.

Snakebite

[palonej]

Sorry bout that bro!!!!!
 

[snakebite4767]

So this morning I tore the 97 down. Cleaned out all the oil/grease/tar/chewing gum/Cat $#!T etc.... very lightly re-lubed it using Frog Lube. No more Dieseling. Shot a number of 5 shot groups.. all were under the .7 from the previous day... many .5 and one 5 shot group was .2!!!!!!!! (20 yds)... I'm still fighting to get a good, comfortable and consistent hold. Don't know why this gun is more critical than the 95... gotta be me.

Snakebite

[palonej]

Definitely not the Snake......this time!!!
I went thru the same exact thing!! I found a couple of things.
1. Bottom of fore stock is narrow and rounded. Moves easily when rested.
2. Very pellet fussy!!
3. The barrel on my 98 loves CPLs.....they won't even fit in the 97. Bore is much tighter than the 98, 56 and the TX.
Mine is shooting like a laser now!! I shoot off a bench with a Caldwell front bag. I rest the rifle on the bag, no off hand under stock, with trig guard directly against the bag. Off hand under butt pad. Loosely!!
After trying all shapes in mid weight range I was ready to wrap it around a tree!!
Then I tried some heavies......AH HAH!!!! She loves them Snake!!
Check out these pics. Both at 50 yards without being serious. Spent shells stuck in duct seal, tough target at 50!!!
And an 8 shot group, yanked the one on the left. Bull is dime size.
She's just getting better and better!!
Hang in there.........it's worth it!!