Narrowing it Down - HW50S or R7/30S

[Marc]

Narrowing down to these two here is my thoughts, either gun would be in .177 cal.:

Mostly plinking - back yard max 30 yards

Hunting - squirrels or bunnies - max 25 yard shots - personal limit due to skill, no matter what gun power

Do I need anything more than an R7 or HW30S?

[Petey]

50s,  and a JM kit to smooth out the snap at the end of the shot cycle....

[Acapulco]

I own both, get the R7 .177. This model should be everybody's first purchase if your serious about airgunning.

[JimL911]

Get the 30S. While I really enjoy my 50S, my little 30 just brings a smile to my face everytime I pull the trigger.

[wahoowad]

The 50 is more than you need. I spent a football game sitting at my shooting bench in the garage (with TV  ) shooting pellet after pellet down my 30 yard range with my HW30s. Lovely little gun. Feels perfect.

[Marc]

All you 30S owners - have you installed the cocking lever insert, or is your gun smooth cocking out of the box?

I know Petey has an excellent tutorial on how to, and I actually have the material to do it already, but not the time.  I get to shoot for 15-20 minutes between the kids crisis', and am wondering how much it's OK to shoot the R7 or 30S without the insert?

[tomykay12]

I'm going to throw in with Petey; HW50s. I also have both, but in different calibers; old San Rafael R7 in .177 and a recent 50s in .22. I just find the 50s to be a more all around rifle, while still very pleasurable to shoot and easy to cock. Also think .177 would be a better choice in the 50s than .22, but that is speculation on my part. No disrespect to the R7; it is a fine rifle and WAS my first quality springer many years ago, but the 50s is just a little more of a good thing, tk

[MarkBrumbaugh]

All you 30S owners - have you installed the cocking lever insert, or is your gun smooth cocking out of the box?

I know Petey has an excellent tutorial on how to, and I actually have the material to do it already, but not the time.  I get to shoot for 15-20 minutes between the kids crisis', and am wondering how much it's OK to shoot the R7 or 30S without the insert?

Mine was a little scapey.  I recommend the insert if only to protect te compression tube from wearing.

[JimL911]

Installed mine right from the box. Didn't want to take any chances of galling.

[Petey]

I'm going to throw in with Petey; HW50s. I also have both, but in different calibers; old San Rafael R7 in .177 and a recent 50s in .22. I just find the 50s to be a more all around rifle, while still very pleasurable to shoot and easy to cock. Also think .177 would be a better choice in the 50s than .22, but that is speculation on my part. No disrespect to the R7; it is a fine rifle and WAS my first quality springer many years ago, but the 50s is just a little more of a good thing, tk

Well Said,
The 50s is truly just a bit more of a good thing....and in .177 it's awesome...I have both and love them......If were going in the field or pesting and had to choose between the two, I would pick my 50s over the quite capable 30s only because the 50 is bit more comfortable and offers just a bit more power.

Marc if you could shoot my 50.....I would have to bonk ya on the head to get it back.lol
 The 50s will not disappoint and only gets better with the JM kit. Yes ,I used to advocate a modified Vortek kit, but having done a lot of comparison between the two, the JM is hands downs the smoothest and by far the easiest cocking of the two....installation is no different than any other kit.Same goes for the 30s kit.
 
Good luck in your quest,
Petey.

[Marc]

Hey Petey,

Do you have the cocking lever insert in your 50 yet, or is it still a shoot it as-is on that one?

[Petey]

Hey Petey,

Do you have the cocking lever insert in your 50 yet, or is it still a shoot it as-is on that one?

Shoot it as is....it really doesn't rub now, just at first..I'm not concerned about it on the 50.