My new HW97KL .177

[max115]

Hi Kelly,

I have been meaning to drop by the range and check out the Sunday FT.  When the weather gets better, I will come out for sure.  thanks.

Alex

[max115]

update with my two HWs.

I chrony my HW97KL .177 today and to my surprise, it was hitting avg. 1032fps with JSB 7.8gr, thats 18.6 ft.lb!  I tested with H&N FTT 8.64gr, it was 977 fps, 18.3 ft.lb! wow she is shooting hot.  A total gained of 150fps from day 1 with less than 100 pellets thru.  When I first fired it, it dieseled and was only 882fps.  But now the dieseling is gone, cocking is a lot smoother, but twang is still audible.
Accuracy is still there, just had to readjust my vertical turret to lower the POI.

I will need to order some heavier pellets to keep it under 1000fps.

any suggestions? thanks.

[HWNut]

update with my two HWs.

I chrony my HW97KL .177 today and to my surprise, it was hitting avg. 1032fps with JSB 7.8gr, thats 18.6 ft.lb!  I tested with H&N FTT 8.64gr, it was 977 fps, 18.3 ft.lb! wow she is shooting hot.  A total gained of 150fps from day 1 with less than 100 pellets thru.  When I first fired it, it dieseled and was only 882fps.  But now the dieseling is gone, cocking is a lot smoother, but twang is still audible.
Accuracy is still there, just had to readjust my vertical turret to lower the POI.

I will need to order some heavier pellets to keep it under 1000fps.

any suggestions? thanks.

That's 25 Joules in .177. Is this rifle modified (cocking arm) to get more stroke? If not, my opinion is that those numbers are unrealistic for a HW97. Maybe your chrony screwed with you.

[max115]

Possibly.  I will do another test.  The only thing I did so far to this AG was stripping and cleaning it after I did a 10 shots chrony (888fps).  couple of days later I added a tin sleeve to make the cocking smoother.  I had the AG on Dec.12 and shot less than 100 pellets.  Dieseling was apparent at the beginning because I could smell it.  So I am quite surprised to learn that the FPS has gone up to 1032 fps avg with JSB 7.8gr.

I will update soon.

[max115]

update with my new HW97KL .177.

I have about 400 pellets thru it now and I have polished the pistons to mirror finished and fitted a spring sleeve. shot cycle is a lot smoother and twang is minimal. Accuracy is very consistent (indoor 13 yards, bench shooting 1/4" dots). Had a chance to shoot outdoor yesterday at 20 yards and result was satisfying.

I chrony today and the power has gone back up. No dieseling but should I be concerned with the results as follow?

with H&N FTT 8.64gr, avg 970fps
with JSB exact 7.87gr, avg 1030fps

either something is not right or my gun is running too hot. I know it still in the break-in period, but I am worry that the high velocity might damage my seal. Any thoughts?

thanks.

[max115]

although the power is running hot, but it is good for cutting strings at 13 yards 

http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/imax115/media/HW97KL/stringcutting.jpg.html?sort=3&o=3

cheers

[Plinkster56]

I see from your posts you have a pair of Hawk airmax scopes. What do you think of them ? pros? cons? I currently have a Bushnell on my HW97 and would classify it as POS.

[max115]

hi plinkster, I am quite happy with both of my airmax for its clarity and the Hawke Map6 function to sight in at various ranges.  just input your FPS and pellet wt and the zero range and the program will list out the zeros at various ranges.  very convenient. I ordered a Hawke 4-12x50mm AirGun source and had to get a replacement because it wasn't holding its POI.  I sent it back and got a new one which is working great.  Give it a try and they are reasonably priced.  good luck. 

[max115]

update with my HW97KL 177.

it is now shooting 997fps with H&N FTT 8.64gr and it is more stable in terms of shot cycle and accuracy.

here is a pic of the playing cards that I was able to split in halves at my "indoor range" of 13yards..lol.  Can't wait for better weather to test it out at 30yards and beyond.

http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/imax115/media/HW97KL/HW97KLcuttingcards.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

cheers! and Happy New Year to you all.

[Bill in SC]

VERY cool!

Bill in SC

[max115]

thanks Bill.

Here is question for you guys.

How do you practice and what method YOU do in order to sharpen your ability/skill to shoot your AG accurately? I know practice is the key, but do you have a way to, first of all zerod your scope and then test your shooting skills?

I am sure someone has already done this. The test/method that I am recently using to check my scope's zeros and my shooting technique in regards to trigger control, breathing, follow thru and eye alignment is as follow:

I set up a paper target with thin cross-hairs just like a scope reticles and I would do 10 shots each trying to hit the vertical and horizontal line the best I could. What I found with this test is that you can dial in your zeros quite easily because you will see where your POI needs to move to from the misses. You will realize whether you are pulling or pushing your trigger. And your proper eye alignment to the scope will be examined. This test is quite difficult (to me anyway) and challenging because your crosshairs will just cover the target lines as you aim. Practice and patient are the key IMO. Another benefit that I found with this target test is the different position of holds that will best suite your style of shooting and the way your AG behaves. For myself, I place my HW97KL on a bench rest at the screw position and have my left hand under the stock and resting on my right shoulder.

Here are some pics of the Target test.

http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/imax1 ... sort=3&o=1

Looking forward to hear your feedback.

cheers

[Bill in SC]

I got an error message on the link, Max.

[max115]

sorry.  thanks Bill.

here it is again.

http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/imax115/library/HW97KL?sort=3&page=1

[Bill in SC]

sorry.  thanks Bill.

here it is again.

http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/imax115/library/HW97KL?sort=3&page=1

That's a really cool method of practice. After seeing what you and Joe can do with those 97 rifles, I may pursue on of those as my one "high end" rifle, to shoot 100% on the bench.

Bill in SC

[max115]

Hi Bill,

I highly recommend that you get yourself one of these AG.  They are a bit pricey but for what you are getting in return, you wouldn't regret it.  For myself, I have only gotten into AG less than two years and the first AG that I got was a used Trail NP non-pal 22.  Although it needed lots of work to make it shoot better, I have learned how to strip and clean and do some DIY mods after reading and asking questions on this forum and others.  I came across a used HW97K 22 online and got lucky to have gotten a beautiful and well cared for piece of German quality rifle.  Having owned and shot a cheaper chinese made and able to get my hands on these "tanks" AG, I truly appreciate more on well made AG.  So, money is well spent in my opinion.  Thats why I got the HW97KL 177, the rifle that I have always wanted.  Now I have two awesome German quality guns that shoot really well in my hands.

cheers.