HW50S in .22 cal.?

[Marc]

Does the 50S have enough power to be a decent .22 cal. gun?  Would like to be able to drop bushytails out to 30 yards. 

Also - can an R7 or 30S in .22 cal drop a squirrel at 25-30 yards?

[mtsheron70]

Does the 50S have enough power to be a decent .22 cal. gun?  Would like to be able to drop bushytails out to 30 yards. 

Also - can an R7 or 30S in .22 cal drop a squirrel at 25-30 yards?

Not sure a R7 comes in .22 because all I saw was a .177 and .20 caliber.  But to answer your question............yes with placed shots the HW50 can drop a squirrel.  However, I like the .20 caliber better in those lower fps rated rifles and would opt for the R7 personally.

Just my thoughts.  Either are very fine rifles obviously.  But depending on your budget the HW80 if I were looking to a great little break barrel .22 caliber would be on my radar.


You just hunting with a anticipated rifle?
The Weihrauchs are exceptional for fit and finish!  My 97 looks like a Ferrari compared to alot of rifles!   

[tomykay12]

HW 50s seems to produce just enough energy to be viable in .22. It's a very nice rifle. Mine is .22 and I like it a lot. I do think that powerplant excels in .177 though. The .22 is quite pleasant to shoot, tk

[Marc]

You are right - in the R7 or 30S I'd be looking at a .177 cal. - my goof on the original post.

Between the 50S in .22 cal or R7 in .177 cal. - which would you pick for a 25-30 yard squirrel gun?

[tomykay12]

The HW 50 is so easy to shoot, to me it makes the R7 almost an afterthought. The downside is cocking effort, which is much higher with the 50s. Take that into consideration if an issue for you personally. There is also possible galling of the compression tube by the cocking arm, well documented and fixable. Mine has not exhibited symptoms; it is almost new, and maybe they have addressed it at HW on the new model, don't know. Little more energy in a gun at this power level can't hurt. I don't hunt, but know lots of folks take bunnies with the R7. I think once you learn the trajectory of the 50s in .22, it would be a fine tool for your purpose.

[JimL911]

The 50 would be the better choice, but I would still get it in .177. Just a little slow to be really good in .22.

[Petey]

The 50 would be the better choice, but I would still get it in .177. Just a little slow to be really good in .22.

Jim .. You beat me to it..LOL.....  +1

[garczar6]

My .177 does 795fpsw/7.9JSB's and makes one ragged hole at 25yds. Sweet gun.

[cvasquez]

I had an HW50s in 22cal fully tuned and the R7 in 177cal fully tuned. the HW50s does 600fps with a standard jsb express 14.3gr pellet and is flat out to 35 yards and will flatten squirrels.At 50 yards it still has the power to kill them but the trajectory is loopy and you would have to aim several inches high. In 177cal you wouldnt as that hits 800fps and will be flat out to 50yds and pass thru a squirrel or rabbit. But it make a smaller hole so head shots become very important for sure stop kills. In the R7/HW30s gun you can get all 3 calibers. In 22cal probably flat out to 25 yds tops and with head shots it will take small game .With the 177cal its flat out to 35 yards and with head shots it should take squrirels to 30 yds but only head shots for humane kills. Both guns are great quality and deadly accurate with the little gun being alot smaller lighter and easier to cock. I think if you could only have one springer the HWW50s in 177cal would be it. Its performance mimics the FWB 124 which is world famous.

[tomykay12]

Owning a .22 cal 50s, I agree with Jim and Petey; .177 is a better caliber for this gun. The .22 is a pleasure to shoot though.......

[bokes]

Marc any interest in a .20 caliber HW50S ? They are available if ordered in a batch of 20, I'm planning on asking others in a new thread soon and will take down names for those interested.

[Calmark]

I have an HW50 in .177 and its currently my favorite springer.  True, its the one I've most recently acquired and I'm getting to know it, but I am shooting it more than my R7, and I think that says a lot.  Mine is right at 11fpe with AA 8.4 pellets and the same with JSB 7.9 which it shoots a hair more accurately.  If I didn't have just 1/4 tin of those left, that's what I'd use. 

I find the size and length to be very handy and comfortable for me.  Its about 40" long and feels like a carbine and its very easy to maneuver and carry in the field.  Mine is very close in accuracy to my 11.4 fpe AA Prosport and is much lighter for carrying around hunting.  While I have no experience with the rifle in .22 cal., I'd think it would be fine in that caliber, though I prefer the .177 to shoot out 20 to 50 yards off my back porch.  I would have no problem going after squirrels out to about 40-50 yards with mine, as far as power, though I like to keep shots under 40 yards on most animals.  I think you could go out to 35 pretty comfortably with the .22 caliber and a well-placed shot on a squirrel should do the trick. 

If you liked the HW30 in .22, the HW50 should also be one you enjoy, and the extra size and power makes for a very nice shooter out to distances that surpass what you can do with the HW30/R7.

[Not The Brightest Bulb]

I find the size and length to be very handy and comfortable for me. 

Exactly, the word handy describes it best. Oh and let's toss accuracy in the mix too.

[lillysdad621]

the hw50s will definitely have enough umph to hunt under 30 yards. But do not dismiss the R7, specially in .20. Its lighter, and a joy to shoot (once you find the right pellet). I would opt for the 7 in .20. but for what i understand the hw50 in .22 will cost less... your call. you would not regret either one.

[Petey]

You can always change the barrel....buy cal..if you don't like it...get the other barrel.