HW97 for benchrest

[dash4cash]

Don't want a pcp at this time and I like the reviews of the 97. I have no experience with benchrest or the 97, but would like to do some benchrest competition this year. I am looking for a gun that will be good out to 75 yards as I plan to shoot 25 and 75 yards.

Any help would be great!!

Carl


P.S. would it be beneficial to have the 97 tuned or is it good enough out of the box? How long can one expect the spring too last??

[JimL911]

The 77/97 are great rifles (I have the 77) and yes a tune is beneficial to provide more consistent velocity. However if you want a bench rest gun, look to the Air King. The Diana 54 in .22 would be my choice.

[Motorhead]

JMO ... a 97 along with most any other spring guns ARE NOT 75 yard Bench guns and quite honestly good as they can be made to shoot ... even 50 yards benched is No easy task !!

Bench shooting requires the CALMEST shot cycle you can achieve. WEIGHT is your friend on the bench ( pending class there are limits )
Unless gun your shooting will consistently shoot SUB MOA you will get your butt handed to you and eat much humble pie.

BR with a spring gun is TOUGH !!! ..... been there and done/do it   

This JMO .... nuttin more 

Scott

[dash4cash]

Scott the competitions I am interested in shooting have springer divisions so all competitors would be using spring guns.

Carl

I assume by weight you mean the more the gun weighs the better??

[Motorhead]

Scott the competitions I am interested in shooting have springer divisions so all competitors would be using spring guns.

Carl

I assume by weight you mean the more the gun weighs the better??

Yup weight / mass dampens jump ... less jump more likely POA to POI becomes less.
Spring guns having long lock times make this there #1 accuracy degrader.

[mtsheron70]

A Air King or the likes of the 56TH like I have but in .177 may be your best bet.  I have a HW97 but all my rifles are in .22 or larger.  I am not much of a .177 kind of guy but that would be my choice for that discipline for sure.  Maybe in .20 caliber and the fine folks here can chime in.

Good luck.  I can shoot my .22 caliber HW97K from 35 yards easily and with great accuracy from a bench.  I did a total full tune on it mind you so it is very calm and a pleasure to shoot.  Would I stretch it out to 75 yards...............nahhh. 

Hey, let us know what you decide.  Curious to see.

[palonej]

Hey Carl.
I have a 97 that Scott, Motorhead, did a total tune up and PG2 kit install on, She is so smooth, powerful, quiet and accurate it is ridiculous!! I group consistently out to 50 yards the size of a quarter........if I go easy on the coffee.....dime.
Haven't really tried grouping further, but can't see getting consistent results much further out. Perfect conditions would be a must.
Like Jim and Mike already said.....54 or 56 is a better platform for 75 yards. I have a 56 in 177 that I shoot 10.3 JSB at 925 and that beast will get the job done at 75!! Shame they raised the price so much. Not sure I would've spent over $900 for one.

[breakfastchef]

I benchrested my 97K frequently and it remained quite accurate out to 50 yards. I de-tuned it to shoot around 12 fpe. I never had the opportunity to shoot if further, but would expect good results with one running 14-16 fpe.