.177 Feinwerkbau Sport Review

[Calmark]

Thanks for the review so far.  Keep it coming.  So far, it looks like the new FWB sport is shaping up to be a VERY quality springer.  Looking forward to more pellet testing and accuracy results later. 

[pyroboy33]

I'm no springer aficionado but THAT is one good looking gun 

[airgunrebel]

Heck yes, that is one nice rifle!!! That is first class Beech! Congratulations you luck dog!

[ptpalpha]

Really nice, Jesse...both the rifle and the groups.  Can't wait to see he she progresses over the next few thousand shots.
And since I'm one of the "beechophobes" who was "whining on the other forum"  let me say that your rifle has a very attractive stock.
-Paul

[Pappy]

Jesse, beautiful, classic/vintage looking break barrel that looks like it fits your small hands better (as you stated you had an issue with some of the other stocks).  Appears to shoot well, so far, and as everyone says, should just keep getting better as she is broken in.  What a gorgeous rifle!  I'm new to this insanity, and read everything I can find related to this obsession .... with that said .... what provoked you to buy this rifle, besides, of course, the aesthetics, accuracy and reputation of the name?  I wonder how the Walther LGV competition would compare (although the stock of the LGV would probably be too large for you)?  Are there custom stock makers out there that could craft a stock for your TX or HW to fit you better .... without compromising accuracy?

Excuse all the questions Jess, but inquisitive minds need to know.  No one on this site ever needs an excuse to buy another rifle.    Personally, I will never own a lot of rifles.  I am addicted to benchrest, and especially intrigued with accuracy.  I inevitably see myself dipping my toes into the darkside water, in pursuit of accuracy not attainable in springers.  Next season, I assume, my wallet is bracing for the shock.  Sorry to ramble, and again, very impressed with your FWB.  Thanks for the review, and looking forward to the progress reports.

Allan

[Booger]

Appears to shoot well, so far, and as everyone says, should just keep getting better as she is broken in. 

What provoked you to buy this rifle, besides, of course, the aesthetics, accuracy and reputation of the name?

Are there custom stock makers out there that could craft a stock for your TX or HW to fit you better .... without compromising accuracy?

I am addicted to benchrest, and especially intrigued with accuracy. 

I inevitably see myself dipping my toes into the darkside water, in pursuit of accuracy not attainable in springers.  Next season, I assume, my wallet is bracing for the shock.  Sorry to ramble, and again, very impressed with your FWB.  Thanks for the review, and looking forward to the progress reports.

Allan

I know now I will have to get her tuned, I lost the IR on my UTG 4-16X56 scope, but that is ok I am about to make a deal to sell my disco to pay for it so I will not be out any cash

I bought this rifle for several reasons, first I wanted another high quality rifle for Field Target, I was able to buy the rifle without any cash out of pocket (I sold two other rifles), and I wanted to be the first on the block to be brought the box

Like you I do bench shooting as well, so I do not need to spend $100s of dollars on a stock, guns are to be shot not sitting in the safe.

I am on the dark side as well, while I enjoy them both I feel the spring pistons have more soul. I also get more satisfaction hitting the bull at 90 yards with a springer than I do an inflatable. After today I will only have 3 inflatables all are very accurate and would be great hunters. They however would not work for Hunter Field Target because they are too powerful. I would really be sinking in the $$$ fora Daystate or something in that neighborhood.

[Pappy]

Thanks for the comeback, Jesse .... nice to see what makes other members tick.  Thanks for the candid answers, as always.
I feel the same about shooting a springer, much more satisfaction reaped, and much more difficult to get precision.  I may be wrong  here, but if you can shoot a springer well, you will excel with an inflatable quickly .... not the case the other way around.

Allan

[Booger]

Thanks for the comeback, Jesse .... nice to see what makes other members tick.  Thanks for the candid answers, as always.
I feel the same about shooting a springer, much more satisfaction reaped, and much more difficult to get precision.  I may be wrong  here, but if you can shoot a springer well, you will excel with an inflatable quickly .... not the case the other way around.

Allan

I am not good at shooting anything. I am only a fair shot at best. I just enjoy it because it relaxes me and does not cause me to have to think. Chess relaxes me but the thinking part is not what I do best (just ask the ball & chain).

[Duckfish]

Nice gun, nice review, we look forward to more.

Duck

[Booger]

Well I did not get to shoot much on Saturday. I ate at Jack in the Box Friday, Nuff said.

I now got about 500 shots through her, I have noticed a couple of things. She is a slap barrel, and I can just tap the barrel and can hear the spring, she killed the IR on my UTG 4-16X56, she is very accurate (she is a keeper and I do not plan on ever selling her) and check the stock screws every 100 shots. I will loc-tight her after I send her off for a tune. Every rifle can benefit from a tune, I do not see how a tune will make her more accurate but she can be smoother. I also did chrony test today after about 500 shots (you may see this test along with some other chrony tests I did today on other rifles).

FWB Sport   H&N FTT   Energy
10/5/2014   7.9   .177 Cal
500 shots      
      
Shot 1   844.00   12.50
Shot 2   831.10   12.12
Shot 3   827.80   12.02
Shot 4   833.20   12.18
Shot 5   824.60   11.93
Shot 6   835.50   12.25
Shot 7   828.50   12.04
Shot 8   828.50   12.04
Shot 9   841.80   12.43
Shot 10   832.80   12.17
LO   824.60   11.93
HI   844.00   12.50
AVG   832.78   12.17
EP   19.40   
SD   6.20   

So much for this week, I will try to do more next week.

[Calmark]

Things are looking good for the initial break in period. An eventual tune would certainly help tighten things up later, but for now, not bad.

I did want to point out the energy is higher than you listed. H&N FTTs at 832fps avg works out to 13.28fpe. Sounds a lot like where other similar high quality rifles like the TX200 and Prosport shoot in stock form.

[Booger]

Things are looking good for the initial break in period. An eventual tune would certainly help tighten things up later, but for now, not bad.

I did want to point out the energy is higher than you listed. H&N FTTs at 832fps avg works out to 13.28fpe. Sounds a lot like where other similar high quality rifles like the TX200 and Prosport shoot in stock form.

oops, I was using FTT 8.64, I will fix it on my spread sheet.

Edit: Revised Spread sheet

FWB Sport   H&N FTT   Energy
10/5/2014   8.64   .177 Cal
500 shots      
      
Shot 1   844.00   13.67
Shot 2   831.10   13.25
Shot 3   827.80   13.15
Shot 4   833.20   13.32
Shot 5   824.60   13.05
Shot 6   835.50   13.40
Shot 7   828.50   13.17
Shot 8   828.50   13.17
Shot 9   841.80   13.60
Shot 10   832.80   13.31
LO   824.60   13.05
HI   844.00   13.67
AVG   832.78   13.31
EP   19.40   
SD   6.20   

[Bill in SC]

She's a fine lookin' piece of plunder, Jessie! Magnificent piece of beech on that one!

Bill in SC

[ptpalpha]

Jesse, my hat is off to you.  Excellent review, answering all the important questions.  Congratulations on adding another worthy steed to your already enviable stable of fine shooters.  I'm guessing that the post-tune FWB will be your favorite.
So....next up the LGU?   

[Booger]

I now have just under 1000 shots through her. The shot cycle is getting better, the spring is still loud, and when she hits her target she does so with authority. I just did a 10 shot group at 32 yards (pictures did not turn out) and she did a quarter size group. If anything she right now she is just slightly less accurate than my R11. This is gong to be a very good gun, that I am proud to say I own. next report will be 1500 shots or maybe if I use her at the FT match next Saturday.

[ancient1one]

Jesse you have springers that your a lot more familiar with for FT event. Why take the Feinwerkbau Sport over your R11?

[Booger]

Jesse you have springers that your a lot more familiar with for FT event. Why take the Feinwerkbau Sport over your R11?

I will take them both, and see which one likes me better that day. Besides I do not shoot for score, I shoot for enjoyment. 

[Booger]

Hope you don't mind that I grabbed & copied the img code line:


John

No problem. Just makes me proud. 

[Booger]

The shot cycle is now nice. I took Tom Gaylord's advice and put gear oil (85-140) on the spring and piston. Instead of dripping it on I used a q-tip. If I need more I will just add it. This has really calmed the spring noise down and she is becoming more and more of a pleasure to shoot.

I think the biggest problem with this rifle is the customer who does not give it a fair chance. She is a keeper, and is a good rifle to have.

Off topic note: It seems that my only regret in air rifles is not getting all my spring piston rifles in .177, because they shoot flatter and have nice FPE for what I do.

[hutnicks]

I'd be interested in hearing what FWB has to say about that. I would hope Tom and Pyramid would point this out to them for comment.

I don't see what all the hubbub was about on the new sport. The price seemed to be overblown as an issue. I can name 10 other springers at that price or more and they never got dissed.

.22's are nice if you are trying to consistently knockdown raccoon sized game or are shooting silhouette. I still have a  huge affinity for the .177 though.

I will look forward to more updates as the rifle breaks in more. I'm sure it will only get better and better.