Talk me out of ordering a Weihrauch HW30S

[Broadus]

I've been on the hunt for the optimal air rifle for backyard shooting and the occasional garden-encroaching squirrel. I want to improve my marksmanship because I cannot walk out the back door and shoot my Henry .22 as I could have when I was growing up on the farm. Also, I want an air rifle that my wife could use and hopefully get her involved in the sport.

And so . . . after posting a few threads, getting good responses from GTA members, reading more threads than I have time for, and increasing what I was willing to spend, I am seriously entertaining the thought that a Weihrauch HW30S would work very nicely for what I have in mind and be a gun that I would enjoy for years to come.

Any thoughts? Can I do as well for less?

Thanks.

[RatRacer]

Nope. Won't do it.
It's too light/accurate/easy cocking/fun right out of the box to deny others its merits.

[ev-in-az]

I've been on the hunt for the optimal air rifle for backyard shooting and the occasional garden-encroaching squirrel. I want to improve my marksmanship because I cannot walk out the back door and shoot my Henry .22 as I could have when I was growing up on the farm. Also, I want an air rifle that my wife could use and hopefully get her involved in the sport.

And so . . . after posting a few threads, getting good responses from GTA members, reading more threads than I have time for, and increasing what I was willing to spend, I am seriously entertaining the thought that a Weihrauch HW30S would work very nicely for what I have in mind and be a gun that I would enjoy for years to come.

Any thoughts? Can I do as well for less?

Thanks.

I have an HW30s that I've had for many years. It has never been taken apart or tuned and shoots now as it did when it was new.The iron sights are excellent. It is easy to cock and extremely accurate with the right pellet.  This is a gun you can leave to your kids or in my case my grandkids. There are forum members that hunt with them. Shot placement is absolutely critical because it is not powerful. I've never hunted with mine, it would be a good idea to get hunting thoughts from other forum members. Airguns of Arizona has a deal on them once in a while. It is the one air rifle I have that I will never part with.

[joek]

I have two HW30s and one beeman R6. for tree rats I'd go for the R6/HW99s/HW50s. but the HW30s is a lot more fun.

[Broadus]

I'm not planning to hunt with whatever I get, just take care of the *occasional* squirrel that's being a garden pest. I'm having a hard time not pre-ordering this from Pyramyd Air with my 10% off coupon.

[hawk45]

Lot of love for the HW30 on here, so I don't think you can go wrong if it meets your needs.  Just keep in mind it is low power for hunting depending on distance.  I recently got my wife an XS12 from Mike at Flying Dragon, which is 600 FPS, about the same as the as the HW30.  At 25yds 7.9gr pellets won't completely penetrate regular old cardboard, and I mean the thin stuff like most small shipping boxes.  The pellets were getting stuck in the cardboard and not passing all the way through.  I chrono'd them and they were doing 608 fps.  So keep that in mind.  My RWS 34 passes through easy peasy at 50yds, but that's pushing the 7.9's at about 885 fps.

Edit:  Keep in mind with your 10% coupon, you don't get the free shipping, It's one or the other.

[Springrrrr]

A friend has a 30 and it is a sweet gun.  BUT

l got a Walther LGU and even though it is a bit more than the 30,  once it is paid for and the bill is in the past, you will not be disappointed.  It is on par with a TX200/

You mentioned you can't shoot the Henry in the back yard.  The LGU is a very quiet rifle and is backyard friendly and very accurate.

Look into it and make a choice.  Good luck in whatever direction you take.

[JimL911]

In my opinion the 30S is the ultimate backyard plinker. It can also handle the occasional pest to about 20 yards. Get it and you won't regret it.

[ev-in-az]

I'm not planning to hunt with whatever I get, just take care of the *occasional* squirrel that's being a garden pest. I'm having a hard time not pre-ordering this from Pyramyd Air with my 10% off coupon.

Airguns of AZ has the HW30 on special for $299 with free shipping. Pyramyd is out of stock.

[Broadus]

I'm not planning to hunt with whatever I get, just take care of the *occasional* squirrel that's being a garden pest. I'm having a hard time not pre-ordering this from Pyramyd Air with my 10% off coupon.

Airguns of AZ has the HW30 on special for $299 with free shipping. Pyramyd is out of stock.

Right. It can be pre-ordered from PA with the 10% off for $297, though the price difference is obviously inconsequential. From threads I've read, and certainly not from personal experience because I've not ordered from either, I am led to believe that PA will be more hassle free.

[Booger]

I'm not planning to hunt with whatever I get, just take care of the *occasional* squirrel that's being a garden pest. I'm having a hard time not pre-ordering this from Pyramyd Air with my 10% off coupon.

Airguns of AZ has the HW30 on special for $299 with free shipping. Pyramyd is out of stock.

Right. It can be pre-ordered from PA with the 10% off for $297, though the price difference is obviously inconsequential. From threads I've read, and certainly not from personal experience because I've not ordered from either, I am led to believe that PA will be more hassle free.

PA is the best, even if it cost a few $ more they are my "goto" airgun supplier. Talk to Tyler, he will fix you up.

[haertig]

I've thought about one of these rifles for a while, since they are so highly regarded.  But I haven't bought one yet, because of the following question I have: "Since this rifle is not powerful enough for hunting, it is a target shooting rifle (IMHO).  What would be the advantage of getting this rifle if I already have a target rifle I am happy with (specifically, a Daisy 853)?"  I've always pretty much associated springers with hunting and because of this I'm not sure what the utility of a low power springer is.  I'm not trying to knock the rifle, I'm just wondering what niche it falls into.  Springers are typically more difficult to shoot accurately than pneumatics, so for low powered target shooting I would think a pneumatic (or PCP) would be preferable to a springer.  What am I missing?

[ev-in-az]

I've thought about one of these rifles for a while, since they are so highly regarded.  But I haven't bought one yet, because of the following question I have: "Since this rifle is not powerful enough for hunting, it is a target shooting rifle (IMHO).  What would be the advantage of getting this rifle if I already have a target rifle I am happy with (specifically, a Daisy 853)?"  I've always pretty much associated springers with hunting and because of this I'm not sure what the utility of a low power springer is.  I'm not trying to knock the rifle, I'm just wondering what niche it falls into.  Springers are typically more difficult to shoot accurately than pneumatics, so for low powered target shooting I would thing a pneumatic (or PCP) would be preferable to a springer.  What am I missing?

You aren't missing a thing. The HW30 is not a competition air rifle. It's a well made spring powered air rifle that is enjoyable to shoot. I have an 853 and it is fun to shoot too. I bought my HW30 sometime after 1985. It has never been worked on and shoots just as well now as it did when I bought it. It's easy to shoot accurately, cocking and loading is quick and easy. It is what it is -- the best of the breed.

[Not The Brightest Bulb]

You're getting no help from me, own 30s and 50s and they are keepers.

[Booger]

You're getting no help from me, own 30s and 50s and they are keepers.

As they say on Family Feud "Good Answer". 

[k-man]

I dont have a 30 but eventually will. From what ive read they sound like the perfect backyard shooter. And weihrauch! Ive 2 other models and you will be very happy with the quality. Talk you out! I think not.

[north country gal]

I've thought about one of these rifles for a while, since they are so highly regarded.  But I haven't bought one yet, because of the following question I have: "Since this rifle is not powerful enough for hunting, it is a target shooting rifle (IMHO).  What would be the advantage of getting this rifle if I already have a target rifle I am happy with (specifically, a Daisy 853)?"  I've always pretty much associated springers with hunting and because of this I'm not sure what the utility of a low power springer is.  I'm not trying to knock the rifle, I'm just wondering what niche it falls into.  Springers are typically more difficult to shoot accurately than pneumatics, so for low powered target shooting I would think a pneumatic (or PCP) would be preferable to a springer.  What am I missing?

I have a 953 and the HW30S, both of which I've been shooting at 10 meters in the basement, all winter. Yes, the 953, like the 853, will shoot smaller groups than the HW30s at that distance, but, once you learn a hold that the HW30S likes, it's not that far behind. For darn sure, the HW30S has a better trigger out of the box than your Daisy and construction quality is better on the HW.

We also shoot, outdoors, at our backyard air gun range, the rest of the year. The 953/853 is pretty much a 10 meter gun because of its low velocity, but we can use the HW30S at 20 and even 30 yards for shooting spinner targets because it does have more velocity and punch. 510 fps for the 953 versus 675 fps for the HW30S may not sound like much, but it really is significant in an air gun when you want to shoot beyond 10 yards.

For sure, you can get the same velocity with a pump up or a PCP and probably better accuracy, too, but if you love springers, I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't fall in love with the HW30S. I sure have. It really is that kind of gun. Be one of the last guns, AG or otherwise, that I would ever sell.

[Oldgringo]

PA allows their 10% discount on an HW30S?  If that's so, I may need an HW30S so my HW50S won't feel so alone surrounded by Beemans.

[Lone Ranger]

I want to improve my marksmanship because I cannot walk out the back door and shoot my Henry .22 as I could have when I was growing up on the farm. Also, I want an air rifle that my wife could use and hopefully get her involved in the sport.

Have you considered using subsonic ammo?  CB rounds, CCI Quiet, Aguila Super Colibri, or Sniper Subsonic might work if the neighbors are far enough away.  And if the law allows.
For a similar cocking effort to the HW30S, you might want to try one of the youth-oriented rifles.  The Hatsan Alpha is about $80 shipped, from Airgun Depot using the 5% discount.  It's officially rated at 495 fps, but one user here chronied his at 600 fps.  Could be good enough for squirrels within 10 yards. 
Not trying to talk you out of the HW30S.  I'm thinking of getting one myself!  (Or the Walther Lever Action co2 rifle...)

[Broadus]

PA allows their 10% discount on an HW30S?  If that's so, I may need an HW30S so my HW50S won't feel so alone surrounded by Beemans.

I've got it in my shopping cart and my email discount code was accepted. I just discovered, however, that when I went to checkout and put in my address that PA now wants to charge $16.70 for shipping, which effectively makes the 10% coupon more like 5%. Airguns of Arizona is selling it for $299.00 with free UPS shipping.

Have you considered using subsonic ammo?  CB rounds, CCI Quiet, Aguila Super Colibri, or Sniper Subsonic might work if the neighbors are far enough away.  And if the law allows.
For a similar cocking effort to the HW30S, you might want to try one of the youth-oriented rifles.  The Hatsan Alpha is about $80 shipped, from Airgun Depot using the 5% discount.  It's officially rated at 495 fps, but one user here chronied his at 600 fps.  Could be good enough for squirrels within 10 yards. 
Not trying to talk you out of the HW30S.  I'm thinking of getting one myself!  (Or the Walther Lever Action co2 rifle...)

I have a brick of CCI Quiet, but the law restricts my using the .22 rifle in a residential area.