Recieved my new HW35 today

[Brazos]

A week ago I ordered a HW35 from AoA and recieved it today.  It is one of those rifles I have always wanted.  It appears to be a very nice rifle and I am anxious to take it to my range.  I sold my RWS34 to a friend to raise the cash to buy it.  Nothing was wrong with the 34 and I did hesitate as mine was a great shooting rifle.  I just didn't need two rifles serving the same purpose.  Most all my rifles are match rifles and set up for that purpose.  The 34 served the role as the rifle to take to hunting camp and use for the fun class at FT matches.  The new 35 will serve the same role but want to use it in Hunter class in FT.  I want to set it up "old school" with sling and all.  I always wished FT had an "Old School" rifle class.   Just because I won't have a specific class doesn't mean I can't do it anyway.  I want to use a spring rifle of classic design with lower fpe, an old style leather sling, lower power scope with a duplex reticle and front AO.  The 35 seamed like the ultimate rifle for my purpose.  Sure it wont compete with the big dogs but it will be fun.  I will shoot it over the weekend and try to get some pictures.  It has a nice walnut stock but nothing crazy as far as wood grain figure goes.  the stock is not in the same league as my TX200 but walnut is nicer than beech any day.  Blueing is perfect and the rifle locks up solid as you expect from HW.  I am looking forward to the weekend.

[Motorhead]

Congratulations on a FINE classic HW springer !!
While mine is new to me in the last year or so, it does reflect why these classics are so respected.

[palonej]

Congrats!!
Awesome rifle......we gotta have pics!!

[RatRacer]

Congrats!
I too would appreciate pics, as I've found dated website renderings sadly represent the wondrous amazement you behold when opening the box the first time.

[bReTt]

That's great!  Congratulations on your new rifle.

I have an older 35 made in 1978.  I am having a bit of trouble with it but really it's the spring.  I need to get the right one which I thought that I did. 

I am looking forward to seeing some pictures of your new addition.

Here is mine, wear marks and all.

[hoffy43]

That's a nice little addition to your family. Hope you have fun with her this weekend.

[Brazos]

I am anxious to shoot it tomorrow.  So far just a few shots out the back door.  The trigger on this one is a little rough compared to my other Rekkord triggers.  It should just smooth out with use.  I will shoot it and get some pictures this weekend. 

[Brazos]

Well for a quick report I ran down to the range for 45 minutes this afternoon after work.  Some back ground I have an archery/airgun range 1.5 miles from my house.  It's a nice private range.  I run FT matches there and has turned out to be quite successful.  Now back to the HW35.  I got the scope set up and had about 20 minutes to shoot before I needed to be home.  All I can tell so far is there is a lot of promise in this rifle.  Almost no recoil.  I read about the shorter stroke of the 35 having little recoil but was skeptical.  Well it is true.  The stock rifle does have twag/buzz for a split second (since it has such a short stroke).  Once I get a couple thousand shots thru it I am sure it will go away.  Or I could put tar on the spring or install a spring kit.  I may install a full spring kit out of curiosity.  On this rifle I would prefer a JM kit so I will need to wait untIl Jim is back on his feet and back into the swing of things.  From a shooting standpoint I shot at 25 yards.  It shot stellar.  Roughly 8 out of 10 shots went into a big ragged hole with a couple fliers.  The fliers were within 1/2"" of the main group.  The rifle is still dieseling.  Lube is forming around the breech and compression tune and the barrel still smokes.  Once it burns off this should be on heck of a rifle.  I will do some more serious shooting over the weekend and get some pictures.

[Brazos]

I did some more shooting with the new HW35E.  It really is a nice rifle and I have no regrets.  I am testing pellets and trying to break it in.  It does have spring twang but almost no recoil.  I guess there is something to the short stroke of the 35.  Pellet wise it seems to really like 4.50 sized H&N FTTs and JSB 7.33.  I also tried some CPHs for the heck of it at the end of my shooting session yesterday and it shot those very well.  It does not seem to like JSB 7.87gr or 8.44gr.  I really thought JSB 7.87 would be a good match for it.  I may try those again.  CPLs shoot pretty darn good but extremely tight fitting.  CPLs are always on the tight side but really tight on this rifle and I noticed I was bending some of the skirts pushing them in.  The H&N FTT 4.50 and all the JSBs fit just right in this barrel.  Typically I find JSBs fit a little loose but fit perfect with this barrel.  I find the lever/barrel lock very intuitive to use.  I don't even think about it.  Balance, weight, size, and power are perfect.  Still need to shoot it some more.  It was very windy yesterday so it was difficult to get too serious.  Attached is a picture (I hope).  The picture turned out dark though and its hard to tell much.  But it is a picture and better than nothing. 

[TheBman]

Real nice!!

[Be Ready]

The 35's are Sweet shooter.... Congrats and Enjoy!! 

[chito]

Does the shorter stroke of the hw35 make it less hold sensitive?

[Brazos]

It would certainly seem so to me.  I need to shoot it back to back with other rifles but it is very appearant this rifle is not nearly as hold sensitive as what I am used to out of a spring rifle.  Considering it is a new factory rifle that says something. 

[chito]

Wow that really says something. I see you have an R11. I recently put an R11 barrel on my R10 and it really changed how the gun fired. So for you to say that the hw35 is even less fussy makes me start thinking I might finally need a new rifle. I've always stayed away from magnum springers because of how hard they are to shoot. Please keep us updated on your new toy.

[Brazos]

My R11 would be hard for me to compare.  The reason is I have had it since 2004 and have never opened it up.  Though it is 100% a stock rifle it is fully broke in after many years of shooting.  I would very much suspect though all things being equal (either both new rifles or both fully broke in rifles) the 35 would be less hold sensitive.  I have always read the shorter stroke of the 35 made it a very agreeable as far as recoil/shootability goes.  To be honest I kind of dismissed it figuring at the end of the day it is just another spring rifle.  After shooting it I have changed my mind and believe there is something to the design that makes it more inherently shootable.  I am thinking this design has been pushed aside after many years of velocity wars that require a longer stroke.  Unfortunately speed sells and slower rifles of sound design have fallen out of favor.  The short stroke has a real quick shot cycle.  It seems to end as soon as it starts.  As soon as Jim Maccari is back to selling spring kits I may buy one for the 35.  I think as good as it is now it could be a stellar rifle with a proper spring kit. 

I also have a TX200 and would say the 35 has much less recoil than a stock TX.  But again I can't compare and only rely on memory as my TX now has a Vortek 12fpe spring kit and a big, heavy Hawk 8-32x scope on top (plus the rifle weighs a couple pounds more).  My TX hardly moves when shot the way it is set up now and would not be a fair comparison. 

[chito]

Just wondering why would you want a JM spring in it? I'm  not bashing any bodies products but i had a JM seal and spring in my gun then switched it to a vortek kit. It was way smoother and gained power. I read you have one in your TX so just curious as to why not one for this rifle? I agree with you on everyone focusing on making powerful guns instead of nice shooters.

[Brazos]

I like Vortek kits.  It's mostly what I install for other people and 50/50 for me.  There are just some rifles I would rather have a JM kit in.  The 35 would be one of those rifles.  I wish I could tell you why.  Really it's a gut feel on what I think would be best.  The spring set up in HWs are actually pretty good once they are shot enough.  That means a couple thousand shots or more.  In fact my regular recommendation for a HW rifle is just shoot the &^^& out of it and when you get around 1500-2000 shots it will start transforming into a real sweet rifle.  Unfourtunately most people give up way to quick.  I could keep shooting but I now have enough rifles it is hard to find time to shoot them all and dedicate that much time to one rifle.  Therefore a spring kit will speed up the process.  I just checked JM's website and was pleased to see he is back at it and his spring kits are for sale again.