Buy a HW30s Deluxe or the HW95 for backyard target shooting?

[pneuby]

Having had the R9/HW95, I will affirm your clearly made the right choice.

[Not The Brightest Bulb]

My wife mentioned tonight that I don't need to buy an air rifle.  She doesn't know that I already bought it.  I'll deal with that when it arrives.... 

Yes indeed, of course I have mentioned to my wife a couple times (in my mind) that I didn't need a wife either. I'm real brave (in my mind) not so much in real life.

[north country gal]

I went for the deluxe version for $339.00 at AoA.  The regular HW30s is only $299 which is about the same as the other places listed.  I figured the extra $40 for the nicer looking stock was worth it since this is something I'm going to hold on to for a very long time....

Did the same thing and went for the Deluxe when we bought our HW30S. Glad we did, because, like some others have stated, this is one of our most used air rifles in the collection.

[Petey]

Ditto!

[hoffy43]

Congratulations Brian! Looks like you weighed the options and made the right choice for you and your family. If you're a visual guy you'll be glad you got the deluxe. I have the HW95 luxus and after allmost 4 years of ownership, I still find myself gazing at her beauty. Have fun and be sure to post.
P.S. We like pictures!

[sic0048]

I finally received the gun yesterday.  First impressions are very good.  The only real downside is that my vision is much worse than I thought.  I wear contacts and my last prescription is only about 2 months old, but trying to focus on the center of a small target out 10m was too much for these worn out eyes.  I guess a new scope is in my immediate future.  I'll likely get the Walmart center point 4x16x40 AO scope that people seem to like.  I looked around last week trying to find it on close out (per another thread), but all the local stores still had it at full price. I was hoping to be able to get by with open sights, so I didn't buy it.  It's obvious that open sights isn't going to work for me, so I'll be making a purchase very soon. 

[RatRacer]

Congrats!
I had those same delusions of grandeur too. Wound up scoping it, and putting on a muzzle brake, which makes cocking so much more comfortable and less wear/worries on the bluing.

[Oldgringo]

I finally received the gun yesterday.  First impressions are very good.  The only real downside is that my vision is much worse than I thought.  I wear contacts and my last prescription is only about 2 months old, but trying to focus on the center of a small target out 10m was too much for these worn out eyes.  I guess a new scope is in my immediate future.  I'll likely get the Walmart center point 4x16x40 AO scope that people seem to like.  I looked around last week trying to find it on close out (per another thread), but all the local stores still had it at full price. I was hoping to be able to get by with open sights, so I didn't buy it.  It's obvious that open sights isn't going to work for me, so I'll be making a purchase very soon.

A 2x7 Hawke might serve you well on your HW30?  I kinda' think the big Centerpoint scope might look like a Mexican saddle on a Shetland Pony.  But what the hey, looks aren't everything, eh?

[sic0048]

On a side note, I think the HW30 is a perfect choice for the family.  Everyone shot it yesterday.  My son is able to cock it (he just turned twelve) with a little effort.  Anything more powerful and I doubt he would be able to do it himself.  My wife and daughter also shot it.  My daughter said it wasn't as bad as she thought it would be (I cocked it for her).  No word from the wife.....

In the end, I suspect it will just be me and my son shooting it normally,  but I would buy it again if I was given the chance to redo everything.

[JimL911]

I agree about the scope. Keep the objective to 32mm. Small gun needs a small scope.

[Not The Brightest Bulb]

I finally received the gun yesterday.  First impressions are very good.  The only real downside is that my vision is much worse than I thought.  I wear contacts and my last prescription is only about 2 months old, but trying to focus on the center of a small target out 10m was too much for these worn out eyes.  I guess a new scope is in my immediate future.  I'll likely get the Walmart center point 4x16x40 AO scope that people seem to like.  I looked around last week trying to find it on close out (per another thread), but all the local stores still had it at full price. I was hoping to be able to get by with open sights, so I didn't buy it.  It's obvious that open sights isn't going to work for me, so I'll be making a purchase very soon.

I did install the CP 4x16x40 AO scope and it does look a tad large but I like it. The 69.00 price is well worth it. I also have the Hawke 2x7 but like the extra zoom on CP.
I also have a Hawke Endurance (large scope) on my R7 so maybe my opinion may not help you.

[wimpanzee]

A month or two ago, I would have recommended an HW95 - I have an R9 I absolutely love.

However, a few weeks ago, my old lady stepped out back while I was plinking, wanting to pop a few shots off. So I sit her down at the table, show her how to hold it, and watched her shoot all 5 paintballs consecutively at 25 yards, 1 shot each. However, when she went to cock it, sitting down with the butt on her thigh, she really struggled to pull the barrel down. For me, 6'4" 230lbs, its a breeze - I can do it all day long and never have a problem, but it was a little much for a 5'8" girl to do.

Based on that, the HW30's lighter weight and cocking effort will surely make it a family favorite! I hope you (and your family) really enjoy your new gun!

[north country gal]

I understand that one. Tell her to rest the butt on a hard surface, a la the bench, between her legs, rather than her thigh and then use two hands to cock the gun, reaching up and pulling down with the weight of her body instead of just using her arms. Lot more leverage that way. 40 pounds is right at the limit of what possible for me and, then, only doing it with two hands and for short sessions. No way I could ever do it with one arm. Probably why the HW30S is one of my favorite rifles for my offhand shooting. That one I can do without sitting down.

[Yak54]

As far as a scope for the 30S goes, i have a Hawke Sport HD IR 2-7x32 AO on mine.  If I had it to do over again I would get a scope with slightly higher magnification  like maybe 3-9 power cause sometimes shooting at small targets around 25 yds. 7 power magnification isn't quite enough for me.  Just sayin.

[snuffer]

You guys talked me into my HW30S and everyone in my family fights over it!!! Best purchase I ever made. I put a 3-12 Leapers Compact scope on it Etched glass reticle is GREAT! My Daughter brings her family over to shoot and its just great fun. I have an old circle saw blade hung by a wire with a half inch hole in the center and Kate puts it thru the hole 3 out of 5 shots at 30 yards no cheating!!! 12ga shotgun hulls no problem at 40 yards. I have never had so much fun with a gun.
THANKS GUYS
CHUCK

[Not The Brightest Bulb]

and so it starts, I see many more airgun purchases in the future. 

[750k2]

My Hawkins tuned R7 in a SC stock is my most prized.
Tack driver - silent - light and easy to cock.
Has sent MANY squirrels to that big bird feeder in the sky.

[sic0048]

I'm not going to continually give updates, but I thought I would share today's events. My son was eager to shoot tonight after I got home from work (no surprise there - what 12 yr old boy wouldn't want to shoot stuff). We shot a little while and then I went and asked my daughter if she wanted to shoot (she was inside with my wife). She had said earlier that she wasn't going to shoot, but when I asked she decided to come out. With a few more pointers, she was much more consistent today than yesterday.  Yesterday she had trouble hitting the target at all at 10m, but today she was hitting the paper with most of her shots and even had a few bulls eyes.  You could see her pride build up while shooting.  She even took her targets with her to her room tonight for safe keeping when she went to bed.  I think I may have a convert on my hands.

[Petey]

I'm not going to continually give updates, but I thought I would share today's events. My son was eager to shoot tonight after I got home from work (no surprise there - what 12 yr old boy wouldn't want to shoot stuff). We shot a little while and then I went and asked my daughter if she wanted to shoot (she was inside with my wife). She had said earlier that she wasn't going to shoot, but when I asked she decided to come out. With a few more pointers, she was much more consistent today than yesterday.  Yesterday she had trouble hitting the target at all at 10m, but today she was hitting the paper with most of her shots and even had a few bulls eyes.  You could see her pride build up while shooting.  She even took her targets with her to her room tonight for safe keeping when she went to bed.  I think I may have a convert on my hands.

I love a story with a happy ending .

Happy Shootin To All!
Petey

[TCups]

Want a great air rifle for a great price (around $150)?  Hammer forged steel barrel? Locking breech with no barrel droop? Synthetic stock? Adjustable trigger?  Great little knock around rifle?  Does the CZ brand appeal to you? Consider a CZ Slavia 634 Lux.  Mine will hold it's own or even out-shoot my HW30s, and though a low-power springer, still more powerful than the HW30s.  These are no longer imported to the USA, to my knowledge, but I did see a few still available on gun broker. 





http://www.gunbroker.com/All/BI.aspx?Keywords=cz+slavia+634

PS:  the dovetails on these are a bit wider than 3/8" (11 mm).  AirArms rings seem to work ok, though.