I know many of you would have looked for a good second hand pcp or one top of the range springer. So what did I get? Two (that's right two) brand new ones.
I bought a HW99s in 22 and a HW30s in 177. Money well spent.
It's over thirty years since I had a 22 springer (my springers - and pcps, when I had them - have been exclusively 177 for three decades), but felt it was high time I revisited the calibre of my youth.
Took my HW99s to the range today and used it for the first time. At 209 quid it is superb value for money. Didn't even clean the barrel. Never did in the old days, so I thought sod it. Light, beautifully balanced and very smooth. Initial shots were very encouraging , but then I got into conversation with other shooters, and, concentration interrupted, accuracy inevitably dropped off. But when you shoot it right it does the job. I had to learn the 22 trajectory all over again.
From the factory it's a bloody good gun, with very little recoil, but I will eventually do a few things to it to make it even better - strip and relube, delrin guide and top hat etc.. Cocking required some effort but was initially very smooth. After about a hundred pellets it seemed a little graunchy, and that may be an indication that it needs some attention, even though it's the latest model. I felt it might benefit from a little more weight up front (a sleeve or barrel weight) and the trigger was heavy in the second stage but impressive nevertheless. I have a Walther LGU and an LGV which I rate very highly, but the 99s has rekindled my love for the Rekord trigger unit.
It's a handsome little gun for the money and very pointable, especially with a lightish scope like my Nikon Prostaff EFR, and in future I will be trying my hand at standing shots with it.
I doubt however that I will keep the Nikon scope on it however. It's a lovely scope but my tired old eyes can't cope with x9 magnification any more. Although I take most of my shots at x6 or x7 I like to see where they land on paper, and with x9 at 30 yards plus I just can't do that. I have found that I need a minimum of 12 for that purpose, but I intend to start another thread on that in the future.
As for the 30s, I haven't shot it yet. It is a pretty little springer and a joy to hold. I bought it with half a mind to getting my wife involved in my hobby. Something tells me, however, that she will struggle to get it out of my hands.
Thanks to all those, especially TonyL, who helped me make up my mind about buying these little gems.
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I used to use hobbies but too much like tennis - often returned !
Originally Posted by PCPShooter
