Do I want a .177...?

[harvey_s]

I'm conflicted...

I want a nice quality springer and I quite like the look of the HW98's.

But I am in two minds about the calibre...

I know all the arguments about .177 over .22 re. the more forgiving trajectory.
I don't actually need the better 'knock down' power of .22 or indeed the better penetration of .177 either as I mainly shoot at targets of some sort.

and here's the but...I've had a couple of cheaper .177 springers in the past - but I've sold them both and one of the reasons was that they seemed to have harsh firing cycles that jarred.
I have also shot cheaper .22's and they seemed 'nicer' to shoot if that makes sense?

So...are better quality .177's much nicer to shoot than the BSA's of this world or is it a foible of the smaller calibre?

Please feel free to make other suggestions if you feel that the HW98 can be bettered or equalled by anything else under £400 as well

[Arthur John Smithsplease]

Cheaper .177 springers are often harsh at 12fpe.

Have you ever shot an HW98, 97k, 77k, a TX200 or a Walther LGU/LGV in 177.

If not try to find somebody who will let you shoot one.

If you are strong enough to deal with the weight of them, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. The HW98 is very good in .177 but very front heavy too.

Personally I've reached that stage in life where I prefer a lighter springer in 22.

[Rob Edge]

Cheaper .177 springers are often harsh at 12fpe.

Have you ever shot an HW98, 97k, 77k, a TX200 or a Walther LGU/LGV in 177.

If not try to find somebody who will let you shoot one.

If you are strong enough to deal with the weight of them, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. The HW98 is very good in .177 but very front heavy too.

Personally I've reached that stage in life where I prefer a lighter springer in 22.

You missed the cream of the crop, the AA Prosport

[WILBA]

You missed the cream of the crop, the AA Prosport

Just sold my walnut one. The underlever is just to painful to use for loads of shooting.

[Gareth W-B]

Just sold my walnut one. The underlever is just to painful to use for loads of shooting.

In all honesty? Although a lovely air rifle, given that on some days I will quite easily put a full tin through a rifle on an outing (500 pellets), given that how after a while the edges of the ProSport cocking lever cuts in to your hands, like WIBA, that was a contributory factor for me moving away from a ProSport, and ultimately, going back to a TX200HC.

[WILBA]

In all honesty? Although a lovely air rifle, given that on some days I will quite easily put a full tin through a rifle on an outing (500 pellets), given that how after a while the edges of the ProSport cocking lever cuts in to your hands, like WIBA, that was a contributory factor for me moving away from a ProSport, and ultimately, going back to a TX200HC.

Thats what i am after at the moment myself gareth.much better gun to live with on a day to day basis.whoever came up with the underlever design for the prosport needs rogering by an elephant i do love my goldstars and superstars also though. But tried a m8s mk3 tx and fell in love

[maximus]

Hi, the 98 is a good choice for targets in 177 cal. They easily make 11+ftlbs so nothing too frantic going on inside to make harsh. Personally I am not keen on the adjustable stock from an aesthetic point of view and would look at a 95 with the same sleeved barrel which are only available from Veranderhaus Schneider in Germany by mail order. If you go that route it will require an export spring to fitted when it gets here though.

Regards Max

[45flint]

The more guns I get I like 22 in a rifle, I think less harsh in a springer but another simple reason is the pellets are larger and less fidley to load.

[gingernut]

The answer to your question generally is yes.
The .22 versions of most spring rifles are easier to cock and nicer to shoot than .177 models.

There are exceptions eg My Walther LGV Comp Ultra.
The 98 is a very good rifle and it’s weight tames the .177 version a bit.

[MikeHW45]

The answer to your question generally is yes.
The .22 versions of most spring rifles are easier to cock and nicer to shoot than .177 models.

There are exceptions eg My Walther LGV Comp Ultra.
The 98 is a very good rifle and it’s weight tames the .177 version a bit.

Absolutely, I love my 98 in .177. I've put a delrin guide and top hat in as it was a bit twangy from new. The weighted barrel definitely makes it a lovely rifle to shoot. One of the other chaps on here has short stroked his 98 and that is very nice to shoot with a quick but not overly harsh shot cycle.

[Blackrider]

Had a very nice .177 Cal. 98 set within a left handed CS800 Thumbhole stock and it shot very well, not harsh at all !
It eventually went like so many other airguns to fund something else that I happened to be chasing at the time but it is one of the few guns that occasionally I regret parting with.

[Vernal]

I'm conflicted...



So...are better quality .177's much nicer to shoot than the BSA's of this world or is it a foible of the smaller calibre?

Please feel free to make other suggestions if you feel that the HW98 can be bettered or equalled by anything else under £400 as well

Yes, quality .177s are much nicer to shoot than the old springers, although with a pair of otherwise identical guns, one in .177 and one in .22, the .22 in my experience will be a tad nicer than the .177. But do try the Walthers, LGU and LGV. I have one of each in .177, and they do have a very nice firing cycle out of the box, as well as being very, very accurate for target shooting

[TonyL]

As per the observations above. The HW98, even in the smaller calibre, exhibits very forgiving firing habits and it's very easy to extract high accuracy from. Highly recommended.

[Weasle]

I'm conflicted...

I want a nice quality springer and I quite like the look of the HW98's.

But I am in two minds about the calibre...

I know all the arguments about .177 over .22 re. the more forgiving trajectory.
I don't actually need the better 'knock down' power of .22 or indeed the better penetration of .177 either as I mainly shoot at targets of some sort.

and here's the but...I've had a couple of cheaper .177 springers in the past - but I've sold them both and one of the reasons was that they seemed to have harsh firing cycles that jarred.
I have also shot cheaper .22's and they seemed 'nicer' to shoot if that makes sense?

So...are better quality .177's much nicer to shoot than the BSA's of this world or is it a foible of the smaller calibre?

Please feel free to make other suggestions if you feel that the HW98 can be bettered or equalled by anything else under £400 as well

Hi... I have a 98 in .177, possibly one of the most accurate rifles I have.

If you can do your bit, it will do its...very well

Cheers

Steve