Some 99S & silencer/mod questions...

[robthedog]

I have both, had the 177 a couple of months, & it ran at 12ftlb out of the box & has taken some taming, i use it for 10m/6yd shooting. I got a 22 version 2 weeks ago as like you i needed something for short distance pest control, having sold my 25 80 as i hadn't had any rats to shoot for 6 months.....The 22 in contrast struggled with making 9.5ftlb, but now its shot a tin of pellets, its running at 10.9 with jsb 5.53 exacts, which is just what i want, i will get a cocking aid/barrel weight after Christmas, which should control the flip, & stop my gloved hand slipping off the barrel.

Get one, they are a great little rifle in 177 & 22, as Pete will tell you not good in the other cals or with short barrels

[Hellequin]

Thanks Rob, that's interesting. I've ordered one in .22 and also a guide kit & muzzle weight from Tinbum; unfortunately he's sold all the barrel sleeves and not doing more...

I'll decide once I get it whether to shorten the barrel. I had heard lots of good reports with no negatives for a shorter barrel but hearing what you and Pete say, I might leave as is.

[TonyL]

I'd be leaving the barrel as is, Rob.

[robs5230]

Thanks Rob, that's interesting. I've ordered one in .22 and also a guide kit & muzzle weight from Tinbum; unfortunately he's sold all the barrel sleeves and not doing more...

I'll decide once I get it whether to shorten the barrel. I had heard lots of good reports with no negatives for a shorter barrel but hearing what you and Pete say, I might leave as is.

You'll affect the nice soft shot cycle by shortening the barrel.
You'll lose power and have to make it back up with more preload on the spring.

I'm sure you're aware but the 99 will need a little minor surgery to prevent it galling too.

[robthedog]

You'll affect the nice soft shot cycle by shortening the barrel.
You'll lose power and have to make it back up with more preload on the spring.

I'm sure you're aware but the 99 will need a little minor surgery to prevent it galling too.

Not always the case Rob, neither of mine have suffered with it, or needed work to prevent it. There is a South African member on another site who's chopped the barrel on one of his 177's to 10" & says it has no probs making the right power, i think he said 750fps but didn't say with what weight pellet.

Rob

[robthedog]

Thanks Rob, that's interesting. I've ordered one in .22 and also a guide kit & muzzle weight from Tinbum; unfortunately he's sold all the barrel sleeves and not doing more...

I'll decide once I get it whether to shorten the barrel. I had heard lots of good reports with no negatives for a shorter barrel but hearing what you and Pete say, I might leave as is.

Mine in 22 shoots best with jsb exacts in 5.52, didn't like ftt's, wasn't bad with aa fields in 551 so would probably like them in 552, also liked aa hunters but i only had a sample pack. Gave good consistant readings over the chrono with Bis superfields, but wasn't accurate with them, i have some falcons, but gave poor power readings with them so haven't tried them at 25m.
Not fitted a tbt kit in it yet, but will do in the new year, i have one in my 95, which also has a tbt short stroke kit in it & that is so smooth to shoot & easy to cock, you would think it was low on power, not running at mid 11's.

Rob

[luckymjr]

I've recently bought a HW99s that's been tuned by Tony at SFS. All I can say Is, wow, what a great piece of kit

[Iggypot]

I recently bought one as well, brand new in .177 as it’s my preferred calibre anyway.

I’m very impressed, weighs nothing, well put together and running at 11.4 out of the box. Bit of a twang, but for the money and size etc it’s a very good piece of kit, glad I bought it and it wasn’t all hype!

Hope you enjoy it.

[Hellequin]

So, just a little update on this one...

I got my 99S today after ordering it through my local RFD/Gunsmith. I decided on a .22 calibre version and had intended (initially) putting a muzzle weight on and a set of guides inside from Tinbum. I changed my mind on using the muzzle weight for this rifle and instead got the gunsmith to shorten, re-crown & screw cut the barrel. I wanted something short & handy in .22 for short range work and this rifle now certainly fits that bill; barrel is 8.5" from breech to muzzle, same as my previously owned favourite 95k.

I bought a SAK mod as I figured the slight extra weight (metal instead of plastic) would tame any muzzle flip, and I have to say it really suits the stubby look of the rifle. I haven't messed with the internals yet, I couldn't wait to shoot it so had a quick zero session in the garden just for curiosity to see how it shot as standard and... Wow! It's bloody lovely. There aren't many bog-standard brand new rifles I've tried at this price point which are as smooth & twang free as this little 99, and now I get what the fuss is about!

I'm going to put it over the chrono tomorrow to see what it's doing before I strip it to fit the Tinbum guides and make sure it's lubed properly and things like the spring ends are finished nicely. Minor fettling will be done as required but I can't see it being more than a strip/clean/polish and re-assemble with decent moly/bumslide.

As for the now 'spare' muzzle weight, I'm going to save that for when I buy another 99S in .177 calibre in a month or three; I'll be leaving that one with a full length barrel & just removing the open sights.

All in all, I'm a very happy lad with my new rifle and for not much over 200 quid brand new, there's not much to dislike. Why didn't I buy one years ago??

[TonyL]

"Why didn't I buy one years ago?" - exactly how I felt when I took the plunge and bought my first one.

Absolutely superb little rifles. And the main thing that stood out, even thinking about it now, was that most sublime, almost '77 like, firing cycle from this lightweight heavy puncher.

Enjoy.

[Telephonepete]

I recently bought one as well, brand new in .177 as it’s my preferred calibre anyway.

I’m very impressed, weighs nothing, well put together and running at 11.4 out of the box. Bit of a twang, but for the money and size etc it’s a very good piece of kit, glad I bought it and it wasn’t all hype!

Hope you enjoy it.

It will be better if you drop it to 10.5 ft lbs as .177.