Why is the HW95 so bouncy??

[robs5230]

So now we've established that an out of the box is a bit flawed, what can we do about it?

Just peg on with it is one option.
The shot cycle will calm down a tad, when all the factory lube has burned off, and you'll learn to live with it if you shoot it enough.
Choose the right pellet. I hear lots of stuff about finding the right pellet for the barrel. I don't really accept that. I think if you're going to shoot an out of the box rifle, you need to find the right pellet for the shot cycle.
Differing pellet brands and types, will all make the shot cyle different. Getting the right balance of resistance for the piston, will certainly improve the shot cycle and accuracy.

Starting to think about sorting the rifle, properly, is my option.
Trigger control. I have normal sized hands and fingers. If I were to use a factory stock, I'd fit a set back trigger blade. You'll never have good accuracy with poor trigger control.

The stock. Ergonomically, I don't get on with the factory stock. A CS500 sorts that.

The action. I've not shot an out of the box springer in over 25 years, probably more.
A basic strip clean and deburr is number one.
A new seal. I'd always chuck the one that came fitted. Check the fit of the seal you wish to use. Some factory seals can have an ok fit, some dont. Too loose, its no good, too tight, it needs sizing. There are after market options. Some good, some not so good, but the priority is fit.

Choose a spring. In a 95 I'd start with a 97 export spring of 3.1mm wire. Dehorn the closed ends of the spring. Stick your finger in each end of the spring and spin the spring on your finger. Wash the blood off, apply plaster, and get the file out.
Get guides made for the spring. Fit needs to snug but not too tight.
Ensure you have a power washer, for behind the top hat and between the spring and the base of the guide.

Choose a pellet you want to use. Say what ??? Yep, choose the pellet you want to use. They're pretty good barrels, and will shoot most pellets well (when set up right).
I shoot for pest control and prefer a light pellet so I always tune specifically for JSB express. I don't go by the batch theory either. Mine shoot any batch, any tin, straight out of the tin.

Assemble and check power.
I use moly sparingly. Just on the guide, top hat and spacers, the rest running dry. Apart from the cocking shoe that is.

I tune for express, so its easy for me. I aim for a power figure thats safe with express and lighter pellets, so 10.5 for me with express.
Start cutting the spring and refinishing bit by bit, until power drips where you want it, then make it back up with a spacer.
Its now optimised for the pellet.
I dont compress any coils other than the ends, and prefer all the spring length to be active.

I've found when I do it this way, all other common pellets, are way less efficient.

This works for me.
My 95's don't flip, boing, jump, dance or anything else.
They shoot asas well from a bag (hand rested or not) as they do freehand

[evert]

Choose a spring. In a 95 I'd start with a 97 export spring of 3.1mm wire.

Interesting; why the 97/77 spring and not the original?

[robs5230]

Interesting; why the 97/77 spring and not the original?

Just had better experiences with that spring spec over the years.
Better fit in the piston.
Ends up with little preload.
I find it easier to fine tune than the factory one.


My current one isn't that spring (yet). The rifle's a V-mach tuned one but with HW seal.
I've done a little work on the spring and replaced the over tight guide with one that I've made, and for the minute, its a right result.

Initial testing shows it to shoot very well, and it has a 6fps max spread over the skan, but I need to get it out to the club range and get it plotted out.
At that point, I'll decide whether the V-mach spring stays or goes.
The cycle is a little snappier than I like, but recoil is low and sight picture undisturbed when shooting.
We'll see

[TonyL]

Understandable, Rob. Many different ways to achieve similar results, seemingly. Some people have even had great success with using 77/97 springs in sub-12 80s. And the TX Mark3 spring seems to be finding its way into many a piston.

[robs5230]

Understandable, Rob. Many different ways to achieve similar results, seemingly. Some people have even had great success with using 77/97 springs in sub-12 80s. And the TX Mark3 spring seems to be finding its way into many a piston.

Hi Tony.
Yep. More than 1 way of skinning a cat to be sure.
In fact the best shooting TX I ever had, used a HW mainspring.

This 95 has a reflex slimtech style silencer fitted.
Its a little chubby in my mind at 25mm OD, and before actually finding out just how well the 95 shot, I'd planned on turning the OD of the slimtech down from 25 to 20mm (then getting it reblued).
I have a sneaky feeling that the extra weight that the slimtech currently carries, is part of the reason its shooting so well. I need to field test it as soon as I can and if its anything less than perfect, the slimtech will get turned down, and I'll definitely have the vmach spring out and go my normal route.

[TonyL]

Hi Tony.
Yep. More than 1 way of skinning a cat to be sure.
In fact the best shooting TX I ever had, used a HW mainspring.

This 95 has a reflex slimtech style silencer fitted.
Its a little chubby in my mind at 25mm OD, and before actually finding out just how well the 95 shot, I'd planned on turning the OD of the slimtech down from 25 to 20mm (then getting it reblued).
I have a sneaky feeling that the extra weight that the slimtech currently carries, is part of the reason its shooting so well. I need to field test it as soon as I can and if its anything less than perfect, the slimtech will get turned down, and I'll definitely have the vmach spring out and go my normal route.

Re the spring......excellent. Anglo-German collaboration at its best.. Although, I suppose any spring from any donor, as long as the quality is high and is of the correct size / specification can be successfully re-homed.

Re the silencer, yep, one could only agree that it will look better once slimmed down. But if it works well.....

Jim once showed detail in one of his excellent articles of "fine tuning" barrel characteristics / weight distribution by experimenting with movable weights. Different weights which could then be located at different positions on the barrel and the results compared. Be great to have the time and facilities (and understanding partner!) to be able to have a play with this.