HW95 and 80

[Errol]

I have had many rifles. Majority springers.
Several 95's but never an 80.
The 95 is suited to 12ft/lb. The 80 for higher power. Is the 80 at a disadvantage at legal limits?
Atb Errol

[phil384]

I have had many rifles. Majority springers.
Several 95's but never an 80.
The 95 is suited to 12ft/lb. The 80 for higher power. Is the 80 at a disadvantage at legal limits?
Atb Errol

In my experience, having owned both, the 80 is milder on recoil and less "twangy" so I guess it's like a car gently purring away rather than revving it's nuts off for the same performance

[Drew451]

I have always preferred the 80 to the 95, by some margin. I have no issues with the HW80's shot cycle at sub 12 and consider accuracy to be excellent.
I would also choose an HW35 over the 95.

[Errol]

Isn't the 35 lower power!!!

[Drew451]

Isn't the 35 lower power!!!

The 35 doesnt have the same power potential but later examples can give around 11 fpe in .22 no problem.
The one I have kept is a 1977 35e which gives a very sweet 9.5 in .177, which is fine for my plinking needs.

[jonnyone]

I shot a HW80 for many years and have great respect for it. If it wasn't so I wouldn't still have it after these past 37 years. And some more beside.
I cannot get the same contentment with either 85s that I have though these too are well made guns.
At risk of raking over some ashes there was a thread not that long back on the 95 and it's quirky firing cycle. You may wish to have a look for that for further background info.
For my money I prefer the Diana 34 which is a similar sized gun but to my mind at least has better manners.
Dave

[Geezer]

It’s weird.

The 80 is made for 18-20 ft-lbs, so should be poor at 11. But it usually isn’t.

The 85/95 is made for 14-16 ft-lbs, so should be good at 11. But it usually isn’t. Or at least isn’t as good as it ought to be.

We had a 23-page (!) thread about this kind of thing a few weeks ago:

http://www.airgunbbs.com/showthread....highlight=HW95

[where's it gone]

I've find it's a matter of fit and then the compromises start. If the rifle shoulders and points right, does it matter whether is jumps when fired ? If it hits spot on,does it matter it's pig ugly and weighs a ton ? Not regarding any particular rifle, my hw80 has been a keeper for many years.

[madcarlos]

The 35 doesnt have the same power potential but later examples can give around 11 fpe in .22 no problem.
The one I have kept is a 1977 35e which gives a very sweet 9.5 in .177, which is fine for my plinking needs.

I have an early 80s hw35e and I had to reduce that a little on the power, Not a massive amount but then lack of preload on the spring I think these could happily shoot higher, Maybe the length of the barrel helps a little,

[rapidresponse1]

i loved my 80 and still regret selling it fine gun

[TonyL]

It’s weird.

The 80 is made for 18-20 ft-lbs, so should be poor at 11. But it usually isn’t.

The 85/95 is made for 14-16 ft-lbs, so should be good at 11. But it usually isn’t. Or at least isn’t as good as it ought to be.

We had a 23-page (!) thread about this kind of thing a few weeks ago:

http://www.airgunbbs.com/showthread....highlight=HW95

Very possibly about right and aligning with many other posts on here.

Now, of my three 80s, the only I've shot in recent times is my 25mm Lazaglided semi-bullpup Predator. I must get my others out, one in each of the main calibres, for a play. Of these two, the Venom tuned Mark 1 in .22 was my go-to hunter for many years. Accurate, dependable, forgiving, lovely.

But I do love my 95, too.

[TonyL]

So, something went right for a change and a brief HW80 session and re-acquIntance took place this afternoon.

First off, the .177. It's a Mark II with a really beautifully grained and dark stained stock. It's the K version. Foresight removed years ago and the grooves still show. Must put that right. In fact, I'm pretty sure I have a Venom muzzle break that I bought for it many years ago (like back in the 80s) and never got round to fitting!. On examination, breech seal seems okay. This will have last received a service by Venom at Cradley Heath back in about 1988 methinks, so I'm sure it would benefit from a new seal. Felt quite heavy to cock. Put a drop of oil on the safety catch. Cocked and de-cocked a few times and then a few shots. Three to warm up and then onto the targets 10mm dots felt-tipped onto card. Much, much less harsh than I remember. In fact, pretty nice. Just a dull thud and the cycle feels quick and not abrupt. "Back in the day" I used Superdomes. Today was the Hobby at ten yards and it easily printed tight little clusters, shooting sitting, not rested. Loved it.

Then the .22. It's a Mark I, again Venom tuned, last refreshed in the late 80s. Standard length to begin with but Dave and Ivan shortened the barrel a little and fitted a Slimtech silencer at one of its services. On cocking and de-cocking, safety seemed a little sluggish, so a drop of oil on this. I estimate the last time I used this to be around 1994! Again, three "clearing" shots and then it proceeded to print two very neat and tidy little groups with Superdome. Softer to cock and shoot than the .177 but not lazy. And a little more composed.

Wow! Love these rifles. It's testament to their quality and the Venom tunes as to how well they shoot having not been used nor received any attention for so long. With a tiny bit of attention, like new breech seals and there's a bit of creep on the .177's trigger (might be gunged up?) they'd be even more impressive. And I wonder how much nicer they would shoot with modern JSB pellets and how much the accuracy would improve with JSB or FTT. Very possibly lots.

It was lovely to spend little time with these today. I feel very privileged and fortunate to own them. They feel special to shoot. And you certainly feel like you're handling a living, breathing legend. I could very easily declare the 80 to be my favourite rifle. But then I think of my 77s, 97s, 98, 95s, 30Ss, 35s, 55T and 50 and, er, I love them all. They all feel special and perform impeccably.

Just posted this on the other current 80 thread and thought it could go on here too.

[elewis411]

I have had many rifles. Majority springers.
Several 95's but never an 80.
The 95 is suited to 12ft/lb. The 80 for higher power. Is the 80 at a disadvantage at legal limits?
Atb Errol

Hw80 for me which is my favourite ever air rifle and I must have owned around 20 examples over the years, only ever owned 1 Hw95 and I wasn’t fussed to be honest, would love another Hw80 someday but that would depend on getting my shoulder sorted out...

[madcarlos]

Hw80 for me which is my favourite ever air rifle and I must have owned around 20 examples over the years, only ever owned 1 Hw95 and I wasn’t fussed to be honest, would love another Hw80 someday but that would depend on getting my shoulder sorted out...

Even though I dont use springers much I have 3x mk1 hw80 and even thinking of adding a nice mk2, For me the 77 and 80 changed air guns back in the early 80s,

[elewis411]

Even though I dont use springers much I have 3x mk1 hw80 and even thinking of adding a nice mk2, For me the 77 and 80 changed air guns back in the early 80s,

That’s good news, so when I need a mk1 80 I know who to get in touch with then😮...