HW35E in .177 cal

[Hsing-ee]

Re the leather piston washers,I was told you had to ''fuel'' them and the power goes up to uk limits.

That’s ye olde Cardew ‘oil combustion assist’ theory. Obviously you need to keep the leather supple with a potion of your choice, but unless you’re actually inducing diesel detonation you won’t get 12 fpe out of a leather .177.

[TonyL]

Correct I do have a Venomac HW35E in .22 cal but have been offered a HW35E in .177 cal. Hence the post. Mach 1.5

If it's a nice one, Paul.....buy it.

[TonyL]

I have three .177" 35's, one "transitional" made in 1980 with leather washer, one side safety button and small transfer port, an earlier 1977 and a 2008-ish with synthetic washer. I struggle to get power from all of them, so the "porous breech" may be present even in the later ones?

They'll not do silly high power a la 80 Diana 45/52 etc., but should do over 12 okay where allowed. As the porous breech fix is a relatively simple procedure, maybe worth a go? But don't expect huge power outputs, as said. The 35's bore to stroke ratio works against it. Supposedly why Beeman and a few others were disappointed with the 35's output as compared to some smaller and lighter rifles, giving birth to the R1/HW80.

[TonyL]

A friend of mine picked up an old Venom HW35 the other week from the Trapshot days. It was a time warp example. He chronograph the old thing to check the power and It was doing 14.3 ft lbs and very consistent with RWS Superdomes. A couple of coils off the spring and now under 12 ft lbs. Mach 1.5

Lovely. I wonder what the Venom team did with the TP back in those days. Do you know if this was on a leather seal, Paul? Or, maybe a synthetic one added later? And were there one or two about with 'O' ring conversions (for less friction / to increase stroke)?

[TonyL]

Paul, you should have just bought the .22 35E i had at the bash (and that stock !)...

But back to the thread..

The large bore and shortish stroke do make the shooting experience in .22 much better than .177

However, if you really want a .177, defo get a synthetic sealed gun, as they have a 5mm longer stroke and make the power a good bit easier.. but it won't shoot as nice as a .22

Thanks for chipping in, JB.

[Mach 1.5]

Hi Tony. Not sure on the seal as he didn't mention what was inside. Funny enough I have a venom O ring piston for a 35 which Steve gave me. They also did them on early HW 80s. Mach 1.5

[TonyL]

Excellent information, Paul: thank you.

And nice one on the ownership of that piston.

[Mach 1.5]

While awaiting the .177 cal to arrive. I noticed a HW35KLS for sale local..so yep I brought it. Mach 1.5

[TonyL]

While awaiting the .177 cal to arrive. I noticed a HW35KLS for sale local..so yep I brought it. Mach 1.5

Blooming excellent! A boy can't have too many 35s!

Nicely done.

[Mach 1.5]

Will have 4 so one will have to go. Mach 1.5

[Hsing-ee]

Will have 4 so one will have to go. Mach 1.5

Can’t you place them into some kind of .. quad turret?

[richywilk]

I had one in the mid 80's and found the HN silhouette pellet calmed the recoil down a bit due to the heavier weight.

[TonyL]

Yep, I used the Silhouette in mine, too, once they came out. Extremely accurate and they behaved very well in breezier conditions, too.

[TonyL]

Will have 4 so not far to go until I have the correct number. Mach 1.5

There you go, Paul. Fixed it for you.

[mikec4]

What a shame I.J. cannot contribute to this thread he would have had something interesting and/or humorous to add. The fact he owned so many 35s of every type is validating enough, cos Ian knew his spring guns.

I. J. certainly had more than one Normay Vixen example in his collection.

An avid collector of HW 30's and 35's with various stocks including the odd Tyrolean example IIRC. And 80's of various vintages and length.

ATB
Mike.