12 fpe HW97 or Diana 52

[travelbike]

Wife is allowing me to buy my first quality springer. Always wanted a 12fpe springer to do some WFTF. 

First choice is to get a HW97K with the pistol grip fr Krale, then detune it to 12fpe using a Vortek Kit.

Second choice is a Diana 52 again detuned to 12fpe with the Vortek Kit.

Any feel for accuracy for both rifles at 12 fpe ? I see that a majority of springer WFTF participants use the HW97. Any feedback as to pluses and minuses of each one will be appreciated. I see both rifles have enough youtube videos on tinkering so that would help a lot. Thanks to all.

 

[Brazos]

HW97 from Krale. Buy the 12 fpe version and shoot 3-4 tins of pellets and it will turn out nice. Don't fool with the spring kit until the factory spring breaks. I would have to look up info on the 52 to refresh my memory but assume it has a long stroke. Assuming my memory is correct I would pass trying to make a 12fpe rifle out of it.

 

[readyfisher9]

Don't even think about it. The build quality , the known accuracy , everything screams Weihrauch , and the Model 97 is tops. When you say Krale , I am assuming that is the source , not the manufacture ? Diana products are nice , and I personally have a Diana 54 Air King. But if I was choosing between those two , HW97 every time. Even with my Air King , a vintage , but very nice FWB 124D , a Anschutz 380 , and a Walther Rotek RM8 pcp in .22 , my next rifle will be a HW30 or the Beeman R7 ( basically the same gun). So , HW97 is the way to go. Your big decision all so includes which scope , because a great rifle falls short without the best scope you can find. First focal plane scopes , like the Athlon Argos 6x24x50 FFP are one good choice. I have that on my Walther Rotek. We work a dairy over , and my best shoot so far was a ground squirrel at 104 yards , measured with two different distance measuring range finders ( a must for long distance shooting) . Both of your choices are heavy rifles , so a Caldwell tripod ,or other , is very nice , unless you are shooting short range , or off some other kind of rest. Good luck with whatever you choice.

 

[MBG]

+1 HW 97 12 FTLBS

 

[MScottLeeman]

+2 HW97 12 ft/lb Thumbhole...You lucky devil!!

 

[John "spysir" Blount]

I had the ultimate custom FT Diana 48/52. No part left untouched. Shot like a laser and I say get the HW97. Also the idea of starting with a sub 12fpe rig sounds good.

But, there all fun. Recently there was a 52 carbine for sale used ( excellent condition) for a steal. Which could bring up another point. If you ever wanted to resell the HW is the one to have.



John

 

[EMrider]

HW97 from Krale. Buy the 12 fpe version and shoot 3-4 tins of pellets and it will turn out nice. Don't fool with the spring kit until the factory spring breaks. I would have to look up info on the 52 to refresh my memory but assume it has a long stroke. Assuming my memory is correct I would pass trying to make a 12fpe rifle out of it.

+1, this is good advice.



R

 

[broachoski]

I have both and recommend the HW97k. I have a regular 97k and love the wood stock. I also bought an STL. I love the nickel finish but not so thrilled with the polymer stock. I would really like a KT with wooden stock but don't wanna fork out the dough.

Krale****** is the way to go.

 

[JoeWayneRhea]

HW97 and don't give it another thought . The build quality is not even close between the two rifles ... Just my 2c , when you see the Vast Majority of shooters in a highly competitive sport using the same thing ....There's usually a reason . 

 

[Str8tshooter]

I have both Rifles but neither are in 12 fpe, my newest Air Rifle is the HW97K STL I love the STL finish and If I had the choice all my Air Rifles would have this finish. I really like this Rifle and I like the synthetic thumbhole stock.Thumbhole stocks are my fav and IMO better suited for HFT/FT just my opinion but for me it makes shooting standing and kneeling in HFT easier by helping balance the weight. The HW97K fits great and the balance is amazing. Another thing I like about the synthetic stock is I took the blue painting tape and wrote down my holdover on the tape and taped it on my stock. Other pluses for the HW97 for me was ease of setup, no droop mount to deal with like my Diana's, mounted a one piece Sportsmatch mount and I if I remember correctly I only had to click around 10 up and and 3 left to zero. Zero has been holding great so far too.

That said I really like my D52 also, and right now my D52 is more accurate than my 97, but I am almost through my first tin and expect it to improve in accuracy. Build quality goes to HW but for me accuracy is king and I would be very surprised if my HW97 ends up shooting more accurate than my D54/56. I enjoy shooting BR also, and when I was regularly shooting 25M USARB my D54 was always beating the 97's at my club. Another area were my D52 shines is when I use it with the Caldwell Deadshot Fieldpod, I added velcro straps and strap my D52 on the Fieldpod and have noticed no negative effects on accuracy and I can cock the D52 easily without having to remove the Rifle, which makes for a fun time plinking and squirrel headshots out to 30-35 yards a piece of cake. 

My recommendation would be to not buy a 12fpe gun and try HFT first, I really enjoy HFT but really not that interested in FT, I shot HFT and I always paired up with a guy at my club that I really like, he shot with a 12 fpe HW97 and always beat me and my D56, but some of the clubs targets were getting worn out and just about every match he would call out I hit the paddle but it didn't fall over, I always gave him the points but it kinda got old. I felt if I could improve on my range finding abilities I think I might be able to beat him. 

If you are set on FT instead of HFT, the for me the choice would be a lot easier going the less challenging route mounting a Big Sightron etc. on the HW97 than on any Diana.

 

[mobilemail]

Okay, I guess, I'm just being redundant at this point...

I have a pistol grip HW97 that I bought from Krale and had Motorhead tune it. Hands down, it is the most accurate, most pleasant shooting springer I have ever owned (not that I have owned a lot). I never knew a springer could shoot that well.

The one downside is that they are heavy, even for a springer. Not an awesome choice for a field rifle. But for what you want, you should be quite happy.

 

[Cizur]

I was on the fence in regards to buying a 97, but holy hell this thread has convinced me I need one.

If any of you have one that's not getting the love it deserves, toss me a PM.

 

[ChuckHunter]

I just bought a older Beeman HW97 in .20 that should be here end of the week. 

And I'm surprised no one has said anything about a TX200! Another fine choice for what your planning on using it for. 

Can find a pretty good deal on a used one usually. I put a TBT kit in mine and it's an absolute quiet tack driver and not really hold sensitive.

Mine is in .22 though as I'm sure your looking .177 for field target .

James from Michigan ,

 

[MadMike]

Chuck- I second you on the tx 200. I have a new one in .177 and it's an absolute dream to shoot right out of the box. ?

 

[John "spysir" Blount]

I would pick the TX first also it just wasnt asked about.



John

 

[Brazos]

I have a TX200 but for the price Krale seen the HW97 I would buy the 97 and use the left over money for a better scope.

 

[Guest]

Hi

I had a TX200 in .177cal, I had to let it go as the loading port was too small, My arthritic fingers were really struggling to get the tiny pellets in, I bought a HW97 in .177 and the port is much larger! 

The .177 TX200.

I also had a .22 HC which for some reason was much easier to load!

I recently bought another HW97 as i'd sold the ones I had and needed another, HW97kt, VMach tuning kit fiited, The tactical stock is so comfy but I had a spare blue laminate stock so, On it went!!

Other guns to consider, HW98

HW95 although this one has had a hard life!!

HW77

John