HW/Weihrauch .20 HW97KT Pellet Performance Comparison Test

[bdzjlz]

A long time AGN member asked me to tune his .20 HW80 for him, shipped it a week ago, and it has disappeared into "never never land." It should have been here last Tuesday but still hasn't shown up and USPS hasn't updated its status to the tracking site for a couple of days now. I hope for his sake it shows up.

At any rate, I had everything set aside and ready to perform the .20 caliber tune for him, and had blocked out time this weekend to do so. With nothing else really to do that was in any way productive, and too cold outside for much else, I decided to test all of the available .20 pellets I had in my always remarkable Weihrauch HW97KT. A few years ago, I installed a Vortek PG-4 Steel HO kit, including the Vortek vacuum piston seal, with the spring cut down to produce between 14.5 and 15.5 fpe.

I have written about this rifle before. It is incredibly consistent as you will ascertain from the accompanying SD data. The original tune resulted in the JSB 13.73 pellet being selected as the preferred ammo, but after many thousands of shots, I thought it would be interesting to see if this were still true. In the end, the 13.73 and the 15.89 pellets basically produced the same group results, though the 13.73 velocity is higher (as anticipated), allowing the rifle to shoot a little flatter. This rifle has been remarkable shooting consistent 1/2" to 3/4" 10 shot groups at 50 yards.

The results of my testing, at 18 yards indoors, can be found below. Thanks for looking...DZ

 

[bustachip]

I like the stock. Your gun is very consistent for sure.

 

[Lecompte]

Awesome groups and beautiful gun

 

[bdzjlz]

Awesome groups and beautiful gun

Thanks, all...

 

[JEFFPPC]

Couple of nice 10 shot groups. Very good shooting. 10 shot groups in my mind tell how good the shooter is. You pass.

 

[.20calguy]

Nice work.

I was interested in that question my self so I hung targets at 75 yards and did a regular evening shoot at each. I have no idea how many rounds it actually was. The 13.73's grouped slightly better.

I need to the chrony them next time, then my shots will be counted for me as well

I only had about thirty FTT's so I pulled them out one evening and shot this group at 75y.
It was supposed to be a 5 shot group, but #2 went high and left of bull. That didn't bother me until I got 4 in the bull So I thought let's make it 5 in the bull and shot another one that went left of bull. The last shot was very close just a tad left, for a 7 shot group. Needless to say I ordered some FTT's.

 

[dgeesaman]

Interesting test

FYI the Indianapolis USPS warehouse is backed up about two weeks. I had a package last month coming eastbound from Attica and it spent over ten days there before breaking free and traveling the rest of the way at a normal speed.

 

[bdzjlz]

Thanks for the replies and updates.

 

[coastal drifter]

A long time AGN member asked me to tune his .20 HW80 for him, shipped it a week ago, and it has disappeared into "never never land." It should have been here last Tuesday but still hasn't shown up and USPS hasn't updated its status to the tracking site for a couple of days now. I hope for his sake it shows up.

At any rate, I had everything set aside and ready to perform the .20 caliber tune for him, and had blocked out time this weekend to do so. With nothing else really to do that was in any way productive, and too cold outside for much else, I decided to test all of the available .20 pellets I had in my always remarkable Weihrauch HW97KT. A few years ago, I installed a Vortek PG-4 Steel HO kit, including the Vortek vacuum piston seal, with the spring cut down to produce between 14.5 and 15.5 fpe.

I have written about this rifle before. It is incredibly consistent as you will ascertain from the accompanying SD data. The original tune resulted in the JSB 13.73 pellet being selected as the preferred ammo, but after many thousands of shots, I thought it would be interesting to see if this were still true. In the end, the 13.73 and the 15.89 pellets basically produced the same group results, though the 13.73 velocity is higher (as anticipated), allowing the rifle to shoot a little flatter. This rifle has been remarkable shooting consistent 1/2" to 3/4" 10 shot groups at 50 yards.

The results of my testing, at 18 yards indoors, can be found below. Thanks for looking...DZ

View attachment 522176View attachment 522177View attachment 522178View attachment 522179View attachment 522180

I have been shooting the 11gr from my 95. I'm shooting peep sights so its hard to say if the 13s are better.

 

[rokonman]

A couple or years ago I purchased some FTT that fit very loosely in the breach to the point that they would fall out closing the barrel. I just picked up four of the new smaller tins and they fit overly tight to the point I have been seating them with a pen. Could H&N be playing with .20 sizing? I think I will go back to JSB on my next purchase as I have always had similar accuracy from both brands.

 

[r1lover]

A long time AGN member asked me to tune his .20 HW80 for him, shipped it a week ago, and it has disappeared into "never never land." It should have been here last Tuesday but still hasn't shown up and USPS hasn't updated its status to the tracking site for a couple of days now. I hope for his sake it shows up.

At any rate, I had everything set aside and ready to perform the .20 caliber tune for him, and had blocked out time this weekend to do so. With nothing else really to do that was in any way productive, and too cold outside for much else, I decided to test all of the available .20 pellets I had in my always remarkable Weihrauch HW97KT. A few years ago, I installed a Vortek PG-4 Steel HO kit, including the Vortek vacuum piston seal, with the spring cut down to produce between 14.5 and 15.5 fpe.

I have written about this rifle before. It is incredibly consistent as you will ascertain from the accompanying SD data. The original tune resulted in the JSB 13.73 pellet being selected as the preferred ammo, but after many thousands of shots, I thought it would be interesting to see if this were still true. In the end, the 13.73 and the 15.89 pellets basically produced the same group results, though the 13.73 velocity is higher (as anticipated), allowing the rifle to shoot a little flatter. This rifle has been remarkable shooting consistent 1/2" to 3/4" 10 shot groups at 50 yards.

The results of my testing, at 18 yards indoors, can be found below. Thanks for looking...DZ

View attachment 522176View attachment 522177View attachment 522178View attachment 522179View attachment 522180

My 97K and R1 carbine in .20 are my two favorite all around spring guns. If I could have only one springer it would be hard to choose between them. I don't notice any appreciably difference in accuracy between 11.42's and 13.73's in mine so prefer the lighter for a flatter trajectory.

 

[.20calguy]

My 97K and R1 carbine in .20 are my two favorite all around spring guns. If I could have only one springer it would be hard to choose between them. I don't notice any appreciably difference in accuracy between 11.42's and 13.73's in mine so prefer the lighter for a flatter trajectory.

I have only shot 13.73 JSB's in the HW's until recently. I just ordered 10 tins of 11.43 FTT's to have a lk.

 

[JamesD.]

She arrived safely. Well worth the short wait.
The data shows 2 promising pellets. 15.89 JSB & 11.42 FTT
I only have 15.89 at this time but I’m very happy with the shot cycle with these.
For flat 50 yard and under the 11.42 maybe the best choice. I personally think the 15.89 would do better at longer distances though.
I’m going to have to test on paper one early morning or calm evening.
I’ve been doing this since 2007, playing with pellets and now slugs. Springers for 75 or less, PCP & slugs for anything further.
I’m thinking this HW80 .20 may be able to keep 10 under a dime at 50 yards with one of those pellet weights/brands.

Believe it or not this is my first .20.
I’ll see if I can get it stretched out today but springers and cold. I’ve just been breaking it in at 20 in the yard.
Thanks Dan and Happy New Year to all!


Edit: Added a picture. I’d like to add a better scope. Being a lefty I want to replace all optics with side focus.
Needs some Rowan bling and screw cups, brass safety maybe, set back trigger and brass guard. Who knows.
One thing I would like is to chop the barrel and add a sturdy brake. Eventually a short stroke maybe. It’s not truly necessary but if we’re dolling it up to perfect might as well.

 

[TnCnDn]

A long time AGN member asked me to tune his .20 HW80 for him, shipped it a week ago, and it has disappeared into "never never land." It should have been here last Tuesday but still hasn't shown up and USPS hasn't updated its status to the tracking site for a couple of days now. I hope for his sake it shows up.

At any rate, I had everything set aside and ready to perform the .20 caliber tune for him, and had blocked out time this weekend to do so. With nothing else really to do that was in any way productive, and too cold outside for much else, I decided to test all of the available .20 pellets I had in my always remarkable Weihrauch HW97KT. A few years ago, I installed a Vortek PG-4 Steel HO kit, including the Vortek vacuum piston seal, with the spring cut down to produce between 14.5 and 15.5 fpe.

I have written about this rifle before. It is incredibly consistent as you will ascertain from the accompanying SD data. The original tune resulted in the JSB 13.73 pellet being selected as the preferred ammo, but after many thousands of shots, I thought it would be interesting to see if this were still true. In the end, the 13.73 and the 15.89 pellets basically produced the same group results, though the 13.73 velocity is higher (as anticipated), allowing the rifle to shoot a little flatter. This rifle has been remarkable shooting consistent 1/2" to 3/4" 10 shot groups at 50 yards.

The results of my testing, at 18 yards indoors, can be found below. Thanks for looking...DZ

View attachment 522176View attachment 522177View attachment 522178View attachment 522179View attachment 522180

That stock! Is that factory HW?

 

[bdzjlz]

I ordered this LP Gunstock through Apex Airguns.

 

[Mycapt65]

I ordered this LP Gunstock through Apex Airguns.

It's beautiful. I want one!

 

[JamesD.]

A couple or years ago I purchased some FTT that fit very loosely in the breach to the point that they would fall out closing the barrel. I just picked up four of the new smaller tins and they fit overly tight to the point I have been seating them with a pen. Could H&N be playing with .20 sizing? I think I will go back to JSB on my next purchase as I have always had similar accuracy from both brands.

Being this is my first .20 I don’t know, however I’m wondering if their FTT’s are offered like .22 head size.
The 5.50-5.51-5.52-5.53-5.54.
Does anyone carry 5.0-5.01-5.05? Their dies most likely are numbered and someone probably knows what is what.

 

[bdzjlz]

I am not aware of anyone offering them in different head sizes but someone else might.

Have a great day, James!

 

[jls001]

Nice shooting! I've owned a couple Sherridan Blue Streaks for some time now but never gave much thought to the .20 cal until I recently became the owner of a used R9 in .20. After a couple months and several hundred pellets downrange it's hard to see why the .20 isn.t more popular and easy to see I should have tried the R9/HW95 platform a long time ago.

 

[coastal drifter]

I have only shot 13.73 JSB's in the HW's until recently. I just ordered 10 tins of 11.43 FTT's to have a lk.

I'd like to see what you get between the 13s and 11s with H&Ns, with my 95 with peep sights its a wash.