View attachment 379592View attachment 379593View attachment 379594View attachment 379595 Well, my HW35K arrived today, I ordered it from Kale's 2 days ago. The outer box was badly damaged, so I was concerned. The factory box inside was also damaged, but less so, and I was still concerned. But the rifle was not harmed at all.
Our heat index here in SC is way over 100 but I could not wait, so I cleaned the bore and shot a few maiden pellets. It was Crossman 7.9gr hollow points and the first 5 are in the upper dot and were shot from sitting on the ground, no bench, from 10 meters. The second 5 are on the left and were shot offhand, same distance. I then shot 5 more on swinging targets at 20 meters, offhand. I am not sure how it would do with a scope off a benchrest, but I will only shoot it offhand and sitting so this is good news for me. It may even get better after I get used to the trigger, lighten the trigger and break in the barrel. This was my first experience trying to shoot with the "artillery hold" that I read about, and I hope to improve with that. Finally, I do have match grade pellets to try when it is a little more broken in.
I had trouble locating a suitable HW30 or HW35 in stock anywhere, so I was apprehensive when ordering this one. Looking at pictures, I did not like the look of the benchrest cut aways on the bottom of the butt stock or the cocking latch for the barrel but decided to live with them. Also, I could not find a 35E with the great walnut stock and expected to be unimpressed with the wood on the K model. No worries. In person, I like the look of the rifle, including the wood, the latch and the shape of the stock. I love the heft, balance and feel of the rifle, and I very much like the use of the latch in operation. Not sure why every break barrel does not use one.
Now, if I could just remember to turn off the automatic safety . . . .