N/A Help selecting a new pellet gun

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Northwoods22 said:
Another option to consider is the .22 Diana 350. It's a magnum springer. Accurate, well made, hits hard. At 8.2lbs it's a bit on the heavy side, but not so much that it's not suited to offhand shooting. Cocking effort is around 45lbs. Stout, but easy to get used to. I bought the combo deal from PA that includes a Mantis 4-12 AO scope for $499. Great rifle for the money. Very happy with mine.
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I disagree with the offhand shooting statement, the 350 once a scope is mounted is 10 pounds not that you can't shoot offhand with it but with its weight and heavy cocking effort, you'll just get worn out relatively quickly. I lugged mine around in the woods for an afertoon and never took it hunting again due to the weight. Nothing on this rifle is "easy to get used to'. It's extremely hold sensitive and you really have to practice to get good with it. That being said, once you get the hang of shooting it and it's broken in, it's an extremely accurate and powerful rifle. It's a very well made solid rifle and as Northwoods has said I too am very happy with mine. The only complaint I have is how horrible the rear sight is constructed, the rear sight on my 23 year old RWS 34 is a work of art in comparison. Sorry Northwoods please don't take offense to my post.
 
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EMrider said:
As an overall package considering accuracy, weight, price and ease of service, the hw95 is really outstanding. I also like that the hw95 can easily be setup to shoot anywhere from 10fpe up to 15fpe, depending on your preference. (y)
R
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Yep 100% right. These are my preferred limits for the 95 and internally similar 97 platforms.

15 FPE in 177
16 FPE in 20
17 FPE in 22

I think they shoot fine at these maximum levels but a little nicer about half to one pound less. Like most springers the bigger the caliber the smoother the short cycle.
 
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Lead Poison said:
Are there any videos or guides on installing the Vortex PG4 kit on an HW95? Do you need a spring compressor?
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If it were me, I'd shoot it for a while before even considering a Vortek kit, mine shoots wonderfully and aside from the spring twang which is improving as I use the rifle, it's a dream to shoot. It shoots almost every pellet I've tried very well. If you do get an R9/HW95 you're going to be so happy I know I am.
 
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Ok, ordered the HW95 and Vortex PG4 kit late last night based on the replies at that time (Thanks everyone). I suppose since I have the Vortex kit coming, I might as well install it - any videos or installation walk-through's would be great, required tools, need a spring compressor?... Sounds like there is a sleeve that needs to be removed that can be a little challenging without destroying it...

Wish I had saw the post about the glass being junk - oh well, too late now. It can always be replaced... probably would have opted to save the $100 though.
 
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Buddy2023 said:
I disagree with the offhand shooting statement, the 350 once a scope is mounted is 10 pounds not that you can't shoot offhand with it but with its weight and heavy cocking effort, you'll just get worn out relatively quickly. I lugged mine around in the woods for an afertoon and never took it hunting again due to the weight. Nothing on this rifle is "easy to get used to'. It's extremely hold sensitive and you really have to practice to get good with it. That being said, once you get the hang of shooting it and it's broken in, it's an extremely accurate and powerful rifle. It's a very well made solid rifle and as Northwoods has said I too am very happy with mine. The only complaint I have is how horrible the rear sight is constructed, the rear sight on my 23 year old RWS 34 is a work of art in comparison. Sorry Northwoods please don't take offense to my post.
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No offense taken. I guess weight is a relative thing. A ten pound rifle isn't heavy for me. :)
 
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TXRMike said:
The Field Pro is probably worth $100 for the rings, muzzle weight and smooth breech block in my opinion. The piston liner is not that hard to get out.

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Only bad thing is not drilled for sights..
Your kinda stranded to scope only shooting . When or if you have poi issues them irons come in real handy to figure if a gun issue or optics/ mount issues .. or if you bust a scope ,well you still got irons to keep on shooting without a scope or while waiting on the new one 😉.

A gun without sights is like a car without a steering wheel..
 
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Northwoods22 said:
No offense taken. I guess weight is a relative thing. A ten pound rifle isn't heavy for me. :)
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It's not heavy to me either for a reasonable amount of time, carry that pig in the woods all day and get back with me, shoot 100 pellets in a setting and get back with me. You will suffer some fatigue. 😉 At lease we agree on how well the rifle is built👍
 
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TXRMike said:
The Field Pro is probably worth $100 for the rings, muzzle weight and smooth breech block in my opinion. The piston liner is not that hard to get out.

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I totally agree. It's a cleaner looking rifle without the useless opensights. I probably like the looks and balance of my 22 Field Pro over any of my full size airguns. So you still did good.

Get yourself a 3-9x40 Airmax if you can afford it. A cheaper 3-9x40 AO Hawke Vantage will due fine as long as the gun doesn't have a lot of droop. Many of the later 95s do. I've fixed bunches of them.
 
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Buddy2023 said:
It's not heavy to me either for a reasonable amount of time, carry that pig in the woods all day and get back with me, shoot 100 pellets in a setting and get back with me. You will suffer some fatigue. 😉 At lease we agree on how well the rifle is built👍
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Nah, I'm used to carrying around a 22 lb machine gun. Carrying and shooting the 350 all day doesn't bother me.
 
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Ok, got the HW95 Friday evening, between the two videos above I got the kit installed, thanks for both of those. Interesting that in the video of installing the kit he used a moly grease on the seal instead of what they included.. the kit instructions said to use the included grease on the seal so I did.

Mounted the included scope, it was interesting that it would be shooting a group say down 3" and to the left 3" and then grouping to the right and up, also didn't seem like the 1/8" clicks translated very well to what you saw on paper. Read a post that suggested sighting in at 20 yards and then at 40 yards you would also be on target based on pellet rise and fall... did not find that to be the case. So I sighted it at 40 yards and the first dot above center seemed to be right on at 20 yards.

Using the H&N Field Target Trophy, 14.66 gr that AZ suggested, is there better pellet for the HW95?
 
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Lead Poison said:
Ok, got the HW95 Friday evening, between the two videos above I got the kit installed, thanks for both of those. Interesting that in the video of installing the kit he used a moly grease on the seal instead of what they included.. the kit instructions said to use the included grease on the seal so I did.

Mounted the included scope, it was interesting that it would be shooting a group say down 3" and to the left 3" and then grouping to the right and up, also didn't seem like the 1/8" clicks translated very well to what you saw on paper. Read a post that suggested sighting in at 20 yards and then at 40 yards you would also be on target based on pellet rise and fall... did not find that to be the case. So I sighted it at 40 yards and the first dot above center seemed to be right on at 20 yards.

Using the H&N Field Target Trophy, 14.66 gr that AZ suggested, is there better pellet for the HW95?
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Cphp ? Grab a tin next time you're in Walmart and try and see..
 
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maxtrouble said:
Nice rifle choice. Hard to beat the HW95. The H&N FTT 14.6's are my go to pellet for my HW .22's. @Hateful McNasty says try the Crosman pellets, you never know until you try. I suggest buying them in bulk, it works out better in shipping and handling.
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Well my ol' saying is
" I don't mind a pellet picky gun as long as it picks cphp" 😉


Another to try my gamo .22 does fine to 50y is the crosman paranhas.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Crosman-Piranha-22-Caliber-Premier-Pellets-400-Ct-14-3-Gr-LPPH2/45848939

I figure if you going to find a good pellet may as well try easy walk in local store cheap before fancy mail order pellets..😉
 
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Hateful McNasty said:
Well my ol' saying is
" I don't mind a pellet picky gun as long as it picks cphp" 😉


Another to try my gamo .22 does fine to 50y is the crosman paranhas.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Crosman-Piranha-22-Caliber-Premier-Pellets-400-Ct-14-3-Gr-LPPH2/45848939

I figure if you going to find a good pellet may as well try easy walk in local store cheap before fancy mail order pellets..😉
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The mom and pop's hardware store in town carries those. Every time I stop in for supplies, I grab a couple of tins. Good ammo for the money.
 
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Lead Poison said:
Trying to sort through all the information that is out there to help select a new pellet rifle. My most recent GS1000 is giving up the ghost... never been really wild about it.
I've read many threads here on gas vs springer - looks about 50/50 so no preference here.

Wants: .22 cal, repeatable accuracy (aside from the person pulling the trigger), not heavy - offhand shooting and want to be able to lug it around over distances, good range, + or - $500 (Probably not $1000).

So many out there and so many 'reviews' is it best to start with the best brands (which I don't know) and try to back into an affordable model? Are there some clear choices based on the above? Other questions I should answer to help narrow the options? I see Weihrauch, Diana, etc mentioned frequently with models in this range.. others?

One review will tell you that the Wildcat Whisper or Swarm are the best, etc. Lots of these are on 'websites 'and not a group of dedicated people with experience, so I think I'll get better/more accurate info here.

Thanks for any help

As a side note I decided to ask Bing's AI what was the best spring piston pellet rifle around $500.. because... I've never asked an AI about anything before - its answer: Diana Model 48, Air Arms TX200MKIII - more affordable option Hatsan 95 Combo - Its recommendation was Pyramyd Air for the widest selection :)
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It would help to know what you expect to be able to do with your new air rifle. Do you have a preference for (or aversion to) a particular type (multi-pump, CO2, Spring/Gas Piston Break Barrel or PCP)? I wouldn't want to make a recommendation without at .east that much.

If you're in a hurry or just totally stumped, you also could log in at the Pyramyd Air website and: (1) try their rudimentary 'find the airgun best for you' recommendation tool. Easy to use, although selection is limited to only the models they carry, or (2) email or call them for recommendations from their knowledgeable support and sales staff. Great customer service. They are glad to help before a sale and they absolutely have your back after, if you decide to buy. Again, they offer advice only on what they stock.

I hope to hear from you again and would be happy to offer you some suggestions based on your needs and expectations, if you don’t mind providing them. If not, good luck with your search!
 
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