The HW55 is the gun I always wanted my R8 to be, and is probably my favorite airgun of all time. I never was able to shoot the R8 as well as I hoped, and the FWB300S that replaced it, though it is an accurate gun, is a whole lot of gun at 10 1/2 lbs. That is a lot of weight to handle without the support of a shooting coat. The HW55 is only 8 3/4 lbs with sleeve and is just more enjoyable for casual basement shooting in the winter. And although the 300S hangs on the target better, I can still get respectable results out of the HW55 if I take my time.
But it is more than just the fact that it is an accurate gun, it really seems to embody everything a quality target style springer was meant to be. Hard to describe, but fit and finish are perfect, and all the mechanicals are smooth and refined. Mine is doing about 580 fps with JSB Mediums, for almost exactly 6 ft-lb of energy. More than enough to punch clean holes, and with a very gentle shot cycle. My only regret is that I didn't acquire one sooner. HW should bring this one back as their heritage offering instead of the HW35E. The 35E is a pretty gun, but the 55 is a unique package with functionality that can't be found in any other springer made today.
Anyway, here is a picture of my HW55 with a homemade riser attached so I can shoot comfortably off the palm. The riser was supposed to be a prototype that I would duplicate in walnut, but it works as is so I doubt it will ever get upgraded. Also shown are a couple sample targets, one from tonight that I would consider typical, and my personal best shot back in January.
But it is more than just the fact that it is an accurate gun, it really seems to embody everything a quality target style springer was meant to be. Hard to describe, but fit and finish are perfect, and all the mechanicals are smooth and refined. Mine is doing about 580 fps with JSB Mediums, for almost exactly 6 ft-lb of energy. More than enough to punch clean holes, and with a very gentle shot cycle. My only regret is that I didn't acquire one sooner. HW should bring this one back as their heritage offering instead of the HW35E. The 35E is a pretty gun, but the 55 is a unique package with functionality that can't be found in any other springer made today.
Anyway, here is a picture of my HW55 with a homemade riser attached so I can shoot comfortably off the palm. The riser was supposed to be a prototype that I would duplicate in walnut, but it works as is so I doubt it will ever get upgraded. Also shown are a couple sample targets, one from tonight that I would consider typical, and my personal best shot back in January.
