Is the Long Range Hunter(22cal) really 135fps faster than the HW80. According to AoA specs listed and if so is it due to the shorter barrel. They list the HW80 at up to 765fps and the long Range Hunter up to 900fps.
It is fast in the HW80K .22 Long Range Hunter with original HW suppressor. Very fast at 734 fps (Muzzle) using JSB Kings (.22). I use those and other .22s in my HW80K .22 and the velocity in downrange result is rather astonishing with forceful impact I cannot measure but HEAR at 35 yards.
I have the HW80 .20 with long barrel and NO suppressor which is very accurate but LOWDER than the moderated .22 Long Range Hunter. To me the shorter muzzled barrel delivers more accuracy and power than a standard .22 HW80 or R1.
I have only the HW80 Long Range Hunter as the best longer range .22 springer in my entire collection and no regular break barrel ever came close to how TIGHT and FAST this rifle is . I HAD to remount it using Diana Zero Recoil mounts which stopped all scope slippage I had with the originally installed HW 3-9X scope and Sports Match Rings with stud. The stud did bend and start to shear before I replaced the mounts with the ZR mount. Now the LR Hunter .22 I have has a Trijicon 3-9X.
Can chime in from a massive experience perspective here...i wont expand anymore than that.
The HW80 Lazeglide from Venom Arms (fore runner of VMach) late 80s and was probably the finest tuned springer ever assembled. 2 variants were available fitted into the finest Turkish Walnut, but the US export ran 26ftlbs nudging 900 fps with certain pellets in .22 and the lazerglide system still holds the English record for the most powerful springer ever (a one off special Dave Pope did at 28ftlbs) making a 3/4 inch group at 65 yards.
Notes on barrel lengths...
Cardew the great Airgun Professor at that time, concluded that the 11inch barrel achieved maximum velocity and where any greater length, slightly slowed the pellet, in complete reverse order of Gas expansion rules as with Firearms and Co2.....and that any additional length was only required to aid cocking, or balancing the gun.......However....this was at 12 ftlbs.
Dave Popes own findings for his 26 ftlbs export model settled on 14 to 15 inches with the remaining length made up by a silencer.
These air rifles are the finest springer machines ever built and exceedingly rare, because he and Ivan put so much effort into them, that it was reported that they were almost making a loss....You would need a few $1000 to capture a minter today.. The centre rifle was Daves own rifle and his preference of the stock variants...
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