Old match guns still get it done. Sort of..

[thumper]

Went out for a couple strolls today on the wildlife management area. 

Been working on fixing up an old HW55T recently, and got it shooting pretty well. So I figured id take it out and plink some pine cones or maybe a shot at a rabbit. No such luck there, but in a stroke of luck I managed to sneak up under a crow and get off a clear headshot. He dropped like a rock. 630fps of pure classic spring gun mean-ness!! Leather seals and open sights and all lol

Turns out the HW55 performed quite admirably in the woods. Quiet and accurate and a joy to carry. 

I had to go to the eye Dr. around lunch and get some metal dug out of my eye, and they dilated it while I was there. Since it's my good eye, I couldnt see the iron sights anymore

So I plopped a scope on the FWB300 Mini and we were good to go! And this one is a hotrod at almost 650fps! Decided to take it on an actual serious squirrel hunt since the hickory nuts are ready and the wind was calm. Makes for some close but very vertical shooting. Perfect for a low power gun. 

Every time I take this gun squirrel hunting I'm reminded of how terrible it is for actual squirrel hunting. The sled system acts funky and loud on upward shots (which almost all are). The cocking is loud with the full length ratchet setup for the anti-chop-your-digit-off. And loading is a pain in the old ass with a scope mounted. This will probably be her last trip in the squirrel woods. Great guns for about anything else though. 

Anyway, managed to get one with a clean head shot from about 20 yards. He was coming down a tree and I stopped him for the shot about 15 feet up. 

I missed another clean that was a little further but way up in a hickory. Better than a bad hit any day. 

So at the end of the day, I've decided that the HW55 is an awesome gun and excellent for a low power hunting rig. It's very quiet with the breech lever, and very easy to shoot accurately. I had planned to sell this gun as I don't like the stock, but it's really made an impression on me. (MDriskill, you were right buddy lol) 

And the FWB300 is as terrible of a squirrel gun as I remember

But I was glad to be in the woods even with a bum eyeball and underpowered equipment. 

 

[wildcj5]

Couldn’t agree more. If you ever come across one of the old Diana giss break barrel guns give that a try. I have a Diana/Gecado 66. It has the front latch like a 55 but is recoilless but unlike the 300 there is no sledge or bear trap to make noise. 

 

[Motorhead]

10 meter guns while HEAVY ... certainly make up for it with accuracy. As many know shot placement trumps power in many situations.

 

[Odoyle]

Diana giss guns and pistols are pretty dang loud!!! BANG!!!

 

[sillymike]

Anytime walking in the wood with a gun, is bound to be a good time 

 

[Dingfelder]

Love the stocks on both guns. But the one on the 55T looks like an inversion of what I'm used to seeing -- concave instead of convex. How does that fit your cheek if your head and jar don't fit perfectly in that bowl?

 

[thumper]

Love the stocks on both guns. But the one on the 55T looks like an inversion of what I'm used to seeing -- concave instead of convex. How does that fit your cheek if your head and jar don't fit perfectly in that bowl?

I'll tell ya man, I was a skeptic before I tried it, and still think it's ugly as sin. But it really works well. 

The way it is cut allows your face to fit into the stock, and seems to put your eye closer to the centerline of the rifle. 

As far as fitting into the bowl, I let four other people try it out and they seemed to feel like it fit them well too. 

I'm far from an expert on the Tyro stocks, but this one does seem to be very comfortable and really locks you in behind the sights. I like it, just don't like looking at it lol.

 

[Dingfelder]

heh, thanks thumper. I actually like the look, and it sounds like if it fits your face, that advantage of having to tilt your head less to get a sight picture would be huge. At least for me.