For the latest project rifle, I chose a new Weihrauch HW80 from Krale. Received it in perfect condition within three days of the order - (included a weekend) - unreal, and $50 less than from ordering on this side of the pond, even after shipping.
As I previously did this same exercise with an HW 80 in .22, I knew it would be real heavy on recoil and "buzz," but I also knew I could likely do some pretty amazing things to tune it down and make it more accurate.
After removing from the box and inspecting, I worked to clean the barrel. This one was heavier than normal with the typical protective grease. It took some effort to get it clean.
Then, using SportsMatch Optics vertically adjustable mounts with stop pin, I mounted a new Vortex Diamondback 6-24x50 FFP scope, and proceeded to sight it in. The recoil and vibration was really harsh, and after shooting tuned springers was really not a lot of fun, but I wanted a base line from which to analyze my progress. Targets 1 through 8 as found below, show the accuracy results out of the box, and the chronograph data.
The same day I ordered the rifle, I ordered from Tom at Vortek a PG4 - steel HO kit. Again, after + 20 Vortek kits installations, I knew the spring kit would arrive a little "hot" for my tastes, so the first thing I did was cut one full coil off of the spring kit. While the trigger assembly was out, I inspected the sear surfaces, lightly lubricated the trigger group, and adjusted it to break very cleanly. I replaced the factory seal with the new Vortek vacuum seal, lubricated using Air Venturi's tune-in-a-tube (sparingly), and reassembled the rifle, using blue loctite on all of the stock screws. For whatever reason, this rifle came apart and went back together like a dream - not a single issue.
After remounting the scope, I re-sighted it in and began looking for the "preferred" pellet. The results can be seen in test targets 9 through 12. The improvements in accuracy and consistency were fantastic. It should be noted that only the four best pellets from the pre Vortek kit installation were the only ones tested. The Predator GTO Lead Free 6.79 gr broke the sound barrier at 1179 and so I didn't continue testing them after the 2nd shot.
For a springer producing between 17 and 19 FPE, the accuracy and consistency is more than acceptable. I settled with the Air Arms Diablo Field 8.4 Gr pellet, averaging 1011 FPS and 19 FPE. See test target #12 and the accompanying performance statistic comparisons.
While heavier and longer than the HW95s, R9s, etc., these rifles are built like a tank and should be able to be passed down from generation to generation, providing thousands of hours of enjoyment.
As I previously did this same exercise with an HW 80 in .22, I knew it would be real heavy on recoil and "buzz," but I also knew I could likely do some pretty amazing things to tune it down and make it more accurate.
After removing from the box and inspecting, I worked to clean the barrel. This one was heavier than normal with the typical protective grease. It took some effort to get it clean.
Then, using SportsMatch Optics vertically adjustable mounts with stop pin, I mounted a new Vortex Diamondback 6-24x50 FFP scope, and proceeded to sight it in. The recoil and vibration was really harsh, and after shooting tuned springers was really not a lot of fun, but I wanted a base line from which to analyze my progress. Targets 1 through 8 as found below, show the accuracy results out of the box, and the chronograph data.
The same day I ordered the rifle, I ordered from Tom at Vortek a PG4 - steel HO kit. Again, after + 20 Vortek kits installations, I knew the spring kit would arrive a little "hot" for my tastes, so the first thing I did was cut one full coil off of the spring kit. While the trigger assembly was out, I inspected the sear surfaces, lightly lubricated the trigger group, and adjusted it to break very cleanly. I replaced the factory seal with the new Vortek vacuum seal, lubricated using Air Venturi's tune-in-a-tube (sparingly), and reassembled the rifle, using blue loctite on all of the stock screws. For whatever reason, this rifle came apart and went back together like a dream - not a single issue.
After remounting the scope, I re-sighted it in and began looking for the "preferred" pellet. The results can be seen in test targets 9 through 12. The improvements in accuracy and consistency were fantastic. It should be noted that only the four best pellets from the pre Vortek kit installation were the only ones tested. The Predator GTO Lead Free 6.79 gr broke the sound barrier at 1179 and so I didn't continue testing them after the 2nd shot.
For a springer producing between 17 and 19 FPE, the accuracy and consistency is more than acceptable. I settled with the Air Arms Diablo Field 8.4 Gr pellet, averaging 1011 FPS and 19 FPE. See test target #12 and the accompanying performance statistic comparisons.
While heavier and longer than the HW95s, R9s, etc., these rifles are built like a tank and should be able to be passed down from generation to generation, providing thousands of hours of enjoyment.
