Having accumulated a really nice collection of custom tuned underlever cocking HWs and TX200s, I decided I needed (?) one premium break barrel in my collection, just to see how it might compare to a fixed barrel, under lever cocking rifle. I have always believed that due to the lock-up, a break barrel could, at least in theory, never be as consistent. I don't know whether this is true or not, even after this experience.
After looking around, I decided to purchase a new .177 FWB Sport (see exhibit 1), based upon FWB's reputation for accuracy. I purchased it from Champions Choice and the service was excellent.
Upon receipt, unboxing, studying the owner's manual, and prepping the barrel, I put it through the paces shooting four different pellets using my indoor 18 yard range. As you can see by exhibit 3, the results were less than stellar, especially compared to what I am use to with my HW77, HW97, and TX200 rifles. I found the shot cycle to be really harsh, and the trigger only fair. It was also hard to get the pellets to seat properly.
After talking to Scott Schneider at Motorhead, I boxed the rifle up and sent it to him, as I have always had tremendous service from Scott. Scott's invoice indicated that the factory piston seal was too loose. He retrofitted and ARH seal designed for an HW 35 to replace it. He proceeded to de-burr everything, homed the compression tube and placed a liner in the piston spring's cavity and manufactured a one piece spring guide to fit the factory spring, polishing the spring ends. Scott polished the barrel throat to allow the pellets to seat better. He disassembled the trigger and stoned and polished the sear contacts.
The results can be seen in Exhibit 2, as the SD dropped from 12 to 16 FPS depending upon the pellet, to 4. The groups sizes diminished considerably. The rifle is very smooth to shoot now and the trigger is perfect. He did a great job with it.
I next tested six different pellets at 18 yards, with the results shown on Exhibit 2. The best three were the JSB Diablo RS 7.37, the Air Arms Diablo Field 7.87, and the AA Diablo Field 8.4. To really test consistency, I then shot five 10 shot groups of these pellets at 18 yards, with the results shown on exhibit 4.
Finally, I took the FWB to my 150 yard indoor range today, and shot 30 yard and 50 yard 10 shot groups to determine the best performing pellet, and then shot to POI every five yards from 20 to 55 to develop the range card I attached to the rifle. See Exhibits 5, 6, & 7.
My conclusions are as follows:
After looking around, I decided to purchase a new .177 FWB Sport (see exhibit 1), based upon FWB's reputation for accuracy. I purchased it from Champions Choice and the service was excellent.
Upon receipt, unboxing, studying the owner's manual, and prepping the barrel, I put it through the paces shooting four different pellets using my indoor 18 yard range. As you can see by exhibit 3, the results were less than stellar, especially compared to what I am use to with my HW77, HW97, and TX200 rifles. I found the shot cycle to be really harsh, and the trigger only fair. It was also hard to get the pellets to seat properly.
After talking to Scott Schneider at Motorhead, I boxed the rifle up and sent it to him, as I have always had tremendous service from Scott. Scott's invoice indicated that the factory piston seal was too loose. He retrofitted and ARH seal designed for an HW 35 to replace it. He proceeded to de-burr everything, homed the compression tube and placed a liner in the piston spring's cavity and manufactured a one piece spring guide to fit the factory spring, polishing the spring ends. Scott polished the barrel throat to allow the pellets to seat better. He disassembled the trigger and stoned and polished the sear contacts.
The results can be seen in Exhibit 2, as the SD dropped from 12 to 16 FPS depending upon the pellet, to 4. The groups sizes diminished considerably. The rifle is very smooth to shoot now and the trigger is perfect. He did a great job with it.
I next tested six different pellets at 18 yards, with the results shown on Exhibit 2. The best three were the JSB Diablo RS 7.37, the Air Arms Diablo Field 7.87, and the AA Diablo Field 8.4. To really test consistency, I then shot five 10 shot groups of these pellets at 18 yards, with the results shown on exhibit 4.
Finally, I took the FWB to my 150 yard indoor range today, and shot 30 yard and 50 yard 10 shot groups to determine the best performing pellet, and then shot to POI every five yards from 20 to 55 to develop the range card I attached to the rifle. See Exhibits 5, 6, & 7.
My conclusions are as follows:
- This is a beautiful rifle in all aspects, is well made, and is much lighter and better balanced than any other spring piston rifle I own, and will be a dream to carry in the woods compared to my 56TH and heavier springers.
- It is sufficiently accurate to take any small game out to 50 yards. At 55 yards, the groups opened up beyond 2" with evening the best performing pellet.
- This rifle will not produce the consistent tight groups that I have become accustomed to with my TX and HW series underlever rifles - but again, they are totally different rifles for different purposes, and will undoubtedly provide much enjoyment for years to come, filling a void in my collection in terms of cocking/loading design.
- I would not have been happy with it had I not sent it to Scott for tuning. He improved its performance tremendously.
It definitely is a lot more carry friendly than a HW97k and the grip fits my hand like a glove. I’m gonna shoot mine for awhile to get a baseline before the Motörhead tune. I’m wondering if after the remaining 29 are sold if that model will be history? 
