Which piston seal for a HW50 .177? Looking at Vortex and Air Rifle Headquarters. Thanks, Don
HW50 .177 piston seal
- Thread starter doninva
- Start date
Well never used a vortex . Arh seals i last got were a pain to fit.. then yired of fooling with fitting them i went back to a stock hw seal. Dropped it in and Alls well again. Im no pro tuner but gosh ... I sure got good at taking apart and reassembly of that hw95/r9
The vortex seals get high praise and rarely you see a fittin complaints. So of you go arh grab 2 Incase the first one dont pan out. Lol.. me ill try one next bit will add a stock hw seal as backup..lol
The vortex seals get high praise and rarely you see a fittin complaints. So of you go arh grab 2 Incase the first one dont pan out. Lol.. me ill try one next bit will add a stock hw seal as backup..lol
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What Mycapt65 said, Vortek seal worked great in my HW95. http://vortekproducts.com/ourstore/Airgun_piston_breech-seals
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Another option: 25mm seal from Tony Leach. Low friction, efficient and consistent in temps from low 50’s to 80’s (haven’t tried in colder temps). Compared to an ARH seal you’d probably gain at least 1/2 fpe.
The Aussie red moly impregnated seals work fine as well in the same temp range that I have experience with, great performance, no sizing required.
Edit: out of your choices I’d go for a JM parachute seal for the cushy soft piston landing feel
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The Aussie red moly impregnated seals work fine as well in the same temp range that I have experience with, great performance, no sizing required.
Edit: out of your choices I’d go for a JM parachute seal for the cushy soft piston landing feel
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25 mm piston seal will be too loose. Unless it's a forty year old Hw50 they use a 26 mm piston seal. The Vortek is the easiest solution. Readily available, no sizing necessary, more power than parachute types and very durable.
The ACS are very very similar but in my experience, more expensive and take longer to get.
I haven't tried the Tony Leach seals but I've tried the others and out of those the Vortek is the most practical choice.
The ACS are very very similar but in my experience, more expensive and take longer to get.
I haven't tried the Tony Leach seals but I've tried the others and out of those the Vortek is the most practical choice.
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Good catch! Yes, 26mm, here’s the JM seal I was referring to:
https://www.airrifleheadquarters.com/catalog/item/251485/9946364.htm
https://www.airrifleheadquarters.com/catalog/item/251485/9946364.htm
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I've used those seals. They need to be sized properly which Is tedious work. Even then they tend to make a little less power than the Vortek seals because the parachute design increases drag. You get a softer feel because the gun is slower.
That said parachute seals in general are better than solid lip designs like the Vortek and ACS for tubes that are tapered or out of round (within reason). The flexible parachute lip of the seal expands outwards from chamber pressure and adapts to tube anomalies better than the solid lips can. In these situations there's not much power difference between the two types but the parachute design will have a tighter extreme spread and accuracy.
The ARH seals are also good if you have a scored tube that has to be honed out a lot. Their tighter fit can help save an otherwise wasted tube.
There's a time and a place for all types of seals. Everyone has the favorites and loyalties. I'm just explaining my preferences and why. Use whatever you think is best for you.
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Its a just go and do it.. good , bad , ok outcomes is nuttin but added to your experience.. then the next one you do your a bit smarter...
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I'm curious to hear any feedback on the Vortek Vac Seal. They recommend it with their high output kits now, but needs to be purchased separately.
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