HW/Weihrauch HW50 LOVE

[Mycapt65]

I love this 177 Hw50. The way it's set up its probably the most versatile air rifle I own. It's got a simple fixed 4x non AO scope. I can pop targets at random distances without any adjustments.

It's shooting nicely at ~11.3 fpe. The gun is reasonably light at 7.2lbs scoped. It's size and weight make it come to shoulder perfectly. It's my first choice to bring into the squirrel woods.

Ive been shooting my bigger 77,97,95 the last few days with mixed experiences and feelings. Tonight this gun was nothing but joy. I have no idea how many tens of thousands have been through this gun but man is this thing ridiculously smooth in every function. You can tell this guns got some shots on it by looking at butt pad wear on it's corners. This is it's second stock too.

This 50 will never replace my beloved 30s because of cocking weight but I have another 177 Hw50 on the way that I plan on soft tuning and putting peeps on it. The older I get the more I appreciate these lighter less powerful rifles.

Be well
Ron

 

[Long_Gun_Dallas]

That gun handles so nice. I removed the optic on mine and use peeps, so it handles even nicer. I imagine that 4x probably doesnt weigh all that much.

 

[Mycapt65]

That gun handles so nice. I removed the optic on mine and use peeps, so it handles even nicer. I imagine that 4x probably doesnt weigh all that much.

That scope is only like 11 or 12 oz. It keeps the rifle nice and light. 4x is enough for squirrels at 50 yards and I don't like pushing it that far anyway. I have a 4" round plate at 93 yards I like to hit with this gun. That scope is zeroed at 25 yards, 3/4 mil at 50 and 3 mil at 93. Because it's fixed power it easy to remember all your common holdovers. It's focused from ten yards out. It's a perfect utilitarian set up. I'll be switching more rifles to non AO scopes.

 

[Franklink]

Love my HW50s too. I got it in 2013 or maybe 14, so it's one of the airguns I've had the longest. I sure don't shoot it much, being mostly on a PCP kick for a while. But I keep it around for when the springer bug bites again.

If you get a chance, please tell us about how yours is tuned.

 

[Mycapt65]

Love my HW50s too. I got it in 2013 or maybe 14, so it's one of the airguns I've had the longest. I sure don't shoot it much, being mostly on a PCP kick for a while. But I keep it around for when the springer bug bites again.

If you get a chance, please tell us about how yours is tuned.

I put a full power Vortek PG2 kit in there shortly after I got it in 2017 or 18. It's been through a few springs and seals since then. I also remove spring under the plastic glide on the cocking arm. With so much use everything about this gun is a smooth as summer butter.

 

[Franklink]

What's your elevation?

Mine only does 700-715fps with the 7.87s. So not even 9fpe. It's got a Maccarri full power kit, with one of the JM Hornet seals.
I'm at about 5600 feet though, and I've always attributed the low springer energy to my elevation. All of them that I've tried have been at least a couple fpe less than most report from the same platform.

 

[KWK]

One of mine with a Webley Stingray. I made a delrin press on brake that adds about an inch to the barrel length. About the same length as an HW99 now. Must make cocking a bit easier but I don't notice. I could make one to extend more and be closer to an R8 in length. Would be easier to cock but not sure I want the length.

 

[Mycapt65]

One of mine with a Webley Stingray. I made a delrin press on brake that adds about an inch to the barrel length. About the same length as an HW99 now. Must make cocking a bit easier but I don't notice. I could make one to extend more and be closer to an R8 in length. Would be easier to cock but not sure I want the length.

View attachment 592651

A softer spring will fix the cocking effort on my next one. With peeps I won't be needing full power. I figure I'll knock it down to 9-10 fpe. I just want it to have a little more poop than my 30s

 

[Mycapt65]

One of mine with a Webley Stingray. I made a delrin press on brake that adds about an inch to the barrel length. About the same length as an HW99 now. Must make cocking a bit easier but I don't notice. I could make one to extend more and be closer to an R8 in length. Would be easier to cock but not sure I want the length.

View attachment 592651

I didn't like the length of the R8

 

[Chuck-in-Ohio]

You will like it at 9 to 10 fpe.

Both of my 50s are leather sealed, so I am down around that power level. They are real sweethearts, in manners and accuracy both!

 

[boscoebrea]

My HW50 .177 Was quite a journey for me,I did not like it,but so many people do,I put the ARH plinker kit in it and it settled down.I was shooting it today,it is nice to shot,very good trigger and accuracy.I have a Custom lefty Stock for it for over a year and still have not used it...I like 50s now and see why so many do.

 

[Mycapt65]

You will like it at 9 to 10 fpe.

Both of my 50s are leather sealed, so I am down around that power level. They are real sweethearts, in manners and accuracy both!

The leather sealed 50s were a different rifle altogether. Your's is a smaller comp tube bore and a well known good shooter. 9fpe is good for a leather sealed 50.

In 1999 Weihrauch reintroduced the entirely new Hw50 model in the US. In Europe its call the HW99. IMO they should of used 99 here too to avoid this confusion.

 

[Mycapt65]

What's your elevation?

Mine only does 700-715fps with the 7.87s. So not even 9fpe. It's got a Maccarri full power kit, with one of the JM Hornet seals.
I'm at about 5600 feet though, and I've always attributed the low springer energy to my elevation. All of them that I've tried have been at least a couple fpe less than most report from the same platform.

There's an altitude formula listed on the Vortek website. 5600 feet is a lot of elevation that will definitely cost you on a piston gun.

 

[Pellets&Pistons-(Razor62)]

I've always praised the power to weight ratio of the 50. In my opinion, It makes the perfect small game field gun. I'm not a hunter anymore, but off the bench, both of my 50s, a .177 and .22 cal., hit dimes at 55 yards consistently. My .22 had a tune kit installed before I purchased it. I don't know what's in there because I'm avoiding tearing it down. It's making 13.5 ft/lbs with outstanding accuracy. I'm not messin' with that. Those 50s are fantastic rifles!

 

[Mycapt65]

It's making 13.5 ft/lbs with outstanding accuracy. I'm not messin' with that. Those 50s are fantastic rifles!

Understandable. I bought a 22 Hw50 a year after this 177. I put a Vortek PG3 kit in it. I kept it a couple of years and sold it because it was too loopy for my shooting abilities to grasp. The guy I sold it to absolutely loves it. I've since tuned a few more 50s including a couple of 22s. The 22s are definitely good for at least an additional pound of energy over the 177 and always shoot softer doing it.

The last one I tuned was 13.7 fpe and shooting nickels at 33 yards. When I first shot it, it was shooting so soft I was disappointed and thought I screwed up. The chronograph and the splintering mdf back board confirmed that I didn't. Otherwise you'd think the gun was more like 10 fpe by the way it shot.

I still won't get another 22 50 for myself because of my shooting abilities but they're wonderful for general use. Great for squirrel hunting too, if you're good at estimating distance and hold over. Try RWS hobbies in yours. Mine loved them it got it's best 25 yard groups with them. And they flatten squirrels and explode house sparrows, for those that might care. Better than any trick hunting pellets through that gun.

Be well Kevin
I love your videos
Ron

 

[Mycapt65]

What's your elevation?

Mine only does 700-715fps with the 7.87s. So not even 9fpe. It's got a Maccarri full power kit, with one of the JM Hornet seals.
I'm at about 5600 feet though, and I've always attributed the low springer energy to my elevation. All of them that I've tried have been at least a couple fpe less than most report from the same platform.

Here's a screenshot of the altitude formula

 

[Mycapt65]

One of mine with a Webley Stingray. I made a delrin press on brake that adds about an inch to the barrel length. About the same length as an HW99 now. Must make cocking a bit easier but I don't notice. I could make one to extend more and be closer to an R8 in length. Would be easier to cock but not sure I want the length.

View attachment 592651

That 50 stock is beautiful. Maccarri?

 

[MDriskill]

The leather sealed 50s were a different rifle altogether. Your's is a smaller comp tube bore and a well known good shooter. 9fpe is good for a leather sealed 50.

In 1999 Weihrauch reintroduced the entirely new Hw50 model in the US. In Europe it's call the HW99. IMO they should of used 99 here too to avoid this confusion.

I'm a big fan of the old HW 50 series, and its target-shooting cousin the HW 55. Very solid guns that combine HW's smaller 30mm outside diameter receiver with the threaded rear end of their bigger 35mm guns (HW 35, R1, HW 77/97). And fun to collect too, with a zillion variations over the years, culminating in the US with the Beeman R8.

But the new 50 is a brilliant re-design - saving weight, cutting build costs, and getting more power out of the same basic architecture by eliminating the heavy threaded rear, lengthening the stroke, and going from a 25mm to 26mm piston. I've read the "new" and "old" 50's can interchange stocks (though I've never tried it).

I too find it annoying that the HW 99 name went away! But given the clear evolutionary relation, and historical significance of the name (the 50 was Weihrauch's first air rifle, and manufactured for nearly 50 years), no doubt that played well in the home market.

Late 1950's, pre-Rekord HW 50:

 

[beerthief]

just bought a 2nd HW 50 , will pick up @ Hickory . sold the 1st one /got on a trade new in sealed box .

 

[Pellets&Pistons-(Razor62)]

Understandable. I bought a 22 Hw50 a year after this 177. I put a Vortek PG3 kit in it. I kept it a couple of years and sold it because it was too loopy for my shooting abilities to grasp. The guy I sold it to absolutely loves it. I've since tuned a few more 50s including a couple of 22s. The 22s are definitely good for at least an additional pound of energy over the 177 and always shoot softer doing it.

The last one I tuned was 13.7 fpe and shooting nickels at 33 yards. When I first shot it, it was shooting so soft I was disappointed and thought I screwed up. The chronograph and the splintering mdf back board confirmed that I didn't. Otherwise you'd think the gun was more like 10 fpe by the way it shot.

I still won't get another 22 50 for myself because of my shooting abilities but they're wonderful for general use. Great for squirrel hunting too, if you're good at estimating distance and hold over. Try RWS hobbies in yours. Mine loved them it got it's best 25 yard groups with them. And they flatten squirrels and explode house sparrows, for those that might care. Better than any trick hunting pellets through that gun.

Be well Kevin
I love your videos
Ron

Great thread, Ron. As always, thank you for your viewership. My subscribers are the best.