HW97, the long and short of it

[GoldenStateAIRGUNer]

Thought I would throw this in the mix. HW77 Venom .22 cal 1985 production stamped Hull Cartridge. You don't see many of these in North America

Nice ! I really loved those Beeman Blue Ribbon series of scopes. I see them on ebay on occasion. Big $$$ !

 

[JohnnyPiston]

Shot a couple groups with the 97 Long earlier this morning before the breeze picks up.

Going to make some more adjustments on my 97 “test bed” stock with (with knee riser, Morgan pad, thumb shelf and weight) so it’s back in its’ original stock, and it feels great albeit a little front heavy. 

32 yards seated using JSB 7.9 Express, scope mag @20X. 

Would have been nice to have the HW97KL designation, but it is what it is.

Last night I made some trigger adjustments. Almost to where I want it, will nail it next time.

Safe to say it likes JSB 7.9 Express. Shooting over the arm is very comfortable with the factory stock, but the heartbeat shows. The first group is on the right (very dead, just a faint breeze). Breeze began to pick up a bit for the 2nd group, but still very calm. The left outlier on the 2nd group was not the wind or an unexplicable flier: I timed the heartbeat descent badly and had an exaggerated trigger pull, swinging this one to the left. All me.

Enjoying the long honeymoon

 

[mj102]

Wow beautiful gun and view also . Nice shooting. You still enjoying that vintage HW77? Mike

 

[JohnnyPiston]

Thanks Mike- nice to see you here. The 77 MK1 is well taken care of. Great air rifle for sure. I have a special kit I’ve been holding on to that may find a home in the 77, but for the time being I am going to enjoy it the way it is, and for what it is.

 

[ChuckHunter]

Nice shooting Johnny, 

20x that takes some serious breathing technique...and counting in between heartbeats...lol. Love it !

James from Michigan 

 

[JohnnyPiston]

Thanks James. 20X there’s less movement than 40 or 50. Of course it’s still there, just seems less exaggerated.

A couple days ago I set up a target on the mountainside (lasered 51 yards, approx 20-25 degree incline) where I am less affected by the wind. Usually there is only a tailwind or flanking tailwind, and in the morning or before sundown it is actually very calm. This group was shot early yesterday morning. Shoot-N-See sticker is 1” diameter. 5 shots from a seated FT yoga position, over arm, using straight out the tin JSB 7.9 Express. 


It never gets old.

 

[JohnnyPiston]

Screwin’ around recently. Shot this 5 shot group at 51 yds using JSB 7.9s in calm conditions (no windage holdoff, target of opportunity was the screw at the top of board. Will try AA 7.9s soon also. And JSB 4.53. And AA 4.52.

It’s got potential.

Had to fish this out: 3 in one

 

[whyzee]

Very very nice!! Like a sniper on a roof



I sure admire the detail on your breech cover. So nice

 

[JohnnyPiston]

Very very nice!! Like a sniper on a roof



I sure admire the detail on your breech cover. So nice

Thanks. I took a couple other pics of my Bluesy also fitted with Paul Short internals and jeweled compression tube. I also admire the meticulous attention he gave it, he machined a very tight pattern with considerable overlap - more work for sure but the end result is impeccable, even with indoor lighting.

I also have Paul’s sticker for the 97 long, will adhere to the receiver tube only after several hundred more pellets have gone through. 

 

[my87csx481]

How/where does one get one of these long barrels? Are they available in .22?



Sorry for the thread hijack. I'm another one that's new to air guns, and started with a gas piston rifle (the only rifle I have ever owned). I really want to get an HW97KT in .22. I think I would prefer the longer barrel, if I could get one (so a 97T long barrel, if such a thing exists). My primary use would be paper targets at the longest distances I can reasonably shoot (25-50 yards, presumably). With the very occasional pest elimination (red squirrels the size of chipmunks)....but I don't plan to be stalking around in the brush.



I was leaning toward the synthetic stock but, is the wooden stock that much better? The people population density is very thin where I live, and I relocated here recently (from 500 miles away), so if there is anyone around that I can ask to try out their rifle I don't know them, or know where they are. I'm just worried the gas piston has corrupted me too (like Ed, in previous posts in this thread).



Anyone running a newer 97KT with a Vortek PG3 HO kit? Did it make a real difference compared to the stock setup? Just worried about the twang. Never shot a real springer before.



Thanks for any advice. And again, sorry for the hijack, and sorry for the long post.

 

[JohnnyPiston]

my87,

This was a special order that was orchestrated by Krale in the Netherlands. Not sure if a .22 option is available. If you haven't considered it already the HW77 is available in your desired caliber, and will come with a slightly longer barrel than the "97 long". 

J

 

[my87csx481]

Thanks for that. I had not considered the 77. I plan to use a scope so, the stock on the 97 is more appropriate....I think.

I wonder if the 77 action will fit in a 97 stock?

Are the 77 and 97 internals the same? I do not see a 77 specific kit on Vortek's PG3 kit webpage but, ARH does list the 77 and 97 together in the same kit.



And more questions....on ARH's 97/77 kit, there is mention of flat spots and other sealing issues with the compression tube. Is this still an issue, with newer rifles? I guess I need to do more googling.

 

[JohnnyPiston]

Stocks are interchangeable and internals on current production 77s and 97s are the same. Hope this helps.

 

[my87csx481]

Yes. Very much. Thanks a lot.

 

[jamdon]

Very very nice!! Like a sniper on a roof



I sure admire the detail on your breech cover. So nice

Thanks. I took a couple other pics of my Bluesy also fitted with Paul Short internals and jeweled compression tube. I also admire the meticulous attention he gave it, he machined a very tight pattern with considerable overlap - more work for sure but the end result is impeccable, even with indoor lighting.

I also have Paul’s sticker for the 97 long, will adhere to the receiver tube only after several hundred more pellets have gone through.

The jeweling is awesome. That’s a beauty....enjoy.

 

[JohnnyPiston]

The jeweling is awesome. That’s a beauty....enjoy.

Thanks bud. Your 97 is also quite special

 

[JohnnyPiston]

Today the correct rear post for the Rowan knee riser arrived (thanks to Dave Rose for the great after sale service!) so I revisited my vision for the HW97KL - factory stock, knee riser, thumb groove, curved Morgan pad- yes it adds to the LOP just a wee bit but that straight blade trigger is set back . 


Knee riser solid, everything feels tight so off to shoot a couple groups at 34 yards in switchy/swirly wind. Instead of focusing center of crosshairs on a tiny mark I opted to bracket the 1” Shoot N See circle at 25X. Different technique but why not? JSB 4.51s, straight out the tin. 


Knee riser is rock solid now-not compromised like before.

1st group on the left.

Both groups, edge to edge, covered completely with a dime.

In the near future I plan on doing a little more pellet testing. Let’s see how it goes and what this rifle is capable of. The rig is now much more comfortable and stable off the bare knee with decent balance- which now makes it even more appealing to shoot!

 

[270windude]

You’ve got bluesy dressed up very nice! Such a wonderful edition. I absolutely love the breech jeweling. I’ve always wondered why more people don’t go that route. 

Your pellet testing seems quite methodical. I always approach with a solid plan then it goes to heck when I have to start compromising on distance -even by a small margin, enough to upset me- or on shot count. 

I’d love to see 3 targets back to back of 10 shot groups of the same pellet. One with 4.53, one with 4.52 and one with either being washed or lubed. 

 

[Lewis]

Ive got one too in .20 cal that I got from Johnny...lol. being more of a hunter I'm going a little different direction with a hornet kit and seal from ARH. Looking for closer to 15fpe.

Man John that kit is the bomb!!!

Turned that thing into a laser beam and the video you showed me was incredible!

The gun literally doesn't move when fired !

Reviving an old thread but those are 2 very good looking guns right there! Wink.