HW97K which caliber and pellet?

[LSS152]

I am new to springers, for the last few years I have Man shooting a FX crown. I’m trying to decide between .22 caliber and .25 caliber for squirrel hunting. The HW 97 seems to be the most accurate out of the box gun. Please help me decide based on these requirements.

1. No shots will be inside 20 yards with the occasional 25 to 30 yard shot.

2. Sometimes I hunt we the temperatures are really cold not sure if this will make any difference in caliber or not but mainly concerned about the performance and extremely cold situations. I know it affects the performance of PCPs but not sure about Springer’s.

3. Would like the most punch and accuracy between the .22 and the .25 caliber. Any experience you could share would be helpful.



4. Please suggest a brand of pellet start with.

 

[intenseaty22]

I routinely kill Squirrels with my .177 Walther LGV Master Pro. Very flat trajectory using either 10.34 JSB or Polymags. Hits like s hammer. 

Same gun in .22 is also very accurate. But for some reason have had more success with the .177. The .22 LOVES Hades. 

Good luck. 

*Have never owned the 97, but everyone loves theirs. It’s a great platform, and certainly in my bucket list. But don’t overlook other makes or models. 

 

[bdzjlz]

I have a ‘97 in .22. It has been custom tuned by Scott Schneider at Motorhead and shoots the H&N .22 14.66 Gr pellet the best.

I also have an AA TX200. As great as the ‘97 is, their is no comparison to the TX200. Either wi serve you well.

 

[GoldenStateAIRGUNer]

" . Sometimes I hunt we the temperatures are really cold not sure if this will make any difference in caliber or not but mainly concerned about the performance and extremely cold situations. I know it affects the performance of PCPs but not sure about Springer’s."



I'm not entirely sure how much effect cold weather has on springers. Gas-spring guns are effected by temperature. Velocities fall with this type of airgun in cold weather. With all springer type (gas or coil spring) airguns elevation is the performance killer. I lost 20 fps in a Beeman RX1 shooting at 2300 ft elevation. Established velocities were at 85 ft above sea level. Barometric pressure also effects performance but to a lesser degree.

 

[bdzjlz]

.22 is my choice

 

[walter3rd]

I love my 97 in 177. Super accurate for me. I mainly shoot, pest control at 25 yrds. Works a treat. I do have a 22 diana 48 which I also love. I give a nod to my 97 for accuracy mine loves jsb 8.4 grain

 

[Glenroiland]

I'd say .22.

 

[walter3rd]

I purchase on asthetics as well as accuracy and I think the 97 beats out the 200. Imho of coarse.  

 

[c_m_shooter]

My '97 is a .177 12 ft lb model. I know a few shooters with the same gun in both FAC and 12 ft lb and the pellet of choice for the vast majority of us is the H+N ftt. Mine has a shift in impact in the cold, it doesn't seem to be velocity, just a mechanical shift of 1 mil as the temp changes between 40f and 70f. This is with a Leupold 6.5-20EFR scope mounted in an RWS lockdown mount. I have an SWFA 20x on it now, but it hasn't got below 90 degrees yet this year to see if it is different.

 

[brad870]

I have 3 HW97K's in .177. I would recommend the .177 over the .22 due to flatter trajectory. I also have a Air Arms TX200 MKIII .22. It won't out shoot any of my HW97K'S.

 

[Soloshot]

I have a .177 and switched to jsb 8.4 after a v mach tune. It is shooting sweet

 

[MScottLeeman]

Mine is .22 and shooting at @14.5 fpe using JSB 15.89's. Plenty of power for Any small game or pests. Being able to put the pellet RIGHT where I want it...because:

It's superbly accurate and is on of the few springers I own that I can watch the pellet travel to the target.

Stock spring and guides with No buzz/twang.

Beautiful rifle thats built like a brick poop-house.

Mike.

 

[bandg]

Mine is .177 and has plenty of energy for small game, especially with modern pellets. I've taken many squirrels and rabbits with .177's having much less energy in decades past.

 

[Mossonarock]

I'd recommend considering a .20 cal unless you are dead set against it.

I definitely won't recommend a .25 cal since that one will have a more arched trajectory than the .22 cal.

If you can't find a HW97k in .20 cal then go for a .22 cal.

 

[AirgunnerSC]

I'm a Yank. The gun is great. Just buy it and enjoy.You will not be dissapointed any caliber.

 

[brad870]

One of my HW97K'S. They all shoot like that.

 

[brad870]

My 2nd and 3rd in order pictured.

 

[brad870]

This was my first Weihrauch. Just as accurate as the 97's. HW77K

 

[Springer.300s-124]

I have a 77k in .20 killed alot of small game I've only shot Beeman Silver Jets 11.1 gr. at 805fps . it shoots flatter than my 97k but pellets are lacking in variety, my 97k is sighted in at 30yds I have a old Japan TROPHY 4x12 , I use the top of the duplex for 30yds. and i get two more sight marks with center x and the bottom of the duplex , gives me more elevation . also it hits like a hammer you just give to get use to it rainbow trajectorie. great variety of pellets. great gun but getting a little heavy for a old fart. Good luck Can't go wrong with the .22 when you hit it will go down. Try lite pellets in your springer. 

 

[LSS152]

Brad is that out of the box with no tuning? Which pellet would you use for squirrels? Thanks for the help man!