I have a Beeman R10 considering purchasing HW97 can someone compare them??

[caito222]

I have had beeman R10 for the past 20+years and started shooting it more. I am shooting roughly 1/2 inches at 50 feet on a good day. After looking at lots of reviews I am considering purchasing a HW97. I have never held or shot one .. The question is not if the hw 97 is a good gun etc. Can someone who has shot both a beeman r10 (even a R1 or any similar break barrel) and a hw97 compare them. I shoot paper targets any a very, very rare pest. I am interested in shootability ie

1 accuracy

2 recoil ie pleasant to shoot?

3 ease of cocking?

4 power (i think i get 800fps or so with 8.6gr at 5000ft elevation but I could be wrong)

any other thoughts. I am not looking to get more and more stuff ie I am thinking of replacing my R10 with the hw97 so would I really enjoy shooting it more. 

Thank you in advance for your help. I was considering the hw97 wood stock or laminate. 

 

[DualMagMike]

Several differences as they really are quite different air rifles, underlever vs break barrel. 97 is a superb gun but a bit heavier and may be more accurate (no guarantee one way or the other). The R10 if full rifle length will be easier to cock, is capable of higher velocity, have the ability to be used with open sights and since already long discontinued be potentially more collectable (that is if the 97 is of new(er) production. 

 

[thumper]

I've had both. Still have the R10 and a few HW77Ks which are the same power plant as the 97. 

1) Accuracy will likely be better. Due mostly to the extra weight of the 97, and the slightly smaller stroke. The new ones are sprung pretty heavy, I think they shoot best tuned down a little bit. 

2) recoil will likely be a little less. The gun is just heavier, and has more weight out front for less muzzle jump. 

3) I don't find them hard to cock. If your R10 has the long 19" barrel, you may find the 97 to take a little more effort. The cocking lever is shorter on the 97 and you lose leverage. 

4) Comparing stock guns, the R10 would have been faster when new. They were sprung pretty hot, and we're known for having spring breakage issues. I can't say what an HW97 would make at your elevation. 

I'm a big fan of the underlever guns. I have several and shoot them the most. Tuned to about 12fpe, they are an absolute dream to shoot. They are heavy, but thats a plus to the accuracy and ease of shooting. The fixed barrel also eliminates the variable of the barrel tension changing and shifting your POI. 

Other than weight if you were going to carry it around, I can't think of a negative. 

 

[Lewis]

Not sure what all you may have done so far, but usually the biggest gain in accuracy comes from finding the pellet your gun shoots best. If you haven't yet, I would suggest starting there. Most (not all) will see an improvement in accuracy with fixed barrel guns all else equal. As others have pointed out most springers tend to be at their best closer to 12 FPE. Since you already have an HW, you should consider an Air Arms TX200 or Walther LGU just for the sake of variety. If you really want to go the under lever route but want to keep the cocking effort low, you can still get the HW77 in full length. There are also full length 97's but they are pretty hard to find.

Please let us know what you decide and how it turns out for you.

Welcome to the group. Lots of great info and smart folks here to learn from.

 

[Odoyle]

If shooting past 40 yards and even past 100 yards consider an RWS 54 or 56. Their accuracy comes very close to PCPs out to 125 yards and surpasses many PCPs past 130 yards up to just shy of 200 yards. You'd be so bored drilling tiny single one hole groups at your current shooting distance as though you only shot one pellet but in fact you shot 10 into that one hole group.

An FWB300s would be my first choice for that close distance up to 50 yards. Even more boring to shoot than either of the RWS guns. Don't knock it's low 640fps power. It's a true Olympic grade match target gold medal Olympic winner of yesteryear that you probably won't want to ever sell once you put your scope on it. They go for around $400-$550.

 

[caito222]

Thanks to all for you t helpful replies. Great food for thought.