HW95L with SportsMatch T04C medium rings & Hawke 3-9 x 40 mm AO.My 177 Hw97 with Sportsmatch T04C rings and a 4-12x40 Airmax weighs exactly 10.9 lbs.
My 177 Hw95 with Sportsmatch T04C rings and a 3-9x40 Airmax 9.02 lbs
Fwiw the scopes are nearly identical in size and weight.
The Hw97 is roughly 1.9 lbs heavier. It feels like more. Mine never leaves the bench.
As far as accuracy goes they both jockey for top dog. They have both shot half inch 50 yard groups on the same day with the same shooter.
The 97 is a little easier to shoot accurately. Honestly the biggest deciding factor between the two is which one is working best with the pellets at hand.
If you plan on carrying the rifle afield, I'd go with the 95. Unsupported the weight of 97 will likely work against you. At least is does me.
This is only my opinion. Ymmv.
Merry Christmas All
Ron
Agreed ! I have a 22 caliber R1, 20 caliber R9 , 177 Hw95, 177 Hw97k, 177 Hw50 and three Hw30s. Out of all of those only the 177 Hw50 comes on walks with me. More than accurate enough and it'll drop a grey squirrel at 40 yards. My skill limits happen to match the rifles limits. With a lightweight 4x it weighs the same as my Hw30 Laminate with 2-7x32 Airmax and makes 50% more power. The Hw50 is just a wonderful little gun. I'll plink from a bench at 100 yards but won't often shoot groups at 50 yards unless I'm having a good day.Do not discount the HW 50 until you have actually held and shot it. In.177 it is impressive.
My .20 97k is a proven hunting. So is my daughter's .177 R9. Hard choice to make but the 97k , with the underlever cocking makes it more consistent than the R9.I thot I might use it for hunting and didn't want all the weight. Also, I am over the hill and getting weaker, 78 yrs. It is true that I shoot off bucket and sticks though, I might think about it. thx