HW80/R1 vs HW90/RX2?

I have both. The elite trigger on my RX2 is to light. And truly does not adjust. This is a thing. See multiple you tube videos on the subject. That being said it is a wonderful bench gun. 

I have an HW80/R1 in .22. Great gun, have one of Steve Pope's piston/ spring kit in it. Extremely smooth. Used to be my go to springer for ground squirrels before going to the "DarkSide ".

Record trigger is highly adjustable. Power levels are the same, my vote is the R1.

Tough choice for you to make.

In my opinion the R1 is a better investment for the following reasons....springs are much less expensive to replace than a gas ram. The trigger in the R1 has much better adjustment. A gas ram has a higher cocking effort than the R1 with similiar power. The gas ram costs more initially than the R1. If your sold on gas rams then go for it asvthey are nice rifles, however over my many years of airgunning I find spring guns can be more easily tuned to my needs and wants....with all that said....I have not handled a gas ram in about 5 years so recent improvements if any, may change from my exoeriences.

Yes. I prefer the HW80/R1

I had an Rx1(Hw90) and have an R1 (Hw80). They are both good guns.

First thing to clear up a Hw90 is not a gas ram in the regard that people are familiar with. It's a Theoben air piston.. They are not a sealed gas ram that need replacing. The worst thing that can go wrong with the air piston is the orings leak. First they're not prone to that and second if they did they can be replaced for pennies. Yes it is a piston charged for high pressure, but it's charged with air, not nitrogen. Plus its comparatively massive so it's highly unlikely to fail. Which brings me to say you'll need to replace a main spring long before you need to replace the o-rings. So the 90 is much cheaper to maintain. 

Second the Elite trigger is actually a very good trigger and it is adjustable. Most of the information on the net about adjusting it is wrong. Yes the the range of adjustment isn't as much as the Rekord, but it's plenty when done right.

The 90 is stiffer to cock than an 80 but it also makes a tad more power. It's most noticeable at the beginning of the cocking stroke as it starts off hard on stays that way. It's a more linear pressure than the 80 which the pressure builds exponentially. Either gun you're not going to plink for hours with. 

Not a giant deal for most people, but a 90 can be left cocked indefinitely and the safety is more easily reset. This makes it a born to pest gun. 

It's hard to imagine, but the 90 is a slightly heavier than the 80. IMO both are too heavy to carry around in the woods. 

I like the shot cycle of the 90 over the 80 for the same output. A 20 fpe 90 is shoots nicely. A 20 fpe 80 is going to be a bit harsher. Forget a 80 at 23 if you can even get it there. The 90 has a different shot cycle because it's a longer stroke and uses compressed air. I like it some may not. 

I'm not partial to Magnum springers so I can make a pragmatic comparison. If you want a nice shooting gun with the most power go with the 90. If you want a traditional springer that's simpler, a little lighter and you're ok with a little less power go with the 80.

Accuracy, I almost forgot accuracy. They can both be as accurate as the other. I found the Rx1 easier to shoot accurately. Basically it required less concentration for same size groups at 50 yds. Generally quarter sized or better. The R1 would do that but since it's harsher for near the same power it requires a lot more attention to do so. If you reduce the power of an 80 it will be easier to shoot accurately, but then it kind of defeats the purpose of having a big, heavy magnum. Then you'll just have a big & heavy Hw95. 

Neither gun is a bad choice. (Edit : IMO they are a bad choice in 177) They are both excellent quality guns with different features. I just wanted to give you an accurate comparison of the two so you can make the right decision for you.

Good luck & enjoy

Ron 

I had an Rx1(Hw90) and have an R1 (Hw80). They are both good guns.

First thing to clear up a Hw90 is not a gas ram in the regard that people are familiar with. It's a Theoben air piston.. They are not a sealed gas ram that need replacing. The worst thing that can go wrong with the air piston is the orings leak. First they're not prone to that and second if they did they can be replaced for pennies. Yes it is a piston charged for high pressure, but it's charged with air, not nitrogen. Plus its comparatively massive so it's highly unlikely to fail. Which brings me to say you'll need to replace a main spring long before you need to replace the o-rings. So the 90 is much cheaper to maintain. 

Second the Elite trigger is actually a very good trigger and it is adjustable. Most of the information on the net about adjusting it is wrong. Yes the the range of adjustment isn't as much as the Rekord, but it's plenty when done right.

The 90 is stiffer to cock than an 80 but it also makes a tad more power. It's most noticeable at the beginning of the cocking stroke as it starts off hard on stays that way. It's a more linear pressure than the 80 which the pressure builds exponentially. Either gun you're not going to plink for hours with. 

Not a giant deal for most people, but a 90 can be left cocked indefinitely and the trigger is more easily reset. This makes it a born to pest gun. 

It's hard to imagine, but the 90 is a slightly heavier than the 80. IMO both are too heavy to carry around in the woods. 

I like the shot cycle of the 90 over the 80 for the same output. A 20 fpe 90 is shoots nicely. A 20 fpe 80 is going to be a bit harsher. Forget a 80 at 23 if you can even get it there. The 90 has a different shot cycle because it's a longer stroke and uses compressed air. I like it some may not. 

Magnum springers aren't my thing so I'm being completely pragmatic here. If you want a nice shooting gun with the most power go with the 90. If you want a traditional springer that's simpler, a little lighter and ok with a little less power go with the 80.

Accuracy, I almost forgot accuracy. They can both be as accurate as the other. I found the Rx1 easier to shoot accurately. Basically it required less concentration for same size groups at 50 yds. Generally quarter sized or better. The R1 would do that but since it's harsher for near the same power it requires a lot more attention to do so. 

Neither gun is a bad choice. They are both excellent quality guns with different features. I just wanted to give you an accurate comparison of the two so you can make the right decision for you.

Good luck & enjoy

Ron

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Good stuff Mr Ron. An unbiased opinion from someone who has experience with both. One thing I might add. I have both springers and (should be called air rams). Work on both. When the “air ram” does need a rebuild, one will need a high pressure pcp pump to refill the ram. The spring can be replaced with ordinary tools.

I had an Rx1(Hw90) and have an R1 (Hw80). They are both good guns.

First thing to clear up a Hw90 is not a gas ram in the regard that people are familiar with. It's a Theoben air piston.. They are not a sealed gas ram that need replacing. The worst thing that can go wrong with the air piston is the orings leak. First they're not prone to that and second if they did they can be replaced for pennies. Yes it is a piston charged for high pressure, but it's charged with air, not nitrogen. Plus its comparatively massive so it's highly unlikely to fail. Which brings me to say you'll need to replace a main spring long before you need to replace the o-rings. So the 90 is much cheaper to maintain. 

Second the Elite trigger is actually a very good trigger and it is adjustable. Most of the information on the net about adjusting it is wrong. Yes the the range of adjustment isn't as much as the Rekord, but it's plenty when done right.

The 90 is stiffer to cock than an 80 but it also makes a tad more power. It's most noticeable at the beginning of the cocking stroke as it starts off hard on stays that way. It's a more linear pressure than the 80 which the pressure builds exponentially. Either gun you're not going to plink for hours with. 

Not a giant deal for most people, but a 90 can be left cocked indefinitely and the trigger is more easily reset. This makes it a born to pest gun. 

It's hard to imagine, but the 90 is a slightly heavier than the 80. IMO both are too heavy to carry around in the woods. 

I like the shot cycle of the 90 over the 80 for the same output. A 20 fpe 90 is shoots nicely. A 20 fpe 80 is going to be a bit harsher. Forget a 80 at 23 if you can even get it there. The 90 has a different shot cycle because it's a longer stroke and uses compressed air. I like it some may not. 

Magnum springers aren't my thing so I'm being completely pragmatic here. If you want a nice shooting gun with the most power go with the 90. If you want a traditional springer that's simpler, a little lighter and ok with a little less power go with the 80.

Accuracy, I almost forgot accuracy. They can both be as accurate as the other. I found the Rx1 easier to shoot accurately. Basically it required less concentration for same size groups at 50 yds. Generally quarter sized or better. The R1 would do that but since it's harsher for near the same power it requires a lot more attention to do so. 

Neither gun is a bad choice. They are both excellent quality guns with different features. I just wanted to give you an accurate comparison of the two so you can make the right decision for you.

Good luck & enjoy

Ron

Click to expand...

Good stuff Mr Ron. An unbiased opinion from someone who has experience with both. One thing I might add. I have both springers and (should be called air rams). Work on both. When the “air ram” does need a rebuild, one will need a high pressure pcp pump to refill the ram. The spring can be replaced with ordinary tools.

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Agreed about the special tools. They don't have to be expensive though. I found a bicycle shock pump (with guage) and adapter that fit my Rx1 great at a local bicycle pro shop. They totaled $65 two years ago.

The term "Air Ram" is better than gas ram. Technically it does fit but since gas rams are a totally different design and have more drawbacks than the theoben design, I try not to confuse people by sharing terminology. If people had one apart they'd understand the giant differences as we do. Unfortunately most people mentally picture things the can't see by combining descriptions and their prominent mental images. 

Thanks for your approval. It's much appreciated. 

Be well

Ron 

Thanks Mycapt65

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You're quite welcome. I hope you found the information useful. 

Be well 

Ron 

The HW90's trigger sits a bit lower. That's because the trigger group sits below the piston assembly, rather than behind it. The HW90 trigger is side-latching, rather than rear latching. So the 90 feels taller. 

The 90 was designed for maximum power. With a Vortek 30mm piston seal and 26 bar ram pressure, I consistently get 30 foot-lb with most pellet varieties. Cocking is not that hard with the longer barrel. I leave it at 19 bar, which is good for 800 fps/21 fpe. The trade off is that it's really heavy, about 9 lbs dry. It has a helluva bark. The 90 is at the upper limit of what's comfortable. Serious 90 users should probably get a pump and gage.

My wife and I went hiking the other day. A rabbit scooted across the trail then hid in the bushes. It dawned on me that the HW90 would have been too cumbersome to get off a good shot. The best rabbit gun would be a lightweight HW30. At 30 fpe, the 90 is good for hunting slower game like raccoons, stray dogs and small bears, but not rabbits. Unless you're shooting long range.

if you like tinkering, then the HW90 is good. If you just want to shoot, then the HW80 is probably better.

Greetings All,

I'm new to the forum. I've always loved high powered German springers. In the past I've owned several RWS 48, 52, 34, 45, Webley Kodiak in .25 and also a Thoben Eliminator in .25. The Theoben Eliminator and the Webley Kodiak were vaunted at solid 30 FPE guns. Some of that may have been hype too but I didn't own a chronograph at the time to do my own tests.

Now I am in the decision process thinking about buying an RWS 350, an HW80 or an HW90. I will be primarily hunting.

Right now, I'm leaning towards the HW90. It seems by all reports that the quality and heft of build is greater than the RWS350. I would have thought that it would be even more powerful than the RWS350 but there may be some discrepancies in the way they get to those numbers.

I'd like a head-to-head comparison between the HW90 and the RWS 350 using the same hunting type pellet. Something with some weight like a 15 grain or heavier pellet.

So, staying in the break barrel world, if the HW90 or RWS350 aren't THE top of the food chain what is? Have I overlooked another magnum springer somewhere? If not, then I'd like to know if Beeman RX1's are still being sold? If not, then it's down to the HW90 or the RWS350.

Hello All,

Oldsoldier here again,

I have pretty much settled on getting an HW90 in .25.

My question is:

Can the rifle just be left alone unmolested as is from the factory setting of 26 Bar and properly broken in and lubed, moly etc.

OR

Is it really necessary to de-pressurize the air ram down to 18-20 bar to achieve maximum performance?

Calling all experts to throw in.

Best regards,

oldsoldier

The gun has to be de-pressurized to work on anything but the trigger.. You shouldn't need to lube it. Hopefully it doesn't come over lubed or it will quickly burn up the piston seal. I think I mentioned earlier in this thread about a reasonably priced guaged pump and adapter for the gun. It's worth having. It's very easy to let out more pressure than you wanted to.
It's a great gun. My preference would have been 22 because of pellet availability. But that's just me.
Best of luck with it
Ron

RockShox makes a high pressure bicycle shock pump and adapter. I made a post about it on another forum some time ago. I forgot the details but I think that whole thing cost between 65 and 70 dollars with tax at a local bicycle pro shop.

Man, you guys are great, I really appreciate the tech support.

We have some Jurassic sized iguanas, not to mention now Nutria I have been told. They are huge Ground Hog or larger sized rodents that resemble Capybara's. Thats not to mention, feral chickens, roosters, along with wild dove, rabbits, foxes, feral dogs, coyotes, gigantic rats and on and on. So hunting is good sport down here.

I favor the heavier .25's based on my past experiences hunting down here. Inside of 50 yards and especially at 30 or less the .25's just hit like sledgehammers. Humane kills, no twitch and just solid drops in tracks.

oldsoldier said:

Hello All,

Oldsoldier here again,

I have pretty much settled on getting an HW90 in .25.

My question is:

Can the rifle just be left alone unmolested as is from the factory setting of 26 Bar and properly broken in and lubed, moly etc.

OR

Is it really necessary to de-pressurize the air ram down to 18-20 bar to achieve maximum performance?

Calling all experts to throw in.

Best regards,

oldsoldier

Click to expand...

You’ll hate that gun with the factory setting of 26 bar. As I have posted on other threads, the rifle is an untamable beast at 26 bar. I brought mine down to 22 bar and what a difference! My advice to you would be to go directly to a lower power setting. Save yourself the frustration and expense of trying to make the gun shoot in its original configuration.

Thank you, Phillip, I appreciate the advice. I am actually going to have the retailer I buy it from drop the Barr down before they ship it to me. I will also follow up the purchase with buying all the ancillary gauges and pumps as detailed here in the thread.

I'm excited and will post back once I have the rifle.

are there any particular recommendations with regard to pellets?

Some say that the heaviest weight pellets will heat up and possibly burn seals, so I'd like to err on the side of caution using a good hunting pellet with a good weight to bring down medium game without any risks to the rifle.

Again, my sincere thanks for the great tech support.

Best regards,

OS