Weihrauch HW95

I have a 2017 Benjamin NP2 SBD on backorder right now, but as often happens after reading through forums; am now considering cancelling my order and getting the HW95 based on the reviews.

I was looking at the Field Pro kit from AOA. It is a good price, and once I upgraded the Benjamin with a decent scope is not much more.

I am wanting a .22 for hunting rabbits, squirrels, turkeys (head shots), and birds. Ranges under 40 yards, and closer for turkey (15-20 yards max). I see it comes with a barrel weight but no moderator, how is the noise for backyard shooting? I live on 20 acres, but still would like a quiet gun for pest control and for in the woods.

So talk me into it, lol. What type of pellets does this gun like? Any tips or suggestions? I am really close to getting one. I would get a PCP but want the simplicity of a springer for now as I spend a lot of time off-grid and want to keep it simple.

Any advantages to the nitro piston over the spring for hunting? How long is it safe to keep the HW95 cocked during still and stand hunting? How is the guns weight for long walks?

Thank you!

Matt
 
I don't have a Crosman Nitro but have seen them in the stores. I HAVE owned quite a few Weirauch rifles. I think I can be very honest when I say that in NO WAY does any crosman springer stack up against even the cheapest Weirauch rifles. There is just no comparison to be made between the two. Personally for a quality hunting springer I would be looking at either that rifle, The HW98 or from Air Arms an Pro-elite if you can find one. Other options for a quality hunting springer would have to include the RWS sidelevers like the RWS48/52/54. Any of those rifles are going to be accurate, powerful, and of substantial quality to last you many many years with the occasional spring and seal changes. I have not heard much good from the Crosman springer offerings altho their PCP rifles are kind nice especially for the price point. I have an RWS54 right now and used to have a Pro-elite in .22. Both are excellent rifles for small game depending on how you plan to hunt. The big sidelevers are kinda heavy to carry around a bit but It never bothered me really. Another fine option to consider is buying the new Walther LGU varmint in .22 which is really cool... good luck man

Pete
 
+1 with Pete !! A Benjamin NP can be a lot of fun , and with practice can be squirrel hunting accurate . But it is in NO Way in the same league as a HW95 . It literally is like comparing a Ford entry vehicle , to a Mercedes EClass . Its that much of a difference . I'm not ripping on Benjamin NP guns , ive owned several and had a blast with them ! But a HW is in a different class .
 
Thanks everyone (for costing me more money, :) lol), I just cancelled the Benjamin NP2 and ordered the HW95 field-pro kit in .22 caliber from Airguns of Arizona. It really looks well made, and the fit and finish look great from the pictures I have looked at. Everything I have read is exactly as you have all stated, the NP2 is not even in the same league as the HW95. I looked at the RWS as well, but that was another leap in cost that I am not quite ready for. This was under 500 dollars for the gun and a decent scope and mounts. The look of the gun sure appeals to me more than the NP2, it is a very handsome looking airgun. My only other airgun is a Daisy pump with a 4x scope, so this is quite an upgrade.

I ordered tins of Crosman Premier Ultra Magnum, H&N Field Target Trophy , and JSB Diablo Exact Express pellets to test once the cleaning and break-in is done. I am hoping the Crosman pellets shoot ok as that is the most available locally for me. The pellets are all 14.3-14.6 grains, I may try heavier and lighter pellets later if these do not group in the gun.

I had already ordered some .22 jags, brushes and JB non-embedding paste. I will probably do Gaylords trick of lapping the barrel with the JB to reduce the break in period for the gun and give it a good cleaning, although this gun likely does not need the amount of polishing the Crosman would have. i have hand lapped the barrels on my center fire rifles and muzzleloaders with great success, so the technique seems to have merit.

As I stated my plan is to use it for hunting tree squirrels, ground squirrels, upland game birds, invasive birds, cottontail and jack rabbits/hares, and general fun in the backyard. I find shooting my .22 long rifle helps hone my large caliber rifle skills, and I hope the air gun does the same. Ammo is a lot cheaper and more available.

I look forward to posting my experiences with the gun. I appreciate all the advise, and appreciate any further tips and tricks you give me.

Matt

 
Don't lap it, just clean the barrel with some Ballistol on a pull through, I would not even use a cleaning rod unless it is nylon coated, like a Dewey cleaning rod. I have a Dewey, but I just use a pull though like this one. https://www.mac1airgunshop.com/jl-crown-saver-p/jlcs.htm  You did the right thing, I have two HW95's and an HW97K, these are high end spring guns to be proud of.
 
I was hopeful it would arrive today but more likely it will be here next week. I have been setting up a airgun range in my backyard by my archery targets. I live on 20 acres so have plenty of room to shoot. I have some metal animal .22 rim fire targets which I made into splatter targets on the head and heart areas, and had an old reality sign frame which makes a nice target stand for hanging paper targets. I want to pick up or weld a few knock-down targets over time.

I will just clean the gun and shoot it. I have some Ballistol and CLP in my gun safe. I got out some weed wacker line I will melt the end on and make a pull through. I am putting together a little range bag for it. I will post up my review once I get it. It will be nice to shoot and practice in the yard. I shoot my .22 from time to time, and there is a hill across the street I use to sight in my .243 and .300, but as more neighbors build around me; I try to keep the noise to a minimum simply for courtesy.

We have several starlings that have moved in this year which are on my hit list, a few feral pigeons, eurasion doves, jackrabbits and a huge vole outbreak. I am really excited to try for turkeys, quail and tree squirrels this year with the airgun. I use my muzzleloader and shotguns a lot, but with the lead bans and difficulty getting ammo and powder, the air gun is just a wise choice to increase my opportunities. I enjoy walking around the woods, and being able to stump shoot and take small game will be nice, and a lot cheaper than my .22 long rifle.
 
Hello Fish N Chips i own two HW95 s in .22 and .177 they are both the finest rifles i own . My ,22 realy likes the field target trophy 14.66 grain in 5.55 head size . The .177 is a field pro package fro AOA . This gun is simply amazing it really likes the crosman 7.9 hollow points . After break in the groups really tightened up . I also now started washing my pellets and lubing them with a little WD40 . Both are great you should consider also getting a hw95 in .177 .
 
I have an NP2 trail in .22 it is a knarley beast. Requires two men and a small boy to cock it and it rarely groups well. My R9 on the other hand is very smooth, really consistent and absolutely beautiful to the eye. The fit and finish are near perfect and it has beautiful bluing. It has been a great gun since I bought it in the mid to late eighties. The two are so far apart I can’t even begin to explain. If you live anywhere near the high deserts of so Cal , reach out and you can shoot them both and decide for yourself.

Bob