My Tony Wall/andyfr1968-Tuned Hw97K. A Masterpiece In .177...

[pianoman 3,589]

Goodmorning Gentlemen.

 

I've not posted a detailed review of my HW97K project as, it's been an ongoing job with Andy's hard work and expertise bringing it up to a performance standard. But after giving it a full weekend's testing and hunting on my permission, I have to write something that expresses the gratitude I have for my dear pal and shooting mate. And what he has done that turned this rifle into a slick competition-accurate rifle.

 

This HW started out as a 3-month old 2nd-user .177 HW97KT I picked up for £350 from Red Beck Shooting Supplies near Wakefield..

 

A bit steep maybe to pay for any 2nd hand air rifle but the condition was truly mint with not a scratch on it. A test shoot revealed a bit of bark and snap on firing. A bit "Crumbly" to cock and not so smooth to shoot. A sign that all was not well inside as it should be. Perhaps this is why the original owner was unhappy with it? However, knowing how well Weihrauchs can be improved with a bit of TLC and a tune, a trade-in for my 11-year old TX200 .22 rifle and cash was done. In ten years of trying I just could not get on with this TX200 as I can with my brilliant TX200HC .177 and, the HW97 is a rifle I wanted for my Weihrauch collection and to complement and contrast with my HW77 .22.

 

Well, I have my pal Andy on hand who's knowledge of a Weihrauch's innards is amazing. So, after he finished his appraisal of what was going on, (the sadly all-too-familliar poorly cut and finished spring again but, not too shabby otherwise!) we decided on giving this rifle "the Treatment".

 

First thing we looked seriously at was the KT Thumbhole stock. We were not impressed by the handling of the pistol grip which, to our long-fingered hands seemed just a shade too small. Beautiful swept forestock and stippled detailing was very nice. But the grip was not doing us any favours on precise balance. That would have to changed somehow. For internals, we thought of trying out one of Sandwell Field Sports .177 HW97 kits for it.

 

The kindness of Elliott here supplied the answer to the stock problem when he donated his grandfather's HW77 stock to me to try. This is an early Mk.1 77 stock and it was right handed. But, he's done a fantastic refurbishment job on it and it looks beautiful. A true slim, Bavarian sporter stock I prefer over any other. And with a bit of careful work and sanding, I worked-out the thrust of the cheekpiece on the left side of the wrist of the grip and fashioned a pleasing and very left-hand friendly palm-swell. This has transformed the handling beyond description. Fantastic feel in my controlling hand and improved the balance to almost perfection it has in the aim. All I need now is to stain the grip/buttsock and blend it into Elliott's original stain shade.

 

£47:50 inc P+P and a bit of a wait later the Sandwell kit was delivered to Andy's place so he'll have to tell you what this actually consists of. But he has commented on his delight at how well this kit has been made, with top quality work and components all-in. The spring alone is a bloody beauty, that much I know! Tony told me that you can leave this on-cock for hours with no loss of performance and it will out-last a lot of other springs!

 

Andy meanwhile had the rifle finished and delivered back, with just enough to give it a bit of pellet testing just before the last friendly meet with Si and Davy and you good lads who were at Old Downs shooting ground with us a few weeks ago.

 

So here was a chance to give it a test-shoot in a bit of friendly HFT and see where we are with it.

 

Well, I won the spring rifle contest with it! A score of 47 - just a point ahead of Rob/Porkybella on 46 with his, almost identical HW97K -also in an early HW77 stock. Had I not shot the wrong bloody target bird and missed another completely with a duff pellet I would have made a possible score of 51 which is where the PCP lads were getting into their scores! But, that I had shot the round with washed, unsorted and un-lubed ammo was a telling factor in the rifle's performance capability.

 

Last weekend I had Andy over for a shoot together and bloodied the rifle with its first-kill on a Crow at a decent 35-40 metres or so. A couple of cracking pigeon shots from Andy and we had a good day to go home and have dinner together on and discuss the rifle's performance! The project 97 is starting to shape up beautifully. But, Andy, ever being the perfectionist as he is, wasn't happy with a very slight bit of twang only he could hear! So, he took the rifle home with him and has stripped it, fettled honed and polished it to obsession yet further and returned it all by Wednesday.

 

To conclude this piece, I have spent a busy weekend of intensive all-range target shooting and testing it ruthlessly.

 

...It is without doubt, one of the finest, most accurate air rifles I have ever been lucky enough to own. It is crisp, sweet and smooth on firing, positive to cock with a smooth firm character. It handles like a bespoke custom rifle should and it comes on aim like one.

 

But its accuracy is mind-blowing. A zero on the crosshair at 30 metres and I'm hitting a 5p size group at 45. Opening up the taps a bit more and I'm splitting nettle stems at 60.

 

The only thing I need is a more consistent 4.50mm pellet than H&N FTT. These are superb when they are right but, there are a few fliers to to some being incorrect weights; or dimensions in the breech.

 

And a better scope than the Hawke Panorama 4-12X50. It's not bad, but this level of accuracy need something more of precision to maximise what this HW97K can dish out.

 

Maybe I'll sell the KT Thumbhole stock and put it into a scope fund ( ???) It's a lovely stock but, it just doesn't suit my style.

 

Well to wrap the weekend's test, I ended with a 38-metre shot on a woody straight through the head, clean off a telegraph wire!

 

Along with my .22 HW80 FAC, HW77 .22 and TX200HC, this HW97K is my fourth and possibly most accurate rifle in my little collection. I cannot possibly want any other guns for accuracy or reliability needs. This is a little collection of beautiful shooting rifles that I can never let go of.

 

Andy here has tuned, polished and honed them all to a standard matched only by his personal shooting ability. And that is something else to witness!

 

A most grateful Thank You so very much to Elliott who provided such a beautiful stock for the rifle. To Tony Wall for being a bloody air rifle tuning Genius who made the kit.

But a very special thanks to Andy here who put it all together with the skill and love of a craftsman.....

I am so lucky to have such a marvelous pal.

 

Simon

Edited July 1, 2013 by pianoman

[Miikee-L 72]

Very good read mate, i popped down to Sandwell Field Sports and i think ill pick up a HW97K next month, and send it for a tune!

If I'm half as happy with it as you sound with yours ill be a very happy man!

Atb Mike

[secretagentmole 1,701]

An excellent write up. Sounds like the rifle has the usual new HW problems and now has got to where you want it. The stock work sounds great, I can only Dremel mine, I have not got the skills for fine quality wood work!

[A1WOC 212]

It was a pleasure to read your account of bringing the 97 up to such a high standard Simon. I don’t know you personally but with your reputation it couldn’t be in better hands.

Regards, Steve

[porkycrook 466]

Nice read, it just leads me to say one thing. Watch out gang pianoman is coming for you.

[risingfriend 1,042]

Nice read Simon of a fine rifle and congrats to Andy for his part in producing what sounds like a fine addition to the pianoman armoury that matched with a sfs kit can only bring good results ATB Aaron

[Skot Ruthless Teale 1,701]

I want a go! So you better bring it over lol

Glad your enjoying it mate im just as much in love with mine

SKoT

Edit. If you want to swap the thumbhole stock 《if its wood?》 for my perfect condition beech sporter hw97 stock let me know. I prefer a wood thumbhole to a sporter. You could pronlbably get more money for the thumbhole but its up to you.. just a thought

Edited July 1, 2013 by Skot Ruthless Teale

[pianoman 3,589]

Thank you gentlemen for such kind replies.

 

I definitely recommend anyone look into these Sandwell Field Sports kit for their own HW97s. Top quality in = Top quality out! And a top lad with the knowledge to fit it and hone it all!

 

The KT Thumbhole stock I have is beech and in mint condition and was only used to test-shoot the rifle, which very quickly established what needed to be done to get it up to standard. I understand these cost a way over £200 to buy so, I'd be looking for offers around £180 posted.

 

Skot I'll consider your offer mate, but I really need cash for the new scope fund and the HW77 stock is brilliant for it. I'll bring it over when we meet up and you can at least see it for yourself.

 

What I need is a better, more consistent 4.50mm / 8.64 grain pellet than H&N FTT which, though brilliant when they're right, are reading all over the place on my scales.

 

Mike/Mole it's no really tricky job mate, you just keep a gentle pace and work with your hand's senses to feel where a little wood needs to be taken away. Beech is a very compliant wood to work with and shapes very well using the rounds of your fingers and strips of sanding paper to work-out a gentle concavity and make a better palm swell for your controlling hand. What I made gives me all the control I need to impart, consistently, without adding excess pressure on the wrist of the grip to keep the rifle steady at my shoulder. A lot of your accuracy with a spring rifle comes from how you cushion the grip in your controlling hand as you press off the shot on the trigger.

 

Thank you again fellas.

Simon

[Skot Ruthless Teale 1,701]

no worries.. you tried the 4.52 jsb exact 8.44 ?? my 97 and 95 seem to really like them. although I haven't really done any really thorough pellet testing.

I have some ftt 4.50 but its been windy for last few weeks so haven't had a proper chance to get them in a versus testing match with the jsb

[ecp2012 14]

A really entertaining read. It must be great having someone like Andy available to work his magic on your rifle. I am truly envious.!

Will follow the progress of this undertaking with interest

[moxy 617]

[zini 1,939]

Nice read that Simon.

 

Lovely rifle you have and well done to Andy.

 

Si.

[Rake aboot 4,936]

Good post bud

 

Have to say, a 77 is on my list

[Elliott 436]

Nice read there Simon, sounds like you've got a keeper there. I haven't used my HW77K for a while and this has given me the motivation to get it back out of the gun safe.

 

I've just got off the phone to my uncle regarding the stain for the stock. I'm sending some pictures across to him as a reminder since it was a while ago when it was done and I'll hopefully have an answer for you this week

[thursodog 353]

Hi Simon, brilliant read and a great out come from Andy and SFS on the quality kit and tuning work along with your stunning shooting ability.

I'm using the same pellets as SKot and they are bloody brilliant out to 70 mts with 3 1/2 mildots hold over.

As ever inspired by your passion for these boingy things that don't boing

 

Cheers and all the best

 

Chris.