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Using my HAM points, which Stephen Archer graciously helped me redeem, I purchased a Weihrauch HW35ES in .22 caliber from AOA. A couple of months ago, I bought the blue version in .177 and was so smitten with it, I had to have one in .22 with the "stainless look" finish. I also opted for the Super Tune where AOA's technicians take the gun apart, clean it and re-lube it in the proper fashion. The .177 rifle that I previously purchased did not have that option, but I felt that a good re-lube would be a good idea. The .177 shot well right out of the box, but the .22 was just a bit smoother. Maybe that's just the placebo effect, but I do sense a smoother shot cycle and I think it was worth it and would do it again.
I proceeded to chronograph and check it's accuracy in my 10M basement range using the following pellets:
H&N FTT 14.66 grain-596 fps
JSB 15.9 grain-591fps
Crosman Premier 14.3 grain-615 fps
RWS Meisterkugeln WC 14 grain-633 fps
JSB Hades 15.9 grain-601 fps
JSB 14.35 grain-625 fps
JSB 18.13 grain-552 fps
Out of the box, the fit and finish of this rifle is the best that HW has produced. The "stainless look" is a matt finish and appears to me to be a form of nickel plating. The walnut stock is exactly the same as the one on my .177 rifle and I breathed a sigh of relief when I found the forend was checkered and not the finger groove model found on older rifles. I did not find that one attractive. A few shots with the factory open sights were encouraging and I expected excellent accuracy once I mounted the scope. I installed a set of high UTG rings and a Vector Veyron SFP 4-16 power scope over a 0.015 inch shim on rear ring. POI was not too far off when I took my first shots.
I then proceeded to shoot 5 shot groups of each pellet. I shot 4 groups of each to ensure the consistency of the accuracy potential. Again, this was done in my basement 10M range over a sandbag with no particular hold technique. All these HW35 models shoot about 12 fpe, more or less. Mine was between 11.6 and 12.8 fpe. They are very smooth shooters without the snappiness of more powerful guns, and I like that. This rifle doesn't seem pellet picky, but I felt most confident shooting the JSB 15.89 grainers. Sorry, I didn't include the groups with the 18.13 grain JSBs but FYI, they are just as good, if not better than the 15.9 grainers. Next step is shooting this at 25 yards at a later time.
I have or have had the following HW rifles: R7, R8, HW97K, R9, andHW95 in addition to these two HW35Es. The R9, HW95 and the HW97K were tuned down to around 12 fpe. I am not a hunter, so I don't need the additional power. At his lower power level, there's still plenty of oomph in the and they are much more smooth and confortable to shoot and can reach out to 50 yards or more with no problem. Beside the R7, I'm really liking the HW35s. I always thought they were the ugly ducklings of the HW line and I swore I'd never buy one, but I'm glad I listened to the positive comments by other owners.
I proceeded to chronograph and check it's accuracy in my 10M basement range using the following pellets:
H&N FTT 14.66 grain-596 fps
JSB 15.9 grain-591fps
Crosman Premier 14.3 grain-615 fps
RWS Meisterkugeln WC 14 grain-633 fps
JSB Hades 15.9 grain-601 fps
JSB 14.35 grain-625 fps
JSB 18.13 grain-552 fps
Out of the box, the fit and finish of this rifle is the best that HW has produced. The "stainless look" is a matt finish and appears to me to be a form of nickel plating. The walnut stock is exactly the same as the one on my .177 rifle and I breathed a sigh of relief when I found the forend was checkered and not the finger groove model found on older rifles. I did not find that one attractive. A few shots with the factory open sights were encouraging and I expected excellent accuracy once I mounted the scope. I installed a set of high UTG rings and a Vector Veyron SFP 4-16 power scope over a 0.015 inch shim on rear ring. POI was not too far off when I took my first shots.
I then proceeded to shoot 5 shot groups of each pellet. I shot 4 groups of each to ensure the consistency of the accuracy potential. Again, this was done in my basement 10M range over a sandbag with no particular hold technique. All these HW35 models shoot about 12 fpe, more or less. Mine was between 11.6 and 12.8 fpe. They are very smooth shooters without the snappiness of more powerful guns, and I like that. This rifle doesn't seem pellet picky, but I felt most confident shooting the JSB 15.89 grainers. Sorry, I didn't include the groups with the 18.13 grain JSBs but FYI, they are just as good, if not better than the 15.9 grainers. Next step is shooting this at 25 yards at a later time.
I have or have had the following HW rifles: R7, R8, HW97K, R9, andHW95 in addition to these two HW35Es. The R9, HW95 and the HW97K were tuned down to around 12 fpe. I am not a hunter, so I don't need the additional power. At his lower power level, there's still plenty of oomph in the and they are much more smooth and confortable to shoot and can reach out to 50 yards or more with no problem. Beside the R7, I'm really liking the HW35s. I always thought they were the ugly ducklings of the HW line and I swore I'd never buy one, but I'm glad I listened to the positive comments by other owners.
