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Education / Training HW 30S: Part 12

HW 30S: Part 12

HW 30S
The HW 30S.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4 — Rekord trigger
Part 5 — lube tune
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 10
Part 11

This report covers:

  • The test
  • The target
  • Sight-in
  • Velocity is high
  • Rifle fired off safety once
  • Shot cycle
  • JSB Exact Heavy
  • Discussion
  • Summary

Surprise! Today I do what so many of you have asked. I back up to 25 yards and shoot the HW 30S once again. Let’s get right into it.

The test

Today I shot the rifle from 25 yards. I selected the two best pellets from the final 10-meter test with the AirForce Edge rear sight on the rifle and the aperture front sight insert.

I shot two 10-shot groups with the rifle rested directly on the sandbag. I wore my brand new new prescription glasses that enhance the 20/25 vision in my right sighting eye.

The target

Reader GunFun1 mentioned that if I shot at 25 yards I would probably have to use a different target, because I’m shooting with non-optical sights. Well, I always do that. At 10 meters with non-optical sights I use 10-meter air rifle targets and at 25 yards I use 10-meter air pistol targets. The larger bullseye turns out to appear almost the same size when the range increases like that.

Sight-in

Because of the order in which I shot the pellets, no sight-in was necessary. From Part 11 I knew that the rifle was already sighted for the JSB Exact 8.44 dome, which was one of the two pellets I selected for today. I confirmed this after the first shot by looking at the target through my spotting scope. I saw that the pellet had hit the bullseye slightly above center and was perfectly centered, left and right. I then fired the next 9 shots without looking.

Velocity is high

I could tell by by how fast the pellet got to the target that the velocity is higher than it was before the Vortek PG3 SHO tune. And the pellets hit the bull at about the same place at 25 yards that they had hit at 10 meters.

At 25 yards ten pellets went into a group that measures 0.571-inches between centers. It’s a very nice group.

0HW 30S JSB 844 group
From 25 yards the HW 30S put 10 JSB Exact 8.44-grain domes into 0.571-inches.

Stock up on Air Gun Ammo

Rifle fired off safety once

I was surprised during the first group when the rifle fired suddenly as I took it off safe. I had noticed that the barrel didn’t seem to come open as far as it should have for that shot. It was more of the sound when the rifle was cocked than anything visual.  It’s a sense you develop when you shoot these guns thousands of times.

When I pushed in the safety button, the rifle immediately fired. Fortunately the barrel was pointing downrange at that time and I couldn’t find any damage that was done. But it is a reminder of how we must handle these airguns safely at all times, just in case. And, no, I don’t think it went ionto this group.

Shot cycle

I also noted that the rifle moves when it is fired. I think the more powerful PG3 SHO Vortek kit is the reason for this. The movement is quick and short, but the rifle definitely moves.

JSB Exact Heavy

The second pellet I tested was the 10.34-grain JSB Exact Heavy that has been the most accurate pellet in this rifle up to now. I mentioned that no sight-in was necessary, but at 10 meters this pellet hit the target low and to the left of the bullseye. I saw that the sight needed to be adjusted right and up — especially since I was moving back almost twice as far.

The Edge target sight moves very little with each click which will be true of all 10-meter sights, because they are designed to move pellets into the center of the bull in very fine increments. So I cranked the sight 10 clicks to the right and four clicks up. Then I shot the first pellet and saw that it was still outside the bull on the left and also slightly low. It had moved a little, but a lot more adjustment is needed to center this pellet — maybe 25 more clicks to the right and 8 more up.

I shot the next nine shots without looking at the target again. When I was finished there were 10 shots in 0.612-inches at 25 yards. Not too shabby!

HW 30S JSB Heavy group
Ten JSB Exact Heavys went into 0.612-inches at 25 yards.

So today the 8.44-grain JSBs beat the 10.34-grainers. The two groups were very close in size, only 0.041-inches different. Errors in measurement can cause a lot of that, though the group of Heavys does appear to be slightly larger.

Discussion

I did this test today so that the 10-meter results would be fresh in your mind. If I had the time I would have shot these targets on the same day, but weekend activities got in the way. I didn’t shoot until yesterday morning. At least I was fresh!

Does the HW 30S deserve a 50-yard test? Well, it’s going to get one! I will test the velocity next, which will be before I move out to 50 yards, but from what I already see from today’s test, this little rifle is up to it.

Summary

This series has been a good one. From factory, to lube tune and trigger adjustment to tuneup kit. And now the target sights. The 30S has gone from your average plinker to a tackdriver! And, there is more to come!

author avatar
Tom Gaylord (B.B. Pelletier)
Tom Gaylord, also known as B.B. Pelletier, provides expert insights to airgunners all over the world on behalf of Pyramyd AIR. He has earned the title The Godfather of Airguns™ for his contributions to the industry, spending many years with AirForce Airguns and starting magazines dedicated to the sport such as Airgun Illustrated.

27 thoughts on “HW 30S: Part 12”

  1. BB,

    Maybe you should check the POI of other 8.4 grain pellets compared to the POI of the 10.34 grain pellets? Will other 8.4 grain pellets hold a similar POI from 10 yards to 25 yards? I could also ask how much of a change is the POI at 10 yards if the rifle is set for a POI at 25 using 10.34 grain pellets, but that will really depend at what range you will be using this rifle most of the time.

    Siraniko

    • Unfortunately, all pellets are different. My HW 50 in .177 shoots the JSB 8.44 to a higher POI than it shoots the JSB 7.33 at 27 yards. About 2 inches higher. Go figure!?

      Head fit and skirt flare are the important factors…

      -Y

  2. Tom,
    Sorry I let your birthday pass without wishing you well. I just fired off an e mail to DJ Shotgun Tom Kelly and noticed the date. Five minutes ago I also turned 74. At least I can still remember what I forgot !
    Actually I was Just preoccupied.
    Look up and say thankyou on your daily walk and we will have something else in common.
    Bob M

      • Tom,
        Thank you very much Sir.
        I feel I am sliding into the past as I listen to the 60’s on 6.
        Just found the Air Arms S510XS Tactical and the need for another really good black gun seems to be overriding my common sense.
        I thought, OK, an 1892 Mint State Carson City Morgan Silver Dollar or this airgun? But I was only trying to fool myself. I can have both.
        My conclusion … Get rid of the less impressive and keep the cream of the crop for whatever roll or need it’s intended for. As you said, “I don’t need to own them all”
        Then there is … ‘The Problem’ … I passed needs a long time ago and have moved into anything I ‘want’ … without any problems. Logical reasons go out the window. My problem is trying to figure out why I should not buy something. A loosing battle for a poor kid from Brooklyn, NY
        Bob M

  3. BB
    Yep matching your target to your sight is definitely the right thing to do when target shooting.

    That’s what I do sometimes when I shoot out a hundred yards+. Even using a scope. It helps.

  4. “The 30S has gone from your average plinker to a tackdriver!” – have to agree with that BB!

    I saw a comment (don’t remember from who) that they were disappointed that the HW30 required so much tinkering to be “accurate”.

    Was thinking that Weihrauch designs and manufacturers (most of) their springers for the casual shooter market – for people who want a quality product at a reasonable price.

    That the platform can be tuned close to match grade performance says a lot for the design. Kinda like a family car tuned for typical usage and not race-track ready off the lot.

    IMHO, a quality product is one that EXACTLY meets the needs of the customer. Think that Weihrauch has hit their market right on.

    A rifle like the TX200 is aimed at a different market, being (out of the box) tuned to a higher performance and the price reflects that. I dearly love my TX200 but many times a light little springer like the HW30 would fit my needs better.

    Being a compulsive tinkerer, I appreciate a reasonably priced product that I can tweak to a higher level. I really don’t “need” another airgun but I would be quick to pounce on a HW30 or HW50 should the opportunity (and cash 🙂 ) arise.

    Hank

      • BB,

        Yes, an excellent series! Really appreciate the details!

        A great reference for anyone considering the HW30 and probably applies to their other springers as well.

        As I said, I am watching to buy or trade for a HW 30 or HW50.

        Hank

  5. Definitely very useful series for Fawlty types not so used to tinkering successfully all the time. FM is a graduate of The Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix Academy.

    He is happy with the HW95 as is.

    • Michael,

      I don’t know yet. Haven’t tested it after the last tune.

      But even supersonic velocity doesn’t hurt accuracy, mas we discovered in my 11-part series.

      /blog/2017/05/pellet-velocity-versus-accuracy-test-part-11-2/

      BB

  6. Hi Tom Frankbpc here wanting to wish you a very special happy birthday. Sorry it’s late story of my Life.
    You did a really great job on that hw30, and that baby is really grouping nice. Here’s to many many more. I’m so happy to be back lurking……. Eternally your fan Frank

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