The layout of the HW50S is simplicity itself.
I think perhaps I have finally figured it out . . . what my favorite Weihrauch air rifle is – the HW50S in .177. Over the years, I have owned (and still own) a variety of Weihrauch air rifles, from the big, hairy HW80 to the tackdriving but heavy HW97 to the diminutive HW30S.
Each has its advantages and its charms, but as the years roll on (hey, maybe I’m getting old and creaky), I find that I turn increasingly to lighter air rifles for a day afield. The lovely HW30S measures just 38.78 inches end to end and weighs just 5.1 lbs, but there are times when I am shooting it that I wish it had just a wee bit more velocity and power.
Enter the HW50S. It’s just 40.5 inches long weighs only 6.8 lbs. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to test a couple of samples in .22 caliber (the standard and the Stainless versions), but I’ve never shot the HW50S in .177 until recently.
The is a slight swell of a cheek piece on the left side of the buttstock for righthanded shooters, but lefties should have no problem with the HW50S.
This is not an air rifle that is out to impress anyone with its glitz; there is no checkering or other adornment anywhere. At the extreme aft end, there is a brown rubber butt pad with a black spacer and a slight swell for a cheek piece on the left-hand side of the stock, but the buttstock is so nearly symmetrical that lefties should have no problem shooting this rifle. The forestock extends over the two-piece cocking linkage and breech block. The two-piece cocking linkage increases cocking effort (more about this later) but allows the action to be anchored by a single big screw in a steel seat underneath the forestock.
The Rekord trigger is crisp and adjustable.
The trigger guard is black metal. It fastens to the stock with two screws. Inside the trigger guard is a typical Rekord trigger setup: a silver metal trigger and a silver adjustment screw.
The front sight has interchangeable inserts.
The barrel is 15.5 inches long, and on top of it at the muzzle end you’ll find a globe sight with interchangeable inserts. The receiver has three holes for anti-recoil pins and a push-button safety at the rear. That’s it; the HW50S is a statement in simplicity.
With the two .22 versions of the HW50S that I tested in the past, I found the cocking effort to be pretty “stout,” between 30-35 lbs., but the .177 version I’m testing this time seemed easier. Maybe it is just unit-to-unit variation; I don’t know. In any event, you should realize, going in, that the HW50S is not going to be as easy to cock as an HW30S.
To ready the HW50S for shooting, grab the end of the barrel and crank it down and back until it latches, stuff a pellet in the breech, and return the barrel to its original position. Click off the safety, take aim, and squeeze the trigger. The Rekord trigger is crisp and clean and can be easily adjusted. With the factory adjustments, the first stage comes out between 1-2 lbs, and the second stage at 3-4 lbs.
The shot cycle is very subdued, kind of a muted “tunk,” and there is a just a hint of vibration that is heard more than felt. In all this is a very pleasant air rifle to shoot, and its subdued report ought to keep the neighbors happy. It is, in fact, to my ears one of the quietest springer air rifles that I have ever shot.
The HW50S launches 8.44 grain JSB Exact pellets at around 740 fps. I found it put five pellets into a group at 13 yards that you could cover with a pencil eraser. Overall, I have found the HW50S accurate enough to shoot in Hunter Class field target, and I actually took 2nd in a match with a .22 HW50S a few years ago.
I liked the .177 HW50S a whole lot, and I think it would put a huge grin on any airgunner’s face. Santa, are you listening?
Til next time, aim true and shoot straight.
– Jock Elliott
Jock: Your write-up on the HW 50-S might turn out to be what I need. I once owned a HW30, but felt the low velocity left something to be desired when the target went from paper to squirrel. I have since given the rifle to a granddaughter and her husband.
I’m now looking for a replacement to be used for informal indoor target shooting, woods walking/shooting and eliminating pest yard squirrels out to 15 or or so yards.
The HW 35E, HW 80 and the HW98 caught my eye, but like you, I’d rather have a good shooter with a little less weight.
And suggestions that you might care to offer will be appreciated.
Steve
Jock: Your write-up on the HW 50-S might turn out to be what I need. I once owned a HW30, but felt the low velocity left something to be desired when the target went from paper to squirrel. I have since given the rifle to a granddaughter and her husband.
I’m now looking for a replacement to be used for informal indoor target shooting, woods walking/shooting and eliminating pest yard squirrels out to 15 or so yards.
The HW 35E, HW 80 and the HW98 caught my eye, but like you, I’d rather have a good shooter with a little less weight.
And suggestions that you might care to offer will be appreciated.
Steve
Steve,
I think the HW50S might be just what you’re looking for.
I am looking for an air rifle to shoot squirrels up to 40 yards. Would the HW50S in .22 caliber do the job? If so what scope would you use? Would you recommend another air rifle for hunting. Thanks Sam
Sam,
I think either caliber would work for squirrels, provided you have the skills to execute head shots at that range with a springer. Check with http://www.airgunsofarizona.com for their scope recommendations.
Jock, thanks for your write-up on the HW50S. I purchased and then sold one, simply because it had one of the worst cases of an age-old HW problem, stock fit. The reach to the trigger was uncomfortably long, & the overall length of pull was in excess of 15 inches! At the time, I had an R9 on hand, and because of the extra-long 50S stock, the lengths were within 1 inch of each other. This in spite of the fact that the R9/HW95 has both a longer barrel and a longer receiver tube. In short, the metalwork was great, but the woodwork was simply unacceptable.
Daniel,
Thanks for your comments.
Jock:
First of all good article, I have a few questions, do you think this rifle could be accurate enough for Field Target up to 50 yards?, Do you have any idea which rifle in Beeman this rifle is equivalent?, I’m in a middle of a predicament, I was planning to purchase a Benjamin Marauder in .177 cal. for Field Target – Hunter Class but I’m not quite sure if that rifle is the answer, not because is PCP is going to be better. The rule say PCP over Spring, Spring over Piston for Field Target!
Paul,
I certainly think you could have a good time shooting the HW50S in Hunter Class field target. I think the Marauder would be easier to shoot with high accuracy becuase PCP has less recoil than spring-piston. I think the HW50s is equivalent to the Beemand R8, but I couldn’t swear to that. If I recall correctly, I shot a .22 caliber HW50S in Hunter FT and did okay with it. A .177 ought to shoot flatter.
My good friend:
Thanks a lot for your info….
Paul
I have an R7 in 5mm, and I like it lots ! But the Starlings are getting smart, and max range is 30 yds to knock one down. Now they sit at 50 yds. I have been trying to get an HW 50 in 5mm but so far no luck. I can hit a target the size of my thumbnail at 30 yards with my R7.
Robert,
I would go for the the HW50S in .177.
Jock,
I have an R1 that I enjoy but it’s a bit heavy when I go tramping through the fields with the kids. I’m not trying to kill anything, just hit impromptu targets (tin cans, twigs, acorns.) I had been thinking that an HW30 in .177 might be a good choice but now am wondering if I should go with the 50.
*Is the length of pull markedly longer in the 50?
*Is the weight of the HW50 notably higher than the HW30?…according to the specs it’s about 1-1/2 lbs heavier.
Joe,
If you are simply wanting to “plink targets of opportunity,” I would go with the HW30. It’s lighter, easier to cock. I’m not sure about the length of pull. Ask the good folks at http://www.airgunsofarizona.com
Hi Jock. Thought I would provide this feedback on a new HW50S.
After waiting for 11 months I have taken delivery of a new HW50S. A really nice air gun, great woodwork and very good finish.
After putting through less than 100 pellets, I put the gun through the chrony so as to bench mark its performance. Weihrauch list the performance as 250m/s (820FPS) but don’t specify the pellet weight. I fired 10 shots using H&N Match Rifle 8.18gr pellets, with the following results in metres per second.:
1. 238.5
2. 237.4
3. 237.6
4. 237.6
5. 238.1
6. 237.6
7. 238.1
8. 237.1
9. 238.3
10.237.1
As you can see the variation between the highest and lowest reading was 1.4m/s.
Or converted to FPS the highest reading was 782.48FPS and the lowest 777.88FPS – or a variation of 4.6FPS or just under .6 of 1 percent. The average reading was 237.74 m/s or 779.98FPS. I have to say that this is a really good result.
The HW 50 is exactly what I am looking for. My early 1980’s R-7 .177 shoots one hole groups at 25 yards with JSB 7.33 and 7.87’s but lacks the power to compete in FT.
My TX 200, RAW HM1000 do but there is something special about a break barrel. Especially a smooth one.