I bought the hw97kt as my first air rifle. I've hardly missed, not like I'm bragging or anything 😁

I only ever shot springers, I got my first pcp a month ago. All the fun has gone for me. Its too easy and I don't feel like I've shot anything. I will go back to springers in the very near future

I did it opposite to you Kev. I had a HW97K as my first rifle. I’ve recently purchased a HW100S . I don’t like the PCP, it’s to easy , not much skill required. I like a challenge , no challenge with a PCP. What helped me with my springer shooting. Watching Si Pithway KZfaq videos. Marksman principles .

Since the age of 9 been shooting with springers & in my 60s now & they are still my preference rifles.Yes i have pcp gear but just prefer to play mostly with my hw-98 both f/t & hunting,Its taken me a lifetime to learn my craft but enjoyed every day of it.The good thing about the pcp gear is that its opened the sport to alot of new shooters who found they get great results in the infancy.Easy to shoot & get great results without over applying yourself is always a fun thing,Springers however do take time to master but when you do its a great feeling Kev so keep at it and enjoy the learning curve.

I’ve been shooting a 97 in .22 shooting drink cans at 90yds, I use H & N Field Trophies. The secret for me don’t hold the gun too tight just enough to keep it under control also I take the recoil on my thumb and two fingers and I don’t have the stock in my shoulder but just off it, with the stock off my shoulder it has the advantage of removing my heart beat from the cross hairs.

Remember when you pull the trigger the pellet dosent leave the barrel straight away. A big piston that weighs a fair bit hasto slam forward and hit the end of the compression tube and that movement does through you out. But you need to practice and put the time in and earn your stripes as it were. You will get there. There definitely harder to shoot than pcps but when you get used to it you will love it. Be careful of your rest, not to solid. But not to loose either.

Very honest video, I changed from springer to PCP, and discovered I was no longer messing around, contrary to advice the PCP is a piece of cake, Daystate Huntsman Mk 2 with Bisley Magnum 453, springers are what we grew up with and no air tank, you are very brave going back, the advice with torque settings is very good advice, but the settings need redoing often, good luck Kev from Northern Ireland, don’t let it mess with your head mate!

I’ve just bought ( last week ) a 97kt in .177 for my daughter and me to share. We’ve put a few AA Diablo pellets through it and am getting 5mm groups at 25yrds from a prone position and front tripod rest so not too shabby… it is a heavy bit of hit but a lovely engineered tool. The 4.5gr .177 pellets with their flatter trajectory help make us look better shooters than we probably are and the Hawke optics make all the different also. Good luck with getter smaller and more consistent groups.

I got myself a 97kt last year and although I haven't put 100's and 100's of pellets though it, I have found that I get nice accuracy if I support the front with a sand bag or rest but as soon as I tried another sand bag at the rear that all changed. I'm assuming that it's due to the small amount of recoil but it was enough to frustrate the heck out of me. My rifle appears to like the Air Arms Diablo Field 4.52 as recommended by the shop that I bought my rifle. I look forward to seeing your follow up videos to see how you're getting on.

Thanks for posting this honest video, I also have the Black/Stainless 97kt and a Theoben MFR both in .20cal. The 97kt gives me more pleasure to shoot over the MFR ( which is a real tack drive) because you have to do it right every time. I find using the 97kt makes me take my time because you don't have the option of just cycling another pellet if you miss. My 97 doesn't seem to be pellet fussy and I've put around 50,000 pellets through it over the years. Congrats on your purchase and you've just gained another subscriber, will be watching your progress with great interest 👍

You're right. It is not easy to shoot a springer. Everybody who can shoot a springer can shoot a PCP. Not always the other way. Artillery hold my friend......Start with yourself and than try different pellets. Even with bankrest should one hand be under the stock and always keep your hands at the same place and NO pressure, not even against your shoulder. Let the rifle glide! Don,t concentrate to much on the trigger. Concentrate on the hold and your breath and just slowly increase pressure on the trigger. Don't decide to shoot, let it decide. If you think, now i'm gonna pull the trigger is wrong. My blackline likes the JSB 8,33 in 4,52mm. This will be a new challenge and makes you even a better shooter. With a 97 you can get the same results as with a PCP. Cheers!😁 P.s. A Hawke Airmax Compact will give you better acces to the loading port.

Hi mate , i bought the hw97k in .22 , its not pellet fussy , i use the airarms 16 grain for hunting with it , its as accurate as my pcps , iv taken plenty of crows with it ,head shots , from twenty to 30 yards , standing . I find with mine to hold it snug and tight again the shoulder and just rest my other hand under her loose . Great gun . I bring it out more now than my pcps . I have 4 spinners on a post and id hit them all day at 30 yards . Id say it took about 2 tins of pellets to fire through it before it started to shoot real tight groups . Plenty of practice mate and ull get great enjoyment with it once u master it

I have a 97K in 177, I've been shooting spring guns since the 80s, it's just so accurate more so than the TXs I've had, the pellets l use are Bisley Magnums, Barracuda match, both basically same pellet, and Superdomes all really accurate.

When the rifle is brand-new, what you should do firstly clean the barrel, plus it will take 250 350 pellets to run the spring and inners in, even before you even start testing different pellets in it, then you will find your testing will be more productive on paper paper,accuracy accuracy

Love your honesty and humility. Learnt to hunt with a springer as a teenager in the 1980s, lovely Webley Omega .22 shooting Eley Wasps and using a Tasco 4 x 40 scope. Treat it as deer stalking in miniature apart from not having a magazine and bolt action for a follow up shot (heaven forbid)! Zero at 25 yards and learn hold over and under out to your max (35 yards for me). Stalking and fieldcraft are key, and take your shots standing, kneeling or prone. Practice loading and firing in the field in all stances. Shoot your springer with eyes closed once safely on target and get the 'feel' of the action - at non-live targets of course! Follow through is key. At least twice as long as when shooting a .308! Recently acquired an HW100 and it is like cheating! However I'm so glad I learnt to shoot with a springer - all else thereafter is a 'piece ay pish' in comparison!

The “in stock” game is exactly the reason why I’ve X’ed a couple of resellers in the states

I'm just researching for a springer at the minute. My Brother and I have recently (during lockdown) rediscovered air guns and found a fantastic local range (cheers R8). I rented a rifle for a bit at the range and decided I would buy a gun, bought a very cheap chinese '78 CO2 rifle and a 30 quid scope. Surprisingly accurate and fun on the range. Luckily I'm an engineer and didn't find stripping and polishing up the internals etc difficult and tuned it up to 11.5ftlb (why not). Then I bought a PCP pistol because on a 30 yard range it becomes a bit easy even with that kit. Again, me being a tight arse I bought an Artemis pp800 thing. Stuck a 2x pistol scope on it and it's great fun and far more of a challenge. Now I'm hankering after a nice springer and this review made me realise I think I would really enjoy the added challenge. What is the power like on these rifles?

Great honest up front review, persevere, they are a difficult rifle to shoot and take a bit of mastering, pcp's are very accurate, I enjoy mine, but a springer is a rewarding rifle to shoot, and more fun, stick with it 😁

Great video, I have the exact same gun and also facing the same problems, been today infact and was ready for giving up on it but I will keep going and hopefully have some success after practice

Iv found if you put it on a rest/bag with more of the weight forwards of the bag/rest and just support the stock gently to allow the recoil to do its thing. This is why bipods don't work on springers. I have a HW97kt .22 and it isn't overly pellet fussy, it loves almost anything from h&n and for the distance I'm working at (30yds) it's great with the field target trophy for target practice and I use the slightly heavier hornets or coppa-spitzkugel for pests. Brilliant rifle, definitely worth your time to get the feel of it. Once you've mastered it you'll never want to get rid of it.

Check out field target competitions. That will help you nail down the mobile shooting and become extremely effective. Second suggestion is to put yourself in a target rich environment and hunt from a blind with solid rests worked out. Once you get a few tins under your belt you will really appreciate not being tethered to a giant carbon fiber air tank. So much freedom with springers. Gun and pellets nothing more

I shot springers for 30 years now, just keep practicing mate 👍

My rifle is the HW77K with 1/2"UNF. In the military days I was used to shooting with the HK G3 assault rifle. It also has a decent setback. When I squeeze my HW77 like the G3, I get good results. Contrary to all the advice. Only when the bench rest is on do I give the gun its freedom. Greetings from Germany

I shoot mine off a primo trigger stick and find I can hit a 10p group at 25 mtr practice is the key. You will find what the right hold is for you and when you do you’ll start to have fun. Good luck and happy hunting.

I had opposite, I went to my local shop, and ordered a HW 57 underlever, I got a phone call just after the weekend and was told it had arrived and their would be no delivery charge. Its the latest model with 1/2" UNF threaded with latest slimmed down stock. I had sold my HW 97 because I found it far too heavy. The HW57 is 2/3rds the weight. I agree with all your points, it seems you have two options. Shoot from a seat in a hide, some shooting seats have a gun supports attached. OR have an thick ample gun slip that you can open like a kipper to lie prone on. A couple of last points, if you chose shoot game or vermin prone, it will be difficult utilise a bipod unlike most PCPs and just about all pest control KZfaq channels use gun supports, even if its just a set of elbows. So it's carry some gun support kit or reinforce your elbow padding....... Wow, that is an excellent idea I'm off to my local skate board retailer.

Springer shooters are the best shooters fact… keep at it, once you get you get it. It’s a cracking rifle, love mine to bits. Will get a pcp when I can’t be bothered to shoot with out thinking😂 springers at circa 30m are just as accurate as a pcp in the right hands😉

My first air rifle was the 97 in black. I then got a 100kt also in synthetic black. PCP is more humane for pest controls for follow up shots if needed, but i prefer the weight of the 97 and i much prefer the feel of the metal trigger and shape. I wish they put the 97 trigger in the 100. IMO.

I've experienced similar frustration not being able to get one of my spring rifles to group well no matter what pellet I tried or how I held the gun. I finally discovered the cause, the stock securing screws had worked loose (not checking them to begin with was a schoolboy error on my part). Look for good ambush spots which offer some concealment, use camo, cover your face and hands, practice resting the rifle in your hands and resting your front hand on tree limbs, fence posts, shooting sticks or a tripod. When moving walk quietly and into the wind where possible. It's useful to 'recce' the area and familiarise yourself with where you are likely to find quarry. The 97 is quite a heavy rifle to carry around so resting it and shooting from a hide might be the way to go. As you've said, the main thing is get plenty of practice. There's no shame in preferring to use a PCP for hunting.

Hunting with springers get a lighter weight one like a hw95 with a compact scope. The 97 is more of a target rifle because for hunting it’s heavy which is a more effort to walk around with. As for accuracy it’s a case of putting in the work on your marksmanship principles and utilising sports psychology so get a copy of with winning in mind by Lanny Bassham it will change how you shoot and it will change your life.

I added a universal spring bipod for prone hunting, i too had PCP before, stick with it as its a far superior carbine (11 inch barrel), take a breath and hold then breath out...and squeeze the amazingly smooth 'rekord' trigger. 👍😊

Consistency is key with a springer! Try a few hand positions and grips (artillery hold is not ultimate) /shoulder pressure and when you found the best combo try to do the same each time! Hopefully you will enjoy it soon enough id like one myself 😅

I like to have a couple of hundred shots with my S510 tactical and then finish a session off with my HW97 Blue laminate to remind me how to shoot properly, It’s definitely in the hold and at 30 metres I get about a 10p piece group which I’m happy with. I had an air arms pro sport before that which was equally as accurate 👍🏼👍🏼

First of, get used (if you haven't already) to the artillery hold - it is much more important with springers than with PCP. Try not to change pellet model(s) once you've realized which one works best with that gun. Make sure you clean the barrel (without putting oil in it) after every couple of hundred shots (especially after switching the pellet models). Set the trigger leaf's pull to lightest level and shortest travel you can.

Good video & nice rifle! I've gotta agree with you ...springers are WAY harder to shoot accurately vs pcp airguns! It takes a lot of practice! The key is: however you hold it, you've gotta make sure you hold it that way every time! Usually a looser hold will work better ...loosely shouldering the stock with a light cheek rest & "artillery hold" as they call it, with left hand palm up under the stock so the forend is resting on your hand. And be light with the right hand too ...I like to think about pinching my trigger finger & thumb together, but not really holding the stock tightly with the rest of my hand. This way the rifle can jump around a little when the shot goes off, which is what springers like to do! Don't stop the hop! Ha ha! And honestly man, I never hunt with springers! I have a FX Wildcat in .25 cal for hunting & it's perfect for the job. I'm like you ...I don't want to hurt any of the animals! And for that reason I only use my springers for practice! I shoot paper targets almost every day & really feel like it makes me better when I use my pcp. But I rarely shoot groups with my pcp & NEVER hunt with my springers! Take care!

You got the colour hw97k I wanted I've got a black n beech one I absolutely love mine always shoot from bag or sticks

Should try the little HW 30 it's as accurate as any of the others up to 20 yards. Is for me anyway. Thinking of the thumbhole 97 though. Great vid. 👍

I can see that you have many comments already ,but I will throw in my two cents worth. The biggest most important aspect of shooting a springer is trigger control. Be very careful not to grip the pistol grip with a strong grip. Grip it the way you would expect a little girl to hold your hand, lol. Put all of your focus on a very light, directly straight back trigger pull. I shoot off a bag very well, but the trigger control and holding on to that pistol grip with a slight amount of shoulder pressure into the buttstock is what is helping me the most. Lastly I have no idea what a PCP shoots like, besides a pumper. 😉👍

Before you get too upset with your new rifle, try these things first. Use a plain bag in front, I use a large Weibad. Use the artillery hold and just rest the forend lightly in a cupped hand, don`t grip it. Use your shoulder, not a rear bag. Weihrauch rifles like the 4.52 head size, the other sizes won`t do as well. Don`t set the scope too high, 8x will do just fine to start. Don`t grip the rifle too hard with your trigger hand, and light pressure against the shoulder. You will have to get used to doing these things in a way that works for you and your rifle, but in the long run it will. Practice regularly, a few shots every day will keep you from getting tired, and keep your focus up. A good springer is certainly different, but can also be very rewarding. HW35es .177 with Leupold 3-9x33efr R1K .20 with Hawke AirMax 2-7x32 Pro Sport .22 with Leupold 3-9x33efr Good luck to you!

The only thing I can say is practice, I've been shooting for 42 years and every rifle I've had needed a different treatment. Have you tried the QYS pellets, my 97 loves them. I'd like to see some longer vids, they finish far to quickly.

Spot on pal i started on springers always had them and now I have a pcp it's pellet on pellet when I'm on my permission with my hw springer much more rewarding to get kills with springer

I've got exactly the same HW97 black line and mine likes QYS Streamlined Heavies 9.56 gn. If your shooting off a bench rest the rifle on your hand (even if shooting off a bag). I try and find the guns pivot point about an forward of the trigger guard. Trigger control is another important aspect. Try and make sure your finger is in the exact same spot each time you take a shot and you pull the trigger directly back...Try not to hook it sideways.

I've used both PCP and Springer...1st groups were terrible with springer...took months..COVID lockdown..lots of different pellets and practice ...now at about 25yds..using a rest bag..10p size every time.. Remington war hawk 22... keep trying.. you'll definitely get 20p size with your 97...

The 97K is my favorite springer (and I've amassed quite the collection over the past several years!) -- as soon as I heard you were having trouble grouping, my mind immediately went to loose screws! Torque the stock screws to 20 in/lbs, the front trigger guard screw to 40 in/lbs and the rear to 20 in/lbs.

All about loose consistent hold, you have to let the shot cycle do its own thing,. My cometa fusion star is pellet on pellet with a loose hold front and rear but grip it a bit and its like a shotgun bud, just let the action do its thing mate 👍 gud luck 👍

Nice rifle. Waiting for hunting videos with this rifle

find the holdthat works and hold the same for every shot with springers its all about consistancy good luck down the road you have chosen

It's a lot about breathing, the rifle will move up & down as you breathe. Settle into the shot, don't hold the fore stock tight & squeeze the trigger only when fully exhaled. I used to shoot small bore rifle in competitions & was a member of the Leeds & District small bore rifle association. (and won a little medal for it in my younger days)

Best of look mate love your honest content 👍

Did you give the barrel a good clean b4 you started? Otherwise pellet testing will be pointless,,, clean the barrel and start again with good quality pellets such as QYS 👍

I find my Air Arms S410 incredibly boring to shoot because it’s so accurate.

don't give up mate try JSB EXACT 0,547g 8,44 gr

Pellet fuzzy - did you give its bore a DEEP clean to get the grease out and give it lots of time to burn off the surplus of action lubes (signalled by loud report and fumes from the muzzle at each shot) ?

I’ve been shooting springers for 50 yrs. I never knew they were hard to shoot. Hmmm.

Watch some videos on using the artillery hold with your spring rifle and watch those groups close up nice and tight.

First thing you should have done is cleaned out the barrel , next shooting off a bag you should place your hand between the forend and sandbag to maintain sound accuracy on target. Try You should clean the barrel out firstly . And place your hand between the foreend and sand bag for correct accuracy and try kaiser 8 gr and remember the more you shoot it the action will loosen up nicely Cheers 🥂

Falcon accuracy plus (jsb express) airarms express) my 97k prefers the lighter pellets.just a thought.a lot of PCP shooters are surprised by the recoil,and don't know how to hold it.

Hello my friend. I politely think I maybe able to help you by raising some points for you to consider. However, there will be lots of knowledgeable people here sending you great advice too. Holding your rifle loosely and letting it recoil, is called artillary hold. Not only that, it makes a difference to your accuracy, if you wear a different, more padded jacket. You need to bear that in mind. When you mounted your scope, did you use the locator holes in the middle of the dovetail rail? Your 97K is a hell of a powerplant, and you risk your scope moving, if you don't anchor it down properly. Don't over tighten your scope mounts around your scope though. You'll risk crushing your scope and making it useless. I just practiced and practiced with my 97K, and as you get more accurate, it's so satisfying. I think most serious airgunners practice every week, regular. I don't think you've ever won with accuracy and springer airguns. You can only be as good as your last shot. It's so pleasing though, when you experience success. Thankyou for recommending those pellets. I just persevered with JSB Exact, 4.52, 8.4 grain. I tried the Heavies, they're pretty good too, I found. My rifle is exactly like yours, though I never was keen on the black, plastic stock. I made my own laminated stock in January this year. Ash and walnut, treated in Danish oil I'm no joiner or craftsman. I took my time, and absolutely love it. It's obviously slightly heavier thanthe plastic stock, and I think my accuracy benefits from that. I've fallen in love with it again. It's a beast. I have an HW 80K. To me, that stock is bland and and lacklustre too. I think that will be this winters project. Taken steady, I humbly think that stock could be so much improved too. If you make your own, you can have it exactly as you wish. Finger grooves in the pistol grip, grooves in the fore end, fancy stock and cheek piece. It's all yours to be had, if you want it. Nice to message with you my friend, and discuss a mutual interest. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day. What you, I, are trying to achieve, some people can't manage. They give up, and just go and buy a PCP. Nothing worth having is gotten easily. I'm with you my friend, I'd like to be competent and reliable airgunner with both, and strive to be hopefully called a true airgunner, and practice regular. Respect my friend, and good luck! Ps. Have a look at trigger sticks, I love mine. You must remember, if you use one, rest your gun/fore end, on your hand, then the trigger stick. If you don't shoot the same, identical way every time, your accuracy will suffer. That's what artillary hold is all about. So important, same way, every time.

Where do you go for gear Skipton Gun Room ? 😅 asked the question one min later you mentioned them. Recently brought a HW100KT and a HW97k from them both in 177. My first springer in over twenty years, yep if a PCP was your first rifle, getting to grips with a springer takes a bit of patience and practice.

It's all in the hold, apparently. I'm sticking with my PCP (yes - I am lazy). Keith mentioned Si Pittaway's channel which is Vermin Hunters TV. Entertaining and informative and well worth a look.

Try cleaning the barrel as they are often full of crap and I would suggest giving it a basic tune tpd kit will make a big difference

Old saying, if it’s not broken , don’t try and fix it 😅, definitely have a go if you want to, but enjoy your HW 100 , 👍🤠

I’ve had the same problem with shops saying they have stock. Only to find out once I’ve payed that they don’t. Should not be aloud.

Wellcom to the Springer world practice your hold when it comes together you will be hooked

kev,if your shooting tomorrow take it with you, I'll see you there.

did you barrell clean before firing ? also never pin a springer down into a fixed position, they need to recoil. Put your hand on the bag and rest your rifle on your palm, Dont grip it otherwise you hinder the rifles recoiling action. when changing pellets on testing you need to lead the barrel into that brand of pellet (approx 15/20 pellets should do the trick ) then do a grouping shoot. Hope this helps.

Crosman great pellets , Bisley long range gold both sound accuracy 👌, and get a TBT kit

Hi mate. I have the identical rifle and calibre .. run a pull through ..through the barrel as a lot of new rifles arrive with lubricant in the barrel to stop them rusting while in stock. I did this (barrel was filthy) and try JSB Hades. My rifle is inside a 5p at 35m..regards Alan ( new sub)

I had a hw97kt and I got it tuned.. Wow it fired smooth.. I just rested the gun on My arm... And deep breaths... I was hitting 5p piece at 30nyards continuously... I will have it if you don't want it 😂😂

Hi mate where did you get the strap for your hw97. After buying one after watching your video, thank you 👌

You may want to check Vortek tuning kits for 97K . Guy is in US but he will ship to UK no probs.

Drop in one of these TbT PRO Kits and it will change your gun. Less recoil for a start and shoots so much smoother. Well worth the small price for the kit and it is something you can fit at home. The web site has video's on how to. Well worth a look. Put one in mine and it's turned a good gun into an awesome gun.

i have shot air rifles since my early teens bought my hw35 in the seventies still have it today the only advice i can give is shoot it a lot we could do a 500 tin of pellets a day walking round woods tips pig farms you have to develop muscles to hold it up i still shoot today i have several springers they stay in there cases i am a pcp user now for serious pest control there is no way they can compete with a pcp springers in my mind are ok for plinking tin cans bottles etc, dont get me wrong ive shot a lot of stuff rabbits rats pigeons we could even hit stuff flying there was no shooting sticks or trigger sticks then but i have missed hell of a lot more with a springer its like swopping the car your driving now morris minor ok for a laugh but thats it. pcp is the easiest form of shooting i know but a springer its practice .regular once you develop the muscle you have to keep it .good luck

Iam so close to buying a rifle and this on my list as well as the gamo phox PCP package. Videos of PCP shooting look so easy with no recoil. But some guys shoot them held on what looks like a rest/vice or bipods and bean bags and although you could shoot like that all day so easily is it not a bit boring or low skill... Iam still not decided on either a Springer or pcp

First off with a new gun you need to clean the barrel as it's lined with grease or something like grease then you need to watch some videos about artillery hold a Springer needs to recoil so don't hold it tight takes a bit of practice but you will get there good luck

I got best result on my HW80 with H&N Barracuda power and Barracuda hunter. JSB's not fit with Weihrauch, I think.

Sounds like your not letting the gun naturally recoil off the bags , try putting a hand under it as if you was standing and let it recoil in your hands makes a world of difference to accuracy 👍

A bit late with comment to help, owning a HW97K for more than 20 years, I find the grip is the key to accurate shooting, try a gentle grip so that the recoil is unhindered, if you grip to tight and fight the natural movement of the gun your groups suffer badly. As for pellets Bisley Wasp No2 5.6mm or Bisley Long Range Gold is my choice, but I shoot .22

Hi air hunter uk this is V hay try cleaning your barrel real clean and try jsb head size 5.2mm or H&N field target trophy head size 5.1mm good luck.

Great Vid great gun obviously harder to shoot than a PCB well let’s face it Etch A SKetch came first before I Pad only thing to look out for is to use it and learn and live with it but your back scope mount is too far to the rear tubes like equal tolerances and can crush .

Calm down relax and consideration on the follow through I just own springers a crossman f4 , umerex ictain elite , and a umerex synergis 1 177 f4 , the other two are 22 caliber they all shoot different but the same if that makes sence , it's all in your head so to speak you will improve I garenty

Hold and follow through. Don't rest on out wend shooting.

With springers buddy just cradle the gun don’t hold a tight grip on it let the gun do it’s thing just support it and I’m sure you’ll soon get into it, with a sand bag just let it rest on it just support it.

Rest it on a cushion, allow it to recoil... If it doesn't improve you might have one with a badly cut spring from the factory or it's broken. Sadly this seems to be quite common these days.

I started with a springer (HW95K) and hunted with it for a year before buying a PCP. Although I had plenty of success with Rabbits, Pigeons, and Squirrels I also had plenty of misses. I have read and watched all of the advice on shooting springers as regards the light artillery hold, shooting of a rest, all the different pellets but I am sorry the conclusion is they are very difficult to shoot accurately and consistently as regards hunting live quarry out in the field up to 35-40 yards and IMO they are far better suited to short range hunting up to 20 yards. The times I have thought I have lost zero because one day it seems fine and the next all over the place. It is very difficult in a hunting situation to control the consistent hold and allow for the recoil. My advice is do not bang your head against a brick wall (as I did) with the springer and only use it for hunting at short range. Don’t get me wrong you will and can get a clean kill at 30 Yards + and I have done that but too difficult and inconsistent. I still have my HW 95K but only use it for short range.

I practice with my 2 hw97ks I got one in .22 and the other in .25 I'm a better shot practicing with these when I hunt I've got a hw100s in .22 and it's a breeze my hw97s the both like h+n field target trophy and the rifles are as accurate as my pcp rifles.

i started with a 97 good education pcp to easy

Also stock screws

put 500 pellets threw it so it beds in and finishes it's diesel cycle. Don't grip the gun whilst shooting try and use the artillery hold 👍👍

You have to know the gun first in how it behaves with its shot cycle. My 97 likes to be suported by hand even on a bag how ever my BSA Meteor does not like that at all. It takes practice but when you do its an amazing gun to shoot ..i will never part with my blackline

Really? Most guys maybe 95% here in America start out with springers. They learn to shoot like that first before ever getting a PCP rifle because they are so expensive and so much to carry with you out in the field. Looks like you did it backwards...I love springers because they just make you a better shooter...look up "the artillery hold" it will help you.

My hw97k shoots ragged holes at 25yrds with h&n 10.65 gr, 4.52 mm.

H&N Barracuda 8....AirArms DF 7.87 gr (Blue tin) Try them mate.

Don't hold the gun tight and rest the front of your gun in the palm of your hand loosely, don't rest the front on a rest , hope you find this useful, try watching some hft vids .... cheers...mike

PCP way easier to shoot. now. the 97/77 are great. but again rifle soul/personality does make it harder. practice is the key, it.might like to be loser or tight in the stock. try everything. also 200-250 before it settles down. it might get nicer after break in

Jsb exact RS do it for me threw my HW77

Get yourself a good tripod its useful if your going to hunt with a Springer.

One problem, high end springer that is twangy out of the box. Lol

In my opinion you'd been better off updating parts & accessories for your Hw100. Lighter Cylinder Cylinder band ( Free float barrel) AT removal Skan Chronograph BKL mounts More pellets All within the £500 you spent on the HW97

Once you go PCP,.you don't go backwards to springers, they are hard work, not that accurate compared to PCPs,would imagine the HW97 even though a icon springer will most likely just collect dust 👍 It's best just to stick with one airgun, than have a few, you will always have a go to airgun over others plus more than one Airgun, adds more cost & maybe a different type of pellets to your go to Airgun.

Mine likes Crossman 500ct domes