HW97 and HW90?

[Zzyzx]

In looking at these two and after reading again the topics of the AA and HW rifles, is the gas ram HW90 going to give longer service without losing power or having problems than the HW97?
I like the idea of the gas ram. No, have not shot one... just like the idea. Kind of liking a Case Tractor, just because of the way they sounded when I was a kid in the Kansas wheat fields helping with the planting and harvest. No real reason... just sounded good.

I know both should be very good and the HW97 can be had with the good looking blue stock. Any real reason to choose the 90 over the 97 in practical shooting for farm type varmints?

[Progun]

Well Josh the answer is yes, there is a real reason to choose the Gas rammed 90 over the 97 for shooting farm type varmints. The HW 90 has more power which for the larger critters should be more effective than the 97. The HW 90 is more of a magnum class  true hunting rifle wheras the 97 is a mid power underlever springer. You can leave the HW 90 cocked and loaded without fear of fatiguing the spring since there isn't one.Potential problems and longevity?? The Theoben ram is widely acknowledged to be of good quality and durable. Both rifles you list are great shooters but for specifically getting rid of critters and shooting live targets I'd bias on the side of the power advantage of the HW 90.Now if the type of varmints you are talking about are small and easily killed then you might not need the extra power of the HW90 and a 97 would serve you well.  I'm sure others here will chime in with different ideas.I will say the only Theoben rammed rifle I own is a joy to shoot and hasn't discouraged me from owning another.

[tjk]

I am the proud owner of a Beeman RX-2 which is the same as the HW-90. The Theoben ram is so much smoother than a spring powered rifle,....ex a B-28/350. Powerful yet a well behaved firing cycle. I like it because I can shoot heavies without the worrying of snapping a spring. But my favorite thing about the RX-2/HW-90 is that they are not near as pellet picky as alot of other rifles out there. Warning: they are on the heavy side. Can't say anything about the 97, but they do have purty stocks!!!! LOL's. For general all purpose use with mid range power, you may look at the R7 or R9's (Can't remember their HW equivilents at the present). So many great rifles out there to choose from,...  makes it a hard decision. Good Luck, tjk

[leftcoast1]

First off don't get real hung up on the power issue. Time and time again you hear people wanting 28-30 fpe from a springer. A miss is a miss doesn't matter the power. Now that being said, if you are informal plinking get the 97. If you are going to primarily hunt with it get the 90. I've had rammed guns and they do shoot different. They only down side to the 97 is the loading. Not very conducive to quick follow up shots and if you have a long tube scope makes it even harder. Both guns are heavy 9+ lbs scoped. Let us know what you decide to get and what you thoughts are of your new shooter.

[Zzyzx]

Power isn't the main issue though it is nice to have. Am looking to complement the Evanix Blizzard (22 Calibre for both) with a dead bang accurate Springer that will be a pleasure to shoot for some years to come. Gophers and birds and varmints around the farm area.

I like the idea of the gas ram model and am looking more to that than another straight spring model. We'll see. Have RWS right now in spring power in a 350 Magnum as well as a Tech Force 89. Just got the 350 magnum and put a scope on it and sighted it in. Am doing OK with it at 20 yards with tight groups using RWS hollowpoints for now. We'll see how it does on gopers later today or tomorrow. If it keeps on doing well and I like how it is all the way maybe I will just do the Vortek kit and call it even.  The RWS 350 magnum we bought in .177 Calibre is a very nice shooter. Maybe I am lucky but is is smooth, accurate and just fits me in shooting. Way different than the Walther Falcon Hunter I traded for it.(the gentleman I traded with is happy with the Walther)

Anyhow, am looking seriously at the 'higher end' rifles and if the HW is better(for me) I'll end up with one of them. Will then be in a position to thin the herd a bit with the other springers going and keeping one PCP and one Springer as a pair in both .177 and .22 Calibre. For me, the best of both worlds.

[leftcoast1]

Well the Blizzard is going to be hard to follow with a springer but I would say the Beeman  RX2 or the HW90 would beat out the 350 with ease. That will be a personal choice. Good luck on your hunt.