AIR RIFLE REVIEW: WEIHRAUCH HW80: A POWERHOUSE CLASSIC

Created on 30th June 2009

MARK CAMOCCIO gets his hands on some sizeable German hardware

IN TRUTH, I'm a patriotic sort of chap: if a product exists that's as good or better than its rivals, and it's British-made, then I'll try and go for it. OK, it also has to be realistically priced, but it makes sense to support British industry where possible.

Of course, this policy has to be shelved now and then, and while our pneumatic airguns often rule the roost, cost-cutting and sheer economics have seen much of the spring-powered market shift production abroad.

With the advent of Field Target Shooting back in the 1980s, we simply had no choice (at the top end anyway) and tooling up with German hardware was the key if silverware was the goal; the likes of Anschutz, Weihrauch and my old favourite Feinwerkbau Sport just about cleaning up. Even today, if a top-quality break-barrel rifle is on the shortlist, then good old Weihrauch still takes some beating.

While Anschutz and Feinwerkbau sadly dropped their spring-powered models, for one reason or another, Weihrauch has gone from strength to strength.

This German giant has built up an enviable reputation for the solid construction and beautiful finish of its products, and my test rifle here is the relative heavy weight classic- HW80.

Break-barrel in design, the HW80 was always over engineered, with an abnormally wide main cylinder. The designers clearly had one eye on the FAC market when they penned the original blueprint, and the HW80 is the supreme candidate for customising and modifying to over-the-limit status.

The bold dimensions come at a price, and that weight of 8.6lbs, certainly puts the HW80 in the upper bracket for heft, making it one of Weihrauch's heaviest break-barrels.

Primarily launched as a hunting rifle, it soon became clear that the performance (especially when expertly tuned) could be useful in those outdoor competitions too, and it's this quality, coupled with the sheer engineering integrity of the brand, that makes this model such a classic.

Refined powerhouse

Today's HW80 doesn't quite have the same aggressive profile as the early model but it's still the same powerhouse underneath, with the same mouth-watering spec list.

Stock-wise, it comes fitted with an attractive beech stock as standard. Weihrauch doesn't seem to entertain the idea of custom walnut stocks on its springers these days, preferring to leave this side of things to the after-market specialist outlets.

However, the quality of beech used is of a pleasingly high standard, displaying a fair amount of grain pattern through the medium brown lacquer.

Shape-wise, the profile follows a fairly conventional `sporter` configuration and is admittedly something of a compromise, since it allows for open-sight use and the ever-likely addition of glassware. A modestly raised cheekpiece does the job, but just feels a fraction low for scope use. To be fair, it`s hard to be all things to all men, but realistically, is anyone actually going to buy one of these rifles and not fit a scope? I wouldn't have thought so, and hunting with open sights is surely best left to those skilled in their use. Maybe Weihrauch has done its marketing and knows otherwise.

The sporter-style pistol-grip is treated to a panel of chequering on each side to aid grip, and was well executed on the test model, although maybe not quite as deeply as on a Weihrauch of old.

The forend is near parallel-sided, yet ends in an annoyingly practical rounded tip. Call me a bore, but it just doesn't compare with that starkly angular design on the original - OK; this is more comfortable in the aim, but what's that got to do with it!

Actually, in the aim, this `80 is a beauty; the front heavy bias giving near perfect balance- aided in no small measure to that whopping 16" barrel. Comparatively, it's not actually that long; it just seems so when compared to all those trendy carbines of late.

Those open sights, incidentally, are nicely made, being of metal construction. The rearsight is fully adjustable for windage and elevation, via a sprung leaf, and a reversible notch-style is an added feature. The foresight is particularly neat, with interchangeable elements easily swapped via the standard screw-on front; giving the owner the best of both worlds.

I'm the first to appreciate that quality ‘iron sights' are an education in the basics, promoting a consistent, disciplined approach and well worthwhile for newcomers - but this is no novice rifle! That said; if open sights excite, then they don't come much better appointed than these.

One key feature that the much - lauded `80 has over its older stable mate-the HW35, is a single-piece cocking linkage. The HW35 developed something of a reputation for spooking the rabbits when hunting, with the ‘click' produced by the articulated two-part link.

The HW80 basically streamlines the design, and coupled with the classic Weihrauch slotted cross bolt at the breech, a more positive barrel `lock-up` would be difficult to find.

The whole finish to the metalwork is up to standard, with the traditional chemical blueing that is both even and lustrous.

Rekord trigger unit

The famous Weihrauch ‘Rekord' trigger unit comes fitted to the `80, and while no match unit, it still has few rivals (other than Air Arms) in this sporting spring-gun class. Adjustment is there for those who possess the knack (not myself, I hasten to add), and when carried out and set-up by the specialists, this unit is both crisp and reasonably light. This test model (supplied in .22 for the record) came factory-set, with the trigger release maybe a fraction heavier than I'm used to; totally crisp and predictable nonetheless.

Weihrauch's usual automatic button safety catch (pretty well standard across the range) is easily thumbed off from the left hand rear of the cylinder, and whilst occasionally irritating, is well-positioned and easily dealt with.

Fitting a scope is child's play on the HW80, with lengthy dovetail rails, and several arrestor stud-retaining holes machined into the receiver.

On the range, and over the chronograph, this large calibre sporter returned near textbook energy figures; with the best pellet proving to be JSBs. I tried Superdomes but they proved too slack in the barrel on this particular example.

The JSBs returned variation over a 10-shot string, of 18fps, and accuracy was equally impressive, with five-shot groups of 5/16" the norm at 30yd.

Although some oil was clearly burning off as the rifle fired (perfectly normal for a new rifle of this type), the action felt both crisp and surprisingly quick. The recoil was more of a snap, and there was very little spring resonance, so a pleasant experience at the end of the day.

Conclusions

Overall, The HW80 is something of a timeless classic; a powerhouse for those with the legal paperwork in place, or just a solid, no-nonsense sporting rifle that's surprisingly versatile.

Obviously, it's equally at home in the field, but with Hunter Field Target Shooting also including a dedicated spring-gun class, not to mention the .22 class, the HW80 is a worthy addition to any air rifle enthusiast's shortlist.

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