I bought one in .177 for a spot of HFT shooting. The adjustable stock allows the use of low scope mounts, with perfect cheek weld, and being a break barrel it is much easier to load than my HW97. Because of these benefits, I can shoot this with better accuracy than my HW97 on an HFT course. Anyone buying one of these should consider having it short stroked and tuned straight after purchase - or DIY with a TinBum or WelshWilly kit. Also worth changing the main piston seal for a 26mm Ozzy red self lubricating one. IMO this is possibly the best springer ever made.
I use a 98 for target shooting at my club BOAC and find it more accurate than the 95 by far and just as accurate as both of my 97s and my 77 yet much easier to cock and load, all my springers have had the same tune
Hi Nick,like your videos,put one of your kits in it and do a video where you shoot some groupings with it.I have a 95 with one of your kits in and it is as accurate as my tuned 97k.I love the breaknecks,would love a video about the walther lgv,also a super accurate breakneck,just need some trigger work,and a very smooth and quiet rifle😊
I purchased one, second-hand for a mere £350 in .177 calibre. I also own a HW80 in .22 from the early 80’s looking at the serial number. I’m no expert, but for the money it’s a great rifle. I mainly shoot .22LR targets at 25yds, 50m and 100yds using a Anschütz Match 54 with iron sights. I like the adjustable comb on the HW98 and having longish fingers, don’t have the issue you do. It’s deadly accurate, once setup and there’s no faff, being a springer (no need for air, tank etc.) The only thing I am curious about it, is the threaded “thing” on the end. It isn’t a weight on mine but looks more like an inline suppressor. I can email you a pic if you want, but it is definitely not a weight. Apart from that I’m happy with it.
I own a HW98 in .22 and i say that this rifle is a dream to shoot with. The stock is superb and the extra barrel sleeve gives great stability and a smoother shooting cycle. Many say that a fixed barrel like the 77/97 have are more accurate but that is not the case with a HW. I use my 98 for target shooting, plinking and it's also a great hunter or useable for pest control. I don't care about some extra weight, this rifle fits me as a glove, the stock gives a great hold and has for me a good balance. The 97 is also heavy but as you mentioned, the 98 is more easy to load in the field and can also to un-cocked. Okey it's just a five minutes job to fix for a 77/97 to make them possible to un-cock but the stock and balance is for me the reason to choose the 98. Thanks for showing this beauty buddy. 😁👌 Cheers!
98 fits me like a glove and the extra muzzle weight help steady the shot. I also own 99s 57, 95, 77 all equally accurate but the 98 feels easier to get accuracy quicker than the others. 77 is awesome but it feels the most comfortable for me to shoot and is used the least, but I have CS 800 stock on order so that might change. Looking to get a 30 after watching your previous videos. 👍🏻
I have a 98 in .177, tuned by Steve Pope. It's lovely to shoot, really accurate. Like you I find the reach to the trigger a bit long, same as the 99 IMP 2 in the rack. It's weight precludes it from field work but from a hide......
Im looking at it for a break barrel bench rest gun, ive got a 77 already, i think its more about the cosmetics for me thatd sway me to consider the extra over other break barrel models
Thanks for the video Nick. I have a lovely grey laminate one because I am a ponce. I would squeal if I scratched it in the field. Despite being tuned it is much harder to get tight groups with at the range than my 97. But it is beautiful, and just lovely to shoot, and makes a quiet cough when I shoot it my garden (I always shoot it with the barrel weight off and the HW98 silencer fitted). Possibly my favourite rifle (2 HW97s, HW99, 4 TX200s, Prosport, LGV, LGU - all tuned. Some great, but boring PCPs). Definitely "Half rice half chips" but as hobbyist and a tart I love it!
Hi Nick, I have both the 98, tuned by Nick Gibney, and the 97, tuned by Nick Simmons. The 97 is my go to gun, even shooting it in HFT instead of my HFT500. The 98 does feel better in my shoulder though. The firing cycle is a tad slower on my 98 but its just a lovely gun to shoot and it's nice to shoot occasionally instead of the 97 all the time. Both are wonderful guns and are as accurate as each other.
I think they are superb....so good infact I have 3....all in different states of Tune, but all utterly superb to shoot. My go to rifle on the bench...and for HFT too. All in .177 flavour, all brilliantly accurate out to 50m. I've had a beautifully accurate tuned HW 97 and the 98's were just as accurate and for me....much easier to load. I've only ever sold 2 rifles in 55 years of shooting. 1 was the HW 97. The other was a TX 200 HC.... BTW, the first Rifle I ever short stroked was a 98 ...when I picked up the kit from your house Nick....Many, Many moons ago 😊
These rifles came from or are related to the last of the Marksman brand rifles, some were a BSF S70 action with a shrouded action and Weichrach record trigger, check Airgun digest. These developed in into the HW85 the last BSF part left was the scope rail.
If it were me , I'd buy one , it just looks right to me . Personal choice as they say. Never been a fan of Under levers, had an AA TX HC for a few years , but sold it on .
I heard the statement " beware the man with one gun " quoted by a man that new his air rifles, maybe that's what the 98 is about, one rifle for all occasions, so many guns so little time , so little money and no more room in the gun cabinet 😊
Didn't expect to find myself confused over my own gun 😅 Appreciate and understand your points. I have this in .20 and it is used purely for pest control, all I can say is it's hands down been the most accurate springer I've ever owned. I find the extra weight up front a benefit in a steady shot and prefer a break barrel for speed and easy loading. It may be on the heavy side and may be slightly sexually confused but as a field gun it just works for me (ironically as you say, as it's designed to be a target rifle) Frequently chosen over my pcp's for pleasure and practicality. Go figure....who knows 😂
I love my HW98 I use it regularly at the range and I also use it my permission on rats and have great success. I had a 97KT and sold it to buy the 98. It's just my personal choice I like the weight and feel of the gun better also I prefer the break barrel it's less fiddly go load.
I totally agree with you Nick, I love the look of the 98, BUT having years of experience with the Diana 56TH, 97 and 80,all running at full power I just can't warrant spending that much money for what as you very clearly explained is a sort of hybrid! I sold the HW80, now my go to field gun is the mighty 56 used off a tripod with a range finder, and the 97 is what I call my garden gun. No need for the 98! Great video and I'm sure despite the following it has many out there have the same view. Great to see regular videos, I'm an ex pat living in Nelson New Zealand
I think Weihrauch wanted to make an all things to all men/women gun to use for a bit of field work, a bit of target shooting, etc. Hence the 98. Not everyone wants or can afford a cupboard full of guns. 98 is a handsome beast, too.
I agree with you on hundred percent, but if you already have,97and77and95 and can afford it, you would still buy it, it it's as you mentioned is beautiful 😍
I have an HW 95 and my son has the HW 98 , they are both super accurate rifles and very well-made, but my son just likes to look and feel of his gun because of the adjustable stock but other than that, I think they’re both very similar. It’s just what one prefers.
Hi Nick, I’ve got a 98 and a 97. The 98 has your tbt short stroke kit in it, luverly t The 97 is great bench or FT gun, lots of people use em for same. However the 98 is lighter and better for targets in the field or HFT. Target accuracy for the field or just want a lighter target gun for disability, ladies etc. I use it more than my 97 for which I’m going to get a TBT kit for. Bit twangy and inconsistent see. Keep up what you are doing mate , great channel.
I got a 95, liked it so much I got a 98. These go nicely with my 99 & 97. All so good I couldn’t resist but if I had to bug out it would be the 95 as it has the edge over my 98, not sure why.
I bought one because I liked the looks of the thing. Equally excellent to shoot as my HW35(E)s, HW80, HW97K, HW30S... Just different. Spoilt for choice, I am, I know.
Couldn’t you take the weighted muzzle off for hunting and leave it on for target work, I’ve got a 77k and 97k and I fitted set back triggers on them to cure the trigger reach problem.
I have a 98 in 177 and think the stock is a bit ugly and that black stuff comes off when wet but it's adjustable as all stocks should be for target work. The stock fits better than my AA-S400. Ive had 95s, 97s, BSAs, Webleys and Theobens but this is the best rifle I've ever had (TBT kit inside). FWIW, I prefer it without short stroker running at just under 11ftibs My Cometa 400 Fenix 177 has a better shot cycle than any springer I've had out of the box, that's saying something for £250
After owning a 77 and a prosport and not liking either I decided to give the 98 a try since I liked my 95 but found the 98 being better looking. It’s stupid accurate, great looking and easy to cock and load.
I have that rifle imported by Beaman in 2000 it was called and R-9 it was one of my favorite guns until the main spring broke. It had as accuracy as good as my R-7 but it was much stronger. I read about a year ago that there was a run of HW 98 s made with Anschutz barrels. I think my gun is one of those. Do you know where I in the USA can get a new main spring?
I love my 97, especially with your tuning kit in but it is a bugger to load 177 pellets with my sausages fingers. I don't have a 98 but I do have a 99 and it's easier to cock and load in the prone position, I move the butt onto my thigh and cock it then stick a pellet in, much easier than doing to the same with my 97 with the shorter leaver then trying to get a pellet in under the scope.
Just to confuse you even more, Weihrauch launched a new variant of the 95 early this year. The HW95SK which is literally a 95 in an adjustable stock, still with the unshrouded 95 barrel and silencer. It does make you wonder what the point is really.
I have a 95 but have wanted a 98 for ages, such an iconic design, unfortunately weihrauch have dropped the two tone stippled stock for a very plain Jane adj job. Guess i'll have to find a good pre owned one.
Your right it’s a horse designed by a committee, which happens to look like a Camel. HW as we know it now make what they should have all along a HW95S K adjustable stock, perfection once you take off the Pringles tube silencer and add a slimtech moderator. Chiefy
Never understood the 98. If any rifle in their range needed a adjustable target stock it’s the 77 or the 97. If something needed a shroud then it’s the 80. What the hell are those awful finger grooves that look like a microwave vent on there for? It’s just a mooncalf. They do sell a 95 with a shroud barrel but not the adjustable stock. I’m sorry but the 98 is the answer to a question that nobody ought to have asked. The 95 handles like a shopping trolley and sticking a bulky-arse stock on it doesn’t help. I think some people think it looks ‘cool’ like it’s an out of the box custom gun but really it’s pointless. I think the mark-up on it is probably really good and it’s way more profitable than a 97. Buried in there is the key to improving almost any Weihrauch - a set-back trigger. It’s impossible to get a clean straight-back pull with the standard set up unless you’re a gibbon or have hands like shovels. If you get a Rowan and put it on a 95 you’ve got a way better tool than a 98. Probably the 98 appeals to people who buy the ST version of Ford hatchbacks. It’s a familiar thing with extras, not scary but a different enough to make the owner think they’ve got something special. Price up how much a adjustable recoil pad a shroud and a cheek piece.. I bet it’s not so much as the 98 over the 95 ..
Absolutely all the right reasons for not owning one, I have a 97, 95, 35, 50s, 30s and a 57 in the pipeline, the only reason I'd buy a 98 would be due to its unique looks in the Weihrauch stable, have also swerved the 77 due to its similarities to the 97. For me the 98 and the 77 would just be purchased to complete the set.!! You can still get that stock too, from Germany.🤫
I bought one in .177 for a spot of HFT shooting. The adjustable stock allows the use of low scope mounts, with perfect cheek weld, and being a break barrel it is much easier to load than my HW97. Because of these benefits, I can shoot this with better accuracy than my HW97 on an HFT course.
Anyone buying one of these should consider having it short stroked and tuned straight after purchase - or DIY with a TinBum or WelshWilly kit. Also worth changing the main piston seal for a 26mm Ozzy red self lubricating one. IMO this is possibly the best springer ever made.
I use a 98 for target shooting at my club BOAC and find it more accurate than the 95 by far and just as accurate as both of my 97s and my 77 yet much easier to cock and load, all my springers have had the same tune
Hi Nick,like your videos,put one of your kits in it and do a video where you shoot some groupings with it.I have a 95 with one of your kits in and it is as accurate as my tuned 97k.I love the breaknecks,would love a video about the walther lgv,also a super accurate breakneck,just need some trigger work,and a very smooth and quiet rifle😊
I purchased one, second-hand for a mere £350 in .177 calibre. I also own a HW80 in .22 from the early 80’s looking at the serial number. I’m no expert, but for the money it’s a great rifle. I mainly shoot .22LR targets at 25yds, 50m and 100yds using a Anschütz Match 54 with iron sights. I like the adjustable comb on the HW98 and having longish fingers, don’t have the issue you do. It’s deadly accurate, once setup and there’s no faff, being a springer (no need for air, tank etc.) The only thing I am curious about it, is the threaded “thing” on the end. It isn’t a weight on mine but looks more like an inline suppressor. I can email you a pic if you want, but it is definitely not a weight. Apart from that I’m happy with it.
I own a HW98 in .22 and i say that this rifle is a dream to shoot with. The stock is superb and the extra barrel sleeve gives great stability and a smoother shooting cycle. Many say that a fixed barrel like the 77/97 have are more accurate but that is not the case with a HW. I use my 98 for target shooting, plinking and it's also a great hunter or useable for pest control. I don't care about some extra weight, this rifle fits me as a glove, the stock gives a great hold and has for me a good balance. The 97 is also heavy but as you mentioned, the 98 is more easy to load in the field and can also to un-cocked. Okey it's just a five minutes job to fix for a 77/97 to make them possible to un-cock but the stock and balance is for me the reason to choose the 98.
Thanks for showing this beauty buddy. 😁👌 Cheers!
98 fits me like a glove and the extra muzzle weight help steady the shot. I also own 99s 57, 95, 77 all equally accurate but the 98 feels easier to get accuracy quicker than the others. 77 is awesome but it feels the most comfortable for me to shoot and is used the least, but I have CS 800 stock on order so that might change. Looking to get a 30 after watching your previous videos. 👍🏻
I have a 98 in .177, tuned by Steve Pope. It's lovely to shoot, really accurate. Like you I find the reach to the trigger a bit long, same as the 99 IMP 2 in the rack. It's weight precludes it from field work but from a hide......
Im looking at it for a break barrel bench rest gun, ive got a 77 already, i think its more about the cosmetics for me thatd sway me to consider the extra over other break barrel models
I've owned mine for about a year now. Get it do not hesitate I have it in 177 and use QYS streamline pellets and they hit the spot everytime
Variety is the spice of life. I would buy the 98 over the 95 because I like the way it looks, but I get your point.
Thanks for the video Nick. I have a lovely grey laminate one because I am a ponce. I would squeal if I scratched it in the field. Despite being tuned it is much harder to get tight groups with at the range than my 97. But it is beautiful, and just lovely to shoot, and makes a quiet cough when I shoot it my garden (I always shoot it with the barrel weight off and the HW98 silencer fitted). Possibly my favourite rifle (2 HW97s, HW99, 4 TX200s, Prosport, LGV, LGU - all tuned. Some great, but boring PCPs). Definitely "Half rice half chips" but as hobbyist and a tart I love it!
Rowan straight set back trigger as I am not ET
I preferred my HW98 to my HW97 which I found heavier and more difficult to shoot.
yes you should with a tbt kit in it if course and a set back trigger
Hi Nick, I have both the 98, tuned by Nick Gibney, and the 97, tuned by Nick Simmons. The 97 is my go to gun, even shooting it in HFT instead of my HFT500. The 98 does feel better in my shoulder though. The firing cycle is a tad slower on my 98 but its just a lovely gun to shoot and it's nice to shoot occasionally instead of the 97 all the time. Both are wonderful guns and are as accurate as each other.
I think they are superb....so good infact I have 3....all in different states of Tune, but all utterly superb to shoot. My go to rifle on the bench...and for HFT too. All in .177 flavour, all brilliantly accurate out to 50m. I've had a beautifully accurate tuned HW 97 and the 98's were just as accurate and for me....much easier to load. I've only ever sold 2 rifles in 55 years of shooting. 1 was the HW 97. The other was a TX 200 HC....
BTW, the first Rifle I ever short stroked was a 98 ...when I picked up the kit from your house Nick....Many, Many moons ago 😊
And you are welcome anytime Steve. It’s a bit further now though…….😁
These rifles came from or are related to the last of the Marksman brand rifles, some were a BSF S70 action with a shrouded action and Weichrach record trigger, check Airgun digest. These developed in into the HW85 the last BSF part left was the scope rail.
If it were me , I'd buy one , it just looks right to me . Personal choice as they say. Never been a fan of Under levers, had an AA TX HC for a few years , but sold it on .
For one reason ...variety of choice, personal preference
This is one awesome gun,as accurate as a 97 and its a breakneck.
I heard the statement " beware the man with one gun " quoted by a man that new his air rifles, maybe that's what the 98 is about, one rifle for all occasions, so many guns so little time , so little money and no more room in the gun cabinet 😊
Didn't expect to find myself confused over my own gun 😅
Appreciate and understand your points. I have this in .20 and it is used purely for pest control, all I can say is it's hands down been the most accurate springer I've ever owned. I find the extra weight up front a benefit in a steady shot and prefer a break barrel for speed and easy loading. It may be on the heavy side and may be slightly sexually confused but as a field gun it just works for me (ironically as you say, as it's designed to be a target rifle) Frequently chosen over my pcp's for pleasure and practicality. Go figure....who knows 😂
I love my HW98 I use it regularly at the range and I also use it my permission on rats and have great success.
I had a 97KT and sold it to buy the 98. It's just my personal choice I like the weight and feel of the gun better also I prefer the break barrel it's less fiddly go load.
In the US it was sold as an entry level Field Target Rifle.
I totally agree with you Nick, I love the look of the 98, BUT having years of experience with the Diana 56TH, 97 and 80,all running at full power I just can't warrant spending that much money for what as you very clearly explained is a sort of hybrid!
I sold the HW80, now my go to field gun is the mighty 56 used off a tripod with a range finder, and the 97 is what I call my garden gun. No need for the 98!
Great video and I'm sure despite the following it has many out there have the same view.
Great to see regular videos, I'm an ex pat living in Nelson New Zealand
I have a 177 98 , best most accurate springer air rifle I have owned of which there have been many
I think Weihrauch wanted to make an all things to all men/women gun to use for a bit of field work, a bit of target shooting, etc. Hence the 98. Not everyone wants or can afford a cupboard full of guns. 98 is a handsome beast, too.
I agree with you on hundred percent, but if you already have,97and77and95 and can afford it, you would still buy it, it it's as you mentioned is beautiful 😍
I have an HW 95 and my son has the HW 98 , they are both super accurate rifles and very well-made, but my son just likes to look and feel of his gun because of the adjustable stock but other than that, I think they’re both very similar. It’s just what one prefers.
Hi Nick, I’ve got a 98 and a 97. The 98 has your tbt short stroke kit in it, luverly t
The 97 is great bench or FT gun, lots of people use em for same. However the 98 is lighter and better for targets in the field or HFT. Target accuracy for the field or just want a lighter target gun for disability, ladies etc. I use it more than my 97 for which I’m going to get a TBT kit for. Bit twangy and inconsistent see. Keep up what you are doing mate , great channel.
I got a 95, liked it so much I got a 98. These go nicely with my 99 & 97. All so good I couldn’t resist but if I had to bug out it would be the 95 as it has the edge over my 98, not sure why.
I have a 95N field pro, I prefer the look over the 98
I bought one because I liked the looks of the thing.
Equally excellent to shoot as my HW35(E)s, HW80, HW97K, HW30S... Just different. Spoilt for choice, I am, I know.
My answer to this was buy them all 😂
I honestly dont think underlevers are any slower to reload, i think it all comes down to what the shooter is used to...
I have a 97 and find it heavy have just bought a 98 lot lighter and love it
All the things you say are right but ... i love mine - the proper one without the silly removable end.
Everyone different but then i quite like the nostalgic Hw35e so what do I know?😂
Couldn’t you take the weighted muzzle off for hunting and leave it on for target work, I’ve got a 77k and 97k and I fitted set back triggers on them to cure the trigger reach problem.
I think it comes off to fit a moderator?
I have a 98 in 177 and think the stock is a bit ugly and that black stuff comes off when wet but it's adjustable as all stocks should be for target work. The stock fits better than my AA-S400.
Ive had 95s, 97s, BSAs, Webleys and Theobens but this is the best rifle I've ever had (TBT kit inside).
FWIW, I prefer it without short stroker running at just under 11ftibs
My Cometa 400 Fenix 177 has a better shot cycle than any springer I've had out of the box, that's saying something for £250
After owning a 77 and a prosport and not liking either I decided to give the 98 a try since I liked my 95 but found the 98 being better looking. It’s stupid accurate, great looking and easy to cock and load.
I have that rifle imported by Beaman in 2000 it was called and R-9 it was one of my favorite guns until the main spring broke. It had as accuracy as good as my R-7 but it was much stronger. I read about a year ago that there was a run of HW 98 s made with Anschutz barrels. I think my gun is one of those. Do you know where I in the USA can get a new main spring?
We make them and post worldwide, but I’m sure you could find someone more local
ONE WORD “ SALES “
Simple answer dude, there as cool as f@@k. Especially as I’ve just fitted a tbt short stroke kit,adjusted the trigger and a weihrauch XL silencer 👍🏼👍🏼
I love my 97, especially with your tuning kit in but it is a bugger to load 177 pellets with my sausages fingers.
I don't have a 98 but I do have a 99 and it's easier to cock and load in the prone position, I move the butt onto my thigh and cock it then stick a pellet in, much easier than doing to the same with my 97 with the shorter leaver then trying to get a pellet in under the scope.
Just to confuse you even more, Weihrauch launched a new variant of the 95 early this year. The HW95SK which is literally a 95 in an adjustable stock, still with the unshrouded 95 barrel and silencer. It does make you wonder what the point is really.
That has been available in Germany for several years. And the HW98 action and shrouded barrel in a 95 stock, and even an HW98 with open sights!😁
I have a 95 but have wanted a 98 for ages, such an iconic design, unfortunately weihrauch have dropped the two tone stippled stock for a very plain Jane adj job. Guess i'll have to find a good pre owned one.
Your right it’s a horse designed by a committee, which happens to look like a Camel.
HW as we know it now make what they should have all along a HW95S K adjustable stock, perfection once you take off the Pringles tube silencer and add a slimtech moderator.
Chiefy
Never understood the 98. If any rifle in their range needed a adjustable target stock it’s the 77 or the 97. If something needed a shroud then it’s the 80. What the hell are those awful finger grooves that look like a microwave vent on there for? It’s just a mooncalf. They do sell a 95 with a shroud barrel but not the adjustable stock. I’m sorry but the 98 is the answer to a question that nobody ought to have asked. The 95 handles like a shopping trolley and sticking a bulky-arse stock on it doesn’t help. I think some people think it looks ‘cool’ like it’s an out of the box custom gun but really it’s pointless. I think the mark-up on it is probably really good and it’s way more profitable than a 97. Buried in there is the key to improving almost any Weihrauch - a set-back trigger. It’s impossible to get a clean straight-back pull with the standard set up unless you’re a gibbon or have hands like shovels. If you get a Rowan and put it on a 95 you’ve got a way better tool than a 98. Probably the 98 appeals to people who buy the ST version of Ford hatchbacks. It’s a familiar thing with extras, not scary but a different enough to make the owner think they’ve got something special. Price up how much a adjustable recoil pad a shroud and a cheek piece.. I bet it’s not so much as the 98 over the 95 ..
😮
And then Weihrauch give us an HW95 with adjustable stock........
Absolutely all the right reasons for not owning one, I have a 97, 95, 35, 50s, 30s and a 57 in the pipeline, the only reason I'd buy a 98 would be due to its unique looks in the Weihrauch stable, have also swerved the 77 due to its similarities to the 97. For me the 98 and the 77 would just be purchased to complete the set.!! You can still get that stock too, from Germany.🤫
No set back trigger and no hamster .. pointless
a trans-gun
Uncomfortable