Weihrauch HW30S Review: Starter Air Rifle Shoots Like a Pro Gun

A spring-piston air rifle built for starters is pulling in keepers, farmers and seasoned shots too, according to a new Airgun World review of the Weihrauch HW30S.

Snapshot

Pete Evans tested the HW30S for Airgun World and found a break-barrel single-shot running at 7.2 – 8.1ft/lb, well under the 12ft/lb limit, with accuracy tight enough for close-range pest work. He argues the lower power is a feature for barns and gardens, not a limitation, and that the build quality rivals full-size Weihrauch rifles.

Key points

• Power and accuracy: On test it grouped five shots into 15mm at 20m and 18mm at 25m, with 1in spinners rung at 30m, using 7.33gr JSB Exact RS pellets.
• Trigger: It uses the two-stage adjustable Rekord unit, which Evans called the long-standing benchmark for spring gun triggers; some used HW30s have the simpler Perfekt trigger instead.
• Firing behaviour: Evans described the shot cycle as unusually calm for a springer, with little movement or kick on discharge.
• Build and fit: It weighs 2.6kg with its supplied 4×32 scope, runs 98.5cm long, and wears an ambidextrous walnut-stained beech stock from Minelli, sized for most builds including younger shooters.
• Legal use: No firearm certificate is needed in England and Wales at this power level, though Scotland requires an Air Weapon Certificate, and feral pigeon control still falls under general licence rules.

Quick take

Evans's verdict is that this "starter" gun performs like an adult rifle, which is why he says it's turning up in the hands of experienced shooters as well as newcomers. For anyone covering pest control round pens, barns or gardens, or looking to start a younger shooter off with gear that won't teach bad habits, the HW30S looks like a rifle worth a closer look rather than a compromise.

Read the full story: shootinguk.co.uk