Weihrauch HW80 vs. Diana RWS 350 Magnum - Cal .22

Ahsan Ahmed

Ahsan Ahmed

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Tried doing a search that revealed nothing hence the thread - which one will be better as a hunting rifle?

I have zero experience with Weihrauch and extensive experience with various models of Diana (and Walther) Air Rifles. Having said that, I have no direct experience using the model RWS350 either. Much appreciate if folks could lend insight from a perspective of side by side comparison in terms of build quality between the two models listed. The air rifle will be used for hunting purposes only.

I gather the Diana may be a bit more powerful compared to the HW80, however, absolute power only isn't the top criteria that would influence my selection.
So far, I am leaning towards the Weihrauch ......

Your thoughts?

Thanks,

AA
 
If it is only hunting then I don't think you'd go wrong with either. Weirauch is a quality brand... I don't have an hw80 but I have a hw97 and it is one of my favorites. It is a quality piece. An air arms tx200 is also a high end springer to consider...
 
The HW80 is a top quality break barrel air rifle. The Diana 350 makes its mark simply by being very powerful. Weihrauch air rifles are a cut above the Diana rifles in quality, fit and finish, and accuracy. In the spring piston category of Field Target, which is an airgun-only sport very big in the UK, there are two brands worth considering and those are Weihrauch and Air Arms. Of course, FT competitors generally use under lever rifles. But the point to note is that Diana rifles are hardly ever used in this highly competitive airgun sport. The reason is that both Weihrauch and Air Arms are better guns.
 
I have some of those HWs and the Air Arms TX and the 350mag, the first two brands are in a different class. BUT the 350mag with the right ammo and a red dot is a powerful and consistent rifle for the money, and I m talking about a cheap dot too, 350s eat scopes. I think I paid 430.00 for my 350, not sure what todays prices are, but HW and AA are going to be more. One other thing IMHO the stock sights on my 350 are terrible, and the trigger is just OK. After looking at some pricey muzzle breaks for the 350, I fitted an Orbit brand irrigation hose coupler (ID .007") which looks ok and works as a good cocker, price, under 2 dollars. (ha)

( ^^^^BTW I think my Diana M54 Air King would be fine for FT ^^^)
 
RWS /Diana should have also offered the 350 in .25 caliber. Yes I know of the transplanted B28 barrels. I have a HW80K /.22 and love it.Harold
 
I have owned a 350 magnum i bought used and have handled the hw80 and currently own an hw85 in .22 cal.
Both are really great guns and are high quality with excellent triggers. The recoil of the 350 is more than any other springer ive handled but i did swap the spring out for a vortex kit which made it very smooth and powerful. The trigger is great and adjustable.
It is a very good looking gun but in the end i sold it i found it much too long and muzzle heavy.

The 80 is really great too with even better build quality but is also a rather heavy beast.
I got the 85k which is a slightly smaller version of the 80 with record trigger. Good balance and does 760 fps with rws super domes. Ive had several weihrauch over the years and it is my brand.

The way i see airguns i like them for plinking and shooting pests around buildings close to home in the yard and at the range but if i have to carry something for hunting i would prefer a rimfire.

The only thing for you to do is handle both and let us know what you get.

I figured i would add this specialty shooting sports stocks k length barrels
 
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I am in the market for a nice .22 springer as well in the near future. Between Diana and Weihrauch I would go with the Weirauch all day long if you have the money. If your on a budget then the Diana will fill the need and is more then capable, much better than a lot of others on the market for the same money. I myself am leaning towards the HW95/Beeman R9 I think at 43" and 7.5 pounds it will be a fantastic gun for small game hunting and carrying. You must remember the HW80 is 45" and 8.5 pounds and the RWS 350 is 48" and 8.2 pounds and both are without a scope!!! All the more power to you if that's what you want but me im not interested in an air rifle longer and heavier than my 12g waterfowl shotgun.
 
At one time I owned a HW95 and a 350.
Both great rifles, and worth the money.
The 350 is difficult to shoot well, because if the crazy recoil.........Its very capable of good groups, but you need to put a ton of time in.
It lost its spot in the safe, because of its size. I just couldn't get used to how clumsy it is in the field.
Hw95 is still in the safe, even though I shoot PCP's now.
 
Thanks very much everyone for providing input.....will definitely assist in the decision making process. As it stands, my mind has already been proceeding towards the HW80 based on the info I was able to pick up thus far.

IanC said:
The way i see airguns i like them for plinking and shooting pests around buildings close to home in the yard and at the range but if i have to carry something for hunting i would prefer a rimfire.
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I do have a few BRNO/CZ rimfires. Need an air rifle as well for the field, however, I won't be doing too much walking with that in hand. :)


Max-4 said:
I am in the market for a nice .22 springer as well in the near future. Between Diana and Weihrauch I would go with the Weirauch all day long if you have the money. If your on a budget then the Diana will fill the need and is more then capable, much better than a lot of others on the market for the same money. I myself am leaning towards the HW95/Beeman R9 I think at 43" and 7.5 pounds it will be a fantastic gun for small game hunting and carrying. You must remember the HW80 is 45" and 8.5 pounds and the RWS 350 is 48" and 8.2 pounds and both are without a scope!!! All the more power to you if that's what you want but me im not interested in an air rifle longer and heavier than my 12g waterfowl shotgun.
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The price difference is very negligible between the two models in question. However, it is the power (of the 350) that made me favor the HW80 over the former..... accuracy suffers the most if reverse recoil can't be adaquately tamed. As far as weight is concerned, either model isn't too far off from a scoped CZ550. As for the OAL, it is about the same as a double gun with 30in bbls. The intent is to use irons only.
 
The 350 was pellet fussy as well.
Mine liked crow magnums, and nothing else.
I'm sure you will be happy with a hw, the triggers are fantastic
 
My ex 350 was in .177 and only shot heavy pellets best. Killed grouse like lightning and even one full grown coyote two owners later.With the HW's the stupid thing is not being to re-engage the safety after taking it off for a shot.Harold
 
I have an older Diana 52 and a Weihrauch 35 .. they are both excellent ... but I think the finish on the Weihrauch "may" be a little better. But I DO NOT regret buying either and intend to keep them
 
mbogo3 said:
My ex 350 was in .177 and only shot heavy pellets best. Killed grouse like lightning and even one full grown coyote two owners later.With the HW's the stupid thing is not being to re-engage the safety after taking it off for a shot.Harold
Click to expand...

It still only likes heavy pellets......(grin)

And its killed a truck load more grouse/ravens/snowshoe hares/pack rats, etc........ And won a pile of campfire bets too. Something to be said for a monster springer that can smack beercans at 100+ yards with boring regularity.

That said, its not in the same class accuracy wise of the Feinwerkbau's in the house. And it is very hold dependant.
 
I haven't acquired the HW80 so far. However, a friend recently bought one in .22 from D&L and I had an opportunity to test the air rifle. Very well made albeit heavy.
 
HW80 smooths right out with a spring kit installed like Vortek.Mine shoots around 750 fps + in .22
 
Good Day

Just my 2 cents
I have an HW95 Luxus in .177 and she is a real beauty, plenty of power and only 7.5lbs and no longer than a regular rifle.
Much more accurate than I am.

Take Care
 
They are both too heavy and too long, the 350 is 4' long and the 80 is almost,the HW95 would be nicer to handle for sure if you were thinking of carrying them around.
 
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