Canadian Airgun Forum

Hi and good day everyone!

In a bit of a bind here. Just installed a .20 cal barrel (from a 98) to my hw80 (heard so many good things about this cal so why not give it a try). After fitting the new barrel/breech block, found that it doesn't fit flush with the action side. There's definite droop and it looks like it's going to leak air/slam when shot. Was under the impression that the 80 and 98 or R series rifles in general can interchange barrels. If this is wrong, let me know. Best guess is I wonder if the wedge on the breech block side is not moving back enough? Could be getting coilbound and I need to clip a coil off the wedge spring? Any input is appreciated.

I tried this same thing a few years ago. I had the hw80, then bought a .177 barrel from a (I think) 98. Anyway it did fit, as in it bolted in ok. If memory serves me correctly, there was a problem with the cocking linkage. It kept the barrel from closing completely. This was the linkage that came with the 98 barrel.

It's something worth looking at anyway. Hope it helps.

Might just be a sort of gunsmithing job. Some machining required. Like fitting a rifle with a new bolt...

if you remove the breach seal, will it close completely?

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Iacio, ergo sum

Hi Al and Duke.

Ding3x. Al, you called it buddy. Had a closer look, it's the linkage. The one that came with the 80 actually has a slight bend to it. The new one I have is straight. Looks like I'm using the linkage that originally came with the 80 then.

Thanks for your input both!

Glad that worked out. Whew

That sounds about right.
Easy fix? I never got any further than putting the original barrel back on.
Glad you got it figured out!

This is my factory HW98 - seems to me, this was/is normal for THIS model.
I do see that on your HW80, the 98 barrel is on an angle, as opposed to the proud breech on mine, which appears to have no droop.

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Best Wishes
Daryl

Glad it worked out to Pete!:-)

Pretty straightforward Al. Just had to use the linkage the came with the 80. The spare linkage is straight. The original on the 80 is slightly curved??? Can probably bend it a bit with a hammer but no need. It'll remain as a spare for now. Also installed a trrobb quick detach pin for the linkage. It works but... it does stand a bit proud of the breech block (especially the circlip side) and will catch/scratch the stock. Took a dremel to the stock and made a channel for the pin. Stained it. Waxed it. Sealed it. Should be good now and this'll make future barrel swaps easy. Now this thing goes into storage and we'll see how it shoots in warmer weather. Looking forward to it really. The sleeved barrel is heavy. This is the heaviest the 80 has ever been and I hope that'll minimize muzzle movement as much as possible. Doing 840 fps with 11.42 grain filed target trophy. 17.9fpe. About a foot pound off from .22 cal.

All resolved now Daryl. I wish I took a closer pic but the issue was there's a slight curve outward for the 80 linkage while the spare linkage was straight. No idea why. Lol. It's a very slight curve. Hard to spot. But when you lay one linkage on top of the other, it's very obvious.

Looking good. The 98 barrels are heavy with the sleeve. Same barrel as the 95, apparently, but sleeved.
The heavier barrel might just make the gun more consistent off the bags, for you, or offhand for that matter.
I had found that all 2 of the HW's I've had and have, are not fussy as to hold and the well spoken of, artillery
hold, is not the most accurate in any of them. They prefer to be held like a normal rifle, even to cupping the end
of the forend in the left hand (right handed shooter) like Si Pittaway does when shooting from a rest.
Now, I am not sure what you are saying about the curves - shaper bend is more curve, less bend is straighter, less curve.

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Best Wishes
Daryl

The new linkage, the one initially used to install the 98 barrel is straight. The linkage that works, the original one on the 80 has a very slight curve/bow to it. The straight one was causing the breech not to go flush with the action. Caused a bit of droop. Really hard to see with the pic above. But all good now!

It looks well balanced; is the 98 barrel shorter than the original on the 80 or same length?
You have a really unique shooter now a .20cal hybrid 80/98 maybe its a HW 89 (averaged)

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Iacio, ergo sum

Yes - 89 makes sense. I think I see the bow in the long part of the lever. I thought you were talking about the bend at the end, one being less than the other, IanV.

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Best Wishes
Daryl

Hey Duke. Yes, it's definitely shorter. Old barrel was the rifle version, 500mm. New barrel is 410mm. It's now front heavy though! The 98 barrel is significantly heavier than even the full length 80 barrel.

Hey Daryl! Yes, that was the issue. The straight linkage dropped the barrel down a bit, the bowed linkage didn't. And you called finally me Ian! Yey! Lol.

That barrel weight and TR Robb quick detach circlip is a very nice look on the HW80. I can only imagine how heavy that rig is now.
I changed my HW80 from .177 to .22, years ago, and I would have preferred this quick detach for that pivot.


Dave