Feinwerkbau 300S

Feinwerkbau Westinger & Altenburger GmbH · Rifle · Discontinued · 1969

Also known as: FWB 300S, FWB 300, Feinwerkbau Model 300S

Overview

The Feinwerkbau 300S is a recoilless single-stroke spring-piston match air rifle chambered in .177 (4.5mm). Introduced in 1969 by the German precision manufacturer Feinwerkbau, it became the dominant 10-metre target air rifle of the 1970s and 1980s. Its defining feature is a recoilless sledge system in which the entire spring-piston barrel-and-action assembly slides on rails to absorb recoil, allowing the rifle to remain motionless during firing for exceptional accuracy. Cocked by a side lever, it is a single-shot rifle fitted with a match-adjustable two-stage trigger, micrometer aperture rear sight, and globe front sight with interchangeable inserts.

Specifications

Weight (empty)4900 g (172.8 oz)
Overall Length1100 mm (43.31")
Barrel Length437 mm (17.20")
Action TypeSingle Action
Firing MechanismFixed Firing Pin
Trigger TypeTwo Stage
Trigger Pull1 N (0.2 lbf)
Magazine Capacity1 rounds
Muzzle Velocity195 m/s (640 fps)
Muzzle Energy8 J (6 ft·lbf)
Effective Range10 m (11 yd)
Barrel RiflingRight Hand
Frame MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialBeech
FinishBlued

Calibers

Features

Variants

Production

Production years: 1969-1989

Widely sold for ISSF 10-metre competition and training; imported to the United States by Beeman Precision Airguns.

Origin

Country of origin: Germany

Designer: Feinwerkbau

Discontinued: 1989

Notes

The recoilless 'sledge' action and side-lever cocking made the 300S a benchmark Olympic-class target air rifle; surviving examples remain prized by vintage match shooters.

Background

Through the 1970s the FWB 300S was the rifle to beat in Olympic 10-metre air rifle competition, its recoilless sledge action giving shooters a dead-still platform years before pneumatic match rifles took over.