Weihrauch HW98

Weihrauch (Arminius) · Rifle · In Production · 1998

Also known as: HW98

Overview

The Weihrauch HW98 is a German spring-piston break-barrel air rifle introduced in 1998, designed for serious field-target and benchrest target shooting. It pairs Weihrauch's renowned adjustable two-stage Rekord trigger with a fully adjustable beech sporter stock featuring an adjustable cheekpiece and buttplate. A distinctive short barrel fitted with a screw-on steel muzzle extension increases cocking leverage, and the rifle is supplied scope-only with an 11mm dovetail rail and no open sights.

Specifications

Weight (empty)3900 g (137.6 oz)
Overall Length1041 mm (40.98")
Barrel Length413 mm (16.26")
Action TypeBreak Action
Firing MechanismFixed Firing Pin
Trigger TypeTwo Stage
Trigger Pull11 N (2.5 lbf)
Magazine Capacity1 rounds
Muzzle Velocity274 m/s (899 fps)
Muzzle Energy16 J (12 ft·lbf)
Effective Range35 m (38 yd)
Barrel RiflingRight Hand
Frame MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialBeech
FinishBlued

Calibers

Features

Variants

Production

Production years: 1998-present

Continuously produced by Weihrauch-Sport since 1998

Origin

Country of origin: Germany

Designer: Weihrauch-Sport

Notes

Available in .177, .20, and .22 calibers. The .177 model produces roughly 12-16 J (around 900 fps with light pellets) in the unrestricted version, with sub-12 ft-lbf versions sold for legal compliance in some markets. The stock was redesigned in 2024.

Background

Weihrauch-Sport, founded in 1899 and famous for its Rekord trigger, built the HW98 around the same spring-piston powerplant as its HW97 underlever, but in a break-barrel layout aimed squarely at field-target competitors who wanted a fully adjustable stock and a scope-only sighting setup.