Airgun World Aug ’00

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Whiscombe JW50

I first met John Whiscombe in 1984 when shooting in one of the British Masters field target Competitions, at Sandford Hall in Shropshire. We were in a shoot-off for first place along with three others - including the eventual winner, Richard North - and I clearly remember trying one of John's innovative rifles after the shoot-off, provisionally ordering one of my own. In those days spring powered rifles were still the most competitive but the idea of a totally recoilless, full powered FT rifle was something you'd happily sell a kidney for. Subsequently, as pre-charged pneumatic FT rifles started to dominate, I never actually completed a deal with John - mostly because I won an Air Arms Shamal in the Airgun World Showdown finals!

In this rapidly developing era of field target shooting many people chose high magnification scopes which didn't suite the break-barrel design of John's earlier rifles. To keep pace with this trend John introduced in 1992 his fixed-barrel - FB - air rifle, and there has been a continual development of this system since then, culminating in this JW50 FB MkII - the rifle that John currently uses himself. There are also JW65 and JW80 high-powered options available for FAC holders to drool over. The power potential of this twin piston spring gun means that you can get 32ft.lb in .25 calibre - and from a recoilless action.

The Whiscombe works on the principle of two pistons moving towards one another to create high pressure just below the transfer port. As the air is redirected towards the barrel it hits the skirt of the pellet and the shot is fired. The weight and kinetic energy of one piston counterbalances the other - which sounds as if there is a lot going on inside - but since thee isn't any felt recoil, each shot has the precision of a pneumatic rifle.

To fully appreciate the accuracy potential of this system, John offered me his own rifle on extended loan and I must admit I have enjoyed every single shot. It's so easy to be enthusiastic about a product one man has dedicated his life to, especially when it's built like a Rolls Royce and shoot s better groups than many pre-charged rifles.

I fitted 24x scope and evaluated the four most successful pellets used since the mid 80's. With the Harmonic Optimised Tuning System on the end of the JW50's barrel it is possible to gain added accuracy with different pellets. Some trial and error experiments needed to be carried out, to fully benefit from the system, but I found what must be the perfect setting for an old batch of RWS Superdome pellets. Over the chronograph the rifle produced less than 6.5 FPS variation and at 30 yards I achieved one-hole groups measuring 0.17 of an inch, centre to centre.

No doubt with time I could have adjusted the HOT system for the other pellets but it was rather nice to 'domes doing so well. As you might see from this months Classic Pellet, they were the 'bees knees' back in the days when I tried my first JW.

Each movement or cycle of the under-lever, safety catch and trigger feel as though there's a well lubricated bearing in the system to smooth things out. The cocking is staggered into two separate operations - making it fairly light and fast. In a n FT event, under the stopwatch, cocking and loading a JW could be regarded as a drawback compared with a pre-charged pneumatic, but in reality it only takes six or seven second longer and doesn't greatly increase a shooter's heart rate in the process.

Swinging out the small side lever, after the rifle has been cocked reveals a generous breech chamber, which allows plenty of access for a pellet to be located into the barrel. Closing the side lever effectively seals the transfer port to the end of the barrel.

The Whiscombe has an automatic safety catch, positioned just above the rear of the action, which is easily de-activated when you are ready to shoot. The test rifle was fitted with a match grade trigger unit, which can only be described as outstanding. Both first and second stages were light, crisp and predictable - exactly what anyone would wish for.

John's own rifle sports a piece of beautiful French walnut, carved to give the correct cheek, shoulder and hand position. I'm not the word's greatest fan of thumbhole stocks, but this one is far better than most. The stock has an adjustable cheek-piece and butt-pad but no accessory rail - because it would interfere with the under-lever. For the hunters among you there is a sporter style of stock available instead of the FT thumbhole, which is £100 cheaper. Each of the Whiscombe models is available in a left-handed configuration for an extra £15.

Many shooters around the world have chosen to ignore the extra hassle and dependence on a scuba tank and invested in a self-contained Whiscombe masterpiece. For them, this is the pinnacle of piston air rifle engineering, destined to be one of the most collectable rifles of it's time. I'm beginning to think that I may have to finally make that provisional order from sixteen years ago a firm one - and start talking to John about my requirements.

He is one of shooting's true gentleman and anyone looking for the ultimate hand made air rifle should give him a call.