R9 .22 cal Good short range hunter?

[Squirrel Slayer]

Thinking of purchasing a R9 .22 cal for short range small game hunting out to 30 yds. Looking for advice/experience with this gun in .22 pls.

Thanks
Ebby

[pindog2000]

the b-26 is its chinese brother i think the r-9 will do the job at 30yrds out, *(&^ ed(shadow)uses a b-26 to hunt coons and i think jeff(longislandhunter)has a goldfinger he took out a g-hog with im sure these fellows will chime in but honestly i think you will be fine.and i think this topic is in the wrong area but the moderators will fix that

[oldpink]

FWIW, when I was still in junior high school, I did a perfect one-shot kill on a g-hog at five feet using my Crosman 2100 (695fps advertised) and an el cheapo Crosman Copperhead .177 wadcutter.
I struck him right behind the ear.

[only1harry]

Welcome to the GTA!!

The R9 .22 is a great hunter inside 30yds.  You will be able to take most small-game at that distance with well placed head shots no problem, but I wouldn't use it on Coyote or fox at 30yds.  For raccoon you might have to limit to 25yds with the R9 and as always - head shots only!

[Atchman2]

A R-9 is one of my MUST have air guns!  I think it would be superb for shooting under 30 yards.  I have some magnum guns and I still don't want to shoot that far.  20 yards and headshots is my motto!  

[lillysdad621]

the R series rifle are very forgiving and though .22 is a bit on the weak (read smooth... ) in the R9, the level of accuracy achievable more than make up for the low speed. I have used a .20 for hunting out to 45 yards, and shot a .22 at spinners at 30 yards. I got tired of hitting the little 1/2 inch chicken with the .22... so if you do your part, at that range it can be deadly. To throw a bone for you to gnaw on, when i looked for a .22 for short to medium range hunting i actually went for the BSA supersport. It shoots crosman premiers at avg. 697 fps, and has done countless squirrels at ranges from 20 to 42 yards. And i even owned a B26 in .22 which shot in the low 700s very accurately. Buy the beeman because you appreciate its finish and construction, but i at least feel bad taking it to the field.

[longislandhunter]

Ebby,

I moved your post to the Hunting Gate so it will get more attention from the GTA hunting clan.  

As for the .22 R-9, I own a .22 cal R-9 Goldfinger and it is an outstanding small game rifle.  I've used that rifle to cleanly take rabbits and squirrels out to 40 yards and have also used it to take a few woodchucks at closer ranges.  My .22 is so smooth and accurate that it's simply amazing.  It also isn't pellet picky at all, shooting a variety of pellets into ragged hole groups all day long if I do my part. She's currently sighted in for Predator pellets at 30 yards.  Last time I checked the rifle was shooting in the mid to high 600's range depending on the specific pellet.  The rifle has superb balance, is extremely comfortable to shoulder and shoot, has a smooth firing cycle and is a tack driver.  My .22 R-9 is one of my favorite small game rifles and the incredible accuracy makes it deadly on any small game that comes within range.  I have a .177 Goldfinger as well and that rifle is just as accurate and just as smooth as the .22.  They are just beautiful rifles whether you use them for target or hunting.  Not much else I can say, in my opinion you won't regret getting one and it will serve you well in the field.

Jeff

[454 Big Block Chevy]

i dont' know if i'd want to take a gun the price of an R9 hunting my my woods... it would certainly end up scratched... and i'd have to cry... but any .22 rifle pushing 600+ fps is making easily 12+ fpe, and thats very capable out to 30+ yds.

[longislandhunter]

I must admit that I am as careful as I can possibly be to avoid scratching my R-9s when I take them hunting, but all my guns hunt so they have to take their chances just like all the other rifles.  I won't take them with me when I'm hunting real thick, thorny stuff looking for rabbits but I have no problem hunting in the open squirrel woods with them.  So far I've been lucky and haven't gotten any scratches on either R-9, but   you made a good point and it is something to consider in the higher priced guns.  I'm sure I'll wind up getting a scratch here and there over time. 

Jeff

 

[only1harry]

Jeff, I was going to move this topic last night as my first "official act", but then got distracted and it was too late so I fell asleep before getting to it.  This moderator stuff me wears out, hehehe  

[longislandhunter]

You can get the next one buddy  LOL 

Jeff

[only1harry]

Thanks   I was going to do it more for practice sake to make sure I 'm doing it right.  I have actually clicked on "move" and it seems self-explanatory and easy.  Maybe I 'll move this one back to the Airgun Gate and back again to get some practice?  hehehe