Beeman R9

[USA]

I'm almost ready to buy an air rifle. I worked with my dads Stoeger X20S this morning and it is really hold sensitive. I managed to get a 1.3" group with six shots at 35 yards. I figure that's not too bad for this rifle. I could not rest my thumb on my trigger hand over the top of the stock. I had to lay it along the side of it or that tiny bit of torque would more than double the group size. BTW there is more than 1,000 pellets through the Stoeger.
 My question; how much more forgiving is the R9 compared to an inexpensive Stoeger? I know the accuracy will be very good, but mostly concerned with forgiveness.

[nced]

I'm almost ready to buy an air rifle. I worked with my dads Stoeger X20S this morning and it is really hold sensitive. I managed to get a 1.3" group with six shots at 35 yards. I figure that's not too bad for this rifle. I could not rest my thumb on my trigger hand over the top of the stock. I had to lay it along the side of it or that tiny bit of torque would more than double the group size. BTW there is more than 1,000 pellets through the Stoeger.
 My question; how much more forgiving is the R9 compared to an inexpensive Stoeger? I know the accuracy will be very good, but mostly concerned with forgiveness.

Not familiar with Stoegers but my R9 is very accurate when the shooter (ME) is accurate, however I can testify that my R9 also NEEDS a very consistent hold! LOL....I move the pellet 1/2" at only 11 yards with just a sloppy trigger squeeze/yank! To help with my shooting consistency I made up a couple 100 bull targets (one  3/8" and one 1/2" bull target)  and a couple 30 bull targets (also one 3/8" bull and one 1/2" bull) and these 30 shot targets are done "two shots per target" to mimic a field target course. Here are a couple pics........
Uploaded at Snapagogo.com
Uploaded at Snapagogo.com
Uploaded at Snapagogo.com

Another consideration may be the pellets you're using. Here is a target I shot at 50 yards when comparing a couple different brands of pellets. The groups weren't zero'd, simply the bulls were aimed at and shot since I was checking the grouping. The bull being aimed at was marked with a "+"....
Uploaded at Snapagogo.com

5 shots on paper at 50 yards with my .177 R9 and CPLs, LOL scope was zero'd at 30 yards for this group and aiming was done with holdover (1 1/2 scope dots high).......


Since I like to attend field target matches shooting the hunter class I do ALL my shooting hft style by sitting on a "bucket" and resting my R9 on cross sticks.........
Uploaded at Snapagogo.com

Anywhoo........in the past couple decades of shooting my R9s I've more than a few times blamed fliers and bad grouping on the gun, scope, pellet, phase of moon, whatever, and after a couple months shooting 100 and 30 bull targets upstairs at 18 yards under perfect conditions I'm convinced that MOST on my afflictions were SELF INDUCED!

LOL....I think this need to develop a consistent shooting style when using a recoiling springer if one of the things that make them more interesting (for me) than shooting a "bland" PCP with no "shot character"! 

PERHAPS your shooting issues wouldn't be improved very much by using a R9 instead of your Stoeger, but I really don't know!

[USA]

Wow. Nice pics and shooting. Like you, I enjoy the personal challenge of getting better. I think an R9 or HW97 will allow me to progress further. Most of my targets will be paper. The HW97 may even be a better option for forgiveness.

[nced]

Wow. Nice pics and shooting. Like you, I enjoy the personal challenge of getting better. I think an R9 or HW97 will allow me to progress further. Most of my targets will be paper. The HW97 may even be a better option for forgiveness.

For a couple decades I owned a HW77k that was my "upper level field target match gun" because it was indeed EASIER TO SHOOT ACCURATELY than my lighter R9s, however I shot the R9 MUCH more often than the "77", even for field target matches since it was lighter and simpler to cock and load than pulling down the underlever and hanging onto it while fishing a pellet into the barrel. LOL....at the 2010 Field Target National Match I shot hunter class using the "77" and that year the hunter class was shot with combined PCP and piston guns. Out of 17 Hunter Class entries only 5 were using piston guns and I was really surprised to learn that I had won 4th place with the "77"!



Anywhoo....since I didn't use the "77" very often I sold it a couple seasons ago!

[Hammarhead]

I agree with Ed, my .22 R9 is very accurate as long as I am. If I change my hold even a little the pellet is somewhere else on the target. If your looking for a non hold sensitive gun the R9 is not for you. I own a TX200 which seems push button compared to the R9.

[USA]

Very good info. Thank you for responding. nced, fourth place at nationals and shooting against pcp's on top of it; very nice. I haven't shot air rifles for thirty years and now my father has awakened the bug. I've been having a lot of fun the last few months reading and researching. This thread has been extremely informative for me.

[Booger]

I am tired of hearing all this R9 stuff. I am craving a new rifle. I have decided on an HW98/R11. I really want to wait until after 8-13-14 when my credit cards will all be paid off. After listening to this I just might order it Monday.

You all are just enablers! I thought it was just Joe P, but I was wrong it is everyone here.

[MikieG]

Sorry bud. When pellets get in yer blood the only thing that will fix that itch is a good German spring gun from HW.
Some times I think about other models. But I keep comin back to my old faithful R1.

[chuckinohio]

You all are just enablers! I thought it was just Joe P, but I was wrong it is everyone here.

  Joe just kept you distracted long enough for the more subtle enabling nudges to take effect without you noticing.

  You think that Ed keeps posting results for his health? No siree, he is subtly influencing your thought patterns with every post my friend, and you are too busy watching Joe light matches to notice!!

   

[Rocker1]

A R11 is a R9 with a barrel sleeve and a fancy stock.   David

[Booger]

A R11 is a R9 with a barrel sleeve and a fancy stock.   David

I know, have you seen the stock? If I order Monday, it will be here Thursday. There is a Field Target Match in Dallas on Saturday. That gives me 2 days to scope, zero, and get the stock set up to my liking. Lets not forget about cleaning & a 2 tin break in.

[nced]

A R11 is a R9 with a barrel sleeve and a fancy stock.   David

Yep...so true since it's basically an all dressed up break barrel R9!
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/beeman-r11-mkii-air-rifle?m=569
While I have NO direct experience with the R11 I have READ some who claim that it's "better than the sum of it's parts". Personally, for the kind of money the R11 costs I'd opt for the fixed barrel HW77,HW97 or Air Arms TX200.

LOL......for my purposes though (hunter class field target duffer, squirrel sniper and plinker) I prefer my basic .177 R9!

When I bought the HW77k decades ago I used it for a couple squirrel hunts but it's weight and required "arm waving" when reloading a pellet kinda put it off for ME and WV woods hunting! For my purposes the .177 R9 was a better all around shooter, but for those shooting only field target or other competition I feel the heavier HW77/97 is a better choice.

[ptpalpha]

Gratuitous pic posting.

[chiro972b]

I love my R9 and even more after nced gave it a bit of a lube tune, but as others have said you still need to do your part. My brother in law has an x20 and it really wasn't a bad shooter. One huge, huge difference though is the trigger. The rekord trigger on the Beeman is leaps and bounds better and does make it easier to shoot accurately.

If you get one, you have a great resource for information in Ed. He knows more about them than anyone I know.

[USA]

I think the Stoeger X20S needs a different pellet. I can't beat 1.3" at 35 yards. I'm leaning hard towards an R9 for me one of these days. I feel a need to experience for myself what everyone talks about. Until I can purchase an R9 I will enjoy the Stoeger for having something to shoot.

[Nikoman]

Nice thread, gentlemen
Most excellent shooting and pics as usual by Ed.
Paul, that pic never gets old, buddy.

[Booger]

A R11 is a R9 with a barrel sleeve and a fancy stock.   David

Yep...so true since it's basically an all dressed up break barrel R9!
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/beeman-r11-mkii-air-rifle?m=569
While I have NO direct experience with the R11 I have READ some who claim that it's "better than the sum of it's parts". Personally, for the kind of money the R11 costs I'd opt for the fixed barrel HW77,HW97 or Air Arms TX200.

LOL......for my purposes though (hunter class field target duffer, squirrel sniper and plinker) I prefer my basic .177 R9!

When I bought the HW77k decades ago I used it for a couple squirrel hunts but it's weight and required "arm waving" when reloading a pellet kinda put it off for ME and WV woods hunting! For my purposes the .177 R9 was a better all around shooter, but for those shooting only field target or other competition I feel the heavier HW77/97 is a better choice.

I think you have convinced me to save $300 and get the R9 instead of the R11. I could use the extra cash saved to get some pellets (.25 & .22) that I am low on. I just hope I do not regret my decision.

[Nikoman]

A R11 is a R9 with a barrel sleeve and a fancy stock.   David

Yep...so true since it's basically an all dressed up break barrel R9!
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/beeman-r11-mkii-air-rifle?m=569
While I have NO direct experience with the R11 I have READ some who claim that it's "better than the sum of it's parts". Personally, for the kind of money the R11 costs I'd opt for the fixed barrel HW77,HW97 or Air Arms TX200.

LOL......for my purposes though (hunter class field target duffer, squirrel sniper and plinker) I prefer my basic .177 R9!

When I bought the HW77k decades ago I used it for a couple squirrel hunts but it's weight and required "arm waving" when reloading a pellet kinda put it off for ME and WV woods hunting! For my purposes the .177 R9 was a better all around shooter, but for those shooting only field target or other competition I feel the heavier HW77/97 is a better choice.

I think you have convinced me to save $300 and get the R9 instead of the R11. I could use the extra cash saved to get some pellets (.25 & .22) that I am low on. I just hope I do not regret my decision.

Jesse, you trying to save money? That's not like you! I'm jumping in to save you with a little enabling. You only live once, that R11 would look good on you

[chet]

 I just made the purchase of a new R9 in 177 from PA about a week and a half ago, the gun is incredible, all i had to do was loosen up a the trigger adjustment, also if you need a scope i found the Hawke Eclipse 30. for $199 great scope too. the workmanship and design are in a class of its own. you will not regret the move.

   Chet

[USA]

Congrats on the new R9. Please post up your progress and what air rifle you're accustomed to shooting. Have fun; I bet you're anxious to get some trigger time in.