The R9 may be my favorite springer, and I have only good things to say about them. However, I've never shot any small game past 25 with any springer, so I have no opinion about its effectiveness on game at that range.
I will say that mine are capable of head shots well past 25 yards.
A couple of thoughts:
1. A Diana 34 makes almost exactly the same power as an R9, and with the excellent T06 trigger they give up nothing to the R9 performance wise. Accuracy is equally comparable, but the Diana is less expensive. I just bought a like new used one from an airgun dealer for half of what a new R9 goes for.
2. There are definitely more powerful springers out there, but they generally weigh a lot more. To get more power but keep things reasonable I would look for a Diana 350, 460 or 48. All great magnum class .22's. IMO, the best one to hunt with will be the 350.
3. The only Weihrauch rifle that's in the magnum class is the HW90. Probably 600-700 new....
My brother has a Diana 350 and it's a beast. Very similar to my Walther Parrus in size and weight. Neither is anything I'd want to carry far for small game. For back yard pest control they're fine. A bit much in size/weight and cocking effort for a relaxing afternoon of plinking. For small game hunting I'll take one of my 5-6 lb. .22 rimfires over the 10.5 lb. {scoped} Parrus or Diana 350 every day ending in "Y'. They're just rediculously huge, ungainly things. Longer than a 28" barreled pump/auto shotgun and heavy as an African dangerous game rifle. I'm not taking a rifle that heavy out hunting unless it says .458 Win. Mag on the barrel and the intended quarry is a helluva lot bigger than a friggin squirrel.
