by B.B. Pelletier
This post is for all who love big bore rifles. The new .45-caliber Big Bore 909S from Sam Yang has the features you need and want to thoroughly enjoy shooting a big bore. Let’s take a look.
It’s a single-shot breechloader
This is a MOST important feature. Know why? Because it lets YOU load any bore-sized projectile you desire in the gun. You are not held to just the pellets and bullets available from this company or anyone else. That means you are free to experiment with bullets until you find the right one for your purpose. A powerful shot that fails to hit the target is meaningless, while a less-powerful shot that connects does the trick. If you can’t hit the target, nothing else matters!
Repeating big bores force you to use pellets and bullets that feed through the magazine. That limits what you can shoot. Breechloaders and, better yet, single-shot breechloaders let you load anything you want into your rifle – and the 909S is a leader among those rifles. It has a sliding breech cover that exposes the rear of the barrel in the most convenient way. If you want to shoot perfect lead cylinders that you cast yourself, there is nothing to stop you!
Lots to shoot
Pyramyd has a wide variety of ammo for this rifle, but if you don’t find what you like, go to any good gun store and see what they have in 0.451-cal. to 0.452-cal. lead bullets There should be several. Or, you can buy a bullet mold and cast your own! The breechloading facility of the rifle allows that kind of choice and flexibility.
Personally, I would look at bullets in the 170-grain to 200-grain range, because I find them to be the most accurate out to 50 yards. Don’t overlook round balls, which will really scream due to their relatively light weight. Bullets heavier than 225 grains tend to shoot open groups at long ranges. If you plan to use them, keep the distance below about 75 yards.
Pump or scuba tank?
This is a VERY important question, because the 909 uses a LOT of air for each shot. You will get 5 to 10 decent shots, with the first 5 being your best power shots. If you’re hunting, top off after number five. A hand pump will get you off the support grid, but don’t buy one if all you plan to do is shoot the rifle from a bench at the range. Then, a scuba tank is mandatory.
New gun – new look!
The new rifle has a single large air reservoir tube instead of the two stacked tubes on the old model. This gives a sleeker look and a profile that is not as tall. It also makes a gun a little bit lighter weight.
That’s not all
Pyramyd AIR is giving away a free plastic rifle case when you buy this gun! When the gun arrives, you’re ready to go! Since many owners plan to hunt with their rifles, the hard case is essential for transporting your gun to the hunting area.
Even better is Pyramyd’s price! Usually, a new model costs more than the old, but this looks like a reduction to me. I always liked the 909 for all the reasons mentioned above, but now there’s a real cost incentive to get one.
Big bore airguns are a specialty area, but if you find yourself bitten by the bug, this is the rifle to get.
Would lubricated bullets help or hinder these guns?
I have tried lubricating the bullets, but it doesn’t seem to help. I think that’s because the velocity is low enough that the lead provides all the lubrication that’s needed.
B.B.
Isn’t the bore size on the 909’s .454 ? Why use .451 and .452 then ? Could you use .454 or .457 ?
You know, I would slug the bore of my gun, if I were you. I seem to remember that the manufacturer changed the bore size some time back.
If it’s .454, then yes, that size bullet would be better, if it isn’t too long. Most .457 bullets I know of are longer, though, and would be too heavy to stablize at the speed the gun fires. Also, three thousandths is a bit much to swage down in the barrel. It would cost velocity.
B.B.
What about jacketed projectiles? Is the steel in the bore of sufficent quality to not wear excessively? Will the velocity be reduced to a high degree?
I think big bore airguns are completely unsuited to jacketed projectiles. They don’t have the energy to overcone, not the friction but the mechanical force required to engrave the rifling in the jacket.
Lead is so forgiving in that way, which is why it is the ideal metal for bullets.
B.B.
Pyramyd Round Nose 190grain Big Bore velocity 720fps.
Pyramyd Round Nose 200grain Big Bore velocity 530fps.
How can 10grains make such huge difference in velocity?
254269,
The velocity shouldn’t vary that much, of course. I’ll ask Pyramyd where they got those numbers. One may be a typo.
B.B.
I get 690 fps with the 225 grain hp. I was only getting 660 fps with the 190 grain . I measured the 225 grain and the dia. was .456. I did not get a chance to measure the dia. of the 190 grain. When I first got the 909s it was shooting 626 fps with the 225 grain. After shooting it for a while it is now at 690 with the 225 grain.
I love this rifle!!
Thanks for your feedback. I hope that clears up things for those who had questions about this gun.
B.B.
BTW, look slike PA answered the question about the tank volume on their web site. It says: “Tank volume: 244 cc”
I haven’t seen any info here on how much energy this gun is producing for big game hunting. This is a new subject for me and I’d be interested in knowing how this gun stacks up against the other big bores FPEwise.
Thanks, Dale
I own a 909s it is a great big bore, here is what size and weight bullets from pyramyd air work best in my gun 190 gr. round nose they are .456 in dia. they shoot at 715 fps. 1st. shot which is 215 foot pounds!! 2nd shot 690 fps. 200 foot pounds!! and #3 at 660fps. 184 foot pounds!! then I top off to 3000psi. you can get more shots but these are flat shooting and hit where you aim. this is the high power 2nd click all the way back cocking. the first click low cocking isn’t that much lower in velocity but gives you 6 shots and then you refill to 3000psi. the fps. on low is a very even increase in fps. and decrease in fps. starting at about 640fps. and going to 672fps. and back down to about 642fps. on the 6th shot. If you use round balls, Hornady .457 and speer .457 is the size to use they are 144gr. and work fit perfect! note : after 3 shots on high or 6 shots on low my refill pressure is down to only 1800psi. I highly recomend this gun, it is fun and on the money.
Thanks for that thorough report! That’s the stuff potential buyers like to see.
B.B.
I am going to be purchasing one of these rifles in the near futare. Before I do though I would like to know if cold weather affects the power of this rifle ? The hunting conditions in my area can be pretty extream at times. Also I havn’t read as much about the power of this rifle as I would like. Anyone know if this rifle is capable of takeing coyotes, or possibly deer sized game out to say 40 yards ? Thanks guys hope to get some feedback on this before I buy.
homeworks71,
Yes, the 909S will take coyotes and deer to 40 yards. I know of several hunters who have done this already.
Since a .22LR will take deer, and the 909S is more powerful, it will do the job. However, it is a low-fringe gun for deer. Hunt as though your life depends on it and the gun will perform, however I can not recommend it as a standard deer rifle.
B.B.
Your answer to cold weather, it is not a problem, with a PCP, this is why for many reasons that alot of people are going to PCP’S, they are accurate,powerfull,reliable,and you store them charged and they are ready to be used whenever you want to. This info I’m going to give should clear up any doubts, for example a 12 gauge or 10 gauge shotgun using a magnum load of 00 buckshot .33 cal. each pellet, approx. .56 grains in weight each pellet, at a factory velocity of 1,210 fps. has a foot pound energy of 182 per pellet. the Sam Yang 909s has 215 foot pounds of energy with a 190gr. .45 cal. bullet aimed where you want it, yes the buckshot has more potential to hit with more, but where, I know many of good hunters that use buckshot in there area, and have taken deer over 70 yards, and at times after they track and find there deer, only find 1 00 buck pellet that hit the rib area to make a lung shot, I’m not suggesting to take a 70 yard shot, you have the power, but do to the lower velocity there is the chance for your intended quarry to move just before the shot hits its aimed mark. Hope this helps you and anyone else. Enjoy !
thanks for the great info fella’s ! I do have to say I am sold on this gun already, and it truelly seems to be exactally what I’m looking for. There is still one nagging question I have about this gun. ….Since you would store it charged and ready to go, and since air expandes and contracts when heated or cooled, what kind of effect would that have when takeing a warm gun from inside my home into the cold of the outdoors ? And of course vis-versa…what about bringing my cold gun fully charged into say my nice warm truck ? With the warmth the air will expand and that causes a concern that the resivoir would rupture under the added pressure build up of the expanding air. HMMMM ? While I’m at it, I’m thinking of matching my new rifle with a 4 X 32 mini A.O. Bug Buster scope. Does anyone have any thoughts as to that sort of match up. Or possibly any opionions as to what would be a better suited match for this rifle ?
As far as I understand there is a new version of the bug buster available:
Bug Buster 2
I myself would like to learn what the differences are…
homeworks71,
The expansion/contraction cycle is not great enough for scuba tank manufacturers to warn about, so I would say it’s no problem.
Now with a CO2 gun, it can be a problem. They will develop pressures great enough to blow their burst disks.
B.B.
The Bug Buster 2 is 6-power and is built on a TS platform, where the original scope is 4X and not TS. The 2 also has sidewheel parallax adjustment which is easier to reach when sighting.
Does TS matter? Read the article on Pyramyd’s website “They asked for it!”
B.B.
I heard from a airgas supplyer that some paint ballers are using nitrogen instead of CO2. Would this have any effect on the rifle in any positive or negitive way.
S.R.H.
S.R.H.
Because nitrogen is supplied at 6,000 psi, no air rifle manufacturer will warrant their rifle with it. It’s true that air is mostly nitrogen and there shouldn’t be much of a performance difference, but the general public will not diffferentiate between the pressure levels – hence, using nitrogen in an air rifle voids the waranty.
B.B.
How loud is a shot from this rifle? Can it be shot indoors without ear protection?
This gun is loud like all the big bores I know, hearing protection is a must indoors,
I’m trying to decide between this one & the 50 cal Shin Sung Dragon Slayer.
Can anyone tell me which is better & why?
P.S. I have the Shin Sung Career 707 Ultra 9mm & love it, I just want something that packs more punch, can shoot further, & gives me more options on ammo.
Thanks in advance.
Precharged Big Bore Junkie! 🙂
One more question…
How much better * what are the advantages is/are going from my Career 707 Ultra 9mm to the 909 Big Bore 45 cal?
Thanks again,
Precharged Big Bore Junkie! 🙂
Precharged Big Bore Junkie,
The best of the two rifles is the 909, because it can accept a wide range of bullet sizes and shapes. The Dragon Slayer is limited by the space in front of the bolt. You cannot insert longer bullets. If you get hollowpoints, they will be too long to go into the DS breech, but the 909 can accept almost anything.
The advantages of the 909 over your Ultra are power and accuracy.
B.B.
What about muzzleloader sabots? Cabelas has a .45cal sabot loaded with a 170grain balistic tipped .357cal boattail bullet. That would be a huge increase in ballistic co-efficient and down range punch as well as an increase in velocity over a lighter full bore projectile and with the plastic sabot you wouldn’t have to worry to much about bore diameter because the plastic would conform to the barrel like in a black powder rifle. Modern BP rifles have a twist of 1 in 32 to 1 in 28. It should work but would the rifle have enough twist to stablize that type of round?
Black powder .45 caliber rifles should have a twist rate of 1:18″ or 1:20″. The .45/70 has a nominal twist of 1:22″.
Your suggestion might be interesting to try. At short ranges (under 50 yards) the bullet might be stable.
B.B.
Acually,modern muzzleloading inline bp rifles meant for sabots have a twist rate of 1:28 suprising enough. They have a slower twist than that of a cartridge rifle. Apparently, its possible to over-stabilize a a sabot.Because it’s lighter than a centerfire bullet. They don’t require the high twist rates to stabilize heavy long bullets like modern centerfires do. For example, the heaviest .45 muzzleloader bullets weigh about 300 grains where as yor 45-70 can have bullets weighing well over 400 grains. Others have a 1:48 which are ideal for shooting solid conicals like a miniball and others has a 1:60 to 1:66 which is designed for optimal accuracy with roundballs.
Same guy,
Ah! You were referring to inlines! I don’t know much about them.
All my experience has been shooting bore-sized lead bullets.
Stabilization depends on the length and weight of the bullet. Actually, the length proportional to the weight. Which is why round ball twist rates are so slow.
The .45 muzzleloading bullets I am familiar with also weigh in excess of 400 grains. They are full-caliber bullets that need the same twist as bullets from cartridges, because they weigh the same.
B.B.
Accually, because your 45 conicals are so heavy, you must reduce the powder charge to avoid dangerously high pressures. Because of that and your bullet weights, they shoot much slower than a sabot or a powerbelt, a sabot, conical hybrid, they don’t really need a high twist rate. They will accually work anywhere between a 1:32 to 1:48 twist. For my .50 smokepole, I use a 245g powerbelt aerotip balistic tip. A powerbelt is a full bore conical that is slightly underbore (about 1/1000 of an inch)and is shorter than a regular bullet to reduce weight. It has a snap on plastic base that is slightly overbore to seal the barrel. After it fires, the plastic base falls away. Flatter shooting than a regular conical, but hits harder than a sabot and has the impact of a foll bore conical. It wont work in an air rifle though because an airgun won’t generate enough pressure to pop off the plastic base after firing. Sabot are my only option. By the way, what twist rate does the 909 have?
same guy,
I shoot with black powder, so I don’t weigh my charges. They are as full as the case will permit and compressed 1/6″ by the seating of the bullet.
I don’t know the twist rate of the 909, but a guess would be 1:16, since that’s the common airgun twist rate (derived from the .22 LR).
B.B.
Hey thanks. Oh you were talking about shooting a BP charge out of a cartridge rifle. The max for a muzzleloader is 150 grains of powder. Savage makes a super magnum muzzleloader that can go up to 200 grains. At the low velocities that the 909 shoots at, I think a 1:16 twist wont over stablize a sabot. You shoot give it a try and see how it works. Look at cabelas.com for sabots. I recomend “cabelas extended range sabots 180grain” and “cabelas dead center sabots 175grain”
same guy,
You got me. I had been talking about muzzleloaders all along and then I switched to my Trapdoor .45/70.
For a muzzleloading full-bore bullet in .459 caliber, 80 grains is about the max I see.
B.B.
For those of you asking what you can hunt with the 909, I have personally shot a 200lb hog and a 110lb corsican ram with mine. I shot both through tthe lungs and recovered them easily. I shot the hog twice but it really wasn’t needed the first shot took out both lungs and penetrated 22 inches, but I follow the “as long as it’s standing keep shooting” princinple. I shoot the Thompson Center .45 Maxi ball 230gr @ just over 600fps.
Matt’s Hott Air
B.B.
I took your advice & bought the 909S & LOVE it!
What an awesome gun!
Your comment about it being a breech loader & accepting more typed of ammo made a lot of sense, not to mention that if they ever ban big bores, the .50 cal will be very hard to find ammo for, while the 909S will be a breaze. 😉
Thanks again,
The Big Bore Addict
Big Bore Addict,
Thank YOU for giving me this feedback! I really enjoy hearing when someone finds an airgun they love.
I think the 909S is the all-around champion of production big bore because of its ammo flexibility.
Enjoy your new airgun.
B.B.
hi, how many times do you can refill the big bore with the scuba tank. and what is the maximun distance that you shoot with this rifle? thanks.
cotorromaster,
Big bores use a LOT of air. With a regular 3000 psi aluminum 80-cubic-foot scuba tank you’ll get maybe ten fills of the gun before needing to get the tank refilled. Only the first one or two fill will be to 3,000 psi, then the fill pressure will drop rapidly. When the most you can fill to is about 2,400 psi and you only get two shots from the rifle, you will be thinking about refilling the scuba tank.
For this reason big bore shooters use carbon fiber tanks pressurized to 4,500 psi. You might get 20 fills from a tank like that and the first 15 might go to 3,000 psi, giving you all the shots the 909 has to offer.
B.B.
bb,
i have a question. if i wanted to get the banjamin dicovery and the 909s, could i use the pump that comes with the discovery and use an adapter and use it to pump the 909s? and if so which adapter s it? and dose pyramis air sell it?
thanks,
John
John,
The Benjamin Discovery pump will work with the 909S, but you will need a special adapter to connect it.
Contact Pyramyd AIR and ask them if this service will work for you:
/product/air-venturi-quick-disconnect-fill-adapter-set-fits-many-pcp-guns?a=595
B.B.
Dear all,
I’ve just a quick question: what’s the main difference between the older 909 model and the newer 909s? As I thought, the older model has a dual tank reservoir so actually has more shots per fill, having as a disadvantage more weight. Is this correct? Are there any performance differences?
Thanks,
Thomas
Thomas,
These big bores use air so fast that a small difference in air capacity really doesn’t add or detract anything. Although they say you can get up to 10 shots per fill, the best shots are the first two or three. That’s if you are shooting for accuracy at around 50 yards.
As for performance differences, there might be a few foot-pounds difference, but basically this is a 200 foot-pound rifle in any configuration.
B.B.
B.B.,
I’ve narrowed down my choice for a big bore between the Shinsung Career Fire 201s and the Big Bore 909(s). Which one would be the better one, judging build quality, reliability and performance/power?
Thomas
Thomas,
I think you have selected the two best big-bore airguns Pyramyd sells. Both are well-made and accurate, but the 909S is more powerful than the Career. The Career will get more shots per fill and the ammo with be both cheaper and more plentiful. The 909S has a .457 bore, which is an oddball size, while the Career is a regular 9mm and bullets are very plentiful.
Both guns go through a lot of air. A regular scuba tank with be drained very quickly. You need a large carbon-fiber tank pressurized to 4,500 psi to operate these guns.
B.B.
Dear B.B.
I am interested in the 909s, but I want to get the velocity to reach 1000 fps or close to. Is this possible with a light grained projectile or even lead balls. Is there such a thing as 100-120 grain bullets/projectiles in .457?
OR should I just get a Career 201?
1,000 f.p.s.,
I don’t know what is good about that velocity, but I will be testing a 909 soon and the round ball will be tested. So we will find out together.
B.B.
if an evanix ar6 was a 5 on a 1-10 lousness scale, then what would the 909 be? also can somebody tell me about the 510 grain pellets from hunterssupply.com? are they accurate and powerful??
Noise,
If an AR-6 is a 5 then a 909 is an 8.
The 909 cannot stabilize a 510-grain BULLET (they ARE NOT PELLETS). It can only stabilize a short conical bullet or a round ball.
B.B.