Next Step; Rat Gun.

[Mr Muddy 141]

I do a bit of rat control work using traps & baits and I’ve just started with an airgun.

 

I bought a crossman rat catcher (because of the name) and so far I’ve had a lot of fun with it, and – despite the plastic sights that keep falling off – managed to hit a fair few rats in my own garden.

Now I’ve got the air gun ‘buzz’ I’d like to know what gun to look at as a next step.

 

I freely admit I still don’t know anything about airguns so, rather than I tell you what I want, I’m happy for the experts on here to tell me what I need.

The only criteria is: I want it for rat control in gardens, allotments etc. Not expensive. And, like I said, it’s going to be used/maintained by someone who still doesn’t know much about guns.

 

All advice appreciated.

Thanks a lot.

[Rez 4,961]

.25 mate. Hits like a sledgehammer.

 

PCP or spring is to your own desecration.

 

PCP would be sound like, mod up front and all and no recoil. You'll need a carbine or a shorty for quick manoeuvring about. Magazine ideally for the quick shots needed after dropping one. Low power scope but big front end objective for the light. Thats your spec list.

[ratbuster 808]

 

.25 indeed !

 

The middle one is a .25 BSA Supersport doing 10 fpe with Marksman 18 grains pellet, scoped with a Beeman / Wischo 1.5 - 4 x 16 with lamp, accurate, powerful ( related to its purpose) and light. I use this one at targets between 10 and 20 meters.

 

Top is a Theoben/HW model 90 in .25 (20 fpe with 20 grains H&N FTT)

 

Bottom is a Bowkett MPT in .25 doing 28 fpe with JSB Exact (26 grains)

 

I really like a . 25 for rat shooting

[Mr Muddy 141]

Thanks for the advice guys, and shopping list Rez, much appreciated.

Is there a sort of ‘measurement’ that describes that sort of scope I’ll need, A x B or whatever?

[the big chief 3,099]

get a bsa lightning in 177 or 22 good guns cheap enough to buy scope i would get a 3x9x40 you probably pick up a package deal if you go 2nd hand

[Rez 4,961]

A lightening in .177 for rattin?!

 

The chap above dont know what he's on about

Edited October 16, 2014 by Rez

[Jake w 232]

Lightning in .25 pick one up cheap enough mate

[shergar 42]

whatever you do don't get a lightning there shite

 

bsa ultra is a much better option , any calibre will do the job doesn't matter if it's .177 .22 or .25 when you hit them in the head there dead .

 

I would go for the .177, in 12 fpe I think is the more versatile calibre if your quarry situation changes if you know what I mean.

 

but if you want a springer you won't go far wrong with a hw 95

 

shergar

[Rez 4,961]

If he's just starting out with air rifles, it'll take him a month to get his groups down to an inch with a springer, we all know that.

 

Get a PCP mate and you'll be dropping um from the go especially if your sued to your rat catcher.

[Coypu Hunter 486]

If he's just starting out with air rifles, it'll take him a month to get his groups down to an inch with a springer, we all know that.

 

Get a PCP mate and you'll be dropping um from the go especially if your sued to your rat catcher.

 

That's all very well, but he also said "cheap." How many cheap PCPs have you come across? Or scuba tanks? Or pumps?

 

Nah, get a springer, HW95 will do, zero at at your normal shooting distance and practise until you can hit a one-inch target every time. Google "artillery hold for air rifles" and you'll learn how to hold the rifle to achieve best results.

[the big chief 3,099]

A lightening in .177 for rattin?!

 

The chap above dont know what he's on about

haha silly boy loads use 177 for ratting seems you don't know what ya on about

[shergar 42]

I think he means the gun in question not the calibre

[steve66 3,650]

Killed plenty with a lightening in 177, having said that killed loads with a cheap smk in 22

[Rez 4,961]

Get a 25 mate for rattin. I can guarantee you you'll kill more first shot with it than you will with a 177. If you get a springer, you'll miss more or wound more than you would with a pcp. The puffs above clearly are referencing there own 'abilities' than actually answering your question. That's half the problem with this forum. It's about how good we all are at shooting... When really you've asked as what's best for shooting rats. 25. Or a larger calibre than 177. PCP. No recoil. Hit what your aiming at if your new to springers, you won't. Granted it may be a bit more cost wise but the deals in the secondhand part of these forums will be perfect.

 

Good luck with it all. And don't get a lightning. There shit. I've owned two. If you do choose to get a spring powered rifle, as mentioned get a 95 or even a 99. And not an ice cream.

Edited October 19, 2014 by Rez

[Mr Muddy 141]

Thank you all for your advice. I have googled every gun that everyone on this thread has mentioned.

 

I do a bit of diving, so a scuba tank for a PCP won’t be a problem (although I don’t know what the valve/adapter for filling a rifle is going to cost me).

One gun I do like the look of is a Walther Rotex R8 .22 – mostly because it looks like it should be a lot more expensive than it actually is (I don’t think it comes as a .25 though).

I don’t know what your opinion is on that: OK for a beginner? A bit heavy perhaps? (I’m 5.5 and slowly shrinking – if that makes any difference).

 

Again, any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks a lot.