9mm garden gun, .410 or .22 shot cartridge for a problem rat.

[Skogsmannen]

Where I live we periodically have a few rats visiting the garden from the neighbouring industrial property. They do bait them (with limited success) and we usually try and keep on top of them with the air rifle. Neighbour has managed to trap an odd one but not many.

From time to time though, there's a big old scabby one kcking about who is too clever to show itself or stay still for long enough to be had with the air rifle so I'm looking at other possibilities. Range of around 3-5m, maybe a tad over at worst.

It would be safe to shoot the 410 (which i already have) but I'm a bit reluctant due to noise (especially at night) - I guess 2" cartridges won't be a whole lot quieter than the usual 3"? I can't really justify the cost of a hushpower at the mo, as much as I'd like one.

Other option is a 9mm garden gun - i did have one years ago but cant remember how it compared to 410 noise wise, but does mean buying a cheap one.

Last option (and I think I know what people will say) is 22shot cartridges.

 

[Bowland blades]

borrow an airgun !

 

[StephenToast]

try and get ahold of a moderated .410

 

[StephenToast]

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[Rhodesianjess]

Buy moderator for the 410, assuming that it's a single barrel. Will 2 inch Tom Thumb cartridges, not much noise.

 

[enfieldspares]

.410" with Two Inch English #9. Lyalvale load such. All 9mm RF or .22LR shot will do is make it laugh! If you can't get such use a .22 air rifle and shoot it through the shoulders.

 

[375 mag]

Neither if noise is an issue use an airgun.

 

[Henns]

Having owned a 9mm garden gun, I'd say it's very ineffective for all but very close range shots. Airgun with some NV equipment is much better for rats

 

[takbok]

22lr shot cartridge will work very well at 3-5m. I've shot both rats and snakes with then.

 

[Confidis]

.410" with Two Inch English #9. Lyalvale load such. All 9mm RF or .22LR shot will do is make it laugh! If you can't get such use a .22 air rifle and shoot it through the shoulders.

Absolutely the best shot placement.

 

[Pedro]

Get a cat.

 

[camodog]

Shot lots of rats for friends and associates from windows/patio doors/sheds etc in urban/town gardens & yards. 9mm garden gun every time. Effective and reasonably quiet ( much quieter than a .410) up to maybe 8 yds. Especially if as you say this particular rat won't stop still long enough for air-rifle, then the 9 mm is the perfect tool for the job !

 

[User00047]

Grab the 9 milli

 

[Fursty Ferret]

Garden gun will be fine at the ranges you predict

 

[shakey jake]

why not set some break back traps in boxes, cost less than a new gun and work all day and night

 

[Smellydog]

I use to load a 1/4oz load of #7.5shot in a 410 hushpower for garden work. I used green dot powder. Very quiet and killed rats and squirrels on the bird feeder. Neighbor's heard nothing.

 

[Sika98k]

2” 410 is pretty quiet. A 9 mil would be better but probably not as available.

 

[Colonel]

Get some bait stations around the place, job done

 

[Skogsmannen]

Thanks for the replies. The trusty old bsa springer does account for a fair few but this one is evading me. Tje company behind do have plenty of bait boxes but I think either don't refill them often enough or some of the rats seem to tolerate it better as they seem to come in waves. Traps wise, thats's fine for the younger, less wily ones, it's the big manky old ones, who didn't get big, manky and old by being daft.

I think someone did try the cat route a little while ago as suddenly there were a load of seemingly stray kittens kicking about - no rats for a while and then the cats started disappearing, which was a bit of a shame.

Did make enquiries into fitting a mod onto my 410 a while ago but sounded like the work turning the end of the rib off wouldn't really be worth it for what the value of the shotgun is. That baikal hushpower seems a good price and isn't a million miles away though, but still a chunk more than an old b/a garden gun.

Haven't seen the big rat for a few days but it'll not be far away.

 

[Dunwaters]

Thanks for the replies. The trusty old bsa springer does account for a fair few but this one is evading me. Tje company behind do have plenty of bait boxes but I think either don't refill them often enough or some of the rats seem to tolerate it better as they seem to come in waves. Traps wise, thats's fine for the younger, less wily ones, it's the big manky old ones, who didn't get big, manky and old by being daft.

I think someone did try the cat route a little while ago as suddenly there were a load of seemingly stray kittens kicking about - no rats for a while and then the cats started disappearing, which was a bit of a shame.

Did make enquiries into fitting a mod onto my 410 a while ago but sounded like the work turning the end of the rib off wouldn't really be worth it for what the value of the shotgun is. That baikal hushpower seems a good price and isn't a million miles away though, but still a chunk more than an old b/a garden gun.

Haven't seen the big rat for a few days but it'll not be far away.

Keep at it, you only need to get lucky once, the rat has to be lucky every day.