Rat Gun - FAC or 12 ft/lb

[jall55]

If you can get a variation fairly easily and have a number to deal with, get an FAC .22.

I rat quite regularly, 2 lads with sub 12s and me with my FAC .22. Zero need for range estimation shot placement less fussy (unless huge then a Texas heart shot really is a heart shot). A sub 12 works but an FAC works better, as in it will give you more opportunities. We have done several 100+ 3hr sessions and I always account for around 2/3rds of the bag for the above reasons.

Plus FAC air rifles secondhand are cheaper.

If a variation is is a PITA go sub 12 .22…..

Or get a moderated .410 for more fun

I have been using my moderated 12 ! Shot 200 in 4 nights on the feeders !

 

[Pedro]

I suppose if you have a s/g certificate, in some circumstances maybe a wee garden gun might be useful, a 9mm or .410 shotgun is useful if the buggers are running about the place. Although the noise would likely scare off it's pals for a while.

 

[billy_boyle_2010]

Sub 12 IMO. And PCP ideally if you're doing it regularly.

Leave it in your car and go after work and don't worry about it

.22 works far better on rats IME. Its just more forgiving if you're slightly off and kills quicker. Although both work if the pellet is in the perfect place.

 

[Overlay]

All I use is a PCP 12ft In .177 with bisley pellets
and my old pard 007 on the back it’s a rat slayer no other word for it, the same for Rabbits or feral pigeons 35 yds and anywhere back from there
i’ve got an inch hawke scope with bell end parallax the accuracy of the rifle and the crystal clear NV work spot on, once set up you won’t need anything else
bit before xmas i shot 59 rats for 60 shots i wasted one shot on a big doe rat that was wriggling around

The only thing I’m thinking of changing is to use a 940 covert IR. as I’m pretty sure the standard 850 IR made a few rats a wee bit jumpy the other night that was a back stop of a huge pile of straw horse manure which was throwing bright and as the view was spot on through scope i didn’t touch the illumination

 

[25 Sharps]

I have been using my moderated 12 ! Shot 200 in 4 nights on the feeders !

Yep, that’ll work, cheaper then .410 too!

 

[25 Sharps]

I suppose if you have a s/g certificate, in some circumstances maybe a wee garden gun might be useful, a 9mm or .410 shotgun is useful if the buggers are running about the place. Although the noise would likely scare off its pals for a while.

I have a 9 mm, I take it occasionally and then it gets out away again as I am reminded how useless it is, anything over 5 yards and the rats just jump in the air and run off!

 

[Pedro]

I have a 9 mm, I take it occasionally and then it gets out away again as I am reminded how useless it is, anything over 5 yards and the rats just jump in the air and run off!

Fair enough.

 

[Gm81]

I used to shoot a lot of rat in waste transfer. Had a hw100 with a NV scope and it was brilliant. Didn't wreck the building as rats run across places.
Bought and fac air arms s410 running 27ftlb. It was better for pigeon roost shooting. I think it passed through rats a lot more. A change of pellet maybe would sort that. But backstop was something to think of. It would pass through rats and the tin sheets of a building. So not so good for that. Made it a lot more awkward
The hw100 was fun and quick. Killed rats so easy as they are accurate. The 410 would kill them better shooting them up the rear.

 

[Smellydog]

I use a modded 12g too and a HMR but you do get more shots with air and it's a lot cheaper.

 

[Bo Diddley]

BSA Ultra sub 12 in .177 is all you need, reliable and cheap 2nd hand. Look for a cared for MMC multi-shot

 

[rookyshot]

I have been using my moderated 12 ! Shot 200 in 4 nights on the feeders !

That’s a good result, one option I was considering was a 410 hush power pump action with a light attached. Have you mounted a light on the shot gun @jall55 or does someone lamp for you?

 

[rookyshot]

I used to shoot a lot of rat in waste transfer. Had a hw100 with a NV scope and it was brilliant. Didn't wreck the building as rats run across places.
Bought and fac air arms s410 running 27ftlb. It was better for pigeon roost shooting. I think it passed through rats a lot more. A change of pellet maybe would sort that. But backstop was something to think of. It would pass through rats and the tin sheets of a building. So not so good for that. Made it a lot more awkward
The hw100 was fun and quick. Killed rats so easy as they are accurate. The 410 would kill them better shooting them up the rear.

An HW100 is fast looking like the solution, particularly as my main requirement is short distance around farm buildings.

 

[Smellydog]

That’s a good result, one option I was considering was a 410 hush power pump action with a light attached. Have you mounted a light on the shot gun @jall55 or does someone lamp for you?

I did on my 410. I made a bracket.
I just use a torch, red. Slide the shot gun over the arm holding the torch.

 

[25 Sharps]

That’s a good result, one option I was considering was a 410 hush power pump action with a light attached. Have you mounted a light on the shot gun @jall55 or does someone lamp for you?

I use on of those screw on figure of 8 clamp type torch mounts on the mod of my .410 hushpower, with a red LED torch, works really well.

I start the evening just lampung then as the evening gets on and the get jumpy as I have a thermal I tend to spot with the thermal then light them up and shoot.

 

[jall55]

That’s a good result, one option I was considering was a 410 hush power pump action with a light attached. Have you mounted a light on the shot gun @jall55 or does someone lamp for you?

I have put a thermion on top - It really is amazing
The rats on the feeders run for cover into the brambles but i can still see them !

 

[Rake Aboot]

I just bought a tx200 in fac flavour
As has been said, I’m in Scotland so why wouldn’t you.?

Sub 12 is ample for rats

 

[Franchi Matt]

12ftlb is more than enough for a rat, I have a Webley exocet that often takes things cleanly out to 50/60ft using a dome top pellet of any brand.

 

[Smellydog]

12ftlb is more than enough for a rat, I have a Webley exocet that often takes things cleanly out to 50/60ft using a dome top pellet of any brand.

Were they made by Weirach

 

[jall55]

I suppose if you have a s/g certificate, in some circumstances maybe a wee garden gun might be useful, a 9mm or .410 shotgun is useful if the buggers are running about the place. Although the noise would likely scare off it's pals for a while.

All they do pedro is run into what they think is cover - the brambles or braken - with the thermal i can still see them
I actually used normal cartridges last night becuause i have run out of subs - no difference

 

[jall55]

I use a modded 12g too and a HMR but you do get more shots with air and it's a lot cheaper.

Hi Smelly
I had been out time and again with the rifle but i could not shoot them in the brambles etc so had to wait - My average was perhaps only 6/7 a night
The shotgun has transformed things for me - and them !