Air rifle for shooting rats?
Discussion
If its close range 10/15 yds then you dont need to spend a fortune - most of the budget spring rifles will do it, Stoeger X20, SMK 19, Hatsan 900, the list is endless.
If you want accurancy and consistancy, quality and a retention of value in the future or something to last you forever by a Weihrauch HW99 in 22. Job done forever on budget.
If you want to go all out overkill (no pun intended) then any of the current crop of Precharge rifles from Weihrauch, AirArms, BSA, FX etc with digital day/night scope or even thermal is the ultimate tool for ratting. Currently playing with an AGT Vixen with a Hik Panther Thermal on it and its great for rats if not a tad pricey.
If you want accurancy and consistancy, quality and a retention of value in the future or something to last you forever by a Weihrauch HW99 in 22. Job done forever on budget.
If you want to go all out overkill (no pun intended) then any of the current crop of Precharge rifles from Weihrauch, AirArms, BSA, FX etc with digital day/night scope or even thermal is the ultimate tool for ratting. Currently playing with an AGT Vixen with a Hik Panther Thermal on it and its great for rats if not a tad pricey.
Ziplobb said:
If its close range 10/15 yds then you dont need to spend a fortune - most of the budget spring rifles will do it, Stoeger X20, SMK 19, Hatsan 900, the list is endless.
If you want accurancy and consistancy, quality and a retention of value in the future or something to last you forever by a Weihrauch HW99 in 22. Job done forever on budget.
If you want to go all out overkill (no pun intended) then any of the current crop of Precharge rifles from Weihrauch, AirArms, BSA, FX etc with digital day/night scope or even thermal is the ultimate tool for ratting. Currently playing with an AGT Vixen with a Hik Panther Thermal on it and its great for rats if not a tad pricey.
Thank you. Brill. You on the Isle of Wight? Is the gun shop in Newport any good?If you want accurancy and consistancy, quality and a retention of value in the future or something to last you forever by a Weihrauch HW99 in 22. Job done forever on budget.
If you want to go all out overkill (no pun intended) then any of the current crop of Precharge rifles from Weihrauch, AirArms, BSA, FX etc with digital day/night scope or even thermal is the ultimate tool for ratting. Currently playing with an AGT Vixen with a Hik Panther Thermal on it and its great for rats if not a tad pricey.
Huntsman said:
I'll need to be careful or my surroundings.
Very prudent. And you can buy a suppressor these days to limit sound.https://airgunshooting.co.uk/article/air-rifle-mod...
I would buy once cry once with an air rifle. Ultimately, you need to head shoot rats, which is a pretty small target that you’ll struggle with with a cheap, usually inaccurate air rifle and cheap scope. Couple that with them being largely nocternal, you need a half decent optic as well. In my opinion, a BSA Lightning, Air arms TX200 or any weihrach spring/gas ram rifle will be perfect
philrs03 said:
I would buy once cry once with an air rifle. Ultimately, you need to head shoot rats, which is a pretty small target that you’ll struggle with with a cheap, usually inaccurate air rifle and cheap scope. Couple that with them being largely nocternal, you need a half decent optic as well. In my opinion, a BSA Lightning, Air arms TX200 or any weihrach spring/gas ram rifle will be perfect
Largely nocturnal? There f
kers arent, bold as brass, all afternoon, scurrying about.I don't shoot animals, just targets, but either way, accuracy and consistency are obviously what you are after.
I have a heavily modified Weihrauch 99s and a 97k and they are pretty much equally excellent, I just prefer the 97k for the looks as it has a blue laminate stock. I also have a modded 45 pistol, which is fun but not much good for rodent dispatch unless it's pretty close range.
I have a Hawke scope and a Nikko Stirling scope and they are both as good as each other - the Hawke has a lifetime warranty though, so that is a bonus.
Try a multitude of pellets as each gun will have a preferred pellet, you can buy sample packs. I generally stick to JSB as they end to be consistently high quality.
I have a heavily modified Weihrauch 99s and a 97k and they are pretty much equally excellent, I just prefer the 97k for the looks as it has a blue laminate stock. I also have a modded 45 pistol, which is fun but not much good for rodent dispatch unless it's pretty close range.
I have a Hawke scope and a Nikko Stirling scope and they are both as good as each other - the Hawke has a lifetime warranty though, so that is a bonus.
Try a multitude of pellets as each gun will have a preferred pellet, you can buy sample packs. I generally stick to JSB as they end to be consistently high quality.
Rats are pretty canny and will soon learn that being out in daylight is unhealthy. If its short range there are a multitude of cheap electric NV sights available. As you have said make sure you have a backstop. With a 12ftlb rifle hitting the head or front third will be humane.
It might be worth have a look around for where they are nesting and what the food source is.
I had some living under my deck so lifted a few boards to find the hole. Covered the area with postfix and no more now under the deck.
Unfortunately I have a school close by and the kids drop crisps and all sorts so there is a permeant food source that I cannot do anything about.
Be V careful handling the ones you dispatch esp, wash you hands or use gloves and be careful of the areas they have been running around. Weils disease is spread via rat urine coming into contact with cuts or scratches or touching eyes or mouth with hands etc. Rare in the UK but unpleasant.
It might be worth have a look around for where they are nesting and what the food source is.
I had some living under my deck so lifted a few boards to find the hole. Covered the area with postfix and no more now under the deck.
Unfortunately I have a school close by and the kids drop crisps and all sorts so there is a permeant food source that I cannot do anything about.
Be V careful handling the ones you dispatch esp, wash you hands or use gloves and be careful of the areas they have been running around. Weils disease is spread via rat urine coming into contact with cuts or scratches or touching eyes or mouth with hands etc. Rare in the UK but unpleasant.
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