Self-Loading Western Rattler .357 Questions from a Hunter

[Solo1]

Was the assortment you bought metric or American? Order the opposite from amazon

 

[Ezana4CE]

Was the assortment you bought metric or American? Order the opposite from amazon

@Solo1 I’ll have to check. I think I bought one of each.

 

[Solo1]

@Solo1 I’ll have to check. I think I bought one of each.

If you got 1 of each i would think you have the right 1 in 1 of them. Find the 1 that fits the best and say a little prayer while you screw it iin

 

[Ezana4CE]

@Solo1 I thought so too.

 

[Ezana4CE]

Another thing I thought about the Rattler while night hunting. Light reflected off of the power wheel and shiny chromed screws (this can be moon light or artificial light) can give away your position if you are stalking or just walking between stands. Why would they design a hunting rifle with shiny parts? This is an issue in the day time as well. The magazine can also reflect light. That and the fact that it was not and still has not been designed to easily connect a 2-point sling is very strange for a hunting gun design. These things can be improved.

 

[Ezana4CE]

I wanted to update this thread. Last year (or the year before, I can't remember) I lost a set screw on a hunt out of my K&L aftermarket buttstock purchased from AOA. Life happened and I had other priorities for a time. I saw that it was getting loose, didn't know what it did, procrastinated on doing something about it, and this is the result of my procrastination. This screw hold the shoulder "pads" (they are rigid and far from padded) vertical and stiff. As a result, my shoulder pad swivels and knocks around making noise. I contacted AOA and K&L about it asking for the set screw size. They responded with recommending different sized screws, I bought the set screw sizes that were recommended and none fit without feeling like I was going to be forcing the screw into the threads after 1-2 turns. I recently picked up with trying to resolve this issue with AOA (K&L responded once and then I was essentially ghosted via email) and was told I'd probably be better served to remove the stock and take it to a hardware store to try to find a screw. Unfortunately for me we don't have a hardware store close and the ones around me have a pretty slim selection of set screws. I also tried buying an assortment package from Harbor Freight and none fit. I'll eventually remove the stock and see if I can find someone with the right size set screw, but this had been a major PITA to me.

However, the update is that I was told that AOA now sells a Western Airguns branded butt stock. It looks pretty similar to the K&L stock, but I was told it is a new design. I asked if they use the same screw size and the response was the Western design uses a smaller screw. Sucks for me.

Here's a link to the new after market Western buttstocks for the Rattler. If you look at how it can be adjusted and mounted with a left or right slant (2nd photo in the link below), this is how mine moves freely since I lost that screw.
View attachment 22596

Western Airguns Western Airguns Adjustable Butt Pad with Sling attachment for Sidewinder and Rattler - Gun Stocks & Grips

Upgrade your Western Sidewinder or Rattler air rifle with the Western Airguns Adjustable Butt Plate and Pad with Sling Mount. Engineered for comfort and precision, this accessory offers three points of adjustment for a fully customizable shooting experience.<br /><br />Easily raise or lower the...

www.airgunsofarizona.com

At least anyone interested can be directed to a product they can actually purchase. While it was fully assembled, it was a decent stock. Hard pads, but at least it makes the rifle slingable and much easier to sling-carry afield.

Oh happy day!! I got this K&L buttstock missing set screw issue resolved. The screw never fell out, it was still in there just loose and extremely recessed. Because it was so far down in there, I was unable to turn another set screw more than 3-4 turns.


Shane at AOA provided the correct size which is #10-32 and comes with a 3/16” length which I think should be longer as not to protrude from the hole once fully tightened. Anyhow, I wanted to set the record straight on this. If in doubt take a flashlight and look down that hole. I did this once before years ago. Stupid mistake.

 

[Tunafish]

Today I came across some hogs on a property that I help manage. They weren’t that sharp as I drove up on them while talking to the property owner on the phone. Once I realized what they were I took a photo and backed up my truck to head home and grab a gun.
View attachment 8531
The first thing I grabbed was my Rattler .357, slugs, snake boots, and SCBA tank and hit the door. Why i packed a SCBA tank I do not know. When I returned to the property it took me about a half hour, but I tracked the hogs down crossing a road in the woods. I walked to the edge of the road, knelt down, and when I saw one coming out of the brush I aimed for the the head/neck area and let a shot rip. It was loud and I had hogs on both sides of my scrambling. I never found any blood and it didn’t squeal long or loudly. I did not hear a loud crash, although I heard them running into and through thickets violently. Another group doubled back through the woods, winded me, and bolted back across the road behind me. I counted 5 through my scope. I’m just not used to hunting with semis so I have to practice double taps and such. It doesn’t come natural with airguns to keep shooting. After they seemed to stop running and stirring in the brush I went to investigate the area I thought the hog was in when I took my shot. I didn’t see an indication of a hit.

Then I crossed the fence line to the adjacent property to see if a hog was bedded down anywhere (I assist both property owners when I have time). I checked the creek bed and made noise around the thicket. I didn’t jump a hog. Now all this time I’m carrying this gun with my AccuTac still attached. I don’t have a sling and this thing is heavy to carry.

1) This is not a light air rifle and I did not enjoy toting it through the brush. So one question I have is, how do Rattler .357 owners securely install a sling that you don’t have to worry about coming off? At what points do you affix the posts? I’m still not used to this gun. I got wasn’t for the adrenaline rush of the tracking and stalking, I’d have been pissed that I missed.

2) My reg is set at 140 bar. When filling beyond 240 bar it seems to push the reg up to 150 bar. This affects my POI on my first shot or two. How do I correct this issue? If the reg needs a rebuild I'll need more advice than "the reg needs a rebuild" because I know nothing about these regulators.

3) I'd really like to quiet the gun down. This was my first time shooting it without ear protection and it produced a considerably loud crack. Initially I thought I hit the hog. The way it took off through the brush without hearing it crash. I questioned it. When I found no blood I knew I had not hit it. I just scared the hair off of his hide. Some of the others too. How do I effectively quiet this thing down without negatively altering the performance? I may have been able to take two shots if the report was a lot quieter.

You correct that regulator issue by “Purging” your rifle prior to hunting. ( take to shots into the ground then hunt.
The best airguns in the world need to be purged, ie; FX M4 . This should fix issue so you get consistent FPS

 

[Airgun-hobbyist]

You correct that regulator issue by “Purging” your rifle prior to hunting. ( take to shots into the ground then hunt.
The best airguns in the world need to be purged, ie; FX M4 . This should fix issue so you get consistent FPS

With the Rattler's, there hasn't historically been complaints of regulator creep, as is with FX. Likely then something is "sticking" withing the regulator and then relasing when the higher cylinder pressure is reached. So, to correct the faulty regulator would be to disassemble the whole gun, cleaning all internals, look for abnormalities or witness marks where someth5may be touching or sticking, polishing or lubing as necessary, and reassembling.