Your favorite gun for short range ratting?

[AnEnemyAnemone]

The OPs under $1500 budget suggests a lot of possible choices. My number one rat killer was an inexpensive, single shot Artemis pp700sa. @AnEnemyAnemone, for your intended useage you don’t need to spend bigly. Good luck with your choice.


Apologies for not getting it was a joke…

I actually was considering the PP700 and PP750... They look like great options!

I know I don't need to spend that much. Like I said, I already went the cheap route and got a Crosman 2289. It works great and accuracy and power are perfectly fine for my distances. If it weren't for the need for a night scope of some sort, I'd probably be fine with it. But like I said, momma didn't raise no quitters. Still wouldn't mind having something nicer . I find that short range seems to be underserved, or at least not talked about, when it comes to quality hardware. I don't know much about the mid-range gear, so it's nice to get opinions from you more experienced folks.

 

[pan60]

I think AoA has a used Atomic cheap its a .!7 cal I almost snagged it but I dont need it and I really hesitated to get another .17 around here if theres any wind I cant seem to hit pooo with a .17 LOL
I called AoA about it thinking maybe it could sling slugs but its just not enough gun for that.

they are great little guns though I got one for the wife, a lite little beauty she loves it

 

[CTAirgunner]

Honest to goodness the best ratting setup I had was my taipan short shooting 18.13 jsb.

I have never shot a more quiet rifle in my life, it was tuned for 23 fpe. It was like the pellets were homing pellets out of that thing.

 

[Luis Leon]

I think AoA has a used Atomic cheap its a .!7 cal I almost snagged it but I dont need it and I really hesitated to get another .17 around here if theres any wind I cant seem to hit pooo with a .17 LOL
I called AoA about it thinking maybe it could sling slugs but its just not enough gun for that.

they are great little guns though I got one for the wife, a lite little beauty she loves it

That .177 Atomic with a red light attached, night vision unnecessary, would suit the OP nicely. @AnEnemyAnemone, my pp700sa had a simple red light attached. Yes, “some” rats did alert, but for the majority it was the last thing they saw…

 

[AnEnemyAnemone]

my pp700sa had a simple red light attached. Yes, “some” rats did alert, but for the majority it was the last thing they saw…

No kidding... I guess it makes a difference if they don't get a chance to learn about the threat.

 

[Luis Leon]

No kidding... I guess it makes a difference if they don't get a chance to learn about the threat.

Just simply send as you acquire them, mission accomplished! Looking forward to reading more about your journey.

 

[Florida_Man]

I’ve killed the most rats with a Artemis (Snowpeak) PP700SA carbine. I don’t have a target rich environment, just an occasional rat here and there. It was a great platform to learn PCP’s with. I still have it and value it. I shoot 99% of the rats from the same spot 18 yards from my office window.

What I suggest, rats are what got me back into AG’s, it make sure you have a good NV scope to dedicate to that rifle. I started with a cheap scope clip on. Now I have a DS35 on my high power pest rifle and a 008 on my low power. It makes a world of difference. I’m shot rats with a 1800 dollar pcp and a stock crosman 2240. They are all equally dead.

 

[MountainSportAirguns]

My favorite gun for short range ratting is the Crosman Trapmaster 1100 shotgun with a green laser attached. My record is over 300 rats in a night with it, works perfect for heavily infested indoor commercial buildings. For some of the further more precise jobs ive enjoyed the BRK Pathfinder in .177 with a high end thermal that together pushing roughly $5k

(Note) It takes little amount of power to kill a rat, almost anything can work as long as it's accurate. The Crosman 22xx models are excellent budget friendly guns that have almost endless aftermarket support such as stocks, hot rod parts, barrels, breeches etc, You could spend $300 max and have something really nice that will work just fine and get the job done.

 

[BenjeneerJohn]

I like the Benjamin Marauder Pistol with a butt stock and a red dot. Low cost, reliable and easy upgrades.

A really low cost option would be a 362. Two or three pumps would be plenty of energy to take mice or rats.

Whatever platform you choose, try some wadcutter pellets. They are good at dumping energy due to the flat face designed to punch a clean hole in paper. Accuracy is generally great out to 15 yards.

John

 

[Farmplinker2]

Honestly, your 2289 with either a replacement breech and a 4X AO scope with a red light would be great. Springer, a Norica Titan or when Keystone Airguns is back up, a Cometa 220 with the scope/light combo.
If you don't have to worry about ricochet, one of the full-auto BB guns.

 

[AnEnemyAnemone]

Honestly, your 2289 with either a replacement breech and a 4X AO scope with a red light would be great. Springer, a Norica Titan or when Keystone Airguns is back up, a Cometa 220 with the scope/light combo.
If you don't have to worry about ricochet, one of the full-auto BB guns.

Believe me, full-auto BB is tempting! I thought about some of the break barrel pistols, too. I just don't have much faith in their precision. Based on my limited experience with break barrel rifles, and YouTube reviews, it seems like you need to get out of the budget market if you NEED precision.
And yeah, if the 2289 came with a Pic rail, I might have kept my mouth shut. Super light and handy, and well accurate enough at the desired range. I haven't tried it past 10yds yet, but it can do .25" CTC without any problem. I often tend to buy cheap, then mod and upgrade into something that ends up a lot higher cost and lower quality than if I'd just bought smart in the first place (ask me about RC cars!). I thought I might try to do it the other way this time .
I haven't come across Norica or Cometa... I'll look into those, thanks.

 

[Farmplinker2]

Believe me, full-auto BB is tempting! I thought about some of the break barrel pistols, too. I just don't have much faith in their precision. Based on my limited experience with break barrel rifles, and YouTube reviews, it seems like you need to get out of the budget market if you NEED precision.
And yeah, if the 2289 came with a Pic rail, I might have kept my mouth shut. Super light and handy, and well accurate enough at the desired range. I haven't tried it past 10yds yet, but it can do .25" CTC without any problem. I often tend to buy cheap, then mod and upgrade into something that ends up a lot higher cost and lower quality than if I'd just bought smart in the first place (ask me about RC cars!). I thought I might try to do it the other way this time .
I haven't come across Norica or Cometa... I'll look into those, thanks.

Pyramyd Air has the Noricas, and Keystone Airguns handles Cometa, but the owner is having some health problems, so you're going to have to check to see when they're up and running again. Though the AirForce International breakbarrels look like they're Cometa-based.

 

[jps2486]

RAW Micro Hunter, but the price has gone up.

 

[AnEnemyAnemone]

RAW Micro Hunter, but the price has gone up.

That thing looks awesome for a compact ratter. I kinda forgot about RAW, since they seemed to be out of stock everywhere. Same with the EVOL Mini.

 

[BenjeneerJohn]

The RAWs are a nice unit. Very accurate with plenty of power.

John

 

[mrage]

What air gun would you prefer to use for short (~5-10yds) range rat control? Under, say, $1500. Definitely under 2500.

The best gun is the one you have, and all that... I know I don't need a new gun, but momma didn't raise no quitter.

I love my Air Venturi Avenge-X Bullpup so far, but it's honestly kind of unwieldy, which defeats my reason for getting a bullpup. So I picked up a Crosman 2289 Drifter. Size and weight is fantastic, but mounting an optic is just janky. When I got it, I wasn't thinking about the fact that I would want to use it in the dark!Instead of modding it out for a scope, better forearm for pumping comfort, moderator, etc.... Perhaps I should get the gun I want instead of turning the 2289 into something it wasn't meant to be.

So. What do you like for compact, highly accurate, airguns? PCP is nice, but I'm not opposed to a good springer or nitro piston.

I did the same (Drifter) ,had the steel breach installed, scoped it , Installed Buckrail butt stock. BUT , in the dark or in a hurry, single shot guns are,,, well , tough. My preferred is Kral NP03 .22 w/ a bottle/reg. conversion. I see Airgun Depot is bringing Kral guns back ,some regulated. The NP's size is favorable over the AV for sure ,been there done that & have the pics to prove it. My longest range is 20 yards. Most are in the 12-15 distance. 16-18ftlb.s w/ CPHP's, Hades or any wadcutter in 14-17gr pellet is my normal setup. And aDonny FL Shogun moderator ( keep it quiet). I've had occasion to take up to 7 in just minutes ,not something possible w/ a springer single shot.

 

[Fishing 43]

Agt vixen short 22 caliber, tuned by Derrick Wall for 11-12 fpe/ 200+ shots. Your choice of optics.

 

[mrage]

I’ve killed the most rats with a Artemis (Snowpeak) PP700SA carbine. I don’t have a target rich environment, just an occasional rat here and there. It was a great platform to learn PCP’s with. I still have it and value it. I shoot 99% of the rats from the same spot 18 yards from my office window.

What I suggest, rats are what got me back into AG’s, it make sure you have a good NV scope to dedicate to that rifle. I started with a cheap scope clip on. Now I have a DS35 on my high power pest rifle and a 008 on my low power. It makes a world of difference. I’m shot rats with a 1800 dollar pcp and a stock crosman 2240. They are all equally dead.

I'm with you on the dedicated NV scope for the "rat gun". I tried the clip on( still have it) but just can't seem to find the right scope / gun / stock combo that's comfortable. I too started out w/ a flashlight w/ red tape over the lens & a red spot light that I sat beside me on the step I shot from. I got hooked on "rattin" so I jumped at a deal for an ATN LTV
Day/Night scope & it was all downhill after that !! I don't take videos or photos as I'm just not tech savvy & don't know editing ,etc. I settled on my Kral NP03 & the ATN 4K Pro 3x14 because the rig just does what I need it to.

 

[mrage]

I like the Benjamin Marauder Pistol with a butt stock and a red dot. Low cost, reliable and easy upgrades.

A really low cost option would be a 362. Two or three pumps would be plenty of energy to take mice or rats.

Whatever platform you choose, try some wadcutter pellets. They are good at dumping energy due to the flat face designed to punch a clean hole in paper. Accuracy is generally great out to 15 yards.

John

2nd on the wadcutters . To 20yrds ( as far as I shoot at rats in my spots) they are awesome.

 

[AnEnemyAnemone]

Well, I missed the .177 Atomic in AoA's used section. But I was already smitten... I don't have any intention of using it on pistol configuration, so I picked up the "Gotchu Iguana" Ranger XR package in .22 cal. As far as I can tell, it's the same gun, but with a Pic rail on top, no pistol config, a 0db moderator, and a nice, heavy steel iguana target.

I've had it for a few days now, but between work and weather (and lacking an adapter for the fill probe), I haven't shot it yet. Love the look and feel though! Wonderful weather this weekend, and sure enough, I'll be at work for most of it.