First . 22 cal ( rats )

First, sorry for asking because im sure its asked quite alot. The rat problem in my backyard has been getting worse, and since the traps aren't working well I might as well take matters into my own hands.

Looking to spend up to 200ish. I shoot alot of rifles, but never air guns and I don't hunt. The max is like 25 yards. Maybe I'll even put targets out. Maybe this will turn into a new hobby!

I was looking at the barra 1200g dual break. I saw a few good videso on it. ( I realy like the camo version )

Is there anything else worth taking a look at for that price point?

thanks
 
The game changer for me was getting a NV scope. I shot a bunch in the beginning of my rat problem with a Crosman 2240 carbine. It’s a perfect rat gun for that distance and it’s a good price so you could use the cash for a scope clip on NV. Some use red light with success, I’ve never tried it.

Aliexpress has NV as cheap as $65 bucks. The type that clip on behind your scope. You don’t have to break the bank for rats.

I recommend CO2 because it’s a lot cheaper and easier to maintain than PCP, but you also don’t have to worry about the recoil a springer has if you decide to go with NV. The clip on type can be temperamental and you don’t want to jarring around and getting out of alignment.

I had such a rat problem, they came out at dusk while it was still a good deal of daylight. And after it got dark, dear lord they really come out. My neighbor has hunting dogs in a kennel and they knock their food out all the time. So rats are a regular occurrence at my house unfortunately.

Other pistol carbine or rifles in CO2 are the Diana Chaser or Beeman QB78.
 
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This combo is over your price point, but thoroughly effective. It’s a PP700SA, easy to hand pump, which I did for like 2 years. pard DS35 50mm. It’s a KILLER combo. I believe the DS35 is a great bargain for a ready to go pesting system. It would look big on a 2240 carbine, but it would work.

I started cheap and ended up here. I got back into AG’s to control the rodent population in my yard, and it took off as a full hobby and I have target shooting rifles now here. I just give my case as an example. You can get just what you need now like my previous post suggestions, or invest in a little more and end up where I did without wasting money on other stuff.

IMG_7298.jpeg


 
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I too have rat problems and started out with spring air rifles because some rats are too smart for traps. I would recommend like what Florida man above recommended, but a Umarex Notos which is a .22 cal.. these run 270-ish then a inexpensive hand pump like $50 from amazon, I am sure you have scopes. Also, make a bait station with a board to smear peanut butter on and a wood back stop, peanut butter so they really need to stay put to eat. An inexpensive red LED flashlight from amazon and a low wattage red LED floodlight helps them acclimate. I use this flashlight. I use a wireless doorcam to alsrt me of rat activity...😂..not fair but....👍

COSMOING 400 Yards Gun Flashlight Red/Green/White LED Tactical Rail Mounted with Quick Release, Fits Glock Taurus Ruger Springfield H&K S&W https://a.co/d/2vChKDL
 
I don't do much ratting anymore. But a budget springer is in your price range and will easily kill a rat at 40-50 yards.

Something that offered a quick follow up shot may be better. But my Hatsan 95 in .22 could easily put a killing shot on a big rat out to 50 consistently. I paid $129 for it. Another $150 in scope and mounts. It's accurate, hits hard and handles like a hunting rifle.

It may not be as effective on a barn full of rats as a repeater. But in the right situation you could make it work dandy.
 
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I started with this one for ratting, and i liked it pretty much: G-Magnum 1250 IGT Mach 1

a simple, reliable and not to expensive gun to start with.
I have a Gamo Magnum and like it a lot. It is powerful (23 - 28 fpe, depending on altitude) and accurate. But, it take some time to learn to shoot it accurately. And you don't need that much power for 25 meter ratting. Looking at discussions on this forum you will see that 7fpe is enough power for 25 meter ratting, so a 10 - 12 fpe rifle is more than enough. The most important thing is precise and accurate placement of the shot and a lesser power break barrel is much easier to learn to shoot accurate. Over the weekend I de-tuned my PCP that can shoot up to 60fpe but is normally set at 36fpe down to 7fpe to do some ratting. Also, a .177 is perfect for the job.
 
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I would think about something like this:
Consider upping your budget a little to get a cheap scope and a pump. In the long run you will probably be happier going strait to pcp vs playing around with break barrels and CO2 guns. In my opinion a cheap pcp is the better option...
 
This combo is over your price point, but thoroughly effective. It’s a PP700SA, easy to hand pump, which I did for like 2 years. pard DS35 50mm. It’s a KILLER combo. I believe the DS35 is a great bargain for a ready to go pesting system. It would look big on a 2240 carbine, but it would work.

I started cheap and ended up here. I got back into AG’s to control the rodent population in my yard, and it took off as a full hobby and I have target shooting rifles now here. I just give my case as an example. You can get just what you need now like my previous post suggestions, or invest in a little more and end up where I did without wasting money on other stuff.

View attachment 489313



Thanks
I too have rat problems and started out with spring air rifles because some rats are too smart for traps. I would recommend like what Florida man above recommended, but a Umarex Notos which is a .22 cal.. these run 270-ish then a inexpensive hand pump like $50 from amazon, I am sure you have scopes. Also, make a bait station with a board to smear peanut butter on and a wood back stop, peanut butter so they really need to stay put to eat. An inexpensive red LED flashlight from amazon and a low wattage red LED floodlight helps them acclimate. I use this flashlight. I use a wireless doorcam to alsrt me of rat activity...😂..not fair but....👍

COSMOING 400 Yards Gun Flashlight Red/Green/White LED Tactical Rail Mounted with Quick Release, Fits Glock Taurus Ruger Springfield H&K S&W https://a.co/d/2vChKDL
Thanks! Yeah the Umarex looks really nice. I don't mind spending more if its better. Its all still new to me.
 
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I too have rat problems and started out with spring air rifles because some rats are too smart for traps. I would recommend like what Florida man above recommended, but a Umarex Notos which is a .22 cal.. these run 270-ish then a inexpensive hand pump like $50 from amazon, I am sure you have scopes. Also, make a bait station with a board to smear peanut butter on and a wood back stop, peanut butter so they really need to stay put to eat. An inexpensive red LED flashlight from amazon and a low wattage red LED floodlight helps them acclimate. I use this flashlight. I use a wireless doorcam to alsrt me of rat activity...😂..not fair but....👍

COSMOING 400 Yards Gun Flashlight Red/Green/White LED Tactical Rail Mounted with Quick Release, Fits Glock Taurus Ruger Springfield H&K S&W https://a.co/d/2vChKDL
haha thanks for all the advice. The wireless camera, and bait station is what i figured I would do. I also do have a low light I put out there right now.
So a red flashlight doesn't disturb them?

Forgive me for these next two question..pretty newb. I just haven't got this far yet.
Can I put one of my sights from my ar's on it? just like a primary arms 6x24? Like are the rails the same?
and for the PCP, you pump it, but lets say I take a few shots and I'm done for the night. Do you release the air every time? Is it bad to keep it filled?
After a few shots is the accuracy lost? becuase its needs a certain psi?
 
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Thanks

Thanks! Yeah the Umarex looks really nice. I don't mind spending more if its better. Its all still new to me.
Notos is a great option, but it enters you into the pcp rabbit hole. Haha

This is what I did for my rat problem. I like I can set the camera to alert on my phone, or keep it off and monitor activity as it continues to record movement
 
Notos is a great option, but it enters you into the pcp rabbit hole. Haha

This is what I did for my rat problem. I like I can set the camera to alert on my phone, or keep it off and monitor activity as it continues to record movement
hahaha, thats amazing. I have a fence that runs along my backyard and behind it is just open brush. So I'll have to make something like this.

I know, I tend to get myself into new hobbies and was trying to avoid this one. I don't think my marrige would last another one. Maybe my wife and I can bond over it though ;). She only liked shooting my 22's, so I think this will be alot of fun.
 
haha thanks for all the advice. The wireless camera, and bait station is what i figured I would do. I also do have a low light I put out there right now.
So a red flashlight doesn't disturb them?

Forgive me for these next two question..pretty newb. I just haven't got this far yet.
Can I put one of my sights from my ar's on it? just like a primary arms 6x24? Like are the rails the same?
and for the PCP, you pump it, but lets say I take a few shots and I'm done for the night. Do you release the air every time? Is it bad to keep it filled?
After a few shots is the accuracy lost? becuase its needs a certain psi?
You want to keep air in it, and over the regulator pressure. 1900 psi in a Notos. If it loses air, it means there is a leak and an o ring needs to be replaced.

I’d recommend a AG specific scope they will parallax down to 10-15 yards. I started with a Hawke vantage 4x32 AO, and it’s still a favorite scope.

I love this scope. Light and simple.

Hawke Airmax Airgun Scope 1"
 
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You want to keep air in it, and over the regulator pressure. 1900 psi in a Notos. If it loses air, it means there is a leak and an o ring needs to be replaced.

I’d recommend a AG specific scope they will parallax down to 10-15 yards. I started with a Hawke vantage 4x32 AO, and it’s still a favorite scope.

I love this scope. Light and simple.

Hawke Airmax Airgun Scope 1"
Thanks man!

and last question. What pellets do you recommend?
 
Dont want to pump, summertime and just a shot or two at a time in winter QB78 without hesitation. If stored will lose none of you Co2, good trigger... . Well under $100 at big box stores. A Daisy M853 would work at least to 20 yards every time. Anf with going over a Benjamin 342 would be Top of the list (try Mike Baker) for me. You can hand that one down guaranteed.

Have fun! & keep us posted.


John

 
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