I am seriously considering getting one of these rifles. I really like having a semi-auto option. Does anyone have personal experience with them? What are the pros and cons. Is it a legitimate deer hunting rifle, or should I get something else for deer hunting?
Western Rattler .357 Advice/Input?
- Thread starter PCP Airfunner
- Start date
There's not a lot of them out there in the wild yet, so not much personal experiences aside from videos. But based on the specs and videos on it, there definitely enough power and accuracy to ethically hunt deer. First check the hunting laws in your region. Firearms limitations carry over to airguns most of times. This will dictate whether the power, caliber size and magazine capacity is lawful. The Rattler's indexing magazine may not be allowed because of potential shot capacity, the inability to be "plugged" or the like. With a bunch of restrictions, a single loader like an XP, Extreme, or AF Texan may be the only legal route. If rules dictate a bigger bore than 357 or limiting shot capacity, but you want multiple shots rather than a single loader, the Benjamin Bulldog 457 has a three shot tray, but you'd be cocking it.
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Oh Cool. Thanks for the response. Yeah, I've checked the laws. I'm in Michigan. The regulations here state the following requirements for hunting deer: "A .35-caliber or larger air rifle or pistol charged only from an external, highcompression power source." So in this case, I'm fairly conficent that Rattler should be legal for whitetail deer during the normal firearm season. I am really considering this gun but am trying to do my homewok on this since it is so expensive. Thanks again for taking the time to chat.
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It’s an exceptional piece of work imo. My one comment would be unless you plan on firing multiple successive shots I think there’s no advantage to having a Rattler. The single shot big bores like what was mentioned by @Airgun-hobbyist would have 2-3x power output and likely be more accurate, especially at longer ranges. Personally I don’t hunt, but if I did I’d want to go as high power as possible. For less than the cost of a rattler you can get a custom Airforce from lethal air doing 1,200 fpe.
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If AirGuns ever become legal to hunt big game in NY or PA, I’m quite certain my choice will be between an AF Texan or the PitBull (upgrade of the Benjamin Bulldog). More research is in order on my part for the PitBull. I like the bullpup chassis and rotary magazine vs the single shot only AF in a hunting kit.
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They have one called the Bush Pig in .45 cal. I am considering this option too. Might be more practical for my needs. See link below.
https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/big-bore-airguns/western-bush-pig-.45-carbine-flat-dark-earth/
https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/big-bore-airguns/western-bush-pig-.45-carbine-flat-dark-earth/
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I was loaned a .357 Rattler this weekend and I shot cast slugs by the owner. Nailed a jackrabbit at 155 yards. Awesome and accurate power but I have no numbers available. And I didn't want or need to play with the adjuster. I wanted to hunt instead of spending time on the chrony.
Missed 2 coyotes, but that was my fault--ranging errors. If I wanted to hunt deer with it, I'm sure it would get the job done.
What did I not like about it? Not much. Shot count was reasonable, I think I was getting at least 3 magazines with one fill while ground squirrel hunting. As other LCS threads have stated, you'll know you'll need more air when it starts misfiring. No big deal, just bring plenty of air. It was a bit heavy, but I had big glass on it. Kinda wish there was a place to put a one point sling on the side near the breach somewhere.
My first full experience hunting with a semi-auto airgun. I loved it. I caught myself reaching for the sidelever once. There wasn't any zombies around, so I didn't do any mag dumping.
Missed 2 coyotes, but that was my fault--ranging errors. If I wanted to hunt deer with it, I'm sure it would get the job done.
What did I not like about it? Not much. Shot count was reasonable, I think I was getting at least 3 magazines with one fill while ground squirrel hunting. As other LCS threads have stated, you'll know you'll need more air when it starts misfiring. No big deal, just bring plenty of air. It was a bit heavy, but I had big glass on it. Kinda wish there was a place to put a one point sling on the side near the breach somewhere.
My first full experience hunting with a semi-auto airgun. I loved it. I caught myself reaching for the sidelever once. There wasn't any zombies around, so I didn't do any mag dumping.
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Were you mostly stationary or were you walking/stalking? I think that’s my biggest worry with a Rattler is I see a lot of people talk about how big and heavy it is. I wish I could hold one before purchasing.
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All of the above. Owner put an Arken SH-4 scope on it, and you can imagine the weight of a 34mm scope tube. I also brought along my own Athlon 1” scope. That made things quite a bit lighter. I’ve got one of those triangle shaped forend grips for the bottom rail. Kinda wish I had thought to bring that along since it would have made carrying it more comfortable.
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I also watched it and wondered myself if that gun is not a bit too heavy to walk around with. Should be more comfortable with a sling of some sorts.
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I may be a little late to the party. 
I say, get one.
I'm in Michigan also. My Rattler .357 has been used successfully on 4 deer, 6 coyote, and 3 2000 lb dairy cow. (Farms call when they need one dispatched while enclosed areas with hundreds of other cows near by. The sound is more environmentally friendly compared to their .410 slug to the brain pan.)
I'm using NSA 125g for deer hunting. 918 average fps/234 fpe.
Yotes, I use 93g NSA. 1010 fps average w/210 fpe.
Furthest shot on a deer, 125 yds.
Furthest yote, 150yds.
Furthest cow, muzzle rested top of the skull north of the eyes, downward into the brain stem.
For plinking or small pests, coons and woodchuck, I prefer 79g NSA. I can't recall the numbers off hand. But you can imagine it simply does the job.
Mine was one of the very first that shipped out. It had some frustrating issues that needed attention. So far, the bugs appear to have been worked out and I'm back to spring woodchuck busting. 12 so far and counting.
I'm just outside of Lansing. If you'd still like to get your hands on one. I'd be happy to meet near my place. I've got a regular 300yd range handy and all the woodchuck we can shoot. Every farm around me has given me permission to remove chuck, yotes, and coons. It's a target rich environment.
Cheers!
K9
I say, get one.
I'm in Michigan also. My Rattler .357 has been used successfully on 4 deer, 6 coyote, and 3 2000 lb dairy cow. (Farms call when they need one dispatched while enclosed areas with hundreds of other cows near by. The sound is more environmentally friendly compared to their .410 slug to the brain pan.)
I'm using NSA 125g for deer hunting. 918 average fps/234 fpe.
Yotes, I use 93g NSA. 1010 fps average w/210 fpe.
Furthest shot on a deer, 125 yds.
Furthest yote, 150yds.
Furthest cow, muzzle rested top of the skull north of the eyes, downward into the brain stem.
For plinking or small pests, coons and woodchuck, I prefer 79g NSA. I can't recall the numbers off hand. But you can imagine it simply does the job.
Mine was one of the very first that shipped out. It had some frustrating issues that needed attention. So far, the bugs appear to have been worked out and I'm back to spring woodchuck busting. 12 so far and counting.
I'm just outside of Lansing. If you'd still like to get your hands on one. I'd be happy to meet near my place. I've got a regular 300yd range handy and all the woodchuck we can shoot. Every farm around me has given me permission to remove chuck, yotes, and coons.
It's a target rich environment.Cheers!
K9
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Wow man. Thanks for all the detail. I am just south of you, in Holt. I ended up having some other bills I needed to pay, so I'm holding off on such a purchase for now. I'd love to take a couple of shots with that thing to see how powerful it is. I have an AEA Zeus .72 and an AEA Max .45. I haven't shot either of them yet. I have had a few other AEA guns (M50, Terminator .357, and HP Backpacker .30) and recently traded/sold those. I'd love to come out to your area and meet up sometime. Maybe after the Spring Semester ends (I'm teaching at MSU this semester). I really want to go deer hunting but haven't had much time away from work since I moved out here. I'd be down to hunt some other game/pests, too, if it's legal. I've got a wife and kid to feed, so I work crazy hours. Let's keep in touch.I may be a little late to the party.
I say, get one.
I'm in Michigan also. My Rattler .357 has been used successfully on 4 deer, 6 coyote, and 3 2000 lb dairy cow. (Farms call when they need one dispatched while enclosed areas with hundreds of other cows near by. The sound is more environmentally friendly compared to their .410 slug to the brain pan.)
I'm using NSA 125g for deer hunting. 918 average fps/234 fpe.
Yotes, I use 93g NSA. 1010 fps average w/210 fpe.
Furthest shot on a deer, 125 yds.
Furthest yote, 150yds.
Furthest cow, muzzle rested top of the skull north of the eyes, downward into the brain stem.
For plinking or small pests, coons and woodchuck, I prefer 79g NSA. I can't recall the numbers off hand. But you can imagine it simply does the job.
Mine was one of the very first that shipped out. It had some frustrating issues that needed attention. So far, the bugs appear to have been worked out and I'm back to spring woodchuck busting. 12 so far and counting.
I'm just outside of Lansing. If you'd still like to get your hands on one. I'd be happy to meet near my place. I've got a regular 300yd range handy and all the woodchuck we can shoot. Every farm around me has given me permission to remove chuck, yotes, and coons.
Cheers!
K9
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Not a problem.
I'm actually in Williamston. I've thought about gong with the Zeus in the past. I just like things to be a bit more quite.
This Rattler is about as quite as to be expected at the muzzle shooting the levels I'm shooting. The real noise comes from the magazine/rear block. Generally is tolerable as I'm deaf as a post anyway. But wow, every so often it'll bark in my ear and it's just not comfortable. I may start using a foamy ear plug in my right ear to help save what I have left. It's definitely legal doing what I do here. I've got full permission in writing for the properties, and I'm in possession of a State of Michigan Nuisance Control license.
When working on commercial properties, I'm licensed and insured. The species I deal with in the regular routine, I don't have to log and submit reports for. I only need to follow the rules set for proper carcass disposal.
On the properties around live stock and equipment I mainly use .22/.25 cal. If and when we get together, I've got extras to loan out.
Cheers!
K9
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