20 yard rat gun on a low budget?

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Greenarrow

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Feb 14, 2017
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Puyallup, WA
thecrookednail.blogspot.com
I have a buddy with a migrating rat problem from the neighbors coop. One of the ways he wants to handle the problem is shoot the ones that make their way to his side of the fence. He has tried the box store stuff and is not satisfied with their offerings mainly because his wife has a hard time operating them and she is the main shooter being that she is home more frequently and sees the rats.


He is thinking pcp for ease of use for his wife. He has tried the heavy break barrels, CO2 and pumpers from the regular retail stores and those aren’t working well for her. He has shot some of my side lever guns and knows how easy those are but I really think spending that much money isn’t the way to go.


I have my own ideas on what to suggest to him but I would really like to hear what you folks would suggest. I think we all have good experience and equipment that I am not thinking of. Shooting will be in a neighborhood setting so being able to make it quiet is also a high priority.


I know this is the pcp section but I was also thinkIng along the lines of the HW30S as a suggestion. Pretty much CO2 and pumpers are out based on our conversation.


I have a pump and scope that I can give him to help with the costs if needed.


my thoughts were along the lines of the Maximus, Fortitude or a P-rod. I have not used any of these myself to really know if they are good candidates.


Thanks for your help! 🙏
 
Fortitude would bring you right in the middle of the price range for all three that you mentioned. The Maximus would be cheaper but is a single shot. Don’t know if that makes a difference or not. I have both and they would be good Rat guns. The fortitude is pretty quiet too. My maximus doesn’t have a moderator on it so it isn’t real quiet. The way them things run around, I would prefer a multi shot Just in case you missed you would have a quick back up shot.The fortitude also has the best shot count out of all three.
 
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I just bought my THIRD Crosman 1077.

It's relatively quiet as-is and semi semi automatic with 12 rounds per magazine for rats 20 yards and under. It's cheap.

The other rifles won't be as budget friendly whoch would be a Steyr PRO-X (10 shot magazine) or at least a Steyr Hunting 5 (5 shot magazine) BTTH are semiautos and buy the barrel adapter for a thread on Huggett Magna (THE BIG UN).

OH the Bemjamin Marauder Semi auto is cheaper than the Steyr PRO-X and Hunting 5.

I suggest semiautos because rats can likely require very quick additiinal shots to take them ALL OUT as quickly as possible.

https://youtu.be/4m7XhtvJtF8

https://youtu.be/aNVaNT5UOnA

https://youtu.be/aMbrkgqwvZc

https://youtu.be/MiggGk2mWtI

If she shoots either of the Steyr Semiautos or Marauder Semiauto then-

https://youtu.be/RZaPNVEcjBs

Reference from Birds of prey-

Enable popup blocker first dont click anything stupid and use return(back) to last page if necessary or start over exit then try again or use Hulu below.

WARNING ADULT LANGUAGE-

https://www9.series9.ac/film/birds-of-prey/watching.html?ep=0

https://www.hulu.com/movie/birds-of-prey-and-the-fantabulous-emancipation-of-one-harley-quinn-cc8a5bcb-f78a-4571-b68f-c38873e6d8b7?dl

http://watchforfun90.com/birds-of-prey-2020/

Prequel-

https://fsharetv.co/movie/suicide-squad:-hell-to-pay-episode-1-tt7167602


 
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Fortitude would bring you right in the middle of the price range for all three that you mentioned. The Maximus would be cheaper but is a single shot. Don’t know if that makes a difference or not. I have both and they would be good Rat guns. The fortitude is pretty quiet too. My maximus doesn’t have a moderator on it so it isn’t real quiet. The way them things run around, I would prefer a multi shot Just in case you missed you would have a quick back up shot.The fortitude also has the best shot count out of all three.
Click to expand...

This is very helpful, thank you!
 
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I just bought my THIRD Crosman 1077.

It's relatively quiet as-is and semi semi automatic with 12 rounds per magazine for rats 20 yards and under. It's cheap.

Click to expand...

I hadn’t even thought of this. I will look into it. Thank you!

Is it a heavy trigger?
Click to expand...

Ah, CO2! He specified she didn’t want to deal with the CO2.
 
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Artemis PP700SA in .22.

linkee... https://www.krale.shop/us/artemis-pp700s-a/

artemis-pp700s-a_1.1613912093.jpg


Source:

https:// www.krale.shop/media/catalog/product/cache/e8f3facdcba8bb7c90a91a6778cdffab/a/r/artemis-pp700s-a_1.jpg
 
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I will second the Fortitude because of light weight and accurate. .177 is plenty good for rats, ton of shots per fill, and with a Tanto on is the quietest set-up I have. Cons are the trigger WILL need attention and the poppet issue (which I assume applies to the Maximus and Wildfire also). Mine leaks down over about a month, so usable as is but irritating. 

The other thing I have personal experience with that I will recommend is the PP750. Sidelever, accurate (using a Bugbuster), super quiet with the Tanto. The only con I can think of is the pull out stock is too long of a length of pull for any one but Shaq at the only position factory set-up offers. That one has many cheap easy solutions though.
 
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Maximus has one advantage over all the rest. It's a 2000 PSI fill. for 20 yard rat work, you need the gun and a hand pump. Two disadvantages, single shot, and from what I hear, heavy trigger at around 4 pound pull. Doable, but depends on the shooter.

Getting any gun up to 3000 PSI is a real chore and takes the fun out of shooting. If you have tanks already, no problem, look at the Avenger. Marauder is always a solid choice. .177 is plenty for rats at 20 yards.

Have fun, lots of targets if you get my drift.
 
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if noise is Not a factor , the DAR Gen 2 rifles are getting very good reviews from most owners.

Inexpensive, side lever cocking ,accurate, repeater, nice stocks, more than enough power for ratting...

If his wife is shooting i would seriously look at a side lever, most of the lower end pcp bolt actions are pretty hard to cock at the end of the stroke due to hammer spring tension , just something to take into account IMO..

Link : DAR | Dynamic Air Rifles
 
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Crosman line I have a few of the Disco's cost wise and air wise they are a nice choice. The new models offering the multi shot breech with the 3000 psi fill has both its pro 's and cons. There are videos describing the 3 screw mod for the Disco's, don't know if it will work or the newer Maximus? Air wise a standard scuba tank will give you about 60 fills on the 2000 psi Disco. They are loud, but have proven to be the most reliable gun I've owned. I have one at almost 9 years it's still holding air.
 
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