Thread: Do cheap air rifles actually work well for rats etc?

Originally Posted by altair

Have a Benjamin Varmint (Crosman) a .22 which cost me $400 new.

I'm wondering if these cheaper air rifles are actually any good for this purpose of shooting rats? Seems to have a good punch for an air rifle, sends flat head pellets right through the rats when I manage to hit them.

Seems everyone else has $800-1000 flash air rifles..do you actually need to spend that much for accuracy and reliability, or will a cheapie like this do the job? Surely it would? be happy to buy an expensive one, but life gets in the way!

The $500 Stoeger I had seemed a better rifle.....

Just after opinions, how many of you on here have used cheaper air rifles with success?

Cheers

If you are only shooting rats (but i have slocked bigger critters) get a C02 rifle like the cr600w from Gun city, this is very accurate at 20m and quite quiet with the factory suppressor, GC also have started selling the Crosman 2250B carbine c02, this is alot louder with no suppressor as std but also a fun little gun. (I have both these in my collection and are both my go to for pests like rats and Starlings - both have been severally modified)

Ive written all my 2 cents worth about air rifles in some place in this forum a few months ago if you can find it that will give you some tips with pellets etc....

Another option for pests if you want to stay with a brake barrel will be a kids rifle like Hatsan Striker or similar - alot cheaper for you but here is a little secret about youth air rifles - they are most of the time more accurate for shorter shot ranges as due to being less powerful and obviously less recoil resulting in better accuracy. Ive head shot rabbits and Hares with a .177 only doing 600fps

I had a cheapo Chinese .177....used to kill treed possums if you aimed under the chin. Possums can be difficult to kill with a .22...

I got some experience of shooting very cheap air rifle for rats and sparrows back to 30 years ago. Within 15 meters is the most effective range, the accuracy out of 20 meters ....can hit a beer can.

This rusty piece of shit I found in a remote place, bit of cooking oil and little sight in works, 20 meters on a beer can, hit every time. But, did `t have chance for a field test.

fixed barrel, pretty chunky so have weight. Under/side lever, pump up or gas? Any idea what it is? love the little heart tin for pellets. Ironic or not hmmm guess depends where ya shoot the critter.

Originally Posted by kruza

fixed barrel, pretty chunky so have weight. Under/side lever, pump up or gas? Any idea what it is? love the little heart tin for pellets. Ironic or not hmmm guess depends where ya shoot the critter.

It `s side lever, bit of noise, heavy trigger, not comfortable to use but it was very very, very cheap.

Pull it apart give it some tlc. See the pics of some of groups air gunners on other nz site have grouped after they done work to guns. Some of them cheap and it's amazing how they tighten them up? The fixed barrel is a plus for accuracy. I've just polished the air cylinder and piston on a gamo I have. Got new seals. G
Few other parts on the way. (parts have come to $30 all up delivered.
The gun has been nothing but a pain in arse since I got it. But now I got it apart and sorting stuff I can see why and already feel good about how much better it will be when done. I still think a lot of hunters underestimate what it takes to hunt and shoot with an air rifle and the advantages of having one or two in the gun cabinet. Their loss.

as a young fella i used to shoot rats at the tip in woodhill forest. the trust old bsa meteor worked a treat.
then a got a 22cal meteor and would glue rifle primers on to the tips of pointy slugs, lets just say that exploded rats do not smell good.

Originally Posted by Black Rabbit

Attachment 203928

This rusty piece of shit I found in a remote place, bit of cooking oil and little sight in works, 20 meters on a beer can, hit every time. But, did `t have chance for a field test.

That rifle is a thumb stealer, make sure you block the side lever under your arm in case the sear drops while your thumb is in there. I have one in the safe waiting for a rainy day rebuild.

Originally Posted by Mintie

That rifle is a thumb stealer, make sure you block the side lever under your arm in case the sear drops while your thumb is in there. I have one in the safe waiting for a rainy day rebuild.

yeah I guess, we all have had that little accident when we were teenager.

Originally Posted by altair

Have a Benjamin Varmint (Crosman) a .22 which cost me $400 new.

I'm wondering if these cheaper air rifles are actually any good for this purpose of shooting rats? Seems to have a good punch for an air rifle, sends flat head pellets right through the rats when I manage to hit them.

Seems everyone else has $800-1000 flash air rifles..do you actually need to spend that much for accuracy and reliability, or will a cheapie like this do the job? Surely it would? be happy to buy an expensive one, but life gets in the way!

The $500 Stoeger I had seemed a better rifle.....

Just after opinions, how many of you on here have used cheaper air rifles with success?

Cheers

You get what you pay for. Get yourself a sampler pack of slugs & find the one that groups best in that rifle.