We had threads on bear, armadillo and coyote guns...how about a rat gun?

[Andy Griffith]

They need John Wayne in Bangladesh:

"Mr. Rat...
I have writ here says you're to stop eat'n Chen Lee's cornmeal forthwith.
Now, it's a rat-writ writ for a rat, and this is lawful service of same.

[turning to Mattie]
See, doesn't pay any attention to me."

*BANG*

I just read a news story where Bangladesh government officials gave a Farmer a 14" color TV for killing the most rats- in a nine month period- 83,450!

He used poison, and the runner-up farmer used traps.

I have had great sport shooting those low-down rats from a tractor when using the bushog mowing the field off with .22 crimped shot from a S&W 34 or a Ruger Bearcat. I hope to try it with my .410 Judge in the spring.

I've always wanted to try one of those 9mm rimfire shotguns on them too- like a Winchester 36 or one of the modern Italian guns...

However, a .45 Colt does work in a pinch.

So...what would you use as a rat gun?

[Bullseye 2620]

I live in the wooded mountains of the Blue Ridge, where we have a species known as the "wood rat." They're huge!

I came home one day to find one in the middle of my kitchen, eating food out of the cat's dry food dish, with three cats watching from a respectful distance .

This critter was not intimidated by my presence. He glanced up when I came into the room, and immediately returned to stuffing his face. This gave me the opportunity to walk into the study, and pick up whatever was close at hand -- it happened to be a Model 41. Returning to the kitchen I shot him in the head from a distance of 8 or 10 feet. DRT (dead right there). The bullet did not exit, so no hard to explain damage to my kitchen floor.

I hate rats. I'd use whatever was immediately available to dispatch them.


Bullseye

[BarbC]

Once we had a rat sitting in his hole right under the cinder block used as a step into the chicken coop. You could see his beady eyes. My ex shot him with the Model 10, then kicked the dirt into the hole. All done!

[oldRoger]

We have wood rats here, quite large. Our Siamese thinks they are prime prey, he waits for them to emerge from the ground cover, and then it’s all done in a matter of seconds. The Bobcats usually wait for the rats to emerge, needless to say they seldom miss. My sister’s terrier loves to hunt them in the foot high ground cover he pounces on the spot where he hears motion, unfortunately he hasn’t figured out the right amount to lead the rat, and usually misses.
The Hawks have to wait until the rat comes out, but if it’s a foot or so out of cover it is lunch
The best hunter we have is the local Indigo Snake; it follows the rat trails into the ground cover.

[klondike]

My elderly neighbor learned that he needed a rat gun.
While his wife was in the next room sewing and he was in bed, he felt something walking on the bed. Startled, he sat up and caught a glimpse of a rat running out of the room.
His wife told him to calm down, She tried to convince him that it was a dream.
After he finally fell asleep, the rat returned and bit his nose, hard.
They found the rat in the kitchen, where it ran into a gap in the cabinet toekick.
A flashlight found the rat cowering in the corner. His wife handed him an old pellet rifle and he gave the rat two good hits. Since the rat had stopped moving his wife insisted on removing it.
With his arm extended through the gap, he got ahold of the tail and started to pull it out.
The rat revived and ran up his arm and back out into the kitchen. Of course his arm got stuck in the hole during the panic.
Wife killed the rat with the phone book.
Moral - you need a big heavy projectile.

[Steave]

I killed a lot of them when I was a kid at our dump; probably killed most of them with a Remington Nylon 66. Good fun, wish I still had the opportunity to go to a dump and shoot rats.

[bmcgilvray]

.455 Webley

[smitholdtimer]

When I lived in a small N.C. town I was on the reserve police force and the city dump was open and the rats were very prolific. I requested and received the city official's permission to contribute to the demise of the rodent population there, I proceeded to spend many a late Sunday afternoon and evening at the dump dispatching as many as I could. Used a pre-model 17 and an old battery powered head light strapped by elastic to my forehead. The time spent improved my skill with a revolver and the "Rat's" numbers were decreased though they were never in danger of becoming extinct. That is my "Rat Gun" story, miss those days.

[Forester]

Originally Posted by bmcgilvray

.455 Webley

That'll do it.

[walkinghorse]

Originally Posted by Steave

I killed a lot of them when I was a kid at our dump; probably killed most of them with a Remington Nylon 66. Good fun, wish I still had the opportunity to go to a dump and shoot rats.

+1,000.

Guess many of us more 'experienced people' enjoyed that in the distant past. A hillside, big depression, etc. used as the town dump, and the rats loved it. What a way to spend the afternoon, still shots, running shots, with whatever you chose to use, and it was appreciated rather than the present encounter with a LEO if you even think about such a thing.

We had a recent small town sheriff report in the local paper, deputy answered a compliant about someone shooting in the woods (actually a swamp, next to a river). The report said he explained to the compliantant that the area was a designated game management area, and hunting season was open so there was nothing going on that was wrong. Next week the sheriffs report was that a compliantant called, told the sheriff to stop the hunting on the game management area, as it was just wrong. Report said the compliantant was referred to the state legislature representative as this was where they had to call if they had a problem like this.

Life is different now, not necessarily better either.

[rburg]

We used to shoot them at the local dump. The weapon of choice was the one we had. Since we were impoverished (or thought we were), we used what we had. In my case it was an ancient pump up pellet rifle. One of my buddies had a full auto (he wished) pump daisy. He could pull a Win M12 and hold the trigger back and pump. Lots of BBs flying, few hits. The pellet rifle was single shot, and you had to work to get 7 full pumps. But it was more accurate than me, so it didn't much matter. My range wasn't all that far, and I chose to only shoot the ones up close.

For a while the local PD hated it. I think what the one worthless cop hated was kids. He wasn't the chief, and the chief loved kids. The kids loved him back... go figure. We were given permission to walk out of town to the dump with our artillery. I had a tattered old note. When it finally melted, the chief gave us each a note saying he approved! My problem was pellets were ungodly expensive. A tin of them was just out of my price range, so I had to rely on charity, welfare, begging, you name it.

The dump operator hated rats. It was our salvation. He even supplied some pellets from time to time. When we got a little older and were allowed to use 22s, he furnished some of them, too. All he wanted to do was make sure we were shooting in a safe direction, and aiming. Once he saw how careful we were, he became our fast friend. No one else was allowed to pick the dump for goodies. We were. Particularly 2 cent pop bottles. He understood the money went to soft drinks and ammo. Even in the 1950s there were people who would rather throw away a deposit bottle than redeem it. I liked those kind.

When my dad finally agreed to let me use the terrible Marlin/Glenfield bolt gun, or lives changed. The neighbor gave me a scope for it. A 4x one, too. It had a 3/4" tube, part of which was frosted, but you could see the crosshairs, and it pretty much shot where it was aimed. Rats began dying at an ever farther range. I think they were smart, and didn't show themselves up close to where we were. The ones farther away could play at their leisure. Until we started thinning them. We used that rifle until we were maybe 18 and moved up to T-Bolt 22s. That set a new standard of accuracy, but the dump didn't want us to shoot there anymore. I think a business down the road complained.

We even contemplated finding some old food and making a bread crumb trail from the dump to their back dock!

The key we discovered is when you hike a few miles in the summer, carrying your gun, a canteen (can you imagine any kids today drinking water from anything but a bottle?), and your lunch in a knapsack, and when you left home you knew you only had 5 or 10 shots, you made each count. There even were days when the critters hid and we didn't shoot more than once or twice (actually, the term we used then was "twicet".) Limiting your shooting to certain shots, and not wasting it blasting away taught you to shoot. We were shocked a few times when rich kids showed up with a full brick of 22s and emptied it in an hour or two. We hit more with 10 shots than they did with 500. But they probably had more fun.

We had concluded they were rich because if they dropped a loaded shell on the ground, they wouldn't bother to pick it up, they just pulled another out of their pockets. Then they'd leave and we'd scarf up their leftovers from the ground. Worked out well for us. I think it kind of hurt my dad's feelings when we told him about it. He had more pride than I had. In retrospect, he had a better job than their fathers had, and our house was paid for, as was our car. Funny how that works.

[David LaPell]

I can remember going over to a friends house and watching him dispatch rats with a Winchester Model 61 pump, boy what a nice gun.

[Newfyman]

These rat shooting stories bring back lots of nice memories. I got my first 22 rifle for my ninth birthday. It was a single shot Ithaca model 49 and dad said I had to buy my own shells which cost .49 cents for a box. He said he would pay me 10 cents for every rat I killed at the barn and because mon HATED snakes, a $1. for every snake I shot. Needless to say I spent a lot of time "hunting" and for a nine year old I made some real money. Not only did I buy my shells but made enough to buy a Johnson fishing real which I was very proud of. I just wish kids today had such opportunities today. If they were out killing rats, they might not be killing each other.

[DGNY]

My first cousin and I grew up on the same street in Lockport, NY. His dad, a DDS, was into firearms and reloading. He had purchased a nice Springfield '03-A4 [yes, sniper]in an old Springfield sporter stock with a Lyman short-slide peep sight. He had also acquired a large quantity of LC 42 [as I recall] FMJ ball 30-'06 ammo. Shortly, at age 18, I bought a 1917 Eddystone Enfield '06. This is about 1957.

We drove in style in my Model A ford Tudor and had a field day in the local private sandpit and dump. His dad knew the guy, I guess. Running shots on the rats were a specialty. MANY rounds expended. All of course with little or no hearing protection. When were were careful we would use an empty 38 Special case screwed into each ear, which dulled the ear-splitting roar of the '06s in the sandpit with some effectiveness. I can see the two rifles if I care to from where I am seated, and my ears are still ringing...

The second weapon of choice was his dad's WWII Colt 45 ACP, but it was hard indeed to do running shots with that gun. Our 22s, a single shot Savage 3D and a Springfield clip 22 were also-rans in the firepower department.

We later reloaded those LC42 cases with IMR 3031 and 110 gr Sierra HPs for woodchucks. Why be undergunned? [At least we did 'til his dad
started with 244 Ackley Improved chuck rifles. Still got one of those.]

Back to the point - A lot of fun, a lot of bonding and a lot of dead rats..

Best,

Dyson

[safearm]

One night when I was a rookie policeman on midnight shift, my FTO got approval for us to go to the adjoining city that had the municipal dump. There we met three other cars from various departments, all rookies and training officers, and parked side-by-side; lighting up the dump with high beam headlights and spotlights. The beady eyes of rats glowed red in the massed lights, and we had a great time perfecting our handgun and reloading skills against something other than paper targets. I was a pretty good shot for a rookie, at least good enough that I only got that one opportunity to go to the dump for practice. As a progressed in seniority, I learned that the dump sessions were an informal evaluation tool used by the local FTOs for new officers. All I remember is it was great fun.

[Bullseye 2620]

[Forester]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[oldRoger]

I too remember the county dump and my 10/22. alas those days are past and I can only get vicarious pleasure now from watching the cat, while I stand coyote guard.
Think what I could do with a Red Dot and that now much modified 10/22, progress ain’t what it’s cracked up to be.

[Wheelgunner840]

I'm pretty sure James Cagney used a .38 special (snubby of course) to dispatch the Dirty Rats!

[Spotteddog]

I do believe you are correct 840!
Perhaps the ultimate in "dirty rat" guns!

[jkmo]

I have said it many times.......... Everyone has a good rat story

[phs3194]

When I was young I found the best way to get the most bang for the buck killing rats was to use Dads double barrel 12 gauge. On a hot day I would place a tuna can full of water next to the wooden corn crib, then climb into the barn loft overlooking the can. Sometimes you could get as many as 5 rats around the can before taking the shot!

[Spotteddog]

Does that mean that?
"It's a Rat writ,
writ for a Rat, and this is lawful service of same"?
(Was Rooster using a .45 L/C, .44/40, or a .38/40 SAA?)

[cowboy117]

Small rats:Ruger 10/22;large rats,Ruger Mini-14.Both with large mags!

[max]

It was M-16's in Vietnam, but it usually took more than one shot. Biggest rats I have ever seen.

[jimmyj]

Hi:
Living at the time in an old two story house my wife complained of rats in the pantry. One of our sons was on leave from the Marine Corp. He would sit in the pantry with a flashlight and a .25acp. Soon after no more rat problem. Afterwards a racoon made a home in the attic and at night you could hear him walking. Marine Corp son used a .45acp one night to fire though the ceiling ending the raccon problem. The next morning I told my wife "Honey, please don't tell son about the problem neighbor next door".
Jimmy

[Joni_Lynn]

The only rat I ever shot I dispatched with one of those Remington rifles with the Rutlage bore.

[Bullseye 2620]

Originally Posted by BarbC

Once we had a rat sitting in his hole right under the cinder block used as a step into the chicken coop. You could see his beady eyes. My ex shot him with the Model 10, then kicked the dirt into the hole. All done!

Sort of like, "shoot, shoe, and shut up?"


Bullseye

[fyimo]

Originally Posted by max

It was M-16's in Vietnam, but it usually took more than one shot. Biggest rats I have ever seen.

I was hoping there would be another Vietnam Vet up here as thay were the biggest damn rats I ever saw. I was in a sleeping bunker one night with no shirt on and one climbed up on my chest and I laid there as it sniffed my chest and neck. The damn thing felt like it weighed 10 pounds.

Needless to say - I hate rats and would take great joy killing any I see with a Law's rocket if I could. OK, that's over kill how about a 223 round instead.

[blackhand]

those Nam rats were large and plentiful. I was bit by one and had to take the 15 shots in the stomach treatment. I killed alot rats after that. for shooting the inside the bunkers, I would pull the bullet on a M-16 round,,seal in the powder by pushing the neck into a bar of soap and push in a small map plotting pin of about bore dia. they woulk kill rats out to about 10 yds.

[Jim in Wisconsin]

Back in 1959, I visited relatives n a small town in Iowa. I met a fellow a few years older than me, and he showed me a ".22 Varminter" built on an 1917 Enfield action. Looked like a sledge hammer tapping in a carpet tack. I seem to remember a name Gebby?
We took it to the local dump for a rat patrol. IIRC he only had 6 or 8 cartridges. But we actually tagged one-well it seemed adequate...

[dennis40x]

Some of this sounds like “Community Service” and “The One That Got Away” fishing stories. I’m surprised that the 22 Short was not sufficient but then they were monster size and a 30-30 was probably marginal also.

[bgrafsr]

When I was stationed at Bien Hoa, VN, I was going to the shower/latrine hut one night, and this huge rat came running out of the hut with a guy chasing it. He yelled to stop the damn thing as it had one of his boots in its mouth while running away with it. I never saw a rat that big again. I also hated getting that damn shot we had to have before going over there.

[oldRoger]

Long ago in a place far away (Korea) there were rats which yielded to none as far as size goes. In fact standing orders for those on guard discussed rats (prevalent), and shooting of the same at night (forbidden!).
Around buildings, guards usually carried M2 carbines, dark nights, youth and enthusiasm usually resulted in at least one attempt to kill a monster rat, full auto, per week at about 3AM. ..... This was in clear violation of guard orders, collateral damage was frequent, and the subsequent uproar caused all to fall out. In any event, the shooting seldom resulted in dead rats.
But wouldn’t you like to be in a large dump with an M2, several banana magazines, and bunch of overgrown Norway Rats?

[Spotteddog]

C'mon!
The truly large ones were being bronco busted by NVA?

[GatorFarmer]

It's unlikely that those living in areas, such as Bangladesh, where rats are really a problem could afford a firearm, let alone sufficient ammunition, to deal with the problem. Even using cheap .22 bulk ammunition at around 3 cents a round, the cost in ammo to kill 80 thousand odd rats would add up rather quickly.

Traps are probably the best option, that way you can use the meat. It tastes better on a stick for some reason, but then it is said that most meat does.

There are anecdotal reports of 40 pound rats the size of medium dogs in some areas. That'd be a big rat.

Since rats like to frolic at night, one might want to equip themselves for after dark shooting if they were going on rat safari. A suppressed 10/22 and a PVS-14 would probably be just the ticket, perhaps in combination with an IR illuminator. If you use a PEQ2, it'lll actually cook the rats insides if you leave it focused long enough. (Fun with science, you can cook an egg in its shell with one.) Though since rats may be able to see IR light, that might be counter productive.

[S&W-Keeper]

I want me a 3" model 66, and a 4" blue 29 Rat now.

[bmcgilvray]

Originally Posted by Bullseye 2620

Hah, grateful for the custom poster.

My .455 rat was a lot of fun to take. I think I told the little tale here before. I was mowing out at our old family place at the lake. It's in the middle of nowhere so I always tote a holstered pistole. This particular time I wanted to play with the Boer War era Webley Mark IV, a revolver which fits perfectly into a 4-inch N-Frame holster by the way.

Anyway, I mowed around and around, the center of high grass becoming ever smaller. I frequently have shot rats, mice, snakes, and ground squirrels that bolted from this center of tall grass. Sure enough, this rat finally must have felt crowded so began scrambling across the mown portion for safety. I gleefully snatched the Webley from its holster, and snap shot the rat as he ran, the big slug coring out a deep circular furrow along the left side of his head, relieving him of his left eye and ear. I probably could have never duplicated the shot again. Was all very gratifying though. Sent the photo to a Yorkshire friend so he could see that his country's arms were still put to good use.

Used to have good luck as a kid against field rats and the odd snake, employing the Benjamin pellet rifle against them while mowing on a tractor. Later used a Winchester Model 190 .22 auto rifle.

Regarding the Gebby Varminter mentioned above by Jim in Wisconsin. It is nothing more or less than the excellent .22-250 that Remington introduced in the mid 1960s. Same chamber dimensions. I hand load for one with the barrel marked ".22 Gebby Varminter." It's my dad's and he acquired it from the original owner who had J. E. Gebby build it in the early 1940s from a pre-war Supergrade Winchester Model 70 .30-06. This rifle accepts all factory .22-250 loads and cases are easily hand loaded with standard .22-250 dies. A very accurate rifle for ratting.

[Andy Griffith]

Raccoons Attack Woman in South Lakeland | theledger.com | The Ledger | Lakeland, FL

I think I'd have used a shovel on that.

The news fellers showed some footage of a sow coon with several kits. I'd imagine she was feeding a sow with kits, and perhaps on of the little ones got behind her and the sow went crazy as animals with offspring often do.

I'd hit those coons in the head with a shovel and place in a plastic bag- no problem.

What gets me, is there was a mom out there stating that she was scared to let her kids out. Sheesh! When I was 10, I had trapped and killed my first coon...cat accidentally too.

If they wouldn't have been feeding the coons, they'd spared this problem.