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Hunting Rat gun

Hanibal

Hanibal

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Hi all. I recently acquired permission to shoot rats at a friend's farm. I thought it was a good opportunity to test out my Pard NV 07 attached to a Swat 30mm scope mounted on my .22 Falcon FN12 Raptor Lighthunter. Omg! There were so many rats and I had an absolutely brilliant evening. The only trouble was that the Raptor has quite a low shot count and I had to gas up 3 times. It's a lovely rifle to use, very accurate and light and I hopefully will never part with it.
As I'll be going back there frequently I was thinking about getting a cheap compact rifle with a high shot count in .22. I've looked at the Reximex Myth and Kral NP02 but never held one. Could I have your thoughts and recommendations please gentle?
 
There are loads of high end options but I assume you want something that is not a cabinet queen.
The NP02 seems to have a longer history and be fairly well respected.
There are a few Reximet bottle guns, if you are static ratting perhaps consider something bigger than the Myth?
I like Reximex but have only used the Mito-S, which I have to say has been outstanding within the 6fpe limit, (on rats too).
There are other compact guns like the Pathfinder but I think you are right to consider one of the value options, why £1200 if £400 works .

If you are shooting from a tripod the ATA Airborne is quite useful, would not carry the bugger round.

I don't like bullpups on sticks, others may disagree but if you can set a decent tripod up, a heavy bottle gun is stable and runs for ages.
 
I am a huge fan of the Falcon FN12. It is a great rifle and I have a few. Your perm must be infested if you have to refill 3 times. It sounds like like 120+ shots.

The NP02 is a great rifle. I have had 2 - one in .177 and another in .25cal. I sold the 177 but kept the .25 as a ratter. However, it is on the heavy side relying on the one handed pistol grip. I got wrist ache after a couple of hours due to the weight of gun plus the NV scope. Other than that, you won't be short on shot count and a very competent rifle indeed it is too. Designed to be a workhorse and they are. I would whole heartedly recommend one especially in .25cal.

It is more efficient on air the bigger the calibre so more shots per recharge over a .22cal of the same. It is hard hitting too with a very satisfactory thud. If you want a dedicated ratter with a high shot count, you don't need to look far for under £400.

No doubt the rat population will thin over time if you keep on top of them. Shot count would be lesser of an issue and you may revert to the FN12 again.
 
OldStock said:
There are loads of high end options but I assume you want something that is not a cabinet queen.
The NP02 seems to have a longer history and be fairly well respected.
There are a few Reximet bottle guns, if you are static ratting perhaps consider something bigger than the Myth?
I like Reximex but have only used the Mito-S, which I have to say has been outstanding within the 6fpe limit, (on rats too).
There are other compact guns like the Pathfinder but I think you are right to consider one of the value options, why £1200 if £400 works .

If you are shooting from a tripod the ATA Airborne is quite useful, would not carry the bugger round.

I don't like bullpups on sticks, others may disagree but if you can set a decent tripod up, a heavy bottle gun is stable and runs for ages.
Click to expand...
I only want cheap but accurate and big shot count. I have lots of other air rifles but non are suitable in my opinion for NV work, too long etc etc.
I will be static and rested at every part of the farm but don't want to use sticks, bipods etc as I just want to carry the gun around with me. Thanks for your suggestions which are much appreciated
 
On the sticks/tripod thing, I've take a couple of hundred rats at a small location close to my house, it took me a while to find what worked best there, but after the initial bedlam, I ended up stood well out in the open, with a tripod, and shooting in an arc of about 100 degrees, everything was between about 13 and 30 yards.
You are probably fine moving around from the sound of it now, but once numbers drop or they get wise, being able to be a good distance away hands free, not walking past anything, is a bonus. If you never miss them they won't get IR shy or recognise your shape/smell/routine, but once they do, become a distant shape and it is back on.
 
I found the best place involves a 180° arc. 20 to 15 yards, all out in the open. I could go into the buildings but at the moment I just want to concentrate on this outside area.
 
I do have other FN19's and 12's but just would like one, high shot count gun for now 👍
 
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