Another one bites the dust

[RobertBrown]

Every so often I get rats that either take up residence in the garage or somewhere nearby. I have dogs who are expert in the dispatching of these pests however they (the rats) soon learn not to be on the ground and some trapping is in order. This particular species seems to learn quickly and soon the traps go silent but the rafters still have footsteps.
Last year my spouse purchased some rat shot of the .22 variety and I had forgotten about it until last night when I was in the garage and out of the corner of my eye I saw a fine one easing in through the gable. I had also forgotten how much fun it is to shoot rats rather than trapping them. It's also good to mix up your tactics to keep them guessing if you will.
This new ammo is made by winchester. I was surpised at the velocity as I usually go with the CCI brand. No trophys last night but I did lower the population with some respectable specimens after only a few minutes.
I use a Ruger mark II pistol with a red dot reflex sight, very effective on those really fast ones.
Watch out rats... there's a new sherriff in town!

 

[KennyV]

I have the same pistol in stainless steel with Crimson Trace Laser Grips #LG-203... Very good combination. I will have to try the new ammo from winchester, I too normally use CCI in rimfire... :smile:KennyV

 

[RobertBrown]

I have the same pistol in stainless steel with Crimson Trace Laser Grips #LG-203... Very good combination. I will have to try the new ammo from winchester, I too normally use CCI in rimfire... :smile:KennyV

Mark II competion, slab side, stainless, wood(walnut I think) grips with the thumb rest. It's truly a great tool. I think the projected laser would be more effective (yours I assume?)in this case. The reflex is a little combersome at close range.
Those rounds are a lot hotter than I expected. I would hate to hit a spray paint can with a stray pellet. That would really make a mess.

 

[JDgreen]

Every so often I get rats that either take up residence in the garage or somewhere nearby. I have dogs who are expert in the dispatching of these pests however they (the rats) soon learn not to be on the ground and some trapping is in order. This particular species seems to learn quickly and soon the traps go silent but the rafters still have footsteps.
Last year my spouse purchased some rat shot of the .22 variety and I had forgotten about it until last night when I was in the garage and out of the corner of my eye I saw a fine one easing in through the gable. I had also forgotten how much fun it is to shoot rats rather than trapping them. It's also good to mix up your tactics to keep them guessing if you will.
This new ammo is made by winchester. I was surpised at the velocity as I usually go with the CCI brand. No trophys last night but I did lower the population with some respectable specimens after only a few minutes.
I use a Ruger mark II pistol with a red dot reflex sight, very effective on those really fast ones.
Watch out rats... there's a new sherriff in town!

Does your community pay a bounty for vermin such as those? We live in the country and I have never seen a rat, have seen hundreds of woodchucks, possums, raccoons, trapped a lot of those, have seen lots of skunks (never trapped one, thankfully). I'd blow away rats without a second thought if I saw one, good for you.

 

[KennyV]

Mark II competion, slab side, stainless, wood(walnut I think) grips with the thumb rest. It's truly a great tool. I think the projected laser would be more effective (yours I assume?)in this case. The reflex is a little combersome at close range.
Those rounds are a lot hotter than I expected. I would hate to hit a spray paint can with a stray pellet. That would really make a mess.

The Crimson Trace Laser is a projection laser, it's activation switch is built into the right side grip. They are a bit pricey list abit over $200 but it is the best laser sighting device I have found. Very handy with easy precision windage and elevation settings.

Are the shot shells hot enough to cycle the action or do you have to manually cycle? Either way would work fine...
They must use a larger pellet than CCI bird shot if you think a stray would penetrate a paint can...
:smile:KennyV

 

[173abn]

Robert ,I too spotted a couple of rats in my barn.One of em had a mouth full of my insulation.I noticed for the past couple of weeks that all my tropical plants in my greenhouse were missing leaves and stems and thought maybe squirrels until I got a positive sighting.You know what they say if you see one theres a dozen you don't see.I tried using my bb gun and did get one but I started putting poision up in the rafters where my dogs couldn't get to them.The bait would be gone when I'd check in the mornings so I'd keep baiting until no activity.I might have to get something with a bit more firepower for protection against those twolegged kind,I think there called Homo Rattuis.Seems to be more activity from them in my parts also. russ

 

[RobertBrown]

I tried using my bb gun and did get one but I started putting poision up in the rafters where my dogs couldn't get to them.

I'm scared the dogs might somehow injest the poison so I won't allow it on the property. I don't even use it at the camp and I've got seriousmice there.

 

[RobertBrown]

The Crimson Trace Laser is a projection laser, it's activation switch is built into the right side grip. They are a bit pricey list abit over $200 but it is the best laser sighting device I have found. Very handy with easy precision windage and elevation settings.

Are the shot shells hot enough to cycle the action or do you have to manually cycle? Either way would work fine...
They must use a larger pellet than CCI bird shot if you think a stray would penetrate a paint can...
:smile:KennyV

The ones I've shot (2-3) ejected the shell, but I wasn't using the mag, I loaded them by hand directly into the chamber out of habit. I have a feeling they would'nt load very well out of the magazine. These rounds are the ones with the crimped cases, unlike the CCI with the blue plastic capsule.
The box says #12 shot, but it surpised me how loud it was and it killed one rat running straight away from about 14 feet. I was impressed, get some and try it.

 

[KennyV]

.. get some and try it.

I'll do that...

The best unattended way to kill mice or rats is POP.
During late fall through early spring when the temperature is cool.. will not work in the heat of summer.

Place a dish of Coke or Pepsi out where they will find it. Give them plenty and pour it slowly so you do not disturb the carbonation.
Rodents can not belch, but they love sweet liquid. They will drink the carbonated pop and their body temp will warm it inside them ... they puff up and can not breathe. You will find them in the most open place in a building, in the open all plumped up and expired. The highest sugar and highest carbonation is the best pop to use. Don't use diet or flat colas.
This method will never kill any animal that can belch. but it will take care of rodents.
You can't let it freeze or get warm before they drink it.... :smile:KennyV

 

[Two-Stroke]

I'll do that...

The best unattended way to kill mice or rats is POP.
During late fall through early spring when the temperature is cool.. will not work in the heat of summer.

Place a dish of Coke or Pepsi out where they will find it. Give them plenty and pour it slowly so you do not disturb the carbonation.
Rodents can not belch, but they love sweet liquid. They will drink the carbonated pop and their body temp will warm it inside them ... they puff up and can not breathe. You will find them in the most open place in a building, in the open all plumped up and expired. The highest sugar and highest carbonation is the best pop to use. Don't use diet or flat colas.
This method will never kill any animal that can belch. but it will take care of rodents.
You can't let it freeze or get warm before they drink it.... :smile:KennyV

That is interesting. I never knew rats couldn't belch. It sounds less expensive and safer (for the dogs) than rat poison.