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whm1974 · Veteran Member

OK guys, I see your point about PCPs. But first not only I need to find a spot to shoot the rats. But also find out if I will enjoy hunting rats enough to be worth spend that kind of money for a PCP rifle much less the other stuff I'll need to go with it.

oddtodd · Silver Status Member

Ask your friends and neighbors and co-workers if anybody knows someone with a grain farm. Get a phone number or address and talk to them. If you go to their house dress nice and offer to help out with chores for the privelege. Take your rifle but don't get it out until you ask them if they want to look at it. Tell them you will dispose of all the carcasses. Explain that the rifles are low power and not likely to damage anything and have a document with you stating that you are responsible for any damages you do. You will probably have birds to kill too. THey spread disease too by crapping on everything. If it was me, I wouldn't install the XP kit on my qb78 because you might punch a hole in the steel siding if you miss. You might want to buy a springer for racoons. A titan is perfect. I kill racoons with head shots with mine. Racoons carry a disease in their poop that will kill horses and cattle. I don't know if these suggestions will work for you, but they have always worked for me in the past. Good luck!

whm1974 · Veteran Member

Thanks oddtodd. the tip about not installing the XP kit is a nice one.

dobiman · Veteran Member

Rat hunting can get boring if there aren't enough rats to shoot. If you have a bad scope, your eyes can get very tired or sore and give you a really bad headache. Sometimes the best places to shoot rats may be right in town, like the inside of food storing or serving establishments. I once helped to close down a bakery, and there were hundreds of rats and mice in that building. The owner would have been very happy to have somebody come in there and kill them all. He decided to use poison on them which left dying rats all over the floor and between the walls.

toadmyster223 · Senior Member

I always have a good time when I'm outside with a gun in my hand.

And remember, for every rat you see, there are probably 50 or 100 you don't see. It's just a matter of finding the way to get them out. And yes, peanut butter and syrup brings them out in droves! Make sure you fling it around so they have to stick around and lick it.

whm1974 · Veteran Member

oddtodd · Silver Status Member

I Always had good luck with 2 cups peanut butter, 1/2 cup bacon grease and 1/4 cup maple syrup. Karo will work too, but mapelsyrup has the smell to it that karo doesn't. Mix it up real well, line a muffin pan with plastic wrap and spoon it in and smash it down till they are a quarter full. Put in the freezer overnight to harden them up and then you have prewrapped bait cups. Smash them down a little bit when you put them down and watch and wait real still. Also when you are hunting rats you have to look all over. Rafters, walls, corners, next to stalls foundations, holes, etc. It is a very demanding job if you do it right.

I have done this a lot so if you have any questions just ask. THis is specifically what I bought my 2400 custom in .22 for. Longest barrel, heavier hammer spring, hogged out valve, etc.

Good luck and happy hunting!

whm1974 · Veteran Member

oddtodd · Silver Status Member

http://www.crosman.com/custom-shop/#2/107/149/86/140/117/99

THis is what I started with and I added this scope:

http://centerpoint.crosman.com/scopes/adventure/CPA416AORG2

THen I opened it up before I even shot it. lol I took my dremel tool and reamed out the inside of the valve very carefully. I went to the hardware store and bought a spring that was roughly the same lenght but about twice as stiff for the hammer. I do know I get less shots than my 2250, but I can kill a squirrel at 20 yards with it. I drilled holes in the hammer and filled them with lead solder till it was about 20 grams heavier. I verified this on the work postal scale. lol I put it all together and started killing things. lol

whm1974 · Veteran Member

So you at least have a few hundrend in it then. I'll probley start out with the 1377 w/ stock. If I find that I enjoy it, I'll spend more later.

oddtodd · Silver Status Member

YEah, but this rifle is MINE. I even had my name and year engraved on it.

oddtodd · Silver Status Member

Robw · Veteran Member

whm1974 · Veteran Member

So what is the fps for your custom rifle?