Can You Shoot Rats With a BB Gun?
WouterThere are some common rules you should follow when shooting with an air rifle or BB gun to make sure you are not accidentally shooting a rat. These include not shooting directly at the rat, knowing what’s behind the target and wearing safety glasses. If you are shooting at an animal, always ensure that you shoot at least three feet away from the animal.
Rats can be dangerous, damaging property and spreading disease. But a plastic bb gun will not kill a rat instantly. These guns fire small steel balls and can injure them, but they aren’t powerful enough to kill a rat. The same holds true for air rifles, which fire projectiles and have thousands of FPS, and are therefore a better choice for killing rats and mice.
Using air rifles for shooting rats is a great idea, but make sure you use ones that have a good scope and a high pellet count. A Daisy Red Ryder will be ideal for a quick rat hunting session before hunting season begins, and a Crosman Blackhawk.177 caliber pellet pistol is also a great backup weapon.
Another way to prevent rats from attacking your home is to keep them out of your yard. Rats rarely migrate more than 300 feet from their nests, but they’ll move to your yard if they see any food or water sources. You should keep your yard clean and free of dog poop, trash, or other food sources. You can also use an air rifle to kill a rat if it is causing an infestation. The use of air rifles for killing rats is legal in some states, so make sure you know the laws of your state before using one.
