.357 shot shells

[Haystack]

I have a rat living in the flower beds beside the house. The flower beds are covered in river rock and big iron ore boulders. I've seen this rat three times this week. If I shoot him with .357 shot shells, CCI, which I have, is there any danger of the shot bouncing off the river rock? And FYI, I hate rats. My options are 12 ga, 20 ga, .410, and .357 shot shells.

 

[Vaquero]

You need a pellet gun.
Yes, the pellets from the shotshells will ricochet right back into your face.

I have experienced this.

 

[TipBledsoe]

Rifling causes the shot pattern to look like a donut.
I'd use the .410 at some distance and wear eye protection because shot or rock bounce back is likely.

 

[DustyDuds]

Is there a reason you would rather not use a conventional rat trap?

 

[TipBledsoe]

Is there a reason you would rather not use a conventional rat trap?

Wouldn't be as much fun in that

 

[SARGE67]

If you're in the city limits I wouldn't use a shotgun because of the noise. You can use .38 caliber rounds in a .357 with rat shot which I used in the city many moons ago with success. I agree with Vaquero and also recommend a pellet gun. Or bait station or plain Jane trap.

 

[Haystack]

Thanks for the input.

 

[contender buff]

Pellet gun , shoot him in the head lights out !

 

[popper]

I've had pellets from pellet rifle bounce back 20ft from a tree.

 

[alternative]

Shooting any gun in city limits where I live will get one in trouble so I go for the rat trap idea. I have used pellet rifle on tree rats though with success.

 

[zackmars]

I prefer 8 pellet 00 buck with a flite control wad

 

[alternative]

I prefer 8 pellet 00 buck with a flite control wad

Those are not rats, those are feral hogs.

 

[skfullgun]

Surely you have a .22?
Purchase some .22 lr birdshot at Academy or elsewhere. It will be much quieter than a .38 Special Shotshell and just as effective. Do wear protective eye-wear when firing a shotshell at any hard surface. I've had the pellets rebound on me. Fortunately I was wearing goggles and the pellets just left a few red marks on my arm.

 

[zackmars]

Those are not rats, those are feral hogs.

You're right. I change my answer to 40mm M576

 

[beenut]

I have a rat living in the flower beds beside the house. The flower beds are covered in river rock and big iron ore boulders. I've seen this rat three times this week. If I shoot him with .357 shot shells, CCI, which I have, is there any danger of the shot bouncing off the river rock? And FYI, I hate rats. My options are 12 ga, 20 ga, .410, and .357 shot shells.

I have shot snakes on my patio with them just angle the shot some if still worried use 22 shot they have very small pellets

 

[Dingo]

Apparently you can now buy explosive pellets for an airgun, give them a shot!
Do a search and watch the vids on YouTube

 

[Haystack]

I could not find .22 rat shot at any store in my area. But I ordered some and they came in today. Thanks to everyone for the advice. Hopefully I will have a dead rat soon.

 

[SARGE67]

I could not find .22 rat shot at any store in my area. But I ordered some and they came in today. Thanks to everyone for the advice. Hopefully I will have a dead rat soon.

Beware, where there is one you see there are many, many more hiding close by. They multiply worse than rabbits. They and roaches will be the only survivors in the end......