[Jeff Higgins]

Good show, Charles. Keep them raidin' little bastards at bay. I don't get many in the house or garage (at least no evidence of them), but the very first one I ever shot was in the house. I was about eight years old and yes, it was that very Sheridan rifle. Couldn't get more than about three pumps in it when I was that little, but the rat didn't seem to notice.

At the crack, mom and dad both came running into the rec room, hollaring "I thought I told you to take that outside!" When I held up the rat, my very first kill, mom started screaming and dad started laughing. It was great.

Flatbutt!, no waiting period, no permit, nada. Do ask about local laws - Lynnwood considers any device that launches a projectile a "firearm", be it a .30-06 or a spit wad. I just stand inside so the noise is muffled and the neighbors don't see.

You should be able to get away with a Sheridan .20 caliber, or the Benjamin .177 or .22 caliber, complete with scope, mounts, and 500 pellets for less than 200 bucks. Both are available as combo sets that include everything. The Sheridan and Benjamin are essentially the same rifle these days, but I prefer the .20 caliber Sheridan as a pest control caliber. The Sheridan cylindrical pellets, at 14.3 grains, are the ones you want. They are actually heavier than most .22 pellets and penetrate very well. They are as accurate as you can shoot, too. My rifle will cut one ragged hole on full power at 50 yards with them. It will also go right through the biggest rat, or a possum's head, all the way accross the yard.

Great, Matt! They really are pretty good little rifles, and not just "for the money". I find they are as if not more accurate than spring-piston guns costing several times as much. More powerful when you need them to be, too.