Whittakers has these for under $200 and I'm tempted. I was looking at Beeman air rifles for rats and starlings but if the Savage will kill out to 15-20 yards that's all that I need. Shotshells out of a Bearcat kinda work but leave me wanting but I know nothing of smooth bore rifles. How far would you say I could dispatch rats with the Savage?

About 5 years ago I shot a friends smoothbore 22lr , can't say how far it will kill but it shot through a a cardboard box folded eight layers thick + a smashed flat beer can placed in another box .
10 layers of cardboard 2 layers of aluminum at about 40-50 feet I thought that was enough to get the job done on birds .
He said it drops jays/sparrows/starlings no problem

Thanks Mike, that's the info I was looking for. Sounds perfect for my needs.

I read on here quite a while back that Winchester makes some great 22lr shot ammo , much better than the CCI stuff . Might be available now or soonish - now that 22lr ammo has caught up with demand .

Might buy the same gun from Whittakers --- like I need another rifle . Laf ...