I was heading south on a javelina hunt and received a new rifle from AOA<\/a>, the Western Airguns Rattler<\/a>. The Rattler is a .357 rifle capable of generating substantial power, and the platform is loaded with innovative technology. The platform is a 15 shot semi-automatic big bore bullpup that is purpose designed for larger game and long-range shooting. Generating 15 full power shots on a 250 BAR fill (around 70 with lighter slugs and lower power), the Rattler<\/a> can produce up to 270 ft-lbs of energy. Online air storage is provided by a removable 580 cc air cylinder, that is connected to the fill source utilizing a quick-release fitting. The gun uses an adjustable regulator and a knurled throttle knob positioned below the high-capacity magazine permits quick and easy velocity changes for optimized power settings. The Nitrate Coated TJ barrel provides exceptional accuracy, not just in the context of semi-automatic rifles, but even when compared to traditional sidelever or bolt action designs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Slugs are loaded into a fixed Titanium magazine, that is wide enough to accept some longer and heavier slug designs, which provides a lot of shooting flexibility. This allows the Rattler to be set up with an 81-grain slug for long range predator or varmint hunting, or a 170-grain slug for going after big feral hogs. I settled on a 150-grain hollow point for this hunt, as that is the minimum allowed by the Texas State hunting regulations for big game species. I found this rifle to be ergonomic and comfortable to shoot and appreciated the fact that it is fairly quiet. A solid aluminum shroud silencing system effectively reduces the report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Rattler<\/a> uses a hammerless firing system that is capable of generating a high degree of accuracy. It is actuated without requiring a cocking mechanism for the first shot and is therefore \u201chot\u201d whenever the magazine is loaded. The magazine cannot be removed or unloaded without shooting it down. For this reason, the gun is equipped with dual safeties, and both must be in the \u201cfire\u201d position for the gun to discharge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the Range<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I took the Rattler to the range before this trip, and tried several different slugs, including an 80-grain solid and a 125-grain hollow point slug that worked exceptionally well, but settled on a 150-grain slug for the reasons previously mentioned. The gun had been sighted in at 100 yards, and when I arrived in Texas took the rifle out to check zero. My first shot was a little low and to the right, so I adjusted 3 clicks up and 1 click left and the next four shots punched the 1\u201d bullseye out of the target. The gun was set up to shoot the 150-grain slug at 830 fps generating energy of 230 fpe. Based on this performance, my confidence in this gun was high. I topped off the air, loaded 15 rounds in the magazine, and got ready to hunt!<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Field<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I drove a few miles back on the property where I\u2019d been told javelina<\/a> had been spotted, then jumped out and started my hike. The brush and prickly pear cactus covering this hilly landscape was fairly thick, with rock formations dotting the hillsides. I planned to hike a trail that hugged one of the hills, moving up higher to glass at regular intervals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Rattler is a substantial bullpup weighing a bit over 9lb, about 11 lb including the 28-ounce Leapers Integrix scope I had mounted, with an overall length of 40\u201d. I found the rifle easy to pack but regretted not having mounted a sling. I had planned to carry the rifle in the scabbard of my backpack, but switched packs at the last minute without considering this little wrench in the works! The result was that I had to carry the rifle in the crook of my arm while traversing moderately rough terrain, but it was not a significant burden on this hunt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Glassing ahead, I spotted two of the collared peccaries (javalina) rooting through the scrub a couple hundred yards ahead and plotted my approach. I had lost track of the animals as I slowly moved forward, and stepping out from behind a bush, saw one about 70 yards ahead. I took a knee and laid the gun on the Primos Polecat shooting sticks, then lined up the shot. When the pig stopped moving and presented a broadside, I squeezed the trigger and heard the thump of the slug as he hit the deck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I measured the shot at 68 yards to the spot where the desert pig had been anchored. I could not have asked for the gun, scope, or slug to have performed any better, and we had a nice little boar in the bag. I will say that trying to haul the pig and carry the Rattler<\/a> without a sling proved to be a challenge. In the end I left the pig and hiked back to the truck to drop the gun off, grab some work gloves and rope, then dragged the pig back to be dressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My Thoughts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n So, what did I think about hunting a semi-automatic big bore pcp? Well, to be honest I didn\u2019t need a second shot on this hunt. And generally, when hunting javelina<\/a> a second shot is almost never required. However, a few days later I did use the rifle for predator and hog hunting at night, and in those situations, it was very useful. But what I found interesting on this outing was the fact that the Rattler having the semi-auto function cost me nothing in performance. The accuracy was every bit as good, or better, than I would expect of a conventional single shot or bolt action rifle. And over the course of several days the semi-auto action functioned flawlessly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This rifle comes naturally to the shoulder, provides easy access to the controls, and the non-adjustable trigger (factory set at 3 lb) is crisp, predictable, and just about perfect for this type of hunting gun (in my opinion). I think the utility of a semi-automatic for quick follow up shots is valid, but I would not be willing to trade performance, and especially accuracy, for this capability. The Western Airguns Rattler has proven to me that it meets these requirements, it is a reliable semi-auto, that is shootable, accurate, and powerful without compromise. Having demonstrated that the base performance of this gun is rock solid, in future articles I\u2019ll share some of the experiences where that 2nd<\/sup> and even 3rd<\/sup> shot have come into play!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Closing Note:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I think javelina might be the perfect “big” game species for airguns, they are fun to stalk, and a perfect size for a .30- or .35-gun generating 120 fpe. However, it depends where you hunt them, as Texas requires a .35 cal, 150 grain projectile, generating over 215 fpe for any game animal. As far as where to hunt them, it is either Texas or Arizona in the USA, New Mexico doesn’t allow airguns yet. Arizona is mostly by draw, though there are some over the counter tags, and you can take one javelina per year. Arizona also has a lot of public land. Texas allows two javelina on your license with no additional tags required. Populations are large, but there is almost no public land in the Lone Star State, so you need to know somebody with a ranch, or pay a guide\/outfitter. You can also find outfitters that bundle a deer or exotic hunt with javelina, so there are a few ways you can make it happen. I consider this a “grail hunt” for airgunners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Again, everybody stay well, get out shooting, and I’ll be back in a couple weeks!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In this entry I’ll tell you how the Western Airgun Rattler worked out for me on a javelina hunt down in Texas! Introduction I was heading south on a javelina hunt and received a new rifle from AOA, the Western Airguns Rattler. The Rattler is a .357 rifle capable of generating substantial power, and the … Continue reading ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.airgunsofarizona.com\/hunting\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Fig_1-1024x683.jpg\")
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