What do you use??

PSTONE · Post by **PSTONE** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 7:44 am

I'm curious what everyone thinks about the right gun for rabbit hunting. A lot of people have told me they would use nothing but a 12 guage. This seems like over kill to me! I'm new to rabbit hunting, although Ive hunted big game since I was very young. I have only used rifles in the past, in fact I currently am using a bolt action 22 for rabbits. It just doesn't feel right! I'd appreciate any information on correct guage and load for rabbits.

Semper Fi

crewchf · Post by **crewchf** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 8:03 am

P,, iffen you can hit a rabbit haulin butt in front of you hounds with a 22,, thats great!!! Nost need a spead of shot to get em, I know I always use too!!!

Crew Chief

beaglehandler · Post by **beaglehandler** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 8:53 am

I carry two guns while rabbit hunting. I carry a High Standard .22 pistol for the easy shots when a rabbit comes in close and stops looking for the dogs and a Ithica 66 410 single shot with #4 shot. I hunt in some pretty heavy cover and have never had a problem stopping a rabbit. I have also hunted with my 28 gauge and it does the job as well. I shoot about one inch in front of the rabbit using the 410 and find very little if any shot in the meat.

Emery · Post by **Emery** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 9:49 am

I have used a 410 before and tho I have taken rabbits with it and it doesn't chew up a lot of meat, I think it is pretty light. Sometimes the rabbits keep going, and that isn't all bad if you like to let your dogs catch the rabbit as a reward. A 20 ga is probably ideal (IMO), it has the reach out and touch someone that you need for those longer shots but not so much shot to completely ruin a rabbit at close range. Someone once told me that a 28 ga is the best all around shotgun there is as far as performance goes. I haven't ever tried one, so I can't say for sure.

Good luck finding what you need,
Emery

db215 · Post by **db215** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 10:25 am

I use a 410 down here, usually is pretty thick and I don't have any problems but if the land is open I have a 22/410 over and under that works perfect for that up close shot with 22 or that running shot with 410, love that little gun to death. Try one I think you will like it. dboman

hunter322 · Post by **hunter322** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 10:55 am

i have a ruger 10/22 with a 4x scope ive been using lately . or i like a 28 or 410 gauge . my dogs are not real fast so alot of times i can get a shot off when the bunnie stops or slows down. i definatly killed more with the shotgun but the 22 is fun too.

Ohiohntr · Post by **Ohiohntr** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 8:12 pm

3 Shot Bolt Action 410 works for me when I can hit 'em....

windy hollow · Post by **windy hollow** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:20 pm

PSTONE wrote:I'm curious what everyone thinks about the right gun for rabbit hunting. A lot of people have told me they would use nothing but a 12 guage. This seems like over kill to me! I'm new to rabbit hunting, although Ive hunted big game since I was very young. I have only used rifles in the past, in fact I currently am using a bolt action 22 for rabbits. It just doesn't feel right! I'd appreciate any information on correct guage and load for rabbits. Semper Fi

Yes a 12 Ga is overkill, but thats what Im using until I can get a nice light 20 Ga. I only have a 12 Ga at the time, I used to have the perfect rabbit gun in a Savage model 24 it was a 20 ga full choke with a 22 mag on top. I gave that gun to my son when he turned 12 years old so he could go along hunting. I like #5 shot myself with either a 410 or a 20 Ga.

fatdaddy · Post by **fatdaddy** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 7:26 am

I like my 28 ga. side by side..... 26 in. choked ic and mod.....It's a rabbit getter......#6 shot.

rodawg · Post by **rodawg** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 12:17 pm

browning sweet 16 7 1/2 shot

Huntin54 · Post by **Huntin54** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 12:26 pm

I use a 20ga with #8 shot.

Spruce Ridge Beagler · Fri Jan 20, 2006 1:55 pm

Thompson Center Encore pistol, 410 w/ 15" barrel,3" #6s'. Talk about fun!! I only get about half of what I shoot at but all the better for the dogs. The only draw back is 10$ for a box of shells.

Mike D. · Post by **Mike D.** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 4:34 pm

I use a remington 870 28ga with #6 shot

Mike

J Rooster · Post by **J Rooster** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 9:50 pm

I got an idea just buy a scatter gun and aim and shoot. That works best for me. 410, 28, 20, 16, 12, or 10 gauge. They all will kill a rabbit deader then 4 o'clock. All you have to do is put a shell in the gun, pull up on the bunny, aim at the bunny, and if you aimed right blow the bunny away.

coyote hunter · Post by **coyote hunter** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 1:17 am

Some say size don't matter.

will to me it does for hare hunting anyway, the bigger the better 4.10 can work but nothing like the big gun 12ga.Dan

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What do you use??

What do you use??

Re: What do you use??