The American Beagler Forum

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

browning sweet 16 7 1/2 shot

I use a 20ga with #8 shot.

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.

I use a remington 870 28ga with #6 shot


Mike

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.

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