The American Beagler Forum

Thought I'd share some info. I put together from Winchester's website. I often see people on here saying that 12 ga. is WAY too much gun for rabbits. Now, I agree that carrying around a heavy shotgun is not ideal for a long day in the field, but I would like to submit that there is very little difference in all the shotguns when you are talking about field loads for rabbits. Once you start talking about heavier loads the distance between 12 and 20 ga. widens quite a bit.

The truth is that the manufactures load the shells to match the game. And a 20 ga. w/ a mod. choke will likely put more shot in the rabbit than a 12 ga. w/ an improved cyl. choke.

I like to try and take several first time rabbit hunters to the woods / field each season and one of the things I like about rabbit hunting is that they can just bring any ole shotgun they have in the closet and it will do just fine.

Winchester Super X:
12 ga. 2 3/4" low brass #6 shot, velocity 1290, 1 oz. lead.
16 ga. 2 3/4" low brass #6 shot, velocity 1165, 1 oz. lead.
20 ga. 2 3/4" low brass #6 shot, velocity 1210, 7/8 oz. lead.
28 ga. 2 3/4" high brass #6 shot, velocity 1205, 1 oz. lead
410 3" high brass #6 shot, velocity 1100, 3/4 oz. lead

I have destroyed many rabbits with a 12 ga. Personally think it is a little to much gun. Not sure what the point of your post is? You can put more lead in a bunny with a 410 full choke at three yards than you can with a 10ga IC choke at 100 yards. Not sure your comparing apples to apples.

around here 12 gauge will split them in half,20's dont do near the damage,whatever their site claims,they can come along on a hunt with me and i will split a few for them if they will carry the guy around for me.lol

I've got a brother in law that brings a 12 gauge and at the end of the day, I try to make sure and reach for the ones I shot because his are typically blown all to hell.

I shoot nothing but a 12ga. I don't tear them up. Let them get out a bit then aim for the head....

If you use an open choke gun (Imp. cyl. or skeet) 12 guage won't tear 'em up.

Dave Swiger

i have a 870 12g. model 11 12 g. and a 410 polk stock.have better luck with 410. use 6 shot in all. then again not that great with any of them.

I personally carry the gun to match the terrain. I have different spots to hunt that has different terrain. One spot might be just one big briar patch. In that case a 12 ga is way too much gun. Mainly because the longest shot you will have is 30 or 40 feet. But I also have some cut over that has some pretty big ridges on it. You can sit on one ridge and get a shot on the other ridge 150 feet away. Sometimes even further if you are feeling lucky. That is when you need them high brass number 5's. That brings up another point. The shells have just as much to do with it as the guns do. When it comes down to it, they all get the job done. Different strokes for different folks.

cburchett77 wrote:I personally carry the gun to match the terrain. I have different spots to hunt that has different terrain. One spot might be just one big briar patch. In that case a 12 ga is way too much gun. Mainly because the longest shot you will have is 30 or 40 feet. But I also have some cut over that has some pretty big ridges on it. You can sit on one ridge and get a shot on the other ridge 150 feet away. Sometimes even further if you are feeling lucky. That is when you need them high brass number 5's. That brings up another point. The shells have just as much to do with it as the guns do. When it comes down to it, they all get the job done. Different strokes for different folks.

i agree. i like my .410 in the heavy stuff because you shot a alot closer. in the open i prefer a 16ga ad let them get a little farther out there. when i was a kid we used a 22

Winchester Super X:
12 ga. 2 3/4" low brass #6 shot, velocity 1290, 1 oz. lead.
16 ga. 2 3/4" low brass #6 shot, velocity 1165, 1 oz. lead.
20 ga. 2 3/4" low brass #6 shot, velocity 1210, 7/8 oz. lead.
28 ga. 2 3/4" high brass #6 shot, velocity 1205, 1 oz. lead
410 3" high brass #6 shot, velocity 1100, 3/4 oz. lead[/quote]

Farm Boy -
This is exactly "apples to apples." How much difference do you see between 12 ga and 20 ga? 1/8 oz lead and 80 ft per sec. No way 12 ga. is WAY too much gun and 20 ga. is perfect.

Others -
If someone is "cutting rabbits in half"they are using the wrong choke or wrong shells, not the wrong gauge.

-Pete

BTW - I use a 410, 20 and 12 gauge for rabbits, just depending on what I want to carry that day.
-Pete