The American Beagler Forum

With the general small game season coming up quickly (and actually having opened in some states), I was doing some thinking on rabbit guns. My very first bunny I killed, once I was legally old enough to hunt, was taken w/ a 12 gauge side-by-side Ithaca/SKB 200E that my uncle loaned to me for opening day. Since then, I've used side-by-sides, over-unders, pumps, autos, rimfire rifles, handguns, and even bows. I've used .410s to 12 gauges (I never killed one w/ a 10 gauge). For a while, I was pretty fond of a Remmington 870 Wingmaster in 28 gauge. I've ended up w/ a couple of favorites which I use depending on the conditions, number of dogs and/or hunting partners that I'm with.

If I'm out by myself w/ just a dog or two, and I'm only after bunnies, I'll be carrying a Ruger Bisley 22LR. It's great for preserving meat. A solid 40 grain bullet zips right through w/ minimal damage to meat. It's also a great challenge. My favorite general purpose bunny-gun is my 10" T/C Encore .410. Carried in a bandolero style holster,it is light-weight and it frees up the hands to deal w/ thick cover and dogs. It gives me great patterns out to about 25 yards. If there is a good possibility I might get into grouse, woodcock, and/or pheasants, I'll grab my Browning Lightning Feather in 16 gauge. It's a great well balanced, light shotgun that packs a punch. If I'm really feeling masochistic on a particular day, and I don't really want to kill something, I'll bring my longbow w/ a back-quiver of blunts.

What's your favorite rabbit-taker?

rossi 20 gauge youth model/with custom leather sling.cheap gun,all synthetic,and I painted it so it doesn`t rust.

I go with a Charles Daily 20 guage semi auto. The gun is light, seems pretty durable. And the price was right.

bpeterson wrote:I go with a Charles Daily 20 guage semi auto. The gun is light, seems pretty durable. And the price was right.

Same here and I second all that you stated.

Ruger 10/22 with 2.5 fixed power Tasco Scope is my first choice. If I want to be sure of table fare......I use my 20 guage 870. I would much prefer a .410 but think its rediculous that shells are triple the price.

Mybeagles

rossi 410.. i think i paid about 75 dollars for it. it has killed alot of rabbits and i dont mind running it through the brush.. her is what i want to get.
http://www.rossiusa.com/product-list.cfm?category=15

sam

Remington 1100 lt-20 special field. Best small game shotgun ive ever packed

mine is a winchester 1400 semi auto 12 gauge

Have a few choices:
Early season Franchi 20AL, super light and deadly with low brass to 35 yds
Once leaves fall , Wichester 9410 lever action 410 ,holds 7 shells and super fun
Snow on ground, Remington semi auto 410 , with 3" #4 will down a rabbit upto 45 yds away
And on days that jusy want to enjoy the view,my all time favorite, my first shotgun, browning 20 ga side by side, but the conditions have to be perfect as this gun will be passed onto my son as his first gun.

My favorite is still my New England Firearms 20 gauge single shot that I've had since I was a kid........it was my first real gun. Gun goes off every time I squeeze the trigger, it's light to carry, easy to handle in the brush with the short barrel and it's hard to miss with it. I usually carry my .410 pistol because it makes it more of a challenge but if I want a rabbit or two for the table then I grab the 20 gauge.

mybeagles wrote:Ruger 10/22 with 2.5 fixed power Tasco Scope is my first choice. If I want to be sure of table fare......I use my 20 guage 870. I would much prefer a .410 but think its rediculous that shells are triple the price.

Mybeagles

I know what you mean... .410 & 28 gauge prices have skyrocketed.

1300 winchester pump with a short barrel ... However I'd rather just run them anymore ...

Bellmorekennels wrote: Early season Franchi 20AL, super light and deadly with low brass to 35 yds

Those Franchi 48AL's are some nice light-weight guns. I've always wanted to pick one of those up in 20 or 28 gauge, but never found the right deal. One of my hunting buds uses one in 20 gauge for grouse, and it's a sweet handling little gun.

And your son is going to be a lucky man having a Browning Side-by-Side handed down to him...

dogrich----heres my choice






old clips--gonna be getting some new ones soon

Charles Daly 20 ga. semi-auto youth model-- It's light, synthetic and deadly. If I am feeling a little nostalgic I carry my Davidson Arms .410 sideXside. And this year I hope to carry my dad's 20ga. sideXside it is either a Franchi or Ithica.

Ned