16 gauge for rabbit??

[makey98]

Anyone use a 16 gauge for rabbit?? What barrel length or choke?? Any load suggestions???

Also, I have reading some books about bird hunting. Grouse, woodcock etc. I shoot some trap and skeet, but never any flushing birds like that. Which is a tougher shot?? rabbit or wingshooting??

[team fudd]

16's are great for rabbit hunting, plenty enough gun in my opinion, I hunt em with everything from 12s to 410s and have gotten away from a 12. Improved cylinder and modified are probably the two best options but as with all guns you should pattern the gun with the choke you intend to use as well as the loads you intend to use to see which will be most effective. As for wingshooting vs. rabbits it depends on the bird and the cover. A flushing grouse in brush choked timber is about as difficult a shot as you are going to see alot of times with open chokes and a quick swinging gun being key to success IMO. Rabbits can be tough too because of their ability to change directions very quickly. A lot depends on conditions and cover for both types of game. I have shot sharptails in wyoming and found them considerably easier to hit than the ruffed grouse in ohio. Pheasants in iowa are a heck of a lot easier than wood ducks and teal in the marshes of lake erie. The most important thing is to get out there and do it! You only go around once, it better be full throttle!

[Fleetwood]

I love my 16! Improved cylinder, 6.5s, 26" bbl. Also, wingshooting, rabbits...it's all hard for me. But the reason I like the 16 is it carries like a 20 but hits like a 12. Best of luck to you!

[SilverZuk]

16 ga is the perfect bore for small game.
I shoot a side by side, I'm not sure of the chokes but one is tighter than the other (which is common).
I squirrel and rabbit hunt with it more than any other shotgun I have. Light weight, handles/swings good, and throws #6 and #7.5 shot well.

[j243whitetail]

When I turned 16 my parents gave me a 16ga Remington 870 Express and a beagle. This is my go to gun for all small game. For rabbits is use IC with the cheapest 7.5's or 6 hunting loads I can find. If I go for Phesants or something else I adjust my ammo and choke accordingly.

[chanks]

16 ga Sears and Robuck bolt action modified choke. low brass 6's. thats what the wife carries and if she doesnt go sometimes i carry it. I usually shoot a .410 or a 12 but really like the challenge of the .410. my brother and father both also shoot 16's for birds etc. Only drawback is sometimes it can be tough to find ammo and it isnt as cheep as 20 or 12, but neither is .410 .

[Harryhunter]

I hunt with a model 12 ,16 ga ,full choke . I find with the full choke I can head shoot them better . I hunt mostly with my 26 inch barrel with 6 shot .