How many of you actually use your shotgun(s) for hunting small animals like rabbits, squirrels, and hares? I have thought about using my 12-ga. for hares with turkey-sized shot, since I've heard they are hard to kill with a .22 LR, (hmm, I'm not sure what a .17 would do to one, though.)
Rabbit/small game hunting.
- Thread starter John917
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birdbustr
Member
A .22lr or .17 will kill them fine, but if they are a running target you are going to have problems, and you always have to keep in mind how far a .22 or .17 can travel and what's around you. Shooting rabbits near populated areas with a small rifle would be pretty unsafe.
Squirrels, you just need to know what's around you, but using a 12 gauge isn't much of a challenge. In fact any squirrel hunting with a shotgun (.410, 28ga, 20ga, 12ga) is too easy with a good #4-6 load.
It's much more fun to use a small rifle. A 22lr will go through a squirrel end-to-end with a standard 22lr bullet. I like CCI mini-mag or the Federal/American Eagle brands. Both give good velocities over 1200 fps.
In summary:
rabbits with dogs- Shotguns.
The occasional rabbit in your garden shotgun/22lr
Squirrels- If you are trying to "get rid of them" a shotgun is much easier and safer in populated areas. A small rifle is more fun IMO and can be a challenge.
Squirrels, you just need to know what's around you, but using a 12 gauge isn't much of a challenge. In fact any squirrel hunting with a shotgun (.410, 28ga, 20ga, 12ga) is too easy with a good #4-6 load.
It's much more fun to use a small rifle. A 22lr will go through a squirrel end-to-end with a standard 22lr bullet. I like CCI mini-mag or the Federal/American Eagle brands. Both give good velocities over 1200 fps.
In summary:
rabbits with dogs- Shotguns.
The occasional rabbit in your garden shotgun/22lr
Squirrels- If you are trying to "get rid of them" a shotgun is much easier and safer in populated areas. A small rifle is more fun IMO and can be a challenge.
moojpg2
Member
I do all the time, Last time I use a 12 gauge with copper plated #5's (Rem pheasant load) works great on rabbit around here. For smaller stuff I just use with whatever I have with me that day, usually a 20 gauge pump. Sometimes I use a .410, depends on how ambitious i'm feeling. Hares should not be hard to kill with a .22lr as long as your not tagging them in the ass or putting it through the tip of the ear.
EHCRain10
Member
what load would you recommend for rabbits when using a 20ga?
wabbitkillr
Member
For 20 Ga #4's 3/4 oz.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Cottontails and 6s seem to go together. For squirrels, same thing but more choke.
Shawnee
member
It's often hard to find #5s but they are perfect for rabbits and squirrels from 20,16, and 12 gauges. 
308win
Member
6's are good for rabbit and squirrel. I use a modified choke barrel although for squirrel in mature timber where you are taking longer shots a full choke should be more effective.
If you can find them, 5's are excellent squirrel loads.
I have also used 71/2s for rabbit in thick cover where shots are close in. Rabbits don't take as much to kill as other game; you just have to be cognizant of the ranges you are shooting. I don't recall having ever lost a rabbit that I had hit hard enough to roll or knock down; unfortunately what I don't know is how many I have hit at the edge of the pattern or when enough energy wasn't delivered to let me see that I had hit the rabbit but hadn't stopped it.
If you can find them, 5's are excellent squirrel loads.
I have also used 71/2s for rabbit in thick cover where shots are close in. Rabbits don't take as much to kill as other game; you just have to be cognizant of the ranges you are shooting. I don't recall having ever lost a rabbit that I had hit hard enough to roll or knock down; unfortunately what I don't know is how many I have hit at the edge of the pattern or when enough energy wasn't delivered to let me see that I had hit the rabbit but hadn't stopped it.
MCgunner
Member
I use .22s and .22 handguns for squirrel. Shotguns are cheating. Even rifles seem like cheating. Rabbits, though, usually jump at your feet long before you see them and hitting one on the run is much easier with a quick pointing shotgun, though I have done it when there was enough room, time to get on 'em, with a .22 rifle. I don't know about hares (IE snowshoe), but I've killed cottontail with a rock, let alone a .22. They die easy. I do use a hollow point on 'em rather than the solids I shoot at squirrels and I'll shoot LRs only at rabbit where a CB short will kill a squirrel real dead.
Use an open choke in a 20 or 12. I've shot 'em with .410 and full choked of course and that is a pretty good choice, but now days I don't have a .410 and would use my little 20 gauge SxS and probably cylinder/IC choked. For squirrel hunting, I'd choke IC/Full, full for those long shots. 6-7.5 shot is appropriate and low brass AAs are fine. You don't need much for 'em.
If you're running rabbits with Beagles (big time fun), I'd advise choking a little tighter. I'd go IC/Mod with dogs. They can pop out of cover a little farther. If you're just walkin' round kickin' 'em out of cover, they're going to be right at your feet.
Use an open choke in a 20 or 12. I've shot 'em with .410 and full choked of course and that is a pretty good choice, but now days I don't have a .410 and would use my little 20 gauge SxS and probably cylinder/IC choked. For squirrel hunting, I'd choke IC/Full, full for those long shots. 6-7.5 shot is appropriate and low brass AAs are fine. You don't need much for 'em.
If you're running rabbits with Beagles (big time fun), I'd advise choking a little tighter. I'd go IC/Mod with dogs. They can pop out of cover a little farther. If you're just walkin' round kickin' 'em out of cover, they're going to be right at your feet.
Clipper
Member
I used to hunt squirrel and snowshoe in the woods with a .357 blackhawk shooting .38 wadcutters. They did less damage than a .22hp, and the snowshoe will let a man without a dog walk right up to it, assuming it's white fur makes it invisible in the snow. It was almost like shooting fish in a barrel late in the season if there was an early thaw. There'd be all these white rabbits and no snow...
308win
Member
Are Jack-rabbits tougher than Cotton-tails or are they about the same?
plumberroy
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jack rabbits are tougher than cottontail rabbits but a squirrel is tougher than either one many years ago I use to chase jacks on a three wheeler[long before anyone knew about 4 wheeler] till they were so tired you could just pick them up. I carry for a woods walking gun a single shot 28 ga that I put together I may get to shoot a squirrel or rabbit or dove or pheasant and some farmers still are more comfortable with some one carrying a shotgun I use winchester AA 7 1/2's except were I might jump a pheasant then I use superX 1oz of 6's
Roy
Roy
Bud Tugly
Member
A Savage 24 with .22 lr over a .410 or 20 gauge is probably just about the perfect rabbit/squirrel gun.
http://www.savage24.com/
http://www.savage24.com/
I've killed many a rabbit while quail hunting using 1-1/8 oz 7 1/2 shot trap loads. Don't need a high powered round or big shot.
I've also killed lots of rabbits with a .22 LR. Use hollow points as they anchor them down pretty good while solids make you walk a lot further to pick them up.
As mentioned, watch the range of the .22. There's a lot of difference between the "dangerous range" and the "effective range".
I've also killed lots of rabbits with a .22 LR. Use hollow points as they anchor them down pretty good while solids make you walk a lot further to pick them up.
As mentioned, watch the range of the .22. There's a lot of difference between the "dangerous range" and the "effective range".
Okiecruffler
Member
I use a light load of 4's in either my 12, 16 or 20. Rabbit don't take 4's, but they're alot easier to remove from the meat.
Yiup, #4's or #5's
It makes the rabbits or squirrels easier to clean.
I hate digging out all those tiny shot.
But, I have even worse getting them between my teeth.
DSW will eat small game, as long as I clean 'em.
I'm a better cook, too.
So.......guess what?
It makes the rabbits or squirrels easier to clean.
I hate digging out all those tiny shot.
But, I have even worse getting them between my teeth.
DSW will eat small game, as long as I clean 'em.
I'm a better cook, too.
So.......guess what?
huntsman
Member
I always use a shotgun for bunnies,because I run them with hounds.
In the past I used a 12 or 16 gauge with #4-6 shot.
Now I'd like to find a sweet little .410 or 28 gauge I can afford for cottontails.
In the past I used a 12 or 16 gauge with #4-6 shot.
Now I'd like to find a sweet little .410 or 28 gauge I can afford for cottontails.
axeman_g
Member
I took a pheasant and a cottontail last weekend with #6 Rem Heavy Shot out of a 16g.
A very nice braised Rabbit with Port Wine and Cherry Reduction sauce soon followed. I love my wife.. she will cook me anything as long as I clean it.
A very nice braised Rabbit with Port Wine and Cherry Reduction sauce soon followed. I love my wife.. she will cook me anything as long as I clean it.
I use both a shotgun and .22 rifle for squirrel and rabbit although I do believe both have their place. When the season is just starting and I need something to get through all the shrubbery I use a shotgun but in the winter when I can't get as close because remember if you can see and hear them they can hear and see you I use my rifle because I get the advantage of more range. Either way I think its what puts food on the table and what your environment calls for when safety is an issue.
308win
Member
I have never developed a knack for seeing rabbits sitting but then I have never really tried to. Everyone says look for the eyes. So, I have never tried hunting rabbits with a .22; squirrel now is another matter. Just have to be careful about shooting at an angle; I always make sure to take the shot such that there is limb or trunk behind the squirrel.
I use #5 shot for squirrel, rabbit and pheasant because I don't want to bust a tooth on small shot and they are much easier to find and remove.
I agree that #7 1/2 shot is plenty good for rabbits and one of my buddies kills plenty with a 20 guage and 7 1/2 shot.
It doesn't matter what shot size I use on quail or doves, if I hit them it is pure luck. (Normally #7 1/2 lead and #7 steel because of shot restrictions on these birds.)
I agree that #7 1/2 shot is plenty good for rabbits and one of my buddies kills plenty with a 20 guage and 7 1/2 shot.
It doesn't matter what shot size I use on quail or doves, if I hit them it is pure luck. (Normally #7 1/2 lead and #7 steel because of shot restrictions on these birds.)
throdgrain
Member
Mostly I use #6 for wood pigeon rabbits squirrels etc. All these are classed as vermin over here so theres no closed season, so plenty of shooting
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