What kind of shell for 12 guage rabbit/squrril hunt ?

[tercel89]

I am going squrril and rabbit hunting tomarow . I am bringing my 12 guage shotgun . I have hunting rabbit and squrril with the .22 no problem . But I want to try my shotgun . I know 12 gauge is pretty big , but can it be done with a light load ? If so which load ?
I am not doing anything fancy just walking and trying to scare up some squrrils and rabiits to shoot and have for supper .
Any help is appreciated .

 

[hdblue]

I always used 7 or 71/2 shot for rabbit. 410 gauge 7 shot for squrrel. I bet you'll get a lot of differant opions on this subject.

 

[gofastman]

Brenneke Black Magic...
make sure you aim for the head, there tough little buggers

 

[451 Detonics]

I generally use #4s, less shot to pick out of the meat and the bigger pellets are easier to see to pick out. Smaller will work but just means more pieces of lead in the meat.

 

[MrCleanOK]

I've always used #6 shot for squirrel and rabbit.

 

[timberwolf204]

#6 i like 2 3/4 high brass. find what load works best in your gun. i like remington express loads, also easy to find.

hope this helps

jason

 

[Sergeant Sabre]

I use #6 at the smallest. #4 is better. Fewer pellets over-all, so fewer chances of getting a pellet lodged in the meat. The larger pellets will usually penetrate fully through, also reducing the chances of having one lodged in the meat.

 

[WVMountainBoy]

Always use Rem. 2 3/4 #6's for both cottontails and bushy-tails.

 

[tercel89]

Cool looks like it will be #6 . But are most of you guys using 12 guage or what ?
I thought about getting something smaller like a 20 gauge for this as a regular rabbit/squrril gun . Does that sound about right ?

 

[WVMountainBoy]

I use a 12, when I was young it was because an 1100 was all I had, now its because what I like.

 

[tercel89]

Thanks everyone !!!! I hope I do good . I'll let you all know if I do . I got a Remington 870 that I have only shot once then I got my grandaddys Kessler Westchester bolt action . I may use the Kessler . It is about 60 yrs old and still shoots good .

 

[md7]

Bustin cotton tails is a good time. (good eatin too!!!! make yourself some cathead biscuits with cane syrup for the full effect)

#6, 7, 7 1/2 all works. Just be sure to not bite into one. Trust me.

 

[md7]

As for gun and guage, I like an 870 with 18" bbl, cylinder bore. 12 guage. Alot easier to manage in thick brush, and the shots are usually no more than 20 feet or so.

 

[6x6pinz]

#6 for rabbit and squirrel, doesn't matter the gauge but I would never take a 12 for small game but that is me.
How did the shooting go?

 

[tercel89]

I got rained out !!!! I went and got my shells and then the bottom fell out
I am gonna try it again today .

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I am going squrril and rabbit hunting tomarow . I am bringing my 12 guage shotgun . I have hunting rabbit and squrril with the .22 no problem . But I want to try my shotgun . I know 12 gauge is pretty big , but can it be done with a light load ? If so which load ?
I am not doing anything fancy just walking and trying to scare up some squrrils and rabiits to shoot and have for supper .
Any help is appreciated .

#4,5,6 High Brass is what I use for Tree Rats and Rabbits.

 

[tercel89]

Deltaboy , what kinda damage does a #4 shot put in the meat ?

 

[Magnuumpwr]

Like the others have stated #4 or #6 high brass. #4 or #6 shot is not that bad, unless you mess up and shoot one to close to you. Also like others mentioned, the larger shot is not as apt to lodge on the meat, and if it does it is so much easier to locate and remove.

 

[Bud Tugly]

Most rabbits are shot at fairly close range and are very easy to kill. I found that a .410 with 11/16 oz of #6 works just fine. I started out using a 12 gauge but most of the meat was so shot up it was inedible unless you made a head shot.

 

[Sergeant Sabre]

I find the 12ga doesn't blow them up any more than any other. You just have to use a very open choke. IC, skeet, or cylinder is excellent.

 

[tactikel]

+1 on #6 shot for both, any field load- 1.25 oz will easily take rabbits or squirrel. If you are taking longer shots at squirrels (oak tree tops) you may need #5 shot. If you have lots of leaves still up copper or nickel plated shot may punch thru better than plain lead. Have fun!