20-ga. shot for rabbit through cylinder bore

[doggscube]

I'm new to hunting, with an Ohio DNR wildlife area near my house. I'm going to start hunting squirrels with a .22, but by the time rabbits are in season, I can't use a .22 on DNR land except for hunting squirrels.

My only shotguns are my HD 12-ga. and a Savage Model 24C .22LR over .20-ga. cylinder bore, no choke threads. I've verified I can carry this in the field provided I have no .22 ammunition. I've patterned the barrel using #8 shot, it has a nice even pattern, but at 25 yards it's obviously a BIG pattern. Is there a feasible option in terms of shot for hunting rabbits out to 30-40 yards or so?

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[Starter52]

Size 8 shot is too small for rabbits at 30-40 yards. You will need to go to #6 shot (minimum) at that range. You will lose some pattern density, but #6 or #4 is necessary for a clean kill beyond 15 yards.

 

[halvey]

but by the time rabbits are in season, I can't use a .22 on DNR land except for hunting squirrels.

Do you know the reasoning behind this?

 

[doggscube]

"Do you know the reasoning behind this?"

No, I don't. The dates where .22's are only for squirrels are 10/15 through 1/1, daylight hours. Again, this regulation only applies to land owned/controlled/etc. by the Division of Wildlife.

-Jeff

 

[one-shot-one]

Starter52

has it right pattern 6 & 4 and if you can find it 5's see what works best.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Federal is offering bulk boxes of 20 ga. #5. I got mine from Dick's. So I'd try there or one of the other mega-gun-stores.

LD

 

[dfaugh]

Dunno, if you're using dogs or not...But, when I used to hunt rabbit (haven't for some years, can't walk that much anymore), either with or without a dog(s), I never recall shooting one at more than about 40 feet. So you might keep that in mind. I always used a 20 gauge, but it had a modified choke, I used 7 1/2s as I recall, sometimes 6s.

If you're gonna go for longer distances my cylinder bore Mossberg 20" (12 guage) patterns #4 pretty good out to about 75-80 feet.

 

[bowfin]

A 20 gauge is fine for rabbits. My son has already harvested a few this year with our Ithaca. If he wasn't using it already, I would be, and leave the 12 gauge in the closet.

I can't imagine a cottontail living in cover where he wasn't completely out of sight at 30-40 yards 95% of the time. I agree in using #4,#5, or #6 shot instead of #8.

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

I always shot #6 shot out of my 20Ga when hunting rabbits.

 

[12GA00buck]

I prefer #4 shot for rabbits, #6 is okay too, but it wont always penetrate deep enough at longer ranges. At ranges past 15 yards, #8 should be complety out of the question for rabbits. If you can put a choke tube on your HD gun, I'd recomend it. A 12 GA with a full choke and #4 shot will let you reach out pretty far.

 

[redneck2]

In my youth I took a LOT of rabbits with a crap, wobbly single shot 16 gauge with trap load 5's or 6's. They seemed to give the best compromise of pattern vs penetration.

Rabbits are not tough as compared to groundhogs, squirrels, etc. Don't take a lot of killing.

As above, I doubt you'll get many long shots. Maybe one scooting across a corn field, but they typically live in weeds and brush. They're real good at getting cover between you and them in a hurry. Fast handling gun with an open pattern is a big advantage.

Actually, a real light single shot open pattern 20 gauge would make a great rabbit gun,

 

[wolf_from_wv]

"Do you know the reasoning behind this?"

No, I don't. The dates where .22's are only for squirrels are 10/15 through 1/1, daylight hours. Again, this regulation only applies to land owned/controlled/etc. by the Division of Wildlife.

When is deer season?

 

[22-rimfire]

I would suggest you use high brass with #6 shot.

I would guess that the reasoning for not allowing 22's for rabbit hunting would be the same as not allowing centerfire rifles during deer season (safety).

 

[45crittergitter]

I greatly prefer #5 shot, and would choose a tighter choke. Given the fixed choke, you may can tighten the pattern by trying different shells on a target. Usually premium shells with hard/plated/buffered shot will pattern tighter.

 

[hank327]

I doubt you will get many shots beyond 20 yards. Most will be much closer. Since you are new to hunting, I doubt you will be using dogs and will be walking them up. If you walk through thick cover slowly and stop often for a couple of minutes, any rabbit nearby will get nervous and try to sneak off. Most of the time you will spot them and get an easy shot at 5 to 10 yards. As a boy I used a single shot .410 (it was the only gun my family had) and 7 1/2 shot with complete success. In most rabbit cover, a rabbit will be completely out of sight by the time it gets 20 to 25 yards away.

 

[LAK]

No.4 is best for rabbits IMO. I would buy a selection of brands and loads within your gun's chamber length and see which pattern best in your gun at say 30 yards.

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[Thin Black Line]

I prefer #4 shot for rabbits, #6 is okay too, but it wont always penetrate deep enough at longer ranges.

Here in the cold north where animal hide is tough and fat is thick, it's better
to go heavier. #4 for rabbit, #6 for squirrel.