I'm looking for advise as far as guns for hunting rabbits. I've gone twice now: first was with an M4 in .223, today was a .20 gauge pump. First time I was too close to the rabbits and a shotgun would have been awesome. This time the rabits were smarter and bolted before I could get close enough for a shot. I had this awesome shot at 30yrds away, but my pattern was too large and it sucked. My brother had a mossber .12gauge, my buddy had an AK. they both scored rabbits. Maybe I'm just a bad shot?
Rabbits
- Thread starter tmackay
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Dksimon
Member
I have never shot a rabbit with anything bigger than a .22.
I dont know what to tell you about guns because you seem to be using guns bigger than I would even dream of.
Some tips for cotton tails. If you whistle while they are runnig 9 times out of 10 they will stop and look at you for just long enough for you to get a shot at it.
I dont know what to tell you about guns because you seem to be using guns bigger than I would even dream of.
Some tips for cotton tails. If you whistle while they are runnig 9 times out of 10 they will stop and look at you for just long enough for you to get a shot at it.
I'm in Cedar City UT. We went this morning about 8 o'clock. We see a ton of jacks, but either they're too close or too far for my gun. And they always suprise me like crazy. I'll try that wistle tecnique though. Maybe I just need experience with my .22.
koja48
member
For cottontails, I used .22s . . . stalk & spot, but I only hunt them in the winter months. For jacks, I used everything from arrows to 22s to varmint rifles to shotguns (we used to thin them in the hayfields in the winter from pickup trucks . . . was fun & effective as long as you missed the ditches.). Back in the days of hay stacks versus bale stacks, jacks would destroy stacks in short order when their numbers were up.
Try jumping one, then watch where it stops & wander toward it, but at an angle until you jump it again. After the 2nd or 3rd time, the critter should sit thinking you will pass it by . . . used that technique when I bowhunted them & it worked (you do get some miles in, however).
Try jumping one, then watch where it stops & wander toward it, but at an angle until you jump it again. After the 2nd or 3rd time, the critter should sit thinking you will pass it by . . . used that technique when I bowhunted them & it worked (you do get some miles in, however).
qajaq59
Member
It sounds like you could use one of those old 410/.22 over and under guns. They were once popular but I haven't seen one in years. If the bunny is standing he gets the .22. If running, then it is 410 time.
What shot size are you using?
I've shot a cottontail with #8. I'll never do that again. It was unethical.
"12 Gauge" doesn't mean much. It's the shot that matters. A .410 just has less of it, but #8 hits like #8 no matter what it comes from.
Shooting a running rabbit is not a joke. Practice shooting moving targets with the shotgun. Do it in an environment where you can see dust come up where you hit.
I've shot a cottontail with #8. I'll never do that again. It was unethical.
"12 Gauge" doesn't mean much. It's the shot that matters. A .410 just has less of it, but #8 hits like #8 no matter what it comes from.
Shooting a running rabbit is not a joke. Practice shooting moving targets with the shotgun. Do it in an environment where you can see dust come up where you hit.
countertop
Member
Last rabbit I shot was about 3 feet away. Hit him with a 3 1/2 inch 12 gauge loaded with #5 shot - IC choke. Not a whole lot left of him
sm
member
Humm...
The only place I have had to use a center rifle on wabbits is down around Midland / Odessa, Tx.
They have wabbits big enough to stand flat footed and French kiss a giraffe.
Proper gun was Model 70 in '06.
Really!
Personally:
Handguns, I like to handgun hunt with simple guns, factory sights ...
K frame .22 Revolvers, H&R Break Top (".22 Special" and 999).
Semis - Colt Woodsman, High Standards, Ruger, and Buckmarks.
Model 10/ 64 with 148 gr wadcutter or 158 gr standard pressure* ( not hollow point)
Bone Stock 1911 with 185 gr standard pressure LSWC,
BHP, or Kel-Tec P-11 with 115 gr standard pressure loads*
*Big swamp wabbits and they need head shots and down.
Shotguns - most often a single shot, in 28 ga, though I use a .410 or 20 ga.
I like #5 shot.
Pattern the gun, know effective distance and shoot within this distance.
My deal is:
I assist with kids and ladies and single shot .22 rifles and single shot shotguns are just great.
Easy to tote, as sometimes one is toting more than shooting.
WE try to use the same guns, as the kids, it teaches them skill sets, and they do not feel under gunned as the adults have bigger guns.
They understand we CCW, or someone has a 20 ga pump, and it is not for wabbits, instead our safety from 2 legged varmits.
I also like to handgun hunt with simple guns, that I really carry.
Woodscraft skills, translate into street savvy.
Gun is just one tool in the tool box on the street, this affords me quality practice, challenge and fun.
Regs say 4" bbl min bbl length, so when I use something shorter, like a 3" K frame , or Kel-Tec, I do so under pest control regs, and with the owners involvement.
Whistle is what we do, as mentioned above.
There is nothing like rabbit hunting with beagles, especially in the snow.
We gotta get the kids out in the snow, and single shot shotgun are perfect for this.
Heck you get so tickled with the beagles - you forget about the wabbits.
Hunting to me is the people, dawgs and all, taking of game is just a bonus.
The only place I have had to use a center rifle on wabbits is down around Midland / Odessa, Tx.
They have wabbits big enough to stand flat footed and French kiss a giraffe.
Proper gun was Model 70 in '06.
Really!
Personally:
Handguns, I like to handgun hunt with simple guns, factory sights ...
K frame .22 Revolvers, H&R Break Top (".22 Special" and 999).
Semis - Colt Woodsman, High Standards, Ruger, and Buckmarks.
Model 10/ 64 with 148 gr wadcutter or 158 gr standard pressure* ( not hollow point)
Bone Stock 1911 with 185 gr standard pressure LSWC,
BHP, or Kel-Tec P-11 with 115 gr standard pressure loads*
*Big swamp wabbits and they need head shots and down.
Shotguns - most often a single shot, in 28 ga, though I use a .410 or 20 ga.
I like #5 shot.
Pattern the gun, know effective distance and shoot within this distance.
My deal is:
I assist with kids and ladies and single shot .22 rifles and single shot shotguns are just great.
Easy to tote, as sometimes one is toting more than shooting.
WE try to use the same guns, as the kids, it teaches them skill sets, and they do not feel under gunned as the adults have bigger guns.
They understand we CCW, or someone has a 20 ga pump, and it is not for wabbits, instead our safety from 2 legged varmits.
I also like to handgun hunt with simple guns, that I really carry.
Woodscraft skills, translate into street savvy.
Gun is just one tool in the tool box on the street, this affords me quality practice, challenge and fun.
Regs say 4" bbl min bbl length, so when I use something shorter, like a 3" K frame , or Kel-Tec, I do so under pest control regs, and with the owners involvement.
Whistle is what we do, as mentioned above.
There is nothing like rabbit hunting with beagles, especially in the snow.
We gotta get the kids out in the snow, and single shot shotgun are perfect for this.
Heck you get so tickled with the beagles - you forget about the wabbits.
Hunting to me is the people, dawgs and all, taking of game is just a bonus.
Husker1911
Member
Why would you do that?
Just to kill the animal? :banghead:
countertop
Member
Their a nuisance. Especially when they start breeding like crazy and their numbers get out of whack. If your a farmer, a run away rabbit population is the last thing you want. Not only do they eat your crops (or undermine their root structure) but they also act as vectors spreading disease to livestock.
Me, personally, I like the bunny rabbit around my neighborhood. Also like to hunt and eat the occaisional rabbit. But if you've ever seen an infestation . . . you'd realize they needed to be taken care of.
Of course, we then used all the rabbit carcasas we shot as bait for coyotes, but thats another story.
Me, personally, I like the bunny rabbit around my neighborhood. Also like to hunt and eat the occaisional rabbit. But if you've ever seen an infestation . . . you'd realize they needed to be taken care of.
Of course, we then used all the rabbit carcasas we shot as bait for coyotes, but thats another story.
Used a 22 more than anything by a large percentage but a shotgun will do fine, just give them a little distance.
My personal favorite is a Savage 24 in 22/410 or 20 gauge. If your wanting to eat them a centerfire is usually to much.
I know I fail completely to understand greenpeace/peta mentality.
My personal favorite is a Savage 24 in 22/410 or 20 gauge. If your wanting to eat them a centerfire is usually to much.
This is a hunting forum, if you need to ask question such as this I doubt you'd understand the answer if given.
I know I fail completely to understand greenpeace/peta mentality.
Husker1911
Member
Oh, please. What I object to is:
That's not hunting, that's destroying. I'm not opposed to hunting, by any means, and resent your implication. I understand culling pests, too. Still, the poster's comment sounds like bragging about destroying a game animal. High road?
So?
Been there done that, cuts em clean intwo. If there eating up your garden the method doesn't matter, neither should it otherwise. Game animals should not be waisted just to waist, but he said "rabbit" we have no idea other than that.
Like before, we don't understand one another.
High road has nothing to do with it, different perspectives.
dagger dog
Member
If your hunting cotton tails for food, it's the wrong time of year in most places, the tuleremia?,spotted liver can still be out.
Spot and stalk with a rimfire or flush hunting by brush busting or with dogs, and using shotguns any thing from.410 bore to 12ga. low power #5 or 6 shot shells, letting them run out 10-15 yds before taking a shot.
I'm fimilar with jack rabbits , grew up in the southwest, but never really hunted them, used to watch the guys that trained racing greyhounds let the dogs run 'em! If I did I would use center fire .22 cal and spot and set up to take a long range shot as we do back east for ground hogs.
Spot and stalk with a rimfire or flush hunting by brush busting or with dogs, and using shotguns any thing from.410 bore to 12ga. low power #5 or 6 shot shells, letting them run out 10-15 yds before taking a shot.
I'm fimilar with jack rabbits , grew up in the southwest, but never really hunted them, used to watch the guys that trained racing greyhounds let the dogs run 'em! If I did I would use center fire .22 cal and spot and set up to take a long range shot as we do back east for ground hogs.
koja48
member
Rabbits & other pests can be extremely destructive especially when their numbers peak (please see post #5 above . . . loss of hay equals loss of livestock in a hard Montana winter AND loss of livelihood). . . Husk, I believe you may have taken the way the post was written out of context, but you are entitled to your opinion in any event. When eliminating a pest/threat, optimum range isn't the primary objective . . . quickly completing the task is. Granted, the combination employed may have rendered a dramatic conclusion, but it was quick, humane, and effective. The tool used at the range encountered would have had the same effect on a rat or rabid skunk. Threat is in the eyes of the threatened . . . as the old saying goes, "I guess you had to be there" . . .
brighamr
Member
Why would you do that?
Just to kill the animal?
Answer: So we don't have Austrailia's unsolveable problem.
Guns? My scoped 22 is nice. I also like an AR with a mil-dot. My last rabbit was actually taken with an XD-9 at 15 yards. Took a few shots but I got him. Barbequed that guy with some jack daniels sauce. Mmmmmmm
Just to kill the animal?
Answer: So we don't have Austrailia's unsolveable problem.
Guns? My scoped 22 is nice. I also like an AR with a mil-dot. My last rabbit was actually taken with an XD-9 at 15 yards. Took a few shots but I got him. Barbequed that guy with some jack daniels sauce. Mmmmmmm
sixgunner455
Member
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2006
- Messages
- 3,052
Agree! Especially the dawgs.
...need to run my dawg before the cub scouts come over tonight...
Owen
Moderator Emeritus
I dunno Steve, if them rabbits wanna kiss a giraffe, I say let 'em.
Never was one to interfere with lovebirds.
Never was one to interfere with lovebirds.
John4me05
Member
Rabbits are prime bow territory... Good practice too...
Pat McCoy
Member
Most I've shot have been with .22 rifle, but lately and in the future the .32 flintlock is the best tool for me.
sm
member
*LOL*
We had some Persian Jews (that dates me huh?) come in during rabbit season.
They had the cutest 3 year old daughter.
They had taken her to an American Zoo, and the "raffs" were inside.
She had a good time.
It snowed and we all went to see beagles and rabbits in the snow.
She was nothing but big eyes and big smiles.
She got some rubber boots, oh she was cute.
Even after she stepped into a hole up to her waist, and snow got in her boots.
One fella got huge rabbit!
This rabbit was as tall as she was when he held it up ..cute kid, and she thought the rabbits ears were funny.
I choked with laughter when she took her little fist and bopped that rabbit in the nose.
She just wanted to see what the rabbit would do, nothing, old boy felled it with a .22 single shot rifle.
"raff" and then she bopped that rabbit...
Neat folks, cute kid, and she had a good time doing anything, and these beagles....
Good grief!
They made over her and we swear they really put on a show for her that day.
Even if one does not hunt, one just has to see beagles going after wabbits at least once in a lifetime, and snow adds so much more to the experience.
Grandpa Shooter
Member
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2007
- Messages
- 948
Don't you boys know how to set snares? No need to ruin good meat with buckshot or lead bullets. Find the major runs and snare em.
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