shot gun for rabbit hunting

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

theboondocksaints22

Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2007
Messages
51
Location
louisiana
right now i am using a remington 870 express 12 gauge with a 26 in barrel . i plan on buying a new gun just for rabbit hunting i am thinking about a 20 gauge or 16 gauge youth model .i am open for any other ideas
 
I think the 20 gauge would be best. Shells are aslo cheaper for the 20 (atleast in my area)

or you could catch them with your bare hands like i did today.
I shot at the rabbit and it kept movin into some thick brush so i walked up to see if i got it and it was just sitting there so i walked up really slow like and grabbed it. i didnt pick it up or anything because "attacked by a cottontail" was not on my list of things to do for the day but it was an interesting experience.
 
the best rabbit gun i ever used was an ithica pump action feather weight 16 guage.but i use an 870 with an 18 inch barrel now
 
I've shot many, many rabbits with a single shot .410 break-open. I prefer 3" shells with #6 shot.

Rabbits aren't very tough, and it only takes a few good pellet hits to bring them down. Sure, the shells are more expensive than 12 or 20 gauge shells, but the guns are nice and light for long hunts through the brush.

Plus, it's fun when you occasionally out-shoot guys with bigger and fancier guns :)
 
i used a winchester 1300 with a 21" or 22" bbl for a long time.

here recently i have switched to an 870 with an 18" bbl. it works very well, particularly when you are in the midst of briars, trees, and limbs. very easy to maneuver. it is very effective too. 12 or 20 guage would be fine.
 
There is a rabbit hunting club in my area that uses 410s exclusively. They hunt every day during rabbit season, weather permitting. I have been their guest a few times. They have more fun than a person ought to have. They have good dogs and are a bundle of fun. One of the members tried to get them to change the rules so that a 28 gauge could be used but no dice.

They don't kill a lot of rabbits but they chase a bunch. I laugh my can off watching them pop caps at a rabbit just out of range of the 410. I've never killed a rabbit with them as I can't hit very well with the tight choke but they are a fun group to be with.
 
The 870 Special Field with its straight grip stock and 22" bbl. in 20 gauge would make one great bunny gun.
 
Wabbit huntin'

I took a rabbit this week with a .177 pellet gun...headshot it in my backyard.
With a shotgun...anything over 410 is overkill, especially if ya want any meat out of the kill...( the only reason I hunt ).
 
20ga is perfect for wabbits. Even with a skeet choke, I knocked off 6 at the farm. :D
 
My father used a single shot Stevens 20. My brother would use a 12. I like .410, but I would like to try my 28 next time.

In other words, something you can hit with will do, but go smaller to save meat.

gp911
 
anything over 410 is overkill, especially if ya want any meat out of the kill
Click to expand...

I don't know about that. I use a 12ga and will get a few pellets in the meat but they come right out when I skin the thing. But I only use a 12 ga because that is what I have. I would like to hunt them with a 28 ga, but I don't have a 28 ga.
 
this is one of the guns i am looking at
Click to expand...

Interesting! I wasn't aware that Remington made a 16ga youth model. The only downside I see, is that traditionaly, remington has always basicaly put a 16 ga barrel on a 12 ga action. So there isn't much difference in weight between similar models. If you are partial to 16 ga guns, and want one that is scaled to gauge, you might consider a Winchester Model 12 with a modified choke. I own one of these and love it. :)
 
after my own heart

I grew up rabbit hunting. 12 is too big first off. My favoriate rabbit gun is an old ithaca feather weight 20ga, second is a remington 1100 LW 28 gauge and my first rabbit gun (worked just as well as the nicer tools) was a steven single shoot .410. It all boils down to a quick light 410-20 gauge. By the way the ithaca has an OLD weaver quikpoint sight and is quick as hell for wabbits.
 
Grew up hunting Rabbits with a Model 10 Remington Pump in 20 Gauge. Now I have a Remington 870 in 20 Gauge. One of the best all around guns that I have ever used. I hunt Ducks, Quail, and Rabbits with my 20 and it does great.
 
The shotgun used doesn't matter much, IMO - just chose one with choke tubes and a variety of ammo and match to hunting conditions.
 
20 gauge

I have a 20 gauge especially for rabbits, squirrels, and other small game because it is easier to carry and also easier on the shoulder than most 12 gauges. It is a remington 1100. The gas operation really cuts down on any of the recoil and is a joy to shoot.
 
I've alwyas figure that a Savage 24

20/22LR or better, 20/22WMR would be the prefect bunny gun.

I have not yet had the opportunity to prove or disprove my theory in the field.

Don't shoot Peter Cottontail from 10 yards away with a 12 gauge when he's sitting under a bush.

Instant rabbit soup.

--Shannon
 
I saw a guy on TV using a double barrel pump. He'd shoot the heck outa the woods but never killed the wabbit.:D

I always used a pump .410, easy to tote, plenty good medicine for rabbit, no excess shot for your teeth. I think Academy stocks one in mossberg 500- 209.99.
Carl
 
"You have a season for rabbit hunting??"

No legal season here in N E Texas. General rule is only hunt them in months with an R. I usually throw out sept. and april also, too warm.
Carl
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
Stock Options
Replies
2
Views
295
simonjester
S
W
  • Locked
Youth stock on a 12 gauge
Replies
7
Views
3K
LeonCarr
L
W
  • Locked
Best turkey gun for 11 y/o
Replies
22
Views
1K
BeerSleeper
B
T
  • Locked
What kind of shell for 12 guage rabbit/squrril hunt ?
Replies
20
Views
6K
tactikel
T
T
  • Locked
20 gauge primarily for upland hunting
Replies
18
Views
3K
Clemson
C
Back
Top