shotgun for rabbits?

C

coyote lance

New member
Hey, I have been reading around and it seems that no one uses a shotgun for rabbit hunting, this seems like a good choice am I wrong? I am using a 20ga. shooting #5 lead shot. Thought this would be a good combination. I am going to try and tan the furs, would a .22 be a better choice. I usually hunt by myself by tromping through the brush and chasing them out.
 
I use a 12 or 20 gauge and whatever shells are cheapest at Wal-Mart. Just be sure to lead 'em and you shouldn't have to worry about tearing up the good fur.
 
I have another question. My girlfriend wants to go hunting rabbits with me, her dad has a single shot 410 that she could use, would this be a bad choice for rabbits? I don't want her to get too discouraged when it will not take them down. Should I also go with the cheapest ammo for this gun or would a heavier shot help out?
 
I have taken many rabbits with the .410 shotgun. Nice light gun. My other choice for rabbits is a 22LR. If you are hunting on foot, you can usually find them sitting or if you bust one, they run a bit, then stop and watch so you can get a nice sitting shot. The eye makes a nice target with iron sights or a scope.

Have fun.
 
Whenever I'm just scouting or hiking around the woods my single shot.410 is the gun I usually carry with a pocketful of #4,#6,#7,and #9 shot.That way you are prepared for anything. You can even get buckshot for it (3 .30 calibre pellets in each load) but wicked expensive,$5.00 for a box of 5 shells. I've even taken coyote with it. An extremely versatile weapon. It's also a simple,safe and easy to use gun,perfect for your lady friend to learn on.
 
Lance,
For running rabbits a shotgun is great. I think that you have the best possible shot size also. 5`s are large enough that you don`t need to hit them with a bunch of shot to kill them which mean you don`t have a bunch of shot to pick out whan you eat them. The 410 is a great little gun and should do your girl friend a good job. With it use nothing smaller than 5`s and 4`s would be just as good. As for tanning hides, the shotgun would be better as the .22 will leave a big hole in the hide where it goes out the other side.
 
I dont use a shotgun because I hunt them quite a bit and I like using my airguns or .22 or my new .17HMR(my new favorite) just for a little extra challenge. When I want to come home with A bunch the shotgun goes out to the field. But they dont taste that good, so ! or 2 does me just fine. Shotguns are a good choice and (safe)because of limited range. GOOD LUCK
 
Hello Lance,
There's nothing wrong with the rig you're using. It should do nicely. I hunt them in the brush using a Remington 870 with 20" slug barrel, rifle sights, and a cylinder bore. That may sound a little odd, but I hunt alone and use a loud whistle as well to keep them moving. Hell they don't know which way to go. The whistle noise panics them. The cylinder choke throws a pretty wide pattern so I use No.6 shot to get more lead out there. The 20" barrel is somewhat unorthodox but it handles like a dream in the brush. Best wishes to you.

Cal - Montreal
 
I really like my Remington 870 Wingmaster, and Remington 1100 Sporting both in 28 gauge. It is great for rabbits, grouse, and close range pheasant. I shoot 6 shot, and really thumps them, in fact shot a big rooaster 2 weekends ago at about 30 yards. Will post pictures of the mount as soon as I get it back.

Take care,
 
If you're jump shooting cottontail rabbits or running them with beagles the .410 & 20 will do fine. I personally prefer light loads of #6 or #7.5 with an open choke for my shooting which is usually under 20 yards.
 
yeah right....no one using shotguns for rabbits!!! When our beagles are on the tear, you'd best have a shotgun full of high base 6's (I use either a 20 or 16 guage) and be ready, cuz the snowshoes (or cottontails) will be coming on high.....Rem 870 Express is an inexpensive, very reliable and versatile shotgun.

Good luck,

Goose
 
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