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Shot size for rabbit?

Mr.PissyPantsMr.PissyPants Member Posts: 3,575
edited November 2003 in General Discussion
Just reading the other post about hunting rabbit and wondered what works best. I have taken one this year with a .22 but the rabbit wasn't moving. I plan on using a 12 gauge next time I hunt them but am curious as to what size shot I should use. Suggestions anyone?

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Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
-Benjamin Franklin
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    headzilla97headzilla97 Member Posts: 6,445
    edited November -1
    heres my setup 1187 shooting remington heavy dove loads size 7.5 for wideopen shooting and the same load in 6's for shooting through brush

    "Every time I hear the words animal and rights in the same sentence, I'm going out and killing 20 of something" - Ted Nugent
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    He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 50,956 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I always used 6's when I had a place to hunt bunnies and used a shotgun.

    My heros have always killed cowboys.
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    22WRF22WRF Member Posts: 3,385
    edited November -1
    Having hunted bunnies for over 50 Years my preference has always been #6.
    7 1/2 too much shot pick out
    Don't think you can buy #5 anymore a second choice

    About the only time I used a 12 ga on rabbits was while pheasent hunting they got the #6 also.

    For just rabbits it was most always as 20 ga SxS with low brass #6

    underway.gif
    You can lead a horse to water but....you can't make him a duck
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    longhunterlonghunter Member Posts: 3,242
    edited November -1
    Mr.PP,low power 6's will do.Bunnies are not hard to kill.A 20 ga. would be better ,but I've killed boatloads of em with a 12.I tend to try to shoot a bit high so that the Whole load don't shoot em up real bad.I have used 5's and 7 and a halfs.L.H.
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    soopsoop Member Posts: 4,633
    edited November -1
    I always use 6 shot in a 20 ga or a 28 ga remington 1148
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    leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    For 12ga, I personally like the smallest I can get, light 9 shot, but for 20ga or .410 I prefer #6 just cause its a little more readily available at local stores. I think I've even used .410ga #4 shot before.
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    MPinkstonMPinkston Member Posts: 799 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Nothing smaller than #6 for me, thank you.

    aguncollector@prodigy.net
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    leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I still think a .50bmg with a .30cal sabot is ideal for the job. Just make sure to have a nice long belt for the M2.
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    warcrobwarcrob Member Posts: 358 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I always used #4 shot in a 410. 12 gauge tears em up too bad!

    If you ain't got a sense of humor you got no business bein here!
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    leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Tried CCI Stinger's .22lr yet? Boy I love that stuff.
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    Mr.PissyPantsMr.PissyPants Member Posts: 3,575
    edited November -1
    quote: Tried CCI Stinger's .22lr yet? Boy I love that stuff.

    I sure have. Thats what my .22 likes best.

    fb0d9d60.jpg

    Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
    -Benjamin Franklin
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    dheffleydheffley Member Posts: 25,000 ✭
    edited November -1
    I don't hunt them with a shotgun. I don't like picking the shot out. I use a .22

    How you doin'!wolf_evil_smile_md_wht.gif
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    shooter4shooter4 Member Posts: 4,457
    edited November -1
    I'd use a .22, otherwise, #6 in a 12ga.
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    bambihunterbambihunter Member Posts: 10,684 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I use a .22lr/.410 and really like it. You can shoot 'em with the .22 if they're sitting, but if they are running then blast 'em with 3" .410 #6's...
    My only complaint with the old savage 24 is how slow it is to go from one barrel to the other (and pull the hammer back). If I shoot an miss (me, miss? [:0]) and the rabbit takes off, it is all I can do to get it all switched over and recocked and target aquired again before the rabbit is out of range.

    I've only shot 1 rabbit with a 12 gauge and it looked like it was a bloody rag doll. [xx(]
    Fanatic collector of the 10mm auto.
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    Chevyman TxChevyman Tx Member Posts: 1,875 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    cci stingers with a 22lr. IF they are running then just shoot them running, all you got to do is lead them a little bit, use an automatic and just keep shooting till you kill him or you cant see him anymore! If you miss you aint lost nothing but either way you still have a hell of alot more fun than a scatter gun.

    Dustin K. Griffin
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    dcon12dcon12 Member Posts: 31,948 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I like to use a 22. if the rabbit starts running, I just wisper stop and shoot it when it looks at me and says "huh?".

    It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
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    H.S. 10-XH.S. 10-X Member Posts: 1,360 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I personally would use a 20ga with #6. I would use #6 in a 12ga if that's what I was going to use. Fiocchi makes 12 and 20ga #5's. They're called Golden Pheasant and you can get them from Cabelas for $10.99 20ga, and $11.99 12ga in a box of 25.

    "If I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know"- Kansas
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    timbromantimbroman Member Posts: 1,164 ✭
    edited November -1
    Open choke 12 gauge (never a single-shot) with cheapest low-brass available - #6, #7-1/2, #9. It dosen't matter much. Whatever's left after doves, quail, snipe. Rabbits are easy to kill, if not always easy to hit, and not particular about shot size.

    timbroman@aol.com
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