Best gun for Wabbits?

JayB · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 3:35 am Post subject: Re: Best gun for Wabbits?

If I am hunting over my dogs then it is my AYA sbs 12 bore shotgun. If not then it is a 22lr using subsonics.

John

Crackshot · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 2:23 pm Post subject: Re: Best gun for Wabbits?

Sometimes I use Stevens 410 double barrel dad left me.

Davyd · Rookie Member Joined: Feb 08, 2005 Posts: 5

For our rabbits (Australia) for meit varies on the property for small properties close to the cz452 city the friendly .22lr often with subsonics hollowpoints.

However most of my shooting is further into the country often at long range (100-400 yards)along fence lines then its the .223 varmint with remmingon accutip 50gr ballistic tip boat tailed frangible ammunition. Its vermin control - only the dogs eat them afterwards as they are not concerned about presentation of the remains. It is also good for knocking off the bigger jumpers (kangaroos) which the farmers are even more keen to have discouraged - this done with culling licenses.

More generally here the main calibre is "Whatevere is handy" or in the old days what is in the back of the Ute (pickup) so generally .22lr

Davyd · Rookie Member Joined: Feb 08, 2005 Posts: 5

For our rabbits (Australia) for meit varies on the property for small properties close to the cz452 city the friendly .22lr often with subsonics hollowpoints.

However most of my shooting is further into the country often at long range (100-400 yards)along fence lines then its the .223 varmint with remmingon accutip 50gr ballistic tip boat tailed frangible ammunition. Its vermin control - only the dogs eat them afterwards as they are not concerned about presentation of the remains. It is also good for knocking off the bigger jumpers (kangaroos) which the farmers are even more keen to have discouraged - this done with culling licenses.

More generally here the main calibre is "Whatevere is handy" or in the old days what is in the back of the Ute (pickup) so generally .22lr

POP!! · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 2:43 pm Post subject: Re: Best gun for Wabbits?

DallanC wrote:

So what is the BEST Wabbit gun anyway? Elmer liked the Blunderbus, what are the current favorites?

Hard to beat a good old .22 semi when chasing Jackrabbits but for cotton tails I tend to lean more in favor of a double barrel .410, it seems to do the job and not turn them into floating balls of hair.

22-250's at long range is also a blast but hard to find an area where you can really see much from a single location.

For my big deer hunt this fall, I'm taking my .22 and my .17HMR... I found a canyon that is absolutely infested with cottontails... I dont mean seeing 3 or 4 run out of a bush... but seriously like 15 or 20. I jumped around 23 from a *single* 10ft diameter bush when I was out there scouting. Alot of'em would sit up about 40-50 yards away making for an ideal plinking spot with the .17.

What do you guys prefer?

-DallanC

Ruger 10/22 Evil or Very Mad

Shomebigbores · Member Joined: Dec 14, 2005 Posts: 77 Location: Arizona

DallanC wrote:

So what is the BEST Wabbit gun anyway? Elmer liked the Blunderbus, what are the current favorites?

Hard to beat a good old .22 semi when chasing Jackrabbits but for cotton tails I tend to lean more in favor of a double barrel .410, it seems to do the job and not turn them into floating balls of hair.

22-250's at long range is also a blast but hard to find an area where you can really see much from a single location.

For my big deer hunt this fall, I'm taking my .22 and my .17HMR... I found a canyon that is absolutely infested with cottontails... I dont mean seeing 3 or 4 run out of a bush... but seriously like 15 or 20. I jumped around 23 from a *single* 10ft diameter bush when I was out there scouting. Alot of'em would sit up about 40-50 yards away making for an ideal plinking spot with the .17.

What do you guys prefer?

-DallanC

Shomebigbores · Member Joined: Dec 14, 2005 Posts: 77 Location: Arizona

Rabbit dumplings, fried rabbit, rabbit stew, you name it, I prefer it Dallan

moose2 · Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2005 5:26 pm Post subject: Re: Best gun for Wabbits?

Your best Wabbit gun is always going to be the one you can succesfully hit and kill the wabbit with. For some that maybe a pellet rifle, for some it may be a 12 Ga. or anything else. Whatever works for you is the best.--tr

freedyf · Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2005 8:48 pm Post subject: Re: Best gun for Wabbits?

About 20 some years ago we had a jack rabbit infestation. Rabbits were everywhere. I had a Rem 700, .222. It was remarkable what good practice moving targets they were. It sure improved my marksmanship on offhand moving targets. I'd have to say a .222 or .223 would be the ultimate rifle for rabbits. Freedyf

shrpshtrjoe · Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2005 8:53 pm Post subject: Re: Best gun for Wabbits?

Welcome to the HuntingNut freedyf. Very Happy

moose2 · Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2005 9:14 pm Post subject: Re: Best gun for Wabbits?

freedyf, you may only have one post, but you sure nailed what makes a good marksman. Practice,practice, practice. Lot of people fail to comprehend that detail. Good post?--tr

GanG · Rookie Member Joined: Jan 13, 2006 Posts: 7

Open country I like the .17 HMR on a good day I reliably head shoot em out to 150mtrs, good meat, no body damage.

I love shotgunning in scrubby / more heavily vegetated country, nothing so satisfying as seeing a bunny going a million miles an hour fold up and somersault after catching a charge of no4 or no6 shot from the 12g.

If I am bored or have a freezer full, I love my 22-250 with handloaded VMax 40gr for exploding a few wabbits.

farrier · Member Joined: Jan 17, 2006 Posts: 43

My wife's grandpa likes his 22/20gauge it has a single shot 22 barrel on top I think and a 20 gauge barrel on the bottom. I have always like that gun its pretty neat. I always choose a shotgun because I never see them till there running usually 20 gauge Stevens side by side, but sometimes my 12 gauge Mossberg, and I always use low brass #6.

wirehunt · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2006 12:47 am Post subject: Re: Best gun for Wabbits?

Semi shotgun with magazine extension over dog's, CZ 452 out the ute and 10/22 walking without the dog's.

Stephen

bubbadoyle · Rookie Member Joined: May 03, 2005 Posts: 16

17 HMR. I have a Marlin 17vs topped with a simmons 6.5-20x whitetail classic. Any stopped rabbit out to 150 yards has no chance and that is only head shooting. Unbelievable accuracy. I get 7 shot groups, 7 shots because that is what the clip holds, of 3/4" at 100 yards. Did have to have some trigger work done but now has no creep and pulls at 31 oz. I wish all of my centerfire rifles shot this well.