shot question for rabbits

[mikieday]

i just pulled out a stevens model 311 20ga double barrel (purchased at a store called Best) lol, that was a loooooong time ago.:D

i have not fired this gun since i was about 13 years old...it is in great shape and i have always kept it clean. (i replaced the orginal cheap stock and forarm piece with walnut to give it a more classy look;)

which shot size would you all recommend for bunnies.

2 3/4 8 or 6 shot.. it has been so long i cant remember what i used....i think it was 8

here is a pic.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/mikieday/20g.jpg

[zx10r2004]

i use #6 in the first shot and #4's in the last shot. that way the first shot is going be close up (usually) and the second shot will be for futher out. works great for me.

[jml2]

I have good luck with 6 shot (20 gauge). When I hunt it is without a dog and my shots are usually close and in heavy cover.

[GrtWhtHntr]

another vote for 6's, regardless of 20 or 12 ga.

[CL-Lewiston]

Bigger shot=less hair driven into the meat.

[ibthetrout]

I use 6 shot in thick brush and 8 shot in more open areas. I use a 12 ga pump stevens.

[Critter]

#6 works for me in my 12, 20 and 28 guages.

[Slice]

I vote for #6 shot.

[PA BUCK 2]

I have the same shotgun in 16 gauge. Chokes on mine are modified/full....

For shot I use 6 shot.

[augustus0603]

I use 4 shot for my 20 guage. I won't shoot at a rabbit running away with it, though.

[slowpoke]

I like number 5 and 4 shot, a less chance of shooting up the rabbit. I always try to shoot in front of the rabbit to keep the pellet countdown that hits the rabbit. In my later years I used a 4:10. I even went to a TC contender 4:10 hand gun, I like that TC. I have used a 22 auto and taken quite a few with it. Some with a bow. A rabbit is one of the easier game to kill so just about any thing will kill them. Love to here those Beagles run.

[mikieday]

you know i have a 410 also, i used to use it for wood cock when i was a kid..

stevens model 58/ 2 1/2 in shells: my dad said this would also shoot a bullet but i never tried it...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/mikieday/410.jpg

[aquaticsanonymous]

In my later years I used a 4:10. I even went to a TC contender 4:10 hand gun,


You are not deceased yet slowpoke, lol:)

[OSXer]

I've been using #6 shot for years in my 20 GA and it does a great job. I recently tried some #7.5 when I ran out of #6s and won't do that again. It killed them just fine, but there was a whole lot more shot in the meat. I am currently tempted to try the other extreme and go with #4s so that less shot will end up in the rabbit, but I haven't found any shells at a good price yet in this size.

What's the deal recently with #8 shot? It seems like all the shots carries 85% #8 shot and 15% everything else (among the choices in lead for less than $8 per box).

[Tibbs]

hello,
i am tibbs son. i am 11 years old and this past weekend i went rabbit hunting with my dad and his brothers. They were hunting with recurve bows and i was hunting with my crossman one pump pellot gun. After watching my uncle clam up on one and completly miss i pulled up and shot at him running. I dropped him in his tracks. i was happy.:)

[stickem]

i went out tongiht rabbit hunting shot one about 10 feet away..didnt know there was 8 shot in it:yikes:well didnt have to gut it out...:D

[eddiejohn4]

I have always used 6 shot when using the shotgun.

[bowhuntr81]

Like previous posters I like 6's personally also, 20 or 12, but I have also used 8's

[6shot]

#6 game load works well for me in my 20. Ya u were useing a 12 thats y. It was a little bloody in the vest lol !!!!!1:lol:

[mikieday]

i picked up a box of 8's (maybe for skeet) and a box of 6....for the bunnies

couldnt pass up 3.00 per box

thanks everyone...6 is the load to use

Mikie

[stickem]

#6 game load works well for me in my 20. Ya u were useing a 12 thats y. It was a little bloody in the vest lol !!!!!1:lol:

naw..i didnt put it in my vest..it went in my cousins:lol::D

[walleyeman2073]

hay i use 7 shot it works good

[Line-Loc]

#6 shot Rem. game loads work good and they cost less("TRY AN IC CHOKE"")!!!!

#6 shot Rem. game loads cost less and an IC choke(wide) gives much less meat damage.

#5 shot is my "best pick" but the #6 is always on sale........$3.99 per box or LESS.......

AGAIN- TRY "IC" CHOKE FOR RABBITS.....less meat damage.

[Rasher]

I always used 7-1/2 for cottons and 6 for snowshoes.

[HunterHawk]

dang dont you guys take a lot of BB's out of those rabbits? i always have used my bow or a 22... i hate biting down on bbs, i have enough of that duck and goose hunting haha... i would think the bigger shot the better though for shotguns and slowpoke said it right when he leads them... dang all this talk about rabbit hunting has me getting a fever... i gotta get out there!

[woodie slayer]

i like #6 with a dog.if not using dog i use #4(no cripples)

[nashtrash69]

I have that same 20GA and I use #4 and it works great and #6 if I feel like I need to eat some lead shot .

[Tibbs]

have to agree with hunter hawk,,
I like to use a stick bow and arrow. Went out yesterday with 12 guys also hunting with a stickbow and shot 6 bunnies. The best thing about hunting with a bow is that you end up missing a lot of them so they will be there tomorrow. Nothing worse than walking in an area where shotguns wiped out 12 bunnies the week before.-Bunnies are few and thin.