View Full Version : What's your firearm of choice for rabbit's and squirrel's
SevenMag
11-29-2008, 02:56 AM
I'm new to small game but will be using a .17hmr and my fathers .410.
What's your go-to small game gun?
Doeboy
11-29-2008, 03:46 AM
Ruger markII for hand guning and my new go..to rifle is the CZ452 with Burris 3-9-40 and of corse Marlin981T with a weaver V-10 on it:D:D. Used to have a Marlin 17HMR but i sold it WAY too much meat damage on tree rats:tdo12:
SevenMag
11-29-2008, 03:53 AM
That CZ452 looks like a sweet rifle and a burris scope,thats a good combo.
mwakely
11-29-2008, 07:43 AM
For rabbits it's the Model 37 Winchester 20 ga that the family had back in KY and came north after the war (WW2). For pats it's a Ruger Red Label 20 ga and for ducks and squirrels Beretta Extrema.
glongworth3232
11-29-2008, 10:16 AM
Rabbits 20 gauge Rem 870 wingmaster!!!!
wadevb1
11-29-2008, 10:51 AM
I only hunt rabbits with either my Ruger 10/22 or my Rem nylon 66. I personally don't like blowing the legs apart with birdshot. I've long ago discovered rabbits tend to stop after initial jump and I try for a head or solid body shot. If the brush is too thick, oh well, maybe next time.
timberdoodle528
11-29-2008, 11:43 AM
If it's gonna be a long day through rough terrain, I usually take my .22 pistol, a Browning Buckmark.
If I want my limit, I'll take my Mossberg .410 pump.
wJAKE19
11-29-2008, 12:38 PM
I also love to carry my browning buckmark, for squirrels I usually use a ruger 10-22 and for rabbits the buckmark or mossy shotgun if I'm out to get a bunch.
fish fanatic jr.
11-29-2008, 07:30 PM
I like my remington 870 20 ga for rabbits, but just got a nice side by side .410 for them rabbits.
slicktree
11-29-2008, 08:09 PM
.410 for rabbits, .22 for squirrel
Gobblerman
11-30-2008, 08:43 AM
Ruger red label 20 gauge. Light and deadly for bunnies.
bradym54
11-30-2008, 11:59 AM
id say a 30-06 for rabbits and for squirrels a 10 gauge deer slug just to make sure they don't suffer:tdo12: just kidden. 22. and 4-10
mgarrett88
11-30-2008, 04:43 PM
savage mod. 24
O/U 22 on top 410 on the bottom
vampile
12-03-2008, 04:58 PM
Western fields 16ga pump for all small game. only thing that changes is the shot size.
N M Mechanical
12-03-2008, 05:06 PM
20 sxs ithaca by skb because I am going after birds and the bunnies are a bonus.
Fordman7795
12-03-2008, 08:15 PM
3 guys today with ruger 1022s and 3x9 scopes got 11 squirrels. I also use a 410 Remington 1100. Awesome little gun for squirrels, very light and manueverable
love2fish93
12-03-2008, 08:26 PM
RWS model 94 for both. I have found that the squirrils respond well to the new line of crossman pellets. I have not had many rabbits around her but it is mostly garden controll in the fall
Flooded Timber
12-04-2008, 07:05 AM
Savage .22/.410 OU. One shot, one miss... I mean Kill :lol:.
john warren
12-04-2008, 07:59 AM
be careful with that .17, head shots only !
depends what your hunting, i find grey squirrel timbers so fast i need a 20 ga pump. a .410 would be fine. fox squirrels depending on season and your hunting method id stick with the .410. the .17 is great if your sitting and taking longer shots. the nice thin about the .410 is its a dandy gun for deer too with a slug. rabbits .410. though you might want to watch around for a good used .20ga pump action, you can get them real cheap as most want a .12 ga.
GIDEON
12-04-2008, 09:07 AM
Winchester mod. 42, mod 12, 20 ga. Mod 50, 20 ga, and Ruger red label 20, ga. Also have an over and under, Imported through Blissfield arms out of Blissfield Mich.
Kelly Johnson
12-04-2008, 09:11 AM
Ithaca Featherlite 20 for Rabbits and birds.
Prefer the El Kmarto Marlin .22 for tree rats
ctgmi
12-04-2008, 04:04 PM
For rabbits either a Winchester 63 or a Remington 66, depending on the weather.
Squirrels and Grouse it’s a CZ 452 or soon to take possession Sako Quad.
Wishin_Fish
12-04-2008, 05:18 PM
I have a 20 guage Rem. Wingmaster, .410 Single Shot, and a .22cal 597 Rem. with a 3x9 scope.
The past two years since we got our Beagle the 20 and the .22 have sat idle and the .410 has been my primary gun. I love carrying the 410 out rabbit hunting, its light, short, quick shooting, and I don't have to worry about the finish in the brush like the "pretty" wingmaster. For squirrels I'll carry the .22 90% of the time.
MSP60
12-04-2008, 06:01 PM
Remington 1100 28 ga for rabbits, Browning lever action 22 for squirrels.
ridgewalker
12-04-2008, 06:16 PM
I enjoy using a single shot .410 or my .22 handgun.
SevenMag
12-05-2008, 02:07 AM
Just picked up a savage model 64 .22 rifle, can't wait to give it a go on some rabbit's and tree rats. It was on sale at dunham's for $99.99 and came with a simmons 4x20 scope thats junk, but it seems like a decent rifle. Anyone have this particular rifle?
ajmorell
12-06-2008, 12:06 PM
870 20 ga. for rabbits. Marlin 882 SSV 22 mag for squirrels.
glnmiller
12-06-2008, 12:17 PM
Usually hunt with at least one other person, one carries a Ruger 10/22 and the other an 870 20 ga. Depending on the shot, we decide which to use.
Buck Bed
12-06-2008, 12:35 PM
Ruger 77/22, CCI Stingers for rats and a Browning BPS in 28 gauge, #6's for rabbits.
Barry
12-07-2008, 10:37 PM
22 marlin (open site) when I'm out for fun. Champion Single 410 when the wife has an order for rabbit or squirel stew and the pressure is on to perform.
jmlaport
12-08-2008, 04:14 PM
I use a Thompson Center Encore Pistol with a 45 .410 barrel. Makes things very interesting.:D
Elk5012
12-08-2008, 04:43 PM
I use a bolt action .22mag for tree rats, and a remington semi-auto 28 gauge for floppy.
glockman55
12-08-2008, 04:48 PM
My Stevens single shot .410 for Rabbits, and semi-auto .22 for squirrels
cmonky
12-08-2008, 04:49 PM
RABBITS 20 GUAGE BROWNING INVICTA! that thing is the sweetest shooting gun i have ever owned-i only squirrel hunt early season in huge timber, so they get the 870 12 guage-substance over quality you know!:D
7MM Magnum
12-08-2008, 05:13 PM
I don't do the squirrel thing, but as for the rabbits,... the ol' 870 12 ga. with #4 shot does the trick every time. :) :p
aquaticsanonymous
12-08-2008, 06:22 PM
72 dollar baikal 20 gauge single for rabbits
marlin 22lr for squirrels
bowhuntr81
12-09-2008, 11:13 PM
I have a single shot 20ga for rabbit that I love, sometimes (but VERY rarely) I take my grand-dads 12ga with me. Makes a mess of the rabbits normally, way to much gun, but I it was given me by my grand-dad so it gets out about once a year.
Bolt Action Marlin 25N 22LR, with a BSA fixed 4x32 for squirrels. Love it! Only taken one down with it this year, need to get out there though!
A-plus
12-10-2008, 12:21 AM
Depends on the hunting method employed as to what tools are used. Rabbits over dogs or jumping them in the brush, any old shotgun that fits well will do. Rabbits in open areas or slowly stalking brushy edges, a 22 and head shots are the rule. Tree rats are never taken with a shotgun, 22 pistols are a favorite, but any handgun will work if it is accurate enough to make headshots with. Any 22 or pistol caliber rifle will work also. Of course I hunt in large tracts of public land where there are no houses close enough for the bullets to come down on and arrange shots to minimize the risk of a bullet going off into space. If I hunted squirrels near developed areas, then a shotgun would be the preferred tool.
TLWOODS
12-12-2008, 01:32 PM
Savage/fox .410 s/s double for the bunnys and winchester 9422 for the squirrels.
If i want rabbits for the freezer I use my 28 ga. sxs. If I'm exercising the beagle :lol: I use my taurus judge with .410 shells or my buckmark . For squirrels when the leaves are on I use 12 ga. and later in the season I use a .22 pump.
Nealbopper
12-16-2008, 01:56 PM
I use my Remington Speed load shot gun specifically made for rabbit hunting. Very light and the pump action travels over the chamber housing for quick reloads and getting them rabbits on the run. I also carry my Ruger Mark III 5.5in bull nose for those up close and personal shots provided by my Jack Rusell Terrier chasing rabbits full circle. Be sure to sit still when rabbits are on the run from your dog, 9 times out of 10 they go full circle and come right to you. BANG!:yikes: Rabbit stew for me!
Jumpshootin'
12-16-2008, 02:17 PM
Squirrel: Marlin bolt-action .22 w/3x9 scope.
Rabbits: Stoeger Uplander .410 SxS.
Boardman Brookies
12-16-2008, 02:32 PM
Squirrel: Scoped Ruger 10/22
Rabbits: Mossburg 20 gauge
TRAILER TRASH
12-16-2008, 03:16 PM
Mossburg .410 pump or 10/22
Line-Loc
12-16-2008, 10:43 PM
JumpShootin......what are doing in IA? I thought you were up north MI.........
How is that Big Rabbit hound doing?
Flooded Timber
12-17-2008, 07:19 AM
JumpShootin......what are doing in IA? I thought you were up north MI.........
How is that Big Rabbit hound doing?
I was wondering the same thing, haven't heard much from ya lately JS. Hope your basset is giving those IA wabbits a hard time.
mikieday
12-17-2008, 07:26 AM
i always use my grandfathers old j.c. higgins 12ga...a timless pump and works great
Mikie
mrelkman
12-17-2008, 08:36 PM
I don't have a .22LF but will hunt with my Marlin 22 mag. I know it's a little much, but love shooting the rabbits at 75 - 100 yards on the side of a sunny slope. Head shots. 15 for 16 last year. Number 16 was lucky. I also carry it just in case the yote bust out of the thicket. Enough gun to take it out at 100 yards. I love it. Sniper Rifle with 3 - 9 Simmons Scope. :evilsmile
Ken Martin
12-18-2008, 12:20 PM
Remington Model 31 16 gauge pump. Grampa's gun.
Ken
Jumpshootin'
12-18-2008, 12:54 PM
JumpShootin......what are doing in IA? I thought you were up north MI.........
How is that Big Rabbit hound doing?
There's work for me(union electrician) out here so I made the move. I'll get more work out here in the next couple years than I could the rest of my life in Michigan. Alot of industrial projects on the boards. Ethanol, Bio-diesel, grain processing plants, etc..........Northern Michigan is DEAD, and I don't see things coming back up there for years down the road. Any industry proposed gets shot down by the bunnyhuggers. I went from scraping-by the last several years at 25-30K per, to 60K+ out here.
Nice folks here, and LOTS of rabbits & pheasants. I manage to get a rooster or two every time out, even without a dog.
I don't have my dogs with me as I am in an apartment until my place near TC sells. The Lab and Feist dogs are staying with my ex, and the Bassett Hound is being kenneled in Indiana with a friend who has a dozen or so running Bassetts. So he's getting alot of running time in.
Once I get my Michigan place sold and into a house out here, perhaps we can start having an annual MS-Iowa rabbit hunt each winter.
Flooded Timber
12-18-2008, 01:09 PM
Once I get my Michigan place sold and into a house out here, perhaps we can start having an annual MS-Iowa rabbit hunt each winter.[/quote]
Mark me down, I'm in for sure. Have a very good friend who grew up in IA and has been after me for years to go out after roosters at his folks place with him. I could handle chasing roosters, bunnies during the day and zapping coyotes in the evening.
jstfish48162
12-20-2008, 11:15 PM
remington 870 wingmaster 16 gauge pump....:fish:
boomer_x7
12-20-2008, 11:22 PM
love my marlin 25n 22.LR
Rabbit guy
12-27-2008, 02:17 PM
Rabbits: H&R .410 - Great gun to carry in the brush.
GrizzlyHunter
12-27-2008, 04:50 PM
At my home which is in a subdivision I use my "Suburan Assault Rifle. :D (It's a Gamo .177 air rifle w/ a fixed 4 power scope.) It's taken a "lot" of bunnies. :)
GH
GOTONE
12-27-2008, 07:47 PM
Rem 870 20 gauge
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