Posted: 4/26/2008 11:37:51 AM EDT
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I'm looking for advise as far as guns for hunting rabbits. I've gone twice now: first was with an M4 in .223, today was a .20 gauge pump. First time I was too close to the rabbits and a shotgun would have been awesome. This time the rabits were smarter and bolted before I could get close enough for a shot. I had this awesome shot at 30yrds away, but my pattern was too large and it sucked. My brother had a mossber .12gauge, my buddy had an AK. they both scored rabbits. Maybe I'm just a bad shot? I'm in Cedar City UT. We went this morning about 8 o'clock. We see a ton of jacks, but either they're too close or too far for my gun. And they always suprise me like crazy. Maybe I just need experience with my .22. |
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Ruger 10/22 or 12 guage with #6 shot is all we use. If we get out early in the morning around 5 - 6 a.m. then the .22 gets most of the action. Just driving dirt roads to our hunting area gets at least 3 rabbits to the 10/22 before we even arrive. They are usually sitting on the road at dawn. We usually can pull within 50 - 100 yards of them, get out, load our rifles and take the shot. Usually there are a couple of them in sight and multiples can be taken at one stop. Seems like they are sluggish or just shaking out the cobwebs from a good party the night before! Once the sun has come up a bit then the 12 ga. comes in handy as the rabbits are back in cover. Most cottontails and jacks sit tight until you are on top of them. Only time they run is if they think you have spotted them or if your back is turned. They are always slinking away behind us and we walk with our heads on a swivel. You must be extremely careful about small group tactics so you aren't covering your friends/relatives at close range with a 12ga. With practice you can leave the 12 ga. at home and do very well with the .22 at close range and long. I probably wouldn't use a .223 though unless it was just for varmint control or Jacks. Have seen too many rabbits with massive holes in them. What a mess when you gut shoot a running rabbit with a .223! Good luck with the hunts. Remember that Cottontails are now out of season in UT. Doesn't stop a lot of people from shooting them but if you are caught then you can lose weapons, vehicles and face fines as well. Plus we are getting into the season where we have to look at Tularemia (sp?) as a problem. Check those livers for white spots! Had a family up here (Sandy, UT) that all got Tularemia last year. Put them down for a long time while they recovered. |