12 Gauge too much for hares ??
- Thread starter Lupara
- Start date
I never said that I was an "expert", I stated my experience, because so many opinions on CGN and elsewhere are regurgitated drivel written by kids... Rather than expert I would say experienced, I have shot hundreds of hares (not a typo)... I started snaring when I was seven years old, and have taken more bunnies with pellet guns than with any other firearm... For 25+ years we used Sheridan C9 .20 pneumatic rifles and Benji HB20 pistols for all our grouse and hare hunting... Kills them dead where they sit. I have also owned and run beagles for rabbits, at which time I changed up to a shotgun, mostly .410, but occasionally 28 or 20 gauge.
Sorry you were offended that I challenged a very clear statement that you made about a .22 LR "lacking the power" to cleanly kill those big rabbits up there... But I still say that is hogwash... Our pellet guns had 13 ft/lb and 5 ft/lb of energy and killed hares cleanly with 14.3 grain pellets... Compare that to even light LR loads at 60-70 ft/lb with a 40 grain bullet... I am quite certain that the LR will "git r' dun."
I'm gonna go against the conventional wisdom in this thread, based on my bunny hunting experience. Where I live, in Northern Ontario, bunnies come out thick as flees about every nine years or so. During this smorgasbord of bunnies, this veritable Alfred Hitchcock invasion, rabbits become a nuisance. Bush roads are covered with hundreds of them. And they die like mosquitos. If you look real hard at them, they will keel over.
During this tidal wave of cottontails, this tsunami of coneys, I feel the need to do philanthropic work and kill as many of the little bast@rds as possible. I use my bow and arrow, my 20 gauge, my 12 gauge, my several .22's, a variety of pellet guns and slingshots and sometimes a spear chucking sling. Damn, sometimes I throw my hunting knife at them. But the only way I will kill them is if it's a head shot, no matter what I use, so my shotguns are always full choke. That's right, full choke. I blow their little hairy heads clear off.
You ever hear one of those little gombers cry if you hit them in the back legs with a shot gun. Jesus mother of God, it's enough to make Hitler weep. Make you hang up your guns for years.
Head shots, only head shots. Double tap.
During this tidal wave of cottontails, this tsunami of coneys, I feel the need to do philanthropic work and kill as many of the little bast@rds as possible. I use my bow and arrow, my 20 gauge, my 12 gauge, my several .22's, a variety of pellet guns and slingshots and sometimes a spear chucking sling. Damn, sometimes I throw my hunting knife at them. But the only way I will kill them is if it's a head shot, no matter what I use, so my shotguns are always full choke. That's right, full choke. I blow their little hairy heads clear off.
You ever hear one of those little gombers cry if you hit them in the back legs with a shot gun. Jesus mother of God, it's enough to make Hitler weep. Make you hang up your guns for years.
Head shots, only head shots. Double tap.
Chefhunter
CGN Regular
- Location
- Maple ridge
When hunting rabbits i would always go with a 12 guage 7 1/2, found that 80-90% of rabbits were running and way easier with a shottie, once you get used to it, you will rarely ruin the meat...always lead to tip of nose ( within 15 yards) then it also depends on the choke.
I guess I should have mentioned that this was the first time I ever shot this particular shotgun. The guy I bought it from told me it was a cylinder choke. Last night I took her apart for cleaning, and I notice "FULL" stamped on the barrel. I get out the calipers and measure, .685, that's super full choke. No wonder I blew the poor bast#rd to bits. That's the last time I take somebody's word. Good thing I didn't fire a slug.
- Location
- Ottawa origanally Muskoka
#7 1/2 @ 1200 fps skeet choke you'll tag em. I tried a full choke once on a big snowshoe. He was running left to right and then he zigged just as I pulled the trigger. He caught 1 1/8 oz of #7 right in the nose which placed a hole about the size of a pop can in one end and out the other. What a waste of a good hare. 
that's when I switched to skeet chokes, one or two pellets is all it takes.
Reaming the choke can be done by any half competant smith or in your own shop/living room one evening with a sanding drum and a dremel/drill and your trusty calipers. I'd open it up to a Mod personally.
that's when I switched to skeet chokes, one or two pellets is all it takes.Reaming the choke can be done by any half competant smith or in your own shop/living room one evening with a sanding drum and a dremel/drill and your trusty calipers. I'd open it up to a Mod personally.
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#7 1/2 @ 1200 fps skeet choke you'll tag em. I tried a full choke once on a big snowshoe. He was running left to right and then he zigged just as I pulled the trigger. He caught 1 1/8 oz of #7 right in the nose which placed a hole about the size of a pop can in one end and out the other. What a waste of a good hare.
Reaming the choke can be done by any half competant smith or in your own shop/living room one evening with a sanding drum and a dremel/drill and your trusty calipers. I'd open it up to a Mod personally.
Its an 1100, ill just put another barrel on it.
NolanOsborn
Regular
- Location
- British Columbia
I've used a 20 gauge with #4 & #6 shot in thick brush in northern ontario, sometimes #5 for grouse as well. Never had issues.
The odd running shot can be a tad messy but if its cleaned well it is fine. Otherwise I just take headshots.
The odd running shot can be a tad messy but if its cleaned well it is fine. Otherwise I just take headshots.
NolanOsborn
Regular
- Location
- British Columbia
Should have specified that I shoot a SXS with Modified and Full chokes. If the rabbit is super close and tucked into a ball as they often do, shoot a hair above the eyes and it takes the top of the head clean off. Otherwise aim for the head and its mess free cleaning. Open chokes and light shot account for game full of pellets at further ranges in my opinion.
i prefere 12ga winchester 2 3/4" high brass shot #4 for birds and rabbits/hare. but ofcoarse you gota be use to your gun and know how it shoots. using my mossberg 500 with a 30" full choke i can take a birds head clean off at the neck if its at 2 yards, or 15 yards. i also have a mossberg 500 in 20 gauge, but the barrel has been hacked off at 20", and i use federal high base 2 3/4" #4, and same just not at such distance since it doesnt have a choke. my brother like his .22 or .22 magnum for birds and rabbits since he can get them further distances before they even see you.
good luck.
good luck.
I always used a pump action 12 ga with #4 shot, and always aimed for the head. Never had a problem. I always found if you shoot at a runner always lead a good ways or what happens is what you said, the little bugger usually gets blown to pcs. Actually, its mostly a rookie mistake and goes away after more experience is gained and after receiving a few lambastings from more experienced hunters. 
