.223 on rabbit?am i dumb?

I have an XCR and it is plenty accurate for rabbits within 100m. If don't mind lugging a heavier rifle around, it will probably do the job. I have hunted rabbits with pretty much all the recommended calibres about inc 12G. My personal favorite is 22LR for meat hunting as it kills a rabbit and doesn't waste any meat. I tried a .22 WMR and Hornet and one misplaced shot - which can happen quite easily on a sm critter, frequently had an exploded rabbit grenade. This isn't to say you can't use a .22 WMR, .22 Hornet, or even a .223 with the right bullets, I am just saying that it is pretty unforgiving if you miss the head but hit the body.
 
I use a .223 for jack rabbits in open fields. When it comes to other rabbits in the bush the .223 is not a good choice, there is too much cover and your shots will be messed up by twigs etc. A 22lr is good as the round is slower and is less prone to breaking up. And well the shot gun works much better in cover and for moving targets.
 
Bunny vs XCR
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Guess I won't mention the slew of rabbits I de-capped over the years with both a mini -14 and 22-250.................Harold ......... stationary mostly
 
Used a 44 mag for rabbits once...head shots only. Snowies aren't the smartest of the varmint world so head shots were pretty easy.
Shotguns are cruel?? Can't really see where the heck you are getting that from. How much have you actually hunted with a shotgun to state that? The Germans during WWI thought these were cruel and wanted them banned...but were they not the first to use poison gas?
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My first problem with you is the fact you think a shotgun is cruel yet you continue on to say I want to see pink mist... Rabbits are not pests they are amazing tasting animals, so don't eff em up!
 
i was out last weekend using a 12 gage. in 6 hours i seen 1 rabbit and i missed , he was running through bush. 556 is a bit of over kill i think. try a 20 gage and see how that works for you. im not sure where you hunt but where i live and hunt its alot of heavy bush and a shotgun works wonders.
 
also as for partridge, centerfire rifles on them are a no-no here in Manitoba, not sure where you're at though. might want to check your hunting guide.
 
use a .22 or a shotgun, much better choice. I fail to see how the proper gun choice is "cruel" or "boring". You would ruin the rabbit if you didnt get a perfect headshot and you would never headshot one thats on the run either. My rabbit/grouse gun is a 20ga sxs shotgun. Its ideal in every respect.
 
If you really want to shoot them at 100 yards, a well sighted in .22lr will be sufficient, especially if you use stingers.
 
cote_b said:
If you really want to shoot them at 100 yards, a well sighted in .22lr will be sufficient, especially if you use stingers.
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Something like Velocitors would be better @ 100 yards than the Stingers as they have more retained energy at longer distances. Although no two .22cal rifles tend to shoot identically, Stingers are not considered to be a very accurate round with most rifles. They do sound nice though.
 
KDX said:
Something like Velocitors would be better @ 100 yards than the Stingers as they have more retained energy at longer distances. Although no two .22cal rifles tend to shoot identically, Stingers are not considered to be a very accurate round with most rifles. They do sound nice though.
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Yeah that would be a better choice, or maybe even CCI Mini-mags. Stingers are the only real "high velocity" .22lr's Ive ever used and they seem to shoot okay, probably no better than my Federal bulk stuff though.
 
I don't think the XCR is accurate enough for headshots on rabbits. You've got the right caliber for the job, but the wrong rifle. Think bolt gun and you'll do a lot better.
As for partridge and other birds, .223 is a bad choice, go with the shot gun.
 
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