Hunting grouse and rabbit with a 18.5"er [open bore]

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I got a Mossberg 500 with a 18.5" (deer gun), What size shot should I use ?

[buying a new barrel isn't in the budget]
 
#4-6 will work just fine. On cottontail use #6, they work great for grouse too. Pattern your gun and see what is your effective range. The best gun I used for grouse was a single shot 16ga with open bore.
 
Ive done it with a couple of different shotguns in your configuration, just make sure what your pattern is before hunting, practive makes perfect. I found using it best to use #4 . Usually aiming above the head and scoring head and neck hits leaving no shot in my food !

Ive since moved on the longer choked barrels because I always found the range to be limited with an 18.5" cylinder bore.
 
I hunted a bit with a 20" coach gun, I love the idea of a shorter bbl, but they just don't swing right. Stationary targets, no problem (might as well use a .22 though) moving targets... I like a 20"-24" bbl on a semi or pump and a 26" on a break action.

Yes you can use it, you may suffer a bit on your wing shooting but go for it.

If you do not expect to see any bunnies, I would use 7.5 shot, for bunnies exclusively, I like #5 or #4. #6 is a good compromise for both but I would rather not use it. When hunting with my O/U I carry #7.5 and #5, sometimes #6 and change depending on the terrain, Of course, I will shoot either species should they present themselves, regardless of what I have in the gun.
 
Thanks guys,
I have about 200 rounds Winchester #2 shot. Could I use these or are they to big of a load ? [just a thought, I can get different loads if needed]
 
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I use No2 shot out of my 14" cylinder bore

I hate having to pick out the smaller shot, No2's are heavy enough to penetrate through.


But the pattern sucks, you have a fairly limited range, No4 is much more forgiving.
 
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