Hunting w/ 8.5'' 12ga?

Niggles

Niggles

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Huntsville
What are your thoughts on using one of the 8.5'' shotguns for hunting grouse/rabbit?

What sort of difference does a short barrel make compared to say a 28''?

Thinking of getting one but if it's hopeless to hunt with I'll pass.
 
Bad balance, horrible muzzle blast, slower pellet speed, very wide open patterns, difficult to point accurately, impossible to swing smoothly and follow through, and you will look Stooopid! Did I miss anything?
 
I've shot mine a lot with assorted cheap loads just for fun, but haven't hunted with it. The best patterns it produces with small shot would still be pretty useless beyond around 15 or 20 yards. Surprisingly, at least to me, a lot of buckshot loads give pretty decent groups out to about 30 yards. Best of all, Federal TruBall slugs will print 4-inch groups at 50 yards.

I'm sure that threading for chokes would help, but I've never been able to get really good patterns from extremely short barrels, chokes or no chokes (tactical turkey experiments...don't ask!). Maybe somebody with more shotgun know-how could comment on that aspect?

And, oh yes, as Longwalker mentioned...the muzzle blast will be noticeable! You think you're prepared for it, after using it out in a field...and then you shoot it under the trees and...WOW!
 
Longwalker said:
Bad balance, horrible muzzle blast, slower pellet speed, very wide open patterns, difficult to point accurately, impossible to swing smoothly and follow through, and you will look Stooopid! Did I miss anything?
Click to expand...

You missed that in some provinces (BC for one)barrel length needs to be over 12 inches.
 
Good news is when you miss the first shot the bunny will be deaf so you can sneak up on them easily. I use a 18.5" barrel myself. Great for 20-25 yard shots
 
i say patter it and set a max distance id stick with #6 or even #7 1/2 to get better pattern density ive hunted with a 18.5" barrel with no choke but your barrel is 10" shorter
 
emerson said:
Really? Which law is this?
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In hunting regs under definition of "handgun". Not allowed to use if designed to be shot with one hand, or has a barrel length under 12 inches. Page 3.

They are defining any firearm with less than a 12 inch barrel, as a "Handgun" for hunting purposes. Kinda dumb. But it's there.

Cheers
Trev
 
i have used short barrel shotguns on cottontails and small pest birds with excellent results on the rabbits and so so results on the birds.shots were less than thirty yards . from data that i have read it seems you lose from 200 to 300 feet per second from ultra short barrels compared to barrels twenty inches or longer so you are going to have less range with a short barrel .ear protection is a must with these guns .
 
brybenn said:
Good news is when you miss the first shot the bunny will be deaf so you can sneak up on them easily. I use a 18.5" barrel myself. Great for 20-25 yard shots
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PED!* If I'd known of this technique I wouldn't have sold my 14" barrelled Fabarm.




*Profuse Expletives Deleted
 
trevj said:
In hunting regs under definition of "handgun". Not allowed to use if designed to be shot with one hand, or has a barrel length under 12 inches. Page 3.

They are defining any firearm with less than a 12 inch barrel, as a "Handgun" for hunting purposes. Kinda dumb. But it's there.

Cheers
Trev
Click to expand...
Yep, I do remember that now that you mention it.
 
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