What gauge do you use??

TAZWILLFIX

TAZWILLFIX

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Getting back into hunting after way to many years and would like to get some rabbit and grouse. Was looking to get a .410 (would also look at 16 or 20 gauge) as all I have is a 12 gauge but monies tight and I keep getting those nasty looks from the wife when I put the words NEW and GUN together. I am looking for comments and suggestions on what to use and or what you use. How many hunt rabbit or grouse with a 12 gauge? If so what size shot? Does something that big tend to destroy the meat? Are you better off shooting from farther away so less pellets hit? Please help school an older newbie.
 
I use target shot, 7 1/2 or 8 for chickens, and a single shot .410. Nothing else is needed. If you're gonna use a 12 gauge, make sure you get used to the pattern so you don't blow up the chicken.
 
I guess I'm the first to suggest the 20 gauge. I think it's the best option because, in most cases you don't need a 12 gauge for these smaller animals. But it still gives you a decent hunting pattern at normal hunting distances. And this smaller gauge is as often readily available in most sporting goods stores at a reasonable price also. Plus if you bump into a bigger varmint or a deer while upland hunting and you can legally take it, a 20 gauge slug is nothing to sneeze at. Buy a twenty that personally fits you in a downsized frame and I suggest you will never regret that day.

win-win-win
 
TAZWILLFIX said:
Getting back into hunting after way to many years and would like to get some rabbit and grouse. Was looking to get a .410 (would also look at 16 or 20 gauge) as all I have is a 12 gauge but monies tight and I keep getting those nasty looks from the wife when I put the words NEW and GUN together. I am looking for comments and suggestions on what to use and or what you use. How many hunt rabbit or grouse with a 12 gauge? If so what size shot? Does something that big tend to destroy the meat? Are you better off shooting from farther away so less pellets hit? Please help school an older newbie.
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Back in the day when I first started hunting, many older hunters just got by fine with a 12 gauge single shot Cooey, as thier one and only shotgun. I had the same question about the destructive killing pattern of the 12 gauge in the forest. Thier solution was simple for rabbits, just make your aiming point about an inch in front of thier nose & chances are you'll still catch a small part of it's head in the birdshot pellet pattern.

Info for you.

Edit: I agree with fiddler, 6 or 7.5 size is plenty good enough for this task.

PS: Don't do this Federal shotshells loaded with the Flite-Control Wad. You'll probably make a clean miss at close range rabbits!!
 
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I use a single shot 12ga for hunting rabbits and grouse. I use 7.5 shot. It's not ideal in my opinion but it's what I have and so I use it. You DEFINITELY need to know your shot pattern at different ranges or as someone above said you won't have a chicken left. At closer ranges I aim just over their heads so the shot won't damage the breast. Just yesterday I shot two. Second one was a nice shot, head clean off, not one pellet in the meat. First was badly placed and the one breast was pulp. Gave it to the dog.

So in my opinion, yes a 12ga works just fine as long as you are aware that you need to be a bit more precise on where you aim at closer ranges. And burn a few shells at the range to learn shot pattern vs yardage.

Having said all that, I would prefer a 410 or 20ga and am in the market for either right now. I also take the .22 sometimes.
 
I use either 3" #6 410's or 12 gauge #6 for chickens. I carry half a dozen old high brass #2's for my 12 in case I see a bunny. Sometimes I just use my 45-70 for snowshoes, it's good practice and you don't have to cut the head off when cleaning.
 
I'm a bit more practical than most, I own only 12 gauge guns, but I would buy a 20 gauge if I really felt it necessary. The reason for this is that both of these gauges are redally available in Wal-Mart and Canadian Tire, and they are inexpensive. You can get any loading that you would ever want in either as well.
Even with. 410, you may often find it out of stock, or only in loads that are useless fir what your needs are. When it comes to 16 or 28 gauge, you may find yourself having to reload just to keep those guns running.
Ivor
 
Nothing wrong with a 12 gauge.... I use light load in number 6 for grouse and rabbit.... That being said, a 20 gauge is ideal for the task and lighter to carry.... I have seen some nice 20 gauge singles for 150 and under.... asphalt999 has a nice Baikal single in 20 in the EE right now... In the winter when I chase bunnies I like to take my .410 / .22 but I find .410 isn't enough to get through on those brushy shots.....
 
I'm a bit more practical than most, I own only 12 gauge guns, but I would buy a 20 gauge if I really felt it necessary. The reason for this is that both of these gauges are redally available in Wal-Mart and Canadian Tire, and they are inexpensive. You can get any loading that you would ever want in either as well.
Even with. 410, you may often find it out of stock, or only in loads that are useless fir what your needs are. When it comes to 16 or 28 gauge, you may find yourself having to reload just to keep those guns running.
Ivor
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I have never run out of ammunition for my 28 gauge,and I don't buy my ammunition at Walmart or Canadian Tire. Instead I choose to support the specialty stores that do bring in a variety of different products for the hunter and shooter. I actually pay less for my shotshells at the specialty shops, than people pay at Canadian Tire.

If you are going to shoot grouse on the ground, it really doesn't matter what gauge you use, just shoot high, and hit them in the head.
 
All I use is a 12ga. Trap loads work fine for grouse and are cheap. If money's tight that should be you first consideration, the cost of ammo, .410 and the other smaller gauges are generally more expensive than 12ga rounds. That's the main reason I stick with the 12. Just keep shot placement in mind.
 
BernDawg said:
All I use is a 12ga. Trap loads work fine for grouse and are cheap. If money's tight that should be you first consideration, the cost of ammo, .410 and the other smaller gauges are generally more expensive than 12ga rounds. That's the main reason I stick with the 12. Just keep shot placement in mind.
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That's not quite true friend. I find at local Walmart & CT my 20 gauge shells are (of the same shot size & brand) pretty much equal in price to 12 gauge.
 
I'm currently using a 1100 Rem in 20 gauge.
I was using #4's and have exhausted that supply.
I am now using Copper plated #5's CIL ;)
Shoot them on the ground in the tree or on the fly , they drop when hit.
16 gauge are usually more expensive than 12 , 20 and 410.
It pays to shop around or at Gun Show tables where there is lots of choices.
Rob
 
Two local places carry 28ga where I'm from. One of the places has it for not any more than the equivalent quality 12,20 or .410. The home hardware gouges for their 28 but my LGS has it for a very reasonable price.
 
Brutus has some good comments about the 20 gauge. I agree with him.

But you should know that you can get lighter loads for the 12 gauge. You can buy 1 oz and 1 1/8 oz light hunting loads which put the shot charge out of a 12 gauge on par with a 20 or heavy 28 gauge load. You don't have to shoot big loads out of your 12 gauge for grouse, there are options.
 
Those are some great comments and I appreciate all of them I will probably stick with the 12 this year but keep looking for a great deal on a 410 or 20 gauge. I really appreciate the tips on loads and aiming that is a couple of things I did not think about. Thanks again and keep the comments coming. I am getting way to many people on a hunting forum than I expected for a Saturday morning. I'm at work what are your excuses?:rolleyes:
 
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