Firearm recommendation for huntin' wa'bbits

[BoomChick]

Anyone hunt rabbits?

What do you recommend?

Thanks!

[mom of 3 angels]

Anyone hunt rabbits?

What do you recommend?

Thanks!

I use a .22 rifle. Yummy in the crock pot or baked, but kind of tough fried.

[PascalFleischman]

.22 LR

.22 Mag

.17 HMR

.410 Shotgun

20 Gauge Shotgun

12 Gauge shotgun

Blowdarts

Air Rifle

[BoomChick]

.22 LR
.22 Mag
.17 HMR
.410 Shotgun
20 Gauge Shotgun
12 Gauge shotgun
Blowdarts
Air Rifle

Blowdarts? Really? That's pretty cool. . . .

I was on very bad terms with the last 12 Gauge I shot . . . Believe it or not, I actually got bruised on the backside of my shoulder. . . either I'm a wuss, or I didn't do something right. . . And no, I didn't fall down.

Of rifles and shotguns, which do you prefer for rabbits?

I use a .22 rifle. Yummy in the crock pot or baked, but kind of tough fried.

Pressure cooker should work then? Do you brown it with anything first for the crock pot?

Thanks folks!

-Boomchick

[PascalFleischman]

I was on very bad terms with the last 12 Gauge I shot . . . Believe it or not, I actually got bruised on the backside of my shoulder. . . either I'm a wuss, or I didn't do something right. . . And no, I didn't fall down.

Of rifles and shotguns, which do you prefer for rabbits?


-Boomchick

You were probably not gripping the shotgun tight enough to your shoulder. It should transfer the recoil to your upper body, rather than take the blount force. Grip the gun tightly to your shoulder, put about 80% of your weight on the front foot, and pull the trigger. Otherwise, it'll pound your shoulder time & time again.

Shotgun vs. rifle for wabbits? I'd say shotgun unless 1) you're a crack shot or 2) the wabbits aren't running.

[mom of 3 angels]

Pressure cooker should work then? Do you brown it with anything first for the crock pot?

Thanks folks!

-Boomchick

Pressure cooker would work great. I haven't browned it first, but you sure could--might try that next time. I usually just put it in with some potatoes/carrots/onion/etc. and cook it until it's tender. Every time I've tried to fry it, it just gets tough like rabbit jerky--still tasty, but man, it takes a lot of chewing! I have not tried any of these, but here's a fun selection of recipes: http://www.rabbithuntingonline.com/recipes/

[mom of 3 angels]

Blowdarts? Really? That's pretty cool. . . .

I was on very bad terms with the last 12 Gauge I shot . . . Believe it or not, I actually got bruised on the backside of my shoulder. . . either I'm a wuss, or I didn't do something right. . . And no, I didn't fall down.

Yep, just get it tight to your shoulder. One problem with shotguns if you are on the smaller side (like lots of ladies are) is the length of pull on many will be too long making it so you can't get it properly shouldered. I've shot 12 gauges that I had a blast with, and some that left me with nasty bruises out past my shoulder because they didn't fit right. Shot a 10 ga once and it knocked me a step back (note I only shot it once), but have had good times with 12 ga guns without too much of a beating as long as they fit right.

Also it depends on the loads you are shooting. Target loads are a lot easier on you than, for example, goose hunting loads.

[BoomChick]

You were probably not gripping the shotgun tight enough to your shoulder. It should transfer the recoil to your upper body, rather than take the blount force. Grip the gun tightly to your shoulder, put about 80% of your weight on the front foot, and pull the trigger. Otherwise, it'll pound your shoulder time & time again.

Shotgun vs. rifle for wabbits? I'd say shotgun unless 1) you're a crack shot or 2) the wabbits aren't running.

Nah, I had that dang gun snugged up very well and good weight distribution on my feet. Maybe placement on my shoulder? Dunno. . . Didn't have any bruising on the front of me. . . Just the backside of my shoulder. . . Maybe I didn't move with it enough?

[Glock Fan]

You were probably not gripping the shotgun tight enough to your shoulder. It should transfer the recoil to your upper body, rather than take the blount force. Grip the gun tightly to your shoulder, put about 80% of your weight on the front foot, and pull the trigger. Otherwise, it'll pound your shoulder time & time again.

Shotgun vs. rifle for wabbits? I'd say shotgun unless 1) you're a crack shot or 2) the wabbits aren't running.

+1 on the shotgun shooting stance. Many folks make the mistake of holding the shotgun improperly and not "leaning into it".

As for the wabbits, I could just imagine hunting them with the "GSG-5". Target acquisition is great and the ability to rapid fire is amazing. Would be a lot of fun, but I can imagine that I would be blowing a lot of ammo on a running wabbit!

For wabbits, I tend to favor my 12 gauge shotgun loaded with #6 or #4 bird shot.



gf

[Glock Fan]

Yep, just get it tight to your shoulder. One problem with shotguns if you are on the smaller side (like lots of ladies are) is the length of pull on many will be too long making it so you can't get it properly shouldered. Also it depends on the loads you are shooting. Target loads are a lot easier on you than, for example, goose hunting loads.

Another option for smaller build folks is shooting a "youth model". I have a 20 gauge Remington 870 express that's a youth model. Has a shorter stock and is easier to handle for most ladies and first time shooters. I've used this shotgun in high brush when hunting various game birds and on a couple of wild dog hunts. It's a very comfortable gun to shoot, though I sill prefer my Mossberg 500.



gf