Shotgun gauge and type of action?

pgmrdan · Post by **pgmrdan** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 12:42 pm

I didn't see a good forum to ask about guns so I'm posting my questions here.

I'll be looking for a shotgun in a few weeks. I know this can probably be a very heated topic but I just have to ask anyhow.

For rabbit hunting what gauge and type of action to you prefer and, more importantly, why?

Thanks,
Dan

Run&Gun · Post by **Run&Gun** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 1:14 pm

410 single shot

Post by **Aaron Bartlett** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 1:22 pm

20 guage pump

akcbg · Post by **akcbg** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 1:36 pm

20 gauge works the best, action is up to the person,80% of the time you only get one shot.

jonnyringo · Post by **jonnyringo** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 1:45 pm

Rem 870 12 gauge with 21" open choke
Remington 1100 20 gauge with IC choke

Depends on the area I am hunting.

Post by **Aaron Bartlett** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 1:47 pm

akcbg wrote:80% of the time you only get one shot.

Ive seen guys that 80% of the time empty thier gun! LOL

ANTHONY KERR · Post by **ANTHONY KERR** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 2:11 pm

Mossberg .410 pump with a sling. Light and inexpensive.

BJK · Post by **BJK** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 2:12 pm

The 28 ga. is deadly on rabbits.

Big Head · Post by **Big Head** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 3:04 pm

Thompson Encore 410 with 15" barrell.. 3" #4 shot. It's light and frees your hands up to do other things like push back brush lead a dog and etc. It has good range and is easy to swing in thick cutovers where you don't have room to use a long gun.

rabbithunter14 · Post by **rabbithunter14** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 3:08 pm

Ive shot them with a 410, 20 gauge, and 20 gauge. Right now im using a 12 gauge improved cylinder, a little big, so i have to make sure i dont shoot at close range. I would use a 20 gauge mossberg 500.

full circle kennel · Post by **full circle kennel** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 3:28 pm

been using a model 48 20ga frachi semi auto for the last 2 yrs. it weighs 5.5 lbs and is the best rabbit gun i have ever used. 26" barrel mod choke. wouldn't think of taking anything else. it is the only gun i own that i dont know that i'm carrying at the end of the day.

Hunter · Post by **Hunter** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 3:36 pm

12 ga. Double Barrell Mod. Choke in one for closer shots and Full choke for those long shots.

Briarhoppers · Post by **Briarhoppers** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 4:49 pm

I've shot rabbits w/ everything from a 410 single shot to a 12 gauge pump. One thing for sure it doesn't take much to kill a rabbit. I think what is most important is what do you like to carry and prefer to hunt w/.
I just bought a gun specifically for rabbit hunting and here is what I decided I was looking for.

Fairly light to carry.
Quick to the shoulder for fast shots.
Gun I don't mind getting scratched up.
Gun action - I like the SxS b/c I like having two choke options for close shots and further shots. Also a "granny gun" seems pretty fitt'n for rabbit hunting.

I ended up getting a Stoeger SxS 20 g. Upland Special w/ changeable chokes.

Good thing about rabbit hunting is just about any scattergun in the closet w/ #6 shot will do just fine.

Best of luck,
Pete

bluegrass · Post by **bluegrass** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 5:07 pm

I know this answer isnt too popular on this board, but I have been using a .22 Semi Auto Beretta lately...now I know, before all of you get your dander up about ricochet and danger from the .22, I don't shoot when there is any possibility of someone behind the rabbit, I am always shooting at close range, therefore the bullet is headed almost straight down and I am very cautious about shooting at all, usually after someone else in my group gets the first shot or two. But for shotguns, I too like a single shot 20 or 410, a Franchi 20 is my dream gun for the weight of it though....Tony

pgmrdan · Post by **pgmrdan** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 5:52 pm

I have a Mossberg 500 12 ga. and 6 days ago I bought a used Mossberg bolt action single shot .410. I bought the .410 because I've never had one but recently I've wanted to try one out.

I've had 12 ga. guns for years but I've begun doing a lot more rabbit hunting since moving about 4 weeks ago. For me, 12 ga. seems like over kill.

I don't know anything about a 28 ga. I don't think I've ever seen one.

How much difference is there between a 28 ga. and a .410?

Are new 28 ga. and .410 both availabe in pump? Double barrel?

I've been considering a double barrel. It looks like a side-by-side is usually a little lighter than an over-and-under and would be a better choice for rabbit hunting but boy the new double barrels are very pricey!!! Does anyone make new, affordable double barrels or am I asking for too much?

Thanks,
Dan