The American Beagler Forum

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

410 single shot

20 guage pump

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

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

Depends on the area I am hunting.

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

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

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

The 28 ga. is deadly on rabbits.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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