20g shotgun for rabbits

kiwijbob

I've been shooting clays for about 6 months and now I've the
opportunity to shoot rabbits (some of which I hope to consume ),
it's my first time to shoot rabbits so I need a little 'learned'
advice on a few points:

I'm planning on using a size 6 shot - suitable?

What's the optimal range for size 6 shot?

Is dusk the best time ??? I won't be able to lamp.

If I let a shot off is that it or will the rabbits come back quickly?

should I find a cosy spot in the ditch and wait?

how do I avoid the meat being peppered in shot?

will it be obvious if the rabbit is unsuitable for consumption?

If I'm forgetting anything else, however obvious please feel
free to add it I do plan on getting a .22 down the line so i'll
just have to wait at the moment

thanks in advance

Vegeta

People use .410 for rabbits up close so your 20g will definitely be enough.

The best thing you can do is pattern the shotgun so you know exactly how it will perform with a certain cartridge type. Draw a rabbit out line and increase the distance until you can see your self that there are not enough pellets hitting the target. Then you will be able to tell what distance the shotgun is capable of putting a decent % of lead into the target. Never try targets beyond that distance.

Shot size is not as important as load size. What load are you going to use? 28 gram, 32 gram, 36 gram etc etc. I am not too up to speed on loads for the 20g but use a decent sized load, definitely a good few grams above a clay cartridge.

Ok so to answer your questions
Is shot size 6 suitable......yes with a big enough load

Optimal distance.......pattern your gun

Is dusk suitable.......I've found lamping the best but dusk will do it

Will they return after a shot......yes but patience is needed and move away and come back to area later

Sit or stalk..............really depends on the lay of the land. If it is covered in warrens and burrows then stroll around as quietly as possible keeping the wind in mind. If it one burrow with loads of bunnies then sit and wait. EDIT: walk the land first with no gun to get a feel for it and you'll know which fields/areas they will be out grazing in

How to avoid peppering the rabbit......use a rifle, or try not to tale very close shots. Again cartridge load is important, so pick as light a load as possible which still ensures a high chance of humane death

Will it be obvious if the rabbit is unsuitable for consumption......if you are talking about mixy then definitely yes. If you are talking about shot damage then its up to you but generally shotgun will leave the rabbit in decent eating condition just watch out for pellets.

CJhaughey

Vegeta wrote:

Will it be obvious if the rabbit is unsuitable for consumption......if you are talking about mixy then definitely yes. If you are talking about shot damage then its up to you but generally shotgun will leave the rabbit in decent eating condition just watch out for pellets.

I shot one last night, walking back from where I was zeroing the rifle, when I gutted it there was a load of clear nodules around the stomach area with white centres in them, looked for all the world like frogspawn but white instead of black.
I didn't chance it and just buried the bunny.

Vegeta

CJhaughey wrote:

I shot one last night, walking back from where I was zeroing the rifle, when I gutted it there was a load of clear nodules around the stomach area with white centres in them, looked for all the world like frogspawn but white instead of black.
I didn't chance it and just buried the bunny.

Exactly, if you see anything remotely dodge then don't eat it and use it as bait for carrion or foxes or just bury it.

kiwijbob

great stuff lads, cheers

What load are you going to use? 28 gram, 32 gram, 36 gram

what would you recommend?

Vegeta

I don't have a clue about 20g shotguns but with my 12g 32gram would do the trick.

Again its all about your gun and how it performs with a certain load but 32 gram should be ok and if you find when patterning that its sh1te go up or down a load and see how she goes.

I know it seems like a bit of work but it really will set you up for a decent start to hunting. Otherwise you will scratch your head when you miss or be annoyed that you have to dispatch the animal by hand rather than a swift clean kill.

Pattern your gun and you'll know your setup (gun and cartridge) are not the reason for missing or wounding

Chopperdog

Vegeta wrote:

Shot size is not as important as load size.

Is shot size 6 suitable......yes with a big enough load

.

I really cannot agree with your reasoning on these points.

When it comes to killing power it is the shot size and not the load that brings the cleanest kills.

I have shot some of my most memorable driven pheasants with a 20 bore, firing 28 gram shells, outperforming all of the twelve bores on lethality and clean killing power.

The reason for this was the use of no.4 shot.

It is basic science that the larger the shot, the greater striking energy it maintains, hence it is a more effective killing load.

Kiwibob, you should ensure that you use a tight degree of choking in your gun when shooting live game. It will ensure either a clean kill or a clean miss and prevent unnecessary wounding to the quarry by using to loose a pattern.

The twenty bore is my preferred gun by a long way for game.
They handle like a dream and naturally throw a tighter pattern than a twelve.

Just get to know your gun and its limitations and enjoy your hunting.

To answer your question, I would use a 30g no. 4 of 5 for rabbits.
No. 6 is alright for winged quarry, ground game are a little bit hardier and should be given a little bit more respect.

What would you prefer, going home with a rabbit killed outright or wondering what will become of the wounded one that limped into the ditch?

The bottom line is, show respect for your quarry by dispatching them as cleanly and swiftly as possible- use the proper load.

Vegeta

Chopperdog wrote:

I really cannot agree with your reasoning on these points.

When it comes to killing power it is the shot size and not the load that brings the cleanest kills.

I have shot some of my most memorable driven pheasants with a 20 bore, firing 28 gram shells, outperforming all of the twelve bores on lethality and clean killing power.

The reason for this was the use of no.4 shot.

It is basic science that the larger the shot, the greater striking energy it maintains, hence it is a more effective killing load.

Sorry to clear that up

yes no 4 shot will hit harder than 6 but I would still use a higher load number 6 and shoot within its limits than take longer shots with lower loaded number 4. That's just me though.

The way I took it up was that the OP had some 6 shot already but was just advising not to use them if they were a very light load.

Its just personal preference. I am a big fan of 36 gram number 7s

kiwijbob

I do have a couple of boxes of the No6 but if recommended I'll
just get the appropriate size & weight.

chopperdog, where do you buy your cartridges, I'm in your area and
I don't want to bother going all the way to my gun club to buy them
when I'm going shooting down the road?

Vegeta

I do have a couple of boxes of the No6 but if recommended I'll
just get the appropriate size & weigh

I'll let Chopper answer that as I am not familiar with the 20g

Again though just keep teh principle in mind, I have always gotten this advice when shooting "Pattern kills not pellets"

J.R.

CJhaughey wrote:

I shot one last night, walking back from where I was zeroing the rifle, when I gutted it there was a load of clear nodules around the stomach area with white centres in them, looked for all the world like frogspawn but white instead of black.
I didn't chance it and just buried the bunny.

Sounds like you shot a doe (female) rearing young - the 'white frogspawn' was more than likely the milk sacs, filled with milk, used to wean the young.

I would not eat one in this condition either!

Chopperdog

Kiwibob,

I normally get my shellls at Courtlough (Where I work).

The Rio no.5's in 28 or 32 gram are a very good shell.

The only other supplier of 20 bore shells close to me is Paddy McCormack, a gun dealer in the Balheary area, between Swords and Ballyboughal.

No. 6 will do for the minute, just as Vegeta was saying, do not exceed the efficient range of the shell.
Tightening up the choke will give your pattern more concentration

A personal rule of my own is that I wont fire at any ground game at a range of more than 30 yards with a shotgun.

kiwijbob

cheers, I know paddy, shot with him a couple of
times he's where I I'll go then, closer
than courtlough for me when I lazy