rabbit huntin'

[Hemmingway]

Ok so I just got my grandpa's .410 outta the closet and I been out a couple of time to get me some rabbits... Any tips that don't require beagles? (that's about all i could find on the net!)

[Brad Y]

Well if you dont want to eat them, I suggest finding a good rabbit warren and sit 150yds away and hit them with a 22-250. Fun and messy.

If you want them for food, then we have used 12G shells with #4 shot, they seem to lodge just under the skin and dont usually penetrate the meat.

[irish murphy]

Cmon brad,you should be able to dock a rabbits head all the way out too 200m with a 22/250

[mitch_mckee]

Originally Posted by Hemmingway

Ok so I just got my grandpa's .410 outta the closet and I been out a couple of time to get me some rabbits... Any tips that don't require beagles? (that's about all i could find on the net!)

Just walk around a likely field, kick some brush, and keep your eyes open for one to bolt from cover.

[Brad Y]

Yes but i still think hitting them up close and watching them break into bits is more fun than eating them... Scuse me for being weird and saying that.

If I wanna eat them, I will use the 17hmr. Havent got a shotty and dont have any time for one.

[Billyz]

I agree with mitch but be prepared to do some walking.

[toolman]

We just drive\walk around the pasture and look for the sun shining through their ears (look for pink) or for them to run. Around here, we usually just use a .22 lr. unless we're just playing. BTW a Hornady 150 gr. S.P. literally makes the explode @ 150 yds.

[Nathan123]

LOL Brad. I always thought that was normal behaviour, not weird.

I had my .30-06 with me when i went to Tamworth at Easter. I was looking forward to busting a few bunnys with 168gr A-Max's, but the chance never came up. Ahh well there is always next time i spose, who knows i might even have my .375 H&H with me next time i am down there, those 270gr Woodleigh's should be up to the job, they worked wonders on that cat i got in the Territory last year.

[NHmsj]

Originally Posted by Hemmingway

Ok so I just got my grandpa's .410 outta the closet and I been out a couple of time to get me some rabbits... Any tips that don't require beagles? (that's about all i could find on the net!)

A .410 is a fine gun to use on rabbits - that is if you are very proficient with running targets with a shotgun. A .410 will throw shot just as far as a 12 ga., only difference is it'll do it with a lot less shot, a much narrower shot string and very little margin for error. On the other hand, however, if you stalk your bunnies as you might do with a .22, the .410 will do quite nicely on a sitting bunny out to 25 yards or so. But, again, such a target will more than likely be spied in cover, and of course, with only 11/16 of an ounce of shot in a 3" shell, then there will be even less shot that will make it though that cover to your target. If you can, go with 3" shells, #7 1/2 shot. If your gun won't take 3" shells, still go with #7 1/2 or #8s. Cottontails aren't too rugged, it doesn't take a whole lot to stopped them. Do as Mitch advised, just walk about likely rabbit cover, get low and look and look and look. Look for any part of a rabbit, an ear, an eye, anything. For the most part you'll seldom see a whole rabbit when it is in cover, so you'll have to work at it. And, once more, unless you are a very good wing shot, try not to spook a bunny so it bolts. If you can, try to set up sitting shots. As stated, that .410 won't be throwing out a lot of shot and your shots are going to be short range propositions at best; nonetheless, however, the .410 is up to the task. Good luck. Have fun.

msj

[nc.hunter]

A .410 is perfect for rabbit, here are a few tips, find a fallen tree around your house that has been there for a while, thats were most of the rabbits like to live because its safe from varmints (coyote, fox, bobcat, ect.) Just walk up to the tree and make some loud noise so that we hopefully scare out the rabbits, and then BOOM!

[mitch_mckee]

Originally Posted by Nathan123

LOL Brad. I always thought that was normal behaviour, not weird.

I had my .30-06 with me when i went to Tamworth at Easter. I was looking forward to busting a few bunnys with 168gr A-Max's, but the chance never came up. Ahh well there is always next time i spose, who knows i might even have my .375 H&H with me next time i am down there, those 270gr Woodleigh's should be up to the job, they worked wonders on that cat i got in the Territory last year.

If you are a handloader, do some research on "low velocity loads" for .30 cal rifles.

I load .308 and 30-30 with .310 round balls to about .22 mag velocities and they make dandy small game loads out to 20 yards. Surprisingly accurate!

Treatise on Pistol Powder Usage

Round Balls in a 30-30 Winchester Model 94

[andrew cochran]

The .410 shotgun you have will work fine. I would reccommend a load of #6 or #7 1/2
Look through every brush pile and weed patch you find. Stomp them wait 30 seconds. Those rabbits get nerves when you are silent and will usually run out of hiding. Be prepared to shoot fast, as they take of at 100 miles and hour. lol
Have fun!

[elmer fudd]

just walk through the trees and make sure you go from one end to the other quietly and then when you get to the end shout and make lots of noises and that will send them out runnin thats how i get all my bunnies with my one friend one time we got 30 in about 4 hours

[jerry]

Jeez! what's the limit?

[sell33]

Originally Posted by elmer fudd

just walk through the trees and make sure you go from one end to the other quietly and then when you get to the end shout and make lots of noises and that will send them out runnin thats how i get all my bunnies with my one friend one time we got 30 in about 4 hours

30 in 4 hrs!?!? holy sh*t i wouldn't wanna clean that many bunnies....
We don't ever use dogs and we do pretty well, just walk fence lines, wood lines, old railroad tracks, or anywhere else with a lot of brush and swail. Brushpiles are best, jump a bit then be quiet and hit em when they bolt. Fun to shoot i love rollin a rabbit on the run....if that 410 is single shot you better be good lol....use 7 1/2 or 6 i would say in a 410.

Rabbit is in season right now? ours ended at the end of February i'm ready for next year

[elmer fudd]

While they dont call me Elmer Fudd for nuthin!!!! there isnt a limit they are pests so we shoot them then semm them to a buddy of ours as is for a quarter not even skinned!

[sell33]

Pests....wish they were here our season is only 3 months.....what state you in? i hvae heard of them being pest some states but i didnt know how many....

[Nathan123]

Originally Posted by sell33

Pests....wish they were here our season is only 3 months.....what state you in? i hvae heard of them being pest some states but i didnt know how many....

You blokes have a season on rabbits??? Bloody hell i dont know how you can handle it. Is there anything over there you can shoot at whenever the feeling arises?

[ArkansasHunter]

Dang near everything has a season in Arkansas LOL !

[irish murphy]

Brad,its not weird to blast them into the next life with highpower mate.Just thought you might give a few headshots a go.

We dont have seasons on much over here.Mainly deer and ducks.One thing that does piss me off is being in national parks and seeing the amount of rabbits getting around and I CANT SHOOT THEM.