looking for a good rabbit gun

[Quilly]

thinking of taking up rabbit hunting..

from what my friends have told/tell me they are great to eat.my father has a win 9422 XTR chambered in 22WMR.
what do youa ll think of maybe a little .410 in that winchester lever action? or a 22mag?
i think the 12ga. would be a bit too much.

[Pro-Line]

Quilly...I am a rabbit hunting nut. My buddy and I have killed about 50 already this year, and we have till the end of Feb still to hunt. It's a ball, and you won't be sorry!

I started with a 20ga, and now have bought several .410's for rabbits. They're fun as heck to shoot...but also challenging. The rabbits here are weary, and we do not shoot them sitting. We do use a dog sometimes, but jump shooting is also a blast.

I'd opt for a .410 with a full choke. I've had the best luck with #6's. BE SURE TO GET THE 3" SHELLS! The 2 1/2" are pretty weak. Shells aren't cheap, about $8/box, but the fun is well worth it. I like the Federals.

And you're right, they're delicious! Just par-boil them until tender and fry...YUM I have no trouble getting rid of any extra bunnies that I have.

If you are looking for a cheaper quality gun, look at the Mossberg 500 in .410. They're in the neighborhood of $200 and I love mine. I generally use it over a couple guns that are worth much much more!

GOOD LUCK!

[Zeak]

A 10/22 Ruger in 22lr makes a good rabbit gun,don't really need the mag for rabbits.

[farmcntry]

I use a .410 and .22 on rabbits.

Loads of fun with a .410.

12ga isn't too much if you get the right shells.

[frizzellr]

Stoeger Uplander 20 guage SXS is hard to beat for rabbits.

[Big Guy01]

I am a rabbit hunting nut, once deer season is over. I use beagles and my favorite gun is a Rem 1100 20 Ga. special field. It has screw in chokes 21" barrel, straight English stock. It's just a treat to carry and shoot this gun. A close second is a Savage o/u 20 ga/.22 although it is heavier than the 1100 . For years I used a bolt action .410 but it is a wounder many running rabbits required a follow up shot. The 20 ga. solved this problem.

[DM]

The reason i'd pick the 20ga over the 410 is, ammo is cheaper, and the 20ga is more usefull for other game!!! Cheap 20ga ammo is just just fine for rabbits.

Drilling Man

[Vapodog]

I hunt them exclusively with a Marlin .22 LR auto. I have given up on shotguns because with shotguns one hits them with quite a few BBs and they drive hair into the meat.

Unless removed, this hair gives a poor taste to the meat and with shotguns it seems that I can never get all the hairs out....I always miss some.

With a rifle I only have one hole to clean.

I have a friend that hunts them with a beagle and a .22 handgun.

[t roy]

my favorite rabbit gun is the first gun i owned a H&R single shot .410 with full choke, it is so much fun I cant wait for my nephew to get to the right age so I can teach him to shot with it.

[bugsNbows]

If you are considering a lever action .410, I go with a Marlin Model 410 over the Winchester. It has a solid top receiver and side ejection. Just seems better built to me.