Shot size and choke for bunnies in thick cover?

Outdrsman17 · 12-30-2004, 05:02 PM

Hey,
I went rabbit hunting today and saw a total of 4 bunnies which is pretty good since its just me and a friend (no dog). Well we missed every rabbit we shot on which was 3 out of the 4. I was using #6 shot with a modified choke on my 20ga. Im sure most of it was my shooting but, what size shot (and choke) do you reccomend for bunnies in real thick cover?
Thanks, Chris

Deerslayer_37 · 12-30-2004, 05:09 PM

#7 1/2 or #8 shot with an improved choke. get that choke opened up with some smaller shot and you'll have a good sized pattern at close range.

slayer

johnch · 12-30-2004, 09:06 PM

I use a Skeet or IC
I use Biger shot 5 or even 4 , 1 or 2 pellets will put down a bunney and cut thrue brush better than the small shot.
Where I hunt you have to push thrue roses , rasberry,blackberry,greenbrier and every other picker bush there is.

Rockfish1 · 12-30-2004, 09:30 PM

I've gotta ride with John on this one... as open a choke as you have and I like #4 for the thinner pattern, better brush cutting and you need very few pellets to down a rabbit...

JerseyJim · 12-30-2004, 11:08 PM

I like low brass 7 1/2's for a quick spread for those wascally wabbits!

Tom_L · 12-31-2004, 07:38 AM

I would go with 5s or even 4s, depending on your choke. I use 6s but generally hunt in woods where I get a chance at a decent shot.

I have a friend who shoots an over/under for rabbits. He uses 7.5s for the first shot (IC choke) and 5s for the second (modified choke). In my opinion that's an ideal setup.

Night Hawk 223 · 12-31-2004, 08:33 AM

open choke and #6's will work fine. i use #6 shot out of my open choke 12gage 18"barrel duty shot gun works fine in the brush spreads very well.

charlie brown · 01-01-2005, 11:13 AM

I use #6's and Improved Cylinder. I have 13 shots and 11 bunnies with that this year. I don't like the smaller shot, too many more pellets to get in the meat.