Firearm for Rabbit Hunting
11-17-2019, 05:51 PM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 1
Firearm for Rabbit Hunting
So I'm going to be rabbit hunting this upcoming winter, and the guy teaching me has a very "if it's not illegal or stupid, figure it out yourself" kind of thinking-not a bad thing, just not helpful here.
We, later I, won't be using dogs, and we'll be going through the VT woods looking for cottontails and snowshoe hare. I'm looking for two things from the animal: some meat, and relatively intact pelt. I got it in my head that I want to tan them and make one of those bomber hats with the canvas outer and the fur inner. I've currently got a .30-30, and I'm going between that and getting a 12 ga shotgun to use. Would a 150 grain reduced load, like the Rem managed recoil, to the head of the rabbit do the job without making something nasty of the meat? Or would the 12 ga with #6 shot be better/how much impact would it have on the pelt?
Thanks!
We, later I, won't be using dogs, and we'll be going through the VT woods looking for cottontails and snowshoe hare. I'm looking for two things from the animal: some meat, and relatively intact pelt. I got it in my head that I want to tan them and make one of those bomber hats with the canvas outer and the fur inner. I've currently got a .30-30, and I'm going between that and getting a 12 ga shotgun to use. Would a 150 grain reduced load, like the Rem managed recoil, to the head of the rabbit do the job without making something nasty of the meat? Or would the 12 ga with #6 shot be better/how much impact would it have on the pelt?
Thanks!
11-17-2019, 07:05 PM
#2
Super Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Trumbull County, Ohio
Posts: 9,520
I'd recommend a .22lr to the head.
But sometimes you have to use what you have.
I don't suppose that I would go buy a 12ga with saving pelts in mind. Rabbits have delicate fur and it rips and tears up pretty easily
-Jake
But sometimes you have to use what you have.
I don't suppose that I would go buy a 12ga with saving pelts in mind. Rabbits have delicate fur and it rips and tears up pretty easily
-Jake
11-17-2019, 07:17 PM
#3
Spike
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: NE Nebraska
Posts: 83
This is just my opinion...it may be worth what you pay for it.
If you want to save the pelt don't use the shotgun.
And,
you would be way over gunned if you use the 30-30.
A head shot with a .22 is all you need. If you don't have a .22 I would get a semiautomatic or a lever action
If you want to save the pelt don't use the shotgun.
And,
you would be way over gunned if you use the 30-30.
A head shot with a .22 is all you need. If you don't have a .22 I would get a semiautomatic or a lever action
11-18-2019, 06:20 AM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,743
a 30/30 is way too powerful for rabbits and can even be dangerous,as bullet ricochet could be a worry, as that's a lot of bullet and FPS and FT LB s of energy your firing at the ground, un known to rocks or under rabbit!
SO, I second the option of getting a nice accurate 22, or .22 mag, and take head shots when SAFE to do so,a s even a 22 will go right thru a rabbit and can hit things !
a shotgun will work for getting more rabbits,a s odds of finding a sitting one will be a LOT harder hen you think in range that is!
but a shotgun will also make a mess of hides at times IMO
SO, I second the option of getting a nice accurate 22, or .22 mag, and take head shots when SAFE to do so,a s even a 22 will go right thru a rabbit and can hit things !
a shotgun will work for getting more rabbits,a s odds of finding a sitting one will be a LOT harder hen you think in range that is!
but a shotgun will also make a mess of hides at times IMO
11-18-2019, 10:36 AM
#5
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: south eastern PA
Posts: 15,431
So I'm going to be rabbit hunting this upcoming winter, and the guy teaching me has a very "if it's not illegal or stupid, figure it out yourself" kind of thinking-not a bad thing, just not helpful here.
We, later I, won't be using dogs, and we'll be going through the VT woods looking for cottontails and snowshoe hare. I'm looking for two things from the animal: some meat, and relatively intact pelt. I got it in my head that I want to tan them and make one of those bomber hats with the canvas outer and the fur inner. I've currently got a .30-30, and I'm going between that and getting a 12 ga shotgun to use. Would a 150 grain reduced load, like the Rem managed recoil, to the head of the rabbit do the job without making something nasty of the meat? Or would the 12 ga with #6 shot be better/how much impact would it have on the pelt?
Thanks!
We, later I, won't be using dogs, and we'll be going through the VT woods looking for cottontails and snowshoe hare. I'm looking for two things from the animal: some meat, and relatively intact pelt. I got it in my head that I want to tan them and make one of those bomber hats with the canvas outer and the fur inner. I've currently got a .30-30, and I'm going between that and getting a 12 ga shotgun to use. Would a 150 grain reduced load, like the Rem managed recoil, to the head of the rabbit do the job without making something nasty of the meat? Or would the 12 ga with #6 shot be better/how much impact would it have on the pelt?
Thanks!
11-18-2019, 12:42 PM
#7
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: south eastern PA
Posts: 15,431
I saw a rabbit hit by a 30-30, it was literally blown to smithereens. I was ground hog hunting with a guy I worked with and he saw a rabbit sitting and shot it. There as not enough left to make soup with. I reamed him out and walked away and left him in the field and never hunted with him again.
