Gimlet Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 In my opinion the best place to head shoot a rabbit with an air rifle is not between the eye and the ear but directly under the ear. This hits the brain stem. They go down without a twitch or a kick. Strictly speaking points of aim for rimfires is straying from the topic a bit, but sinse its come up its worth noting that body shots on rabbits with rimfires .22LR or HMR, are best taken square on the shoulder. A rabbits physiology is different to deer or foxes. They are barrel chested and their vital organs are further forward in relation to the front legs. A shot to the ribs behind the shoulder, as for larger animals, will paste the liver and smash the stomach. Nail them on the shoulder bone and they drop without a flicker and paunch cleanly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 dan-250-just when I was about to give up hope of ever reading a non-biased sensible comment on this forum ever again-you come along.Could not have put it any better myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazle Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 Strictly speaking points of aim for rimfires is straying from the topic a bit, but sinse its come up its worth noting that body shots on rabbits with rimfires .22LR or HMR, are best taken square on the shoulder. A rabbits physiology is different to deer or foxes. They are barrel chested and their vital organs are further forward in relation to the front legs. A shot to the ribs behind the shoulder, as for larger animals, will paste the liver and smash the stomach. Nail them on the shoulder bone and they drop without a flicker and paunch cleanly. Exactly, drops them every time on the spot, much less kicking and bouncing than a head shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 Aim for the back leg. That way, they cant run away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 Body shots on rabbits are for people who need more practice. They know they can't reliably hit the brain so go for the more attractive larger target, then the rabbit runs and dies in its burrow a large part of the time because these kills aren't instant by any means. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spookytooth Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 (edited) My feelings when shooting rabbits: If you're shooting with a sub 12ft springer or pcp you should go for a side head shot - if you can see both eyes then don't shoot. And the range should only be at a maximum of about 25 yards. If you miss at that range (arguably you shouldn't have been taking the shot in the first place if you do) then there's more chance of missing the rabbit altogether rather than maiming it. Simple rules but it minimises bad shots! Edited December 6, 2011 by spookytooth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbit_stu Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 Who taught you that and did you ever ask why? Having spent a lot of time at the range, i made sure i was comforatble hitting the target at differnt ranges, and took instruction from fellow users at the range. I was then taken out by one of these chaps who gave me some very useful advice... shoot within your capabilities, ie range, and go for the head, it drops them quicker and doesnt ruin the meat. I know i can hit the head when i take a shot, so why go for the body? but thanks for asking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin lad Posted December 7, 2011 Report Share Posted December 7, 2011 Aim for the back leg. That way, they cant run away :lol: and it will make them squeal witch will attract mr fox so you can ping him as well colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alycidon Posted December 7, 2011 Report Share Posted December 7, 2011 I have probably shot more rabbits with air rifles than the average, without doubt a head shot with the pellet placed from sideways on between the eye and the back of the skull is best by a long way. I cant ever remember a jaw shot. Remember you have limited power with an air rifle so placement is the key, get in to 25 yards or less. That is really good training for deer stalking in the future/ A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iced Tiger Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 Head shot for me with both springer and PCP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoben fenman Posted December 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Aim for the back leg. That way, they cant run away Well thats ridiculous why arent you moded for this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLH1966 Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 (edited) Aim for the back leg. That way, they cant run away Moron. Side on I use the back of the eye as my aim point & just below the ears when the target is facing away, however for face on shots I'm happy to take a Heart / lung shot. I use sticks a lot, makes light work of my HW77, I made mine - I use a heavy grain .22 pellet. Edited December 20, 2011 by PLH1966 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan-250 Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 He's taking the Mick out of an earlier post, he wouldn't do that really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin lad Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 think you will find he was taking the mikky hope so as thats the way i took it as thats the way my reply was colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Well thats ridiculous why arent you moded for this I have Jedi powers and control the mind of Cranfield!!! Moron. I use a heavy grain .22 pellet. :o Hey, thats not fair. I dont take the mick out of your religion!!!! Oh, wait you called me a moron. Well, dont loose sleep of it junior, i wont. Now, anybody want to come round to mine to do a bit of badger baiting? :yp: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksdad Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 I'll come round, and bring my BSA Meteor along to finish them off! NOTE: This is only a joke, just like MM's and colinlad's obviously are, so please don't call me a muslin as well! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopper Bopper Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Getting back to the topic, I have found face on shots to be be less effective as a shot to the head. Using Bis Mags in .177 I have watched the pellet hit smack between the eyes and then lost the rabbit. I dont ever do body shots but maybe in the front on presentation a body shot might be a bit better. No more front on for me only head shots behind eye and in front of ears. HB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksdad Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 I don't think I've ever took a head on shot, just wait for a good side on, just the way I was taught many years ago (about 35...) :blink: I think a rear head shot is 'allowed' isn't it? Again, not for me as I'm not sure enough to pull the trigger, unless its a 'textbook' side on hit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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