hedd-wyn Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 (edited) Nosweth dda! I've recently notice more than a few rabbit about whilst heading to my crow shooting permission. I haven't been tempted to fire a shot because I am unsure about all the facts. I only carry a shotgun with me when I see them and would only shoot a rabbit for the pot really because they cause very little damage. Now I have been told by some that a blast from a shotgun would be a definite overkill and the meat would be useless for the table, whilst others tell me it's fine form 30yrs ect. Could anyone give me their thoughts on this please? Can you shoot, then eat a rabbit with a shotgun? What carts, shot size would you recommend if so? What distance would be acceptable? Edited May 9, 2012 by hedd-wyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapid12 Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 i shoot rabbit every week for the pot with my 12g, i use 5s and 6s only, but all rabbits between 20 and 35 yards all go in the pot! any closer then there fox bait or crow snacks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpshooter.123 Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 who told you that nonsense!!! I shoot them day in day out with a shotgun and I eat them, anything over 20 yards with a 12 bore with 30g 6s is fine and there will be tiny bruises around the pellet entry! I really enjoy shotgunning them down :good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 We shotgun hundreds of rabbits every year;good stoppers are Clear Pigeon 32grm 6's,or High Pheasant 32grm 5's.Quarter and half chokes are ideal.Don't try it with steel shot though,unless you're wearing eye protection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedd-wyn Posted May 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 We shotgun hundreds of rabbits every year;good stoppers are Clear Pigeon 32grm 6's,or High Pheasant 32grm 5's.Quarter and half chokes are ideal.Don't try it with steel shot though,unless you're wearing eye protection. That's great news, I have several boxes of the old Clear Pigeon will try them out over the weekend Can't believe I haven't asked this question months ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mat Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 Just don't be tempted to shoot the silly rabbit that hops to about 5 yards away from the hide... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albertan_J Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 Always preffered eating rabbit with a knife and fork found the shotgun put the wife off at tea time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedd-wyn Posted May 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 Always preffered eating rabbit with a knife and fork found the shotgun put the wife off at tea time I walked into that one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albertan_J Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 Haha couldn't help it but as above clear pigeons fine for rabbits. Some of my best days have been rabbit shooting over spaniels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharf Rat Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 I use 32g shot Clear Pigeon or 32g 6 shot Sterling Gane for bunnies. Soak the meat in salted water for 48 hours before you cook it, and any fur pulled into the body by shot will come to the surface of the meat. Any shot still in the meat you can pop out like a lead filled spot. I always dice the meat before cooking so that I come across any shot before the kids teeth do! I did shoot one at 15 yards or so with 1/4 choke last year. When I flicked the guts into a bucket, it sounded like a fruit machine paying out... I thought that I might have caught it with the edge of the pattern, but I think the whole 32g was in it's belly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatcatsplat Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 The only problem i've ever had is with a gut shot rabbit where the gut has burst or punctured inside - Don't happen often, but you'll smell it instantly when it does!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpshooter.123 Posted May 10, 2012 Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 the gut smell!!!!!!!! Iv shot them at 5-10 yards, looks just like oven ready wabbit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Marty Posted May 10, 2012 Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 Yeap not a problem have been doing just that for years.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedd-wyn Posted May 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 The only problem i've ever had is with a gut shot rabbit where the gut has burst or punctured inside - Don't happen often, but you'll smell it instantly when it does!! This is what I was worried about. But will find out tomorrow morning hopefully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlerob Posted May 10, 2012 Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 only sunday night shot a rabbit at 20 yards with a gamebore continetail 28g size 7.5 half choke bowled it over clean kill and wasnt a mess at all plenty good for the pot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted May 10, 2012 Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 the gut smell!!!!!!!! Slightly off topic I know,but that comment just reminded me of something.Many years ago a mate and me had a long ferreting session,and for some reason he put the carcasses in a black bin-liner in the back of the van.I thought he had gutted them before doing so,while I picked and folded up the nets etc.At the end of the session we must have been well into double figures and decided to take them to a local pub where we knew we'd be paid for them.The landlady said she would take them so I went to get them only to discover they hadn't been gutted.We did the deed round the back of the pub,but I could only manage a couple before the horrendous stink got to me and I started retching,and the guts weren't even pierced!He thought it was hilarious,but this is one of the reasons why I insist on paunching immediately. Yes...burst guts are even worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedd-wyn Posted May 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 Slightly off topic I know,but that comment just reminded me of something.Many years ago a mate and me had a long ferreting session,and for some reason he put the carcasses in a black bin-liner in the back of the van.I thought he had gutted them before doing so,while I picked and folded up the nets etc.At the end of the session we must have been well into double figures and decided to take them to a local pub where we knew we'd be paid for them.The landlady said she would take them so I went to get them only to discover they hadn't been gutted.We did the deed round the back of the pub,but I could only manage a couple before the horrendous stink got to me and I started retching,and the guts weren't even pierced!He thought it was hilarious,but this is one of the reasons why I insist on paunching immediately. Yes...burst guts are even worse. :lol: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted May 11, 2012 Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 shot rabbits with all manour of cartridges, i`ve used 6s 5s 4s and 2s. prefer using the 4s in 36g. this was over ferrets, and had to do a few clean up shots from a guy wh was shooting 6s. he is an exellent shot, and very fast. he just clipped fur a couple of times and my loads finished them off at 40 yards or so. some still bolting hard. i wouldnt have thought the 6 would have done the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted May 11, 2012 Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 I regularly shoot rabbits with my 12 bore using Clear Pigeon 6 shot in 30g. I don't have any issues with shotgunned rabbits, the only thing I would say is try to make a point of gutting them as soon as they are shot. It only takes a few seconds to "cut and flick" with a sharp knife and it saves "tainting" the meat if the gut has been pierced by any of the shot! Get on out there and get shooting - If you can find a break between these damned rain showers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedd-wyn Posted May 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 Well gents, was hoping to bag some rabbits this morning but no such luck. It was blatantly too bloody wet and nothing appeared on the usual spot. Managed to bag myself some crows all the same, the rabbits will have to wait until the weather improves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr williamson Posted May 11, 2012 Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 Shot size 5 through quarter choke sorts em out. Does for me any way. And doesnt blow holes in em Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arjimlad Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 I like 5s for bunnies. The only fools who think a shotgun is too much for bunnies have never tried one on bunnies, and probably got their information from watching american films. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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