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Author Topic: 12ga or 20ga for rabbit and what choke?  (Read 3217 times)

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Offline upnorthbacon

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12ga or 20ga for rabbit and what choke?
« on: August 24, 2008, 04:31:05 PM »
Picked up a Stoeger uplander combo with 20 and 12 gauge barrels!!!  I'm planning on using the 12ga with imp/mod for grouse here in MI and later grabbing a couple turkey tubes when next year comes around for some turkey action.  My dad used to hunt rabbits for years and said the 20ga barrels would be better for rabbits?  Would you guys suggest mod/full for rabbits or imp/mod and what are your thoughts on the 20 vs 12?  Oh on a side note some of my rabbit hunting will be without dogs since I won't always have access to one, we usually walk around cut some tracks and go from there.  We've also had good luck jumping on brush piles and such to kick em out.
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Offline TribReady

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Re: 12ga or 20ga for rabbit and what choke?
« Reply #1 on: August 24, 2008, 06:09:51 PM »
Sounds like you got a perfect setup there. I'd say mod/full, but that's just my opinion.  As far as 20 or 12, either should work for you, but for rabbits without the dogs I'd lean towards the 12. Again, you really can't go wrong.

Enjoy the fall/winter
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Offline Gary G

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Re: 12ga or 20ga for rabbit and what choke?
« Reply #2 on: August 25, 2008, 04:36:49 PM »
I always liked an open choke or improved in 12 ga with high brass #5's.  I had a 24 inch sawed off gun that was my best kill gun.
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Offline Tn Jim

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Re: 12ga or 20ga for rabbit and what choke?
« Reply #3 on: August 25, 2008, 06:01:21 PM »
I hunt with a 12, but either will work fine. As for chokes, I hunt the same way you do. Modified has worked the best for me. Most times ol Brier will run 30-35 yards and stop. I use a 1 1/8 oz load of #6's at around 1200 fps and aim for the head. If they keep running instead (and some days they will) I'll switch to IC and aim just in front of him. Mostly it depends on how far they are getting from me before I can see him and get a shot.
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Offline Glanceblamm

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Re: 12ga or 20ga for rabbit and what choke?
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2008, 03:01:11 AM »
I vote for the modified in 20 or 12. Just make sure to keep that barrel swinging either ahead or in front of the rabbit.
My cousin always used a 20ga auto while I had a 12ga pump...He was at no disadvantage in & around the brush or even the edges for the Phesant that would occasionally be kicked up.
The 12ga would shine more in the picked corn stubble but even this wouldnt slow the Cousin down much as he was quick on the draw.
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Offline Catfish

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Re: 12ga or 20ga for rabbit and what choke?
« Reply #5 on: August 30, 2008, 08:12:23 AM »
Rabbits are easy to kill. When I used to hunt them alot I used a 101 Win. Skeet and skeet with 1 oz. of 5 shot.
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Offline Jerry Lester

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Re: 12ga or 20ga for rabbit and what choke?
« Reply #6 on: September 04, 2008, 04:52:27 PM »
I use an 870 20 gauge with an improved cylinder choke. I buy the 100 round packs of Federal 2 3/4" #7.5 shot at Wal-Mart for around $15. a rabbit is pretty much toast up to 30+ yards, but I still don't blow'em apart at the shorter ranges.
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Offline BCB

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Re: 12ga or 20ga for rabbit and what choke?
« Reply #7 on: September 05, 2008, 12:23:41 AM »
Many years ago when I hunted rabbits (thinking about starting again!), I used an old Model 12 Winchester that had been ruined with a Cutts Compensator chock system—I removed it and had a shotgun with a “straight through” tube.  So to stay with your question, use a 12 gauge with the most open chock you have.  I would reload AA using #4 copper shot.  I would build the wad column up using 20 gauge shot cards until I got a perfect crimp using only 5/8th of an ounce of shot.  I would pick my shots well aim a bit in front of the rabbit.  Only a couple of pellets would hit the bunny, but he was done for it.  The #4 copper would go completely through the rabbit and it would only have a couple of hits.  No wasted meat.  So there are my thoughts—especially if you reload shotgun hulls.  Good-luck…BCB
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Offline rokefert

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Re: 12ga or 20ga for rabbit and what choke?
« Reply #8 on: January 22, 2009, 05:06:05 PM »
Go with the 20 for rabbits. I have a 20 and hunt with a mod. choke and reload 7/8 oz # 4shot.  Im actually wanting to go to a 28 guage.  Less is more with rabbits.  Youll get em with a 12, and then youll wish you didn't once you clean it.
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Offline Ladobe

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Re: 12ga or 20ga for rabbit and what choke?
« Reply #9 on: January 23, 2009, 05:02:18 AM »
Of the two I'd go with the 20 - more than enough gun for rabbits.   When I hunted them with shotguns instead of rifles I use a .410.
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Offline Mack in N.C.

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Re: 12ga or 20ga for rabbit and what choke?
« Reply #10 on: January 23, 2009, 04:36:56 PM »
20 ga........plenty...................i kicked up a few today but only got 1 shot at 1......about 30 yds with .410 and 2 1/2 inch 6's........dead rabiit in my freezer.........mack
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Offline S.S.

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Re: 12ga or 20ga for rabbit and what choke?
« Reply #11 on: January 24, 2009, 06:43:45 PM »
I use a 410 also with #6 or #5 shot.
smaller shot messes up lots more meat due to the greater
# of pellets striking home.
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Offline ebonitekid767

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Re: 12ga or 20ga for rabbit and what choke?
« Reply #12 on: December 06, 2009, 06:42:31 AM »
I have used both 12 and 20ga but my personal favorite was the 20ga. I had a buddy who reloaded and I would have him make me some low brass with 4's in them. We almost always used a beagle so the shots were usually hopping slow or almost still so 4's towards the head saved alot of meat.
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