I just went wabbit hunting and we were using #6 shot I think it was. Well I was at Walmart and they had a great deal on #7 1/2 shot so I picked it up. Will the #7 1/2 be good enough to work well on rabbits?

Depends on the range, I would prefer 6s myself, but no doubt 7 1/2s will kill them, just don't push the distance of your shots, which is easier said than done. Use the 7 1/2s for doves/quail and get some 6s.

I use #9 shot that I reload. I use a windjammer wad with 1 1/8 ounce of shot out of a AA hull. That makes for one hell of a pattern. You almost cant miss and you dont "over kill" the bunny. I dont think that you can buy factory #9 shot any more but 7 1/2 or 8 will work fine. Make sure you get a somewhat decent load and not a crappy 7/8 ounce load.

Personally I would rather use my AR-15 with the open sights and a 65 grain ballistic silver tip. Aint nothing funner than trying to hit one of those dam things on the run with a semi-auto rifle and a 30 round mag. Once you hit the bunny with the ballistic silver tip you can kiss it goodbye. Makes a terrible mess.

I dont know if this is true or not but I was born and raised in Kansas (ate lots of bunny) and I was always told (buy the old timers) not to hunt them until after the first cold snow. That way it will kill off the old and sick ones.

Richard W. Gullotto

I like to use #6 if I am hunting rabbit. but if I am hunting grouse and rabbit, I like to use 7 1/2.
the #6 kills much better, the 7 1/2 needs a finisher about half of the time.

Will the 7 1/2 put em down and stop them? I dont mind having to go up and finish em. I was having to do that with the #6 shot anyway. I dont want to use the 7 1/2 if it wont stop em when I hit em. I do not want to just wound em and have em get away then die down the hole a day later or something.

Also what is the difference in range between the 7 1/2 and the 6's.

Embalmer:

You're trying to reinvent the wheel here. Thousands and thousands of hunters have hunted rabbits for the last 150 years or so with shotguns and the universally recommended shot sizes are 4s,5s,or 6s. Now if you want to use 7 1/2s they will work, but you will likely lose some rabbits, as most of us do with any shot size if you shoot at enough of them, if you push the range or your aim is a bit off.

Because of the varying #s of shot in a load, comparing the energy in an individual shot does not give an accurate picture of what happens, but to give you an idea, here is the energy of an individual lead shot at 40 yds in ft. lbs.
7 1/2---1.3
6-------2.3
5-------3.5
4-------4.4

The best answer I can give you is the first one, try the 7 1/2s for your style of hunting and see what happens. Don't push your ranges. Then go buy some 6s or 5s.

I agree with Gatogordo, IMO, the larger shot is better.

A very good reason to use larger shot is that most will fully penetrate, less lead to chew up.
The larger shot damages less meat, since the pellets are farther apart.
The larger shot seems to have less tendency to drag hair through the meat, too.

Of course, I would also argue that it is better to kill the rabbit humanely, which the larger shot WILL do. Two shotgun shells for a rabbit? Egads. And they lay there how long, waiting for the second shot or bump on the noggin? I can't imagine using #9's intentionally for shooting rabbits.

[ 07-21-2003, 17:20: Message edited by: eshell ]

Embalmer

Here in Michigan I use 6's when jump shooting rabbits. I switch to 5's or 4's when running them with beagles. Sometimes you get some longer shots at them when using dogs so the larger shot seems to do a better job of anchoring the rabbit to the turf.
Ever try a 22 pistol? It's a hell of a lot of fun, and you dont have to worry about chipping teeth on shot.
Good luck!!!
Ford

Shotguns on rabbits?? When I was just a lad we learned to use a 22 on them. No ruined meat and darn few escapee's. Dang that little girl sure seems to bee in good spirits!! derf

I rarely use anything smaller than #5 shot out of a .410 ss. or a .22.

Let's not forget the obvious. Your odds of sitting down to a meal of your favorite rabbit recipe, biting down on a piece of lead shot and damaging a tooth are a lot higher with 7 1/2s and smaller due to more pellets per ounce.

I prefer 5s or 6s. The pellet energy is so much greater insuring aquick clean kill.

Gentlemen,
I use copper plated 6's for all small game hunting. It flies straighter, penetrates better and you'll find very little in the meat. It costs more than regular shot but well worth the price.
Stepchild

No. 4s to 6s.

Will no. 9's even penetrate the fur?

Very old joke,What has 12 balls and fu**s rabbits? A 12 ga. with 00. derf

#5 or #6

Embalmer

I tried 7 1/2's and found the didn't work well for me on going away shots. The guys I was hunting with complained about those tiny BB's in THEIR rabbits.

I use 20 guage and .410. Copper 6's in the 20 and 3" .410. Nickel plated 6's (really #6 1/2- imported) in the 2 1/2" .410's. The higher velocity of the 2 1/2's seems to make up for the smaller shot.

BTW, I've been registered for a while- the last shooters.com shutdown scare- but havent posted.

Hey Leftover... I'm seeing you all over.

BH

use #5 shot (less shot to eat) Mod. choke, at around 1300 fps. Shot passes throught the animal, unless the shot hits a bone. Less shot to eat again.

you should probably ask Elmer Fudd. Those pesky wabbits were his specialty. Geo.

The shot size I use depends on what gage I'm shooting. When I use a 12, I go with 5 or 6 (with 1 1/4 oz loads), but with a 20 gage, I've been getting the best results with 1 oz of 4 shot. The larger shot carries better, kills quicker, and doesn't leave as many pellets in the meat. I suggest sticking with the 6 shot, I don't like 7 1/2; I quit using it because too many of the rabbits were running after being hit, and required the dogs (or me) to catch them and finish them off.

I don't like chewing shot so I like as few shot in my cartridges as will do the job. I use 5s or 6s as a good balance between effective patterns, energy at range and number of shot that could end up in the meal...

I've always used 1-1/2oz #9. It throws a nice "can't miss" pattern. Also makes you look like an expert when shooting clay targets.