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ATB
Junior Member
233 Posts |
 Posted - 04/04/2006 : 08:50:31
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Hello fellow sportsfolk
I have a question if a 20 gauge is a good rabbit gun? If not what is your tool of choice. I havent hunting small game but with many of the ASC leases having good small game opportunities I wanted to take advantage of them and get ready for next small game season. As FYI I don't(cant due to family allergies) have dogs so I will have to flush the rabbit myself and thats why I was leaning toward the 20 gauge. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks,
ATB
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jslucas
Junior Member
105 Posts |
Posted - 04/04/2006 : 09:05:17
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| Personally, I prefer a 4-10. It doesn't tare up the meat to much and with fewer BB's than say a 20 gauge, you don't have to pull out as many BB's when your cleaning the rabbit. |
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wbaie
Junior Member
331 Posts |
Posted - 04/04/2006 : 09:22:02
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| I use a 20ga with a very open modified barrels. I like it because it doesn't tear up the rabbit at all and it still has the punch to kill a pheasent or a squirrel since some time you may kick them up because the seasons over lap. I use about a #5 or #6 shot. I have even used my 12ga with a skeet barrel but that is only early in the season when the cover is still real thick. |
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wbaie
Junior Member
331 Posts |
Posted - 04/04/2006 : 09:25:02
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| Remember always shoot for the head. most of the meat is in the back and rump. And boy is it good eating. I am bringing a pot of Rabbit stew to the WGD this coming weekend. |
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ATB
Junior Member
233 Posts |
 Posted - 04/04/2006 : 12:29:11
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Thanks guys I appreciate the info, look forward to meeting you on Saturday.
Take care
ATB |
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JimmyC
Junior Member
160 Posts |
Posted - 04/04/2006 : 14:02:44
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| 20ga is an excellent choice. Especially for squirrels, rabbits, doves, grouse, and woodcock. I have carried that gauge(in an o/u Citori) with me across 7 states and after just about every small game animal in the Midwest. About the only critters I haven't hunted with my 20 are ducks and turkey and I would certainly consider it now a days with use of Hevi-Shot (sp?) and somewhat disciplined shot selection. Of course the most universal gun is a 12ga, but the 20 is a good choice too for a lot of reasons. |
Edited by - JimmyC on 04/04/2006 14:05:23 |
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frank
Average Member
841 Posts |
Posted - 04/04/2006 : 14:51:53
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| I have to agree with the rest of the members, My son uses a 20ga. for most of his hunting (only excption Turkeys). He has taken some nice ducks with his 20, He uses a Remington 870 express with a 3" chamber. You can see a picture of this gun in the News letter the club sent out (He is the Young hunter with the big Doe). If you want to use it for Gun Deer hunting it's a great choice, with the rifeled slug barrel's and some of the ammo out its devistating. I belive it's the Lightfield slugs they say are hitting with the same speed and force as the Goverment 45/70. On small game with #5 or #6 shot its good for any kind of game we have in Michigan (except Turkeys, Ducks and Geese) and some of these can be taken with sucess if you chose your shot. He has used his 20 for Turkeys with out getting a shot, so I'm not sure how it would do. I know with the new hevi-shot it patterns well out to 30yards. |
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frank
Average Member
841 Posts |
Posted - 04/04/2006 : 15:03:54
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| I forgot to mention if you would like to hunt with some so-so dogs (for birds) let me know. I do alot of bird hunting in the fall and winter (some on the shooting preserves). I would enjoy taking you on a pheasant or grouse/woodcock hunt this fall. I run GSP's and they are not too bad in the fields or woods. Also My son took a goose with his 20 this past year. |
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ATB
Junior Member
233 Posts |
Posted - 04/04/2006 : 20:38:38
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Frank
Thanks for the invite, that would be great. My favorite family dog we had as kid was a GSP. Are you going to the dinner on Saturday? If so we could swap info or send me a email with your info.
Thanks again
Andrew |
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frank
Average Member
841 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2006 : 13:06:01
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Andrew
I plan on showing up saturday to the dinner. It sounds like its going to be a good hunting season this fall with all the new propertys that the Management is trying to nail down. I hope the dogs live up to your expectations. |
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jaywkr
New Member
83 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2006 : 17:59:25
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| 20 gauge is a great rabbit gun. I have a couple of beagles, more than welcome to hunt with me this fall. |
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ATB
Junior Member
233 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2006 : 08:21:17
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Jay
That would be great, I just live a little south of you. Maybe You, Frank and & I can do some birds & small game in the fall.
Take care,
Andrew |
Edited by - ATB on 04/10/2006 08:21:58 |
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jaywkr
New Member
83 Posts |
Posted - 04/26/2006 : 20:23:26
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| Sounds good, just let me know. |
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Topic |
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Tool of choice for small game
