will bird shot ammo work for jackrabbits

coolridelude · November 26, 2006, 06:27 PM

will bird shot ammo work for jackrabbits?

my friends grandfather wants me and my friend to be population contol.

the grandfather wants us to help him get rid at least 1/2 the population of jackrabbits.

i want to know if the bird shot ammo will work on rabbits?

or what do you ammo do you recommend for jack rabbits?

armedandsafe · November 26, 2006, 08:16 PM

I used #6 for years on both birds (not waterfowl) and rabbits with success.

Pops

coolridelude · November 26, 2006, 08:21 PM

thanks, i will also be taking my savage mark II. just in case i run out of SG ammo.

roy reali · November 26, 2006, 09:43 PM

Birdshot will not work for rabbits. You need rabbit shot.

armedandsafe · November 27, 2006, 09:44 PM

Re-mark the boxes with Magic Marker. Works fine, as rabbits don't read real well.

Pops

FirstFreedom · November 27, 2006, 10:36 PM

Yup. Should work fine, at close ranges. For further shots, it'll still work, but 6 and 7.5 will work better than 8 or 9.

Long Path · November 28, 2006, 09:54 AM

I agree that 6 shot is a very good rabbit shot. For jackrabbits (big hares), I might lean toward #5 shot, though.

stevelyn · November 30, 2006, 08:51 AM

Back in the day when I had the misfortune to be stationed in northern Kommifornia, we would go out bunny bustin' on our days off.
I used both #6 Peters blue wonders and my own handloads w/ #5 shot. I don't ever recall any jacks getting away that were hit.

Greybeard · November 30, 2006, 08:22 PM

6s for cottontail. 4s for jacks.

armedandsafe · November 30, 2006, 09:47 PM

Actually, I grew up busting jacks with the .22LR and the 03A3. After I got out of the Army, I started using the 16GA on them, though.

I used my 32-20 on the hares in Alaska, though. Those suckers are HUGE!

Pops

coolridelude · December 1, 2006, 12:40 AM

thanks for the info. i will also try to take a few with a slug.

LAK Supply · December 1, 2006, 02:08 AM

Buckshot!! You won't have many pieces to pick up afterwards!

Jack O'Conner · December 1, 2006, 04:08 AM

Jacks are not armor-plated. I've taken dozens and dozens with 16 gauge, low base #6, and full choke. None got away.
Jack

hossdaniels · December 1, 2006, 08:48 AM

not if your gonna eat them. #5's are easier to get out.

whitedemon89 · December 1, 2006, 02:55 PM

shotgun ammo is too expensive, use a 22 or 7.62x39, or a cheap pistol cartridge like 9mm
but
#8 will work, i have used it with great success before,
but
dont forget about pellet guns and bows with target points
ive taken plenty with "toys"
how about live traps, even easier

JustPassingBy · December 1, 2006, 04:41 PM

They're not out yet, and when they do start shipping them, they'll probably be expensive. But if that jackrabbit is going to end up on the dinner table, I suspect these edibel shot shells will work as well

http://www.seasonshot.com/How.cfm

Rabbit, yet anohter white meat.

mete · December 1, 2006, 04:58 PM

I'd use #4s ....I did see a jackrabbit hit at close range with a 340 Wthby ,only head and ears remained !!

Daves-got-guns · December 1, 2006, 05:13 PM

hell ive killed a grouse with .357 birdshot out of the sky. Took me atleast 6 shots to finally nail it though. It was near death on the ground and i had to finish it off. I think they use #9 shot in pistol shotshells? Killed plenty of squirells with #8 plinker 12 gauge loads. Dead before they fall off the branch, and even with the best placed .22s sometimes it takes a second or 2 for them to stop squirmin.

FirstFreedom · December 1, 2006, 06:00 PM

When I first posted above, I was thinking cottontails, not jackrabbits. I'd be using 4, 5, or 6 shot - maybe even 2 shot - for jack rabbits.

Mannlicher · December 1, 2006, 09:50 PM

I have used high brass #6 for rabbits all my life. I use that size shot in my 20, 16,and 12 ga shotguns. Since it works so well, I just never tried anything else when rabbit or squirrel hunting with a shotgun.

wolverine350 · December 1, 2006, 09:55 PM

high brass no. 6's and 5's steve

LAK Supply · December 1, 2006, 11:44 PM

"I'd use #4s ....I did see a jackrabbit hit at close range with a 340 Wthby ,only head and ears remained !!"

Sounds like my experience with a ground squirrel and a .300 WinMag at about 25 yards! The hide was keeping the head and back legs attached to one another . . . it was kind of like a squirrel numchuck!

coolridelude · December 2, 2006, 02:29 AM

i will not be eating them. i am population control.

maybe see some yotes out there and get them too.

gunslinger1911ACP · December 4, 2006, 02:00 PM

My dad shot a jack rabbit in full stride at about 30 yds with #8 Winchester dove loads in September when we were dove hunting.

I guess it depends on distance too.

dfaugh · December 5, 2006, 12:51 PM

Distance matters....At the usual range I take rabbit (< 50 ft., cottontails) #6 does a fine job. If shooting further, I'd consider #4.

November 26, 2006, 06:27 PM	#1
coolridelude Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2005 Location: TX Posts: 411	will bird shot ammo work for jackrabbits will bird shot ammo work for jackrabbits? my friends grandfather wants me and my friend to be population contol. the grandfather wants us to help him get rid at least 1/2 the population of jackrabbits. i want to know if the bird shot ammo will work on rabbits? or what do you ammo do you recommend for jack rabbits? __________________ life doesn't give you a second chance to learn from your mistakes.

November 26, 2006, 08:16 PM	#2
armedandsafe Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2005 Location: Moses Lake WA Posts: 1,001	I used #6 for years on both birds (not waterfowl) and rabbits with success. Pops __________________ Armed and Safe: Not just a theory If it time to bury them, it is time to dig them up. Remember, "Behind every blade of grass."

November 26, 2006, 08:21 PM	#3
coolridelude Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2005 Location: TX Posts: 411	thanks, i will also be taking my savage mark II. just in case i run out of SG ammo. __________________ life doesn't give you a second chance to learn from your mistakes.

November 28, 2006, 09:54 AM	#7
Long Path Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 1999 Location: N. Texas Posts: 5,899	I agree that 6 shot is a very good rabbit shot. For jackrabbits (big hares), I might lean toward #5 shot, though. __________________ "Welcome to The Firing Line, a virtual community dedicated to the discussion and advancement of responsible firearms ownership."T.F.L. Policy Page Will you, too, be one who stands in the gap? ____________

November 30, 2006, 09:47 PM	#10
armedandsafe Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2005 Location: Moses Lake WA Posts: 1,001	Actually, I grew up busting jacks with the .22LR and the 03A3. After I got out of the Army, I started using the 16GA on them, though. I used my 32-20 on the hares in Alaska, though. Those suckers are HUGE! Pops __________________ Armed and Safe: Not just a theory If it time to bury them, it is time to dig them up. Remember, "Behind every blade of grass."

November 26, 2006, 09:43 PM	#4
roy reali Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2005 Posts: 3,248	Different Opinion Birdshot will not work for rabbits. You need rabbit shot.

November 27, 2006, 09:44 PM	#5
armedandsafe Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2005 Location: Moses Lake WA Posts: 1,001	Re-mark the boxes with Magic Marker. Works fine, as rabbits don't read real well. Pops __________________ Armed and Safe: Not just a theory If it time to bury them, it is time to dig them up. Remember, "Behind every blade of grass."

November 27, 2006, 10:36 PM	#6
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	Pops Yup. Should work fine, at close ranges. For further shots, it'll still work, but 6 and 7.5 will work better than 8 or 9.

November 30, 2006, 08:51 AM	#8
stevelyn Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: Fairbanksan in exile to Aleutian Hell Posts: 2,655	Back in the day when I had the misfortune to be stationed in northern Kommifornia, we would go out bunny bustin' on our days off. I used both #6 Peters blue wonders and my own handloads w/ #5 shot. I don't ever recall any jacks getting away that were hit. __________________ Stop Allowing Our Schools To Be Soft Targets! http://fastersaveslives.org/ East Moose. Wear Wolf.

November 30, 2006, 08:22 PM	#9
Greybeard Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2002 Location: Denton County Texas Posts: 686	6s for cottontail. 4s for jacks. __________________ www.dentoncountysports.com A Private Palace for Pistol Proficiency

December 1, 2006, 12:40 AM	#11
coolridelude Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2005 Location: TX Posts: 411	thanks for the info. i will also try to take a few with a slug. __________________ life doesn't give you a second chance to learn from your mistakes.

December 1, 2006, 02:08 AM	#12
LAK Supply Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2006 Location: Wild Wyo Posts: 174	Buckshot!! You won't have many pieces to pick up afterwards! __________________ Firearms/Tactical/Shooting Gear: www.laksupply.com Lots of Mags: http://laksupply.com/magazines-mag-kits

December 1, 2006, 04:08 AM	#13
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	Jacks are not armor-plated. I've taken dozens and dozens with 16 gauge, low base #6, and full choke. None got away. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

December 1, 2006, 08:48 AM	#14
hossdaniels Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2006 Posts: 162	not if your gonna eat them. #5's are easier to get out.

December 1, 2006, 02:55 PM	#15
whitedemon89 Member Join Date: September 25, 2006 Posts: 55	shotgun ammo is too expensive, use a 22 or 7.62x39, or a cheap pistol cartridge like 9mm but #8 will work, i have used it with great success before, but dont forget about pellet guns and bows with target points ive taken plenty with "toys" how about live traps, even easier

December 1, 2006, 04:41 PM	#16
JustPassingBy Junior Member Join Date: November 21, 2006 Posts: 9	They're not out yet, and when they do start shipping them, they'll probably be expensive. But if that jackrabbit is going to end up on the dinner table, I suspect these edibel shot shells will work as well http://www.seasonshot.com/How.cfm Rabbit, yet anohter white meat.

December 1, 2006, 04:58 PM	#17
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	I'd use #4s ....I did see a jackrabbit hit at close range with a 340 Wthby ,only head and ears remained !!

December 1, 2006, 05:13 PM	#18
Daves-got-guns Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2006 Location: Marysville Washington Posts: 291	hell ive killed a grouse with .357 birdshot out of the sky. Took me atleast 6 shots to finally nail it though. It was near death on the ground and i had to finish it off. I think they use #9 shot in pistol shotshells? Killed plenty of squirells with #8 plinker 12 gauge loads. Dead before they fall off the branch, and even with the best placed .22s sometimes it takes a second or 2 for them to stop squirmin.

December 1, 2006, 06:00 PM	#19
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	When I first posted above, I was thinking cottontails, not jackrabbits. I'd be using 4, 5, or 6 shot - maybe even 2 shot - for jack rabbits.

December 1, 2006, 09:50 PM	#20
Mannlicher Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2001 Location: North Central Florida & Miami Posts: 3,209	I have used high brass #6 for rabbits all my life. I use that size shot in my 20, 16,and 12 ga shotguns. Since it works so well, I just never tried anything else when rabbit or squirrel hunting with a shotgun. __________________ Nemo Me Impune Lacesset "The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.".........Ronald Reagan

December 1, 2006, 09:55 PM	#21
wolverine350 Senior Member Join Date: November 27, 2006 Location: ponca city ok Posts: 746	high brass no. 6's and 5's steve

December 1, 2006, 11:44 PM	#22
LAK Supply Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2006 Location: Wild Wyo Posts: 174	"I'd use #4s ....I did see a jackrabbit hit at close range with a 340 Wthby ,only head and ears remained !!" Sounds like my experience with a ground squirrel and a .300 WinMag at about 25 yards! The hide was keeping the head and back legs attached to one another . . . it was kind of like a squirrel numchuck! __________________ Firearms/Tactical/Shooting Gear: www.laksupply.com Lots of Mags: http://laksupply.com/magazines-mag-kits

December 2, 2006, 02:29 AM	#23
coolridelude Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2005 Location: TX Posts: 411	i will not be eating them. i am population control. maybe see some yotes out there and get them too. __________________ life doesn't give you a second chance to learn from your mistakes.

December 4, 2006, 02:00 PM	#24
gunslinger1911ACP Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 131	My dad shot a jack rabbit in full stride at about 30 yds with #8 Winchester dove loads in September when we were dove hunting. I guess it depends on distance too.

December 5, 2006, 12:51 PM	#25
dfaugh Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2002 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,715	Distance matters....At the usual range I take rabbit (< 50 ft., cottontails) #6 does a fine job. If shooting further, I'd consider #4. __________________ "If you Listen to Fools, the Mob Rules" "No one has the answer, but one thing is true. You'e got to turn on evil, when its coming after you. You've gotta face it down,and when it tries to hide, you've got to go in after it, and never be denied. Time is running out...Let's roll. Let's roll for freedom, let's roll for love. We're going after satan, on the wings of a dove. Let's roll for freedom, let's roll for truth. Let's not let our children grow up fearful in their youth."