Rabbit shooting.

[Rob-E]

I’ve recently been asked by a friend to teach her how to prepare a rabbit, and have subsequently been given shooting rights on 9acres of land by her dad. I have shot rabbit before with a 410 whilst doing pest control on a golf course, and currently have 2 12G which I could use.
I’m also currently looking at getting my FAC as I am new to deer stalking, my question is this.

Should I apply for a .22RF for the rabbits and then apply for a .308/deer calibre later or just stick with a 12G.

Thanks for your help.

 

[VSS]

You clearly have "good reason" to apply for a 22 rimfire (ie, the rabbits), so that shouldn't be a problem. If you also have good reason for the 308 (eg, permission to shoot deer, or booked stalking trips) then there's no reason why you shouldn't apply for that at the same time. Cheaper that way!

 

[Dalua]

First, see whether your friend's dad would mind giving you written permission to shoot the rabbits. Depending on the land, that might be 'good reason' to get some kind of FAC rabbit-rifle.
Then look over the land from a safety perspective with respect to shotgun, FAC air-rifle, or some kind of rimfire (.22LR, .17Mach2, or the bigger ones). If you're not sure, ask someone experienced and sensible for an opinion before applying.

If they're happy to grant a rimfire, then a period of using that safely is likely to be a good precursor to applying for a .308 when you've got 'good reason' for that sorted.

In the mean time, joining a club, or otherwise putting yourself in a position to use a range, would give opportunity to practice with whatever you end up with, as well as possibly providing a pre-stalking 'good reason' (in the form of target-shooting of some kind, for example) to get a .308 - and thereby to get familliar with its safe and effective use on the range, at least.

 

[Rob-E]

Sorry I should have said, I have considerable shooting experience both clay and target.
I have the permission in writing so will give a .22 a go.
I was looking at joining the Caprelous Club to help me gain access into the stalking world having done my DSC1 last month, but members on here didn’t seem to think highly of them. Plus it’s £800 a year!

 

[Dalua]

I was looking at joining the Caprelous Club to help me gain access into the stalking world having done my DSC1 last month, but members on here didn’t seem to think highly of them. Plus it’s £800 a year!

That really wasn't the kind of club I was thinking of!!

 

[Rob-E]

Haha I know! Just thought I’d mention it. I am looking into joining a HM approved rifle club.
i still can’t get my head around the fact that booking a few stalks can be reason enough to own a rifle though. However who is to argue!

 

[sy247]

I would imagine if you had no previous shooting experience and had just booked a few stalks and put in an application for a high velocity rifle it would be rejected.

I my case I had considerable shooting experience (RF and CF) at a HM approved target club and had done my DSC1. Closed certificate was granted without issue and then open certificate 18 months later.

The impression I got from the FEO was that shooting a high velocity rifle under range conditions was deemed to be less of a risk than shooting at live quarry in the countryside.

Haha I know! Just thought I’d mention it. I am looking into joining a HM approved rifle club.
i still can’t get my head around the fact that booking a few stalks can be reason enough to own a rifle though. However who is to argue!

 

[FISH BOY]

Depending on the topography of your permission, personally I would consider an FAC Air as they can do everything a rimmy can and are deadly accurate out to 75 yards. I have a .22 rimfire, and while its accurate, I have stopped using on some of my flat ground due it being prone to ricochets.

As mentioned before, good reason is key, get some experience with a smaller calibre, book up some guided stalks to build up a picture for your FEO.

 

[John Gryphon]

Prepare a rabbit? Head shoot it first,nothing but head shots!

 

[kennyc]

Prepare a rabbit? Head shoot it first,nothing but head shots!

never seen much use for rabbits ribs, can hardly get enough sauce on them to taste a good body shot will do the job as well without wasting meat.

 

[sauer]

As above .....once my eye is in head shots yes but a longer shot in engine room fine and little waste of meat..

And can get damn fine burgers out of em when mixed with some good pork belly and whatever seasoning you want.

Took my two boys out last week to watch ....took 3 rabbits showed them from start to finish they loved it ....

Made burgers

 

[Rob-E]

Thank you for all your comments. I’ll apply for a .22 FAC and take it from there I think. As my stalking permissions are being slow to obtain.

 

[John Gryphon]

never seen much use for rabbits ribs, can hardly get enough sauce on them to taste a good body shot will do the job as well without wasting meat.

The blokes that know how to and can shoot do head shots. There isn't much worse than a pooper shot rabbit for stink and contamination of the meat.

If you want to be a good shot then strive for head shots,its pretty simple and that accuracy then lends itself to everything else that one hunts...poking a pill between branches for the deer standing in the bush etc.

 

[kennyc]

The blokes that know how to and can shoot do head shots. There isn't much worse than a pooper shot rabbit for stink and contamination of the meat.

If you want to be a good shot then strive for head shots,its pretty simple and that accuracy then lends itself to everything else that one hunts...poking a pill between branches for the deer standing in the bush etc.

and when the head is down in the undergrowth but the body is exposed ? headshots are fine body shots are also fine and the correct target areas are comparable in size so no loss of manliness ensues

 

[zambezi]

... I have a .22 rimfire, and while its accurate, I have stopped using on some of my flat ground due it being prone to ricochets...FEO.

For that same reason, I rarely use the .22 for rabbits. In the 40-120m range I reckon it is hard to beat the .17HMR for reliable accuracy. That plus you can get frangible 17gr rounds for it. These pretty much explode on the first thing they hit. If you hit the bunny it is toast. If you miss, the first blade of grass [let alone earthy backstop] initiates the projectile sundering. Zero richochet with these ballistic tips.

 

[VSS]

For that same reason, I rarely use the .22 for rabbits. In the 40-120m range I reckon it is hard to beat the .17HMR for reliable accuracy. That plus you can get frangible 17gr rounds for it. These pretty much explode on the first thing they hit. If you hit the bunny it is toast. If you miss, the first blade of grass [let alone earthy backstop] initiates the projectile sundering. Zero richochet with these ballistic tips.

I think you'll get ricochet from time to time with whatever you're using. You just don't hear them if you're using a rifle that makes a bigger bang than a 22.
The idea that even a blade of grass will safely dispose of a 177 bullet is a myth, I believe. However, you could easily prove it by standing behind a thin screen of vegetation while someone shoots at it...

 

[potshotpat]

Prepare a rabbit? Head shoot it first,nothing but head shots!

Hunch back Rabbits are the best, when you make a pie they hold the crust up.

 

[zambezi]

I think you'll get ricochet from time to time with whatever you're using. You just don't hear them if you're using a rifle that makes a bigger bang than a 22.
The idea that even a blade of grass will safely dispose of a 177 bullet is a myth, I believe. However, you could easily prove it by standing behind a thin screen of vegetation while someone shoots at it...

Hmmm. Agreed, a single blade is maybe a bit thin. But in hundreds of rounds I have seen whisps of vegetation cause fragmentation at point of impact, the signature of which is a fanned arc of dust thrown up on the ground beyond that. ZERO richochet whines. Not one. I usually head shoot rabbits with the .17HMR, but on occasion when I have body shot I have taken time to analyse the [numerous] wound paths and try to retrieve bullet fragments. The largest was a fleck tinier than half a match head in size. I stand by this statement: the ballistic tip 17gr .17HMR rounds I shoot have never richochetted: energy dissipated at first resistive object and that event attended by full projectile disintegration.

 

[FrenchieBoy]

and when the head is down in the undergrowth but the body is exposed ? headshots are fine body shots are also fine and the correct target areas are comparable in size so no loss of manliness ensues

I have to agree with this post! Yes, in my opinion head shots are the best but when the head is not exposed then a H&L shot is perfectly fine.
With regards to ricochets yes you will occasionally get one or two with a .22LR but you can also occasionally get a ricochet with any other calibre of rifle! Much depends on the type of ground you are shooting on which is why backstops are so important.

 

[25 Sharps]

never seen much use for rabbits ribs, can hardly get enough sauce on them to taste a good body shot will do the job as well without wasting meat.

Not sure the ones we shoot tomorrow will be good enough for the plate, ok for the wildlife charity as fodder though!!