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Post by lenapej on Jan 4, 2024 13:00:55 GMT -7
We have a ton of rabbits on the place and I've been wanting to get after them with the smooth-bore. I went several times and always seen rabbits but either could not get a shot or had a mis-fire, finally today I had one hold still just long enough for me to get a shot, that's a challenging hunt. My load was 60 grains, over powder card, a bit of bees-nest, about a 1 1/2 oz of #4, and more bees-nest to hold it in.   |
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Post by brokennock on Jan 5, 2024 6:56:31 GMT -7
Excellent, congratulations.
Thank you for sharing.
I have a couple questions if you don't mind, none are criticisms (I could see certain people on other forums taking a couple to be so).
1st, have you tried some running shots in the past? You might surprise yourself.
Also on this note, rabbits have a habit of running a few yards when initially startled then stopping dead still.... this can be taken advantage of.
Second, something I've been wondering about for quite some time, how are you carrying your wasp nest wadding? I guess hand in hand with this is how much of it are you carrying and to what level is it "processed" before being packed into your gear? Tow is bulky enough, I can't wrap my head around carrying wasp nest around in any quantity without it being smoothed and smashed. But,,, I have "pork brains."
Lastly, that's a lot of shot for a 20 gauge. How was penetration? Rabbits are pretty fragile, does that much shot get enough velocity over that powder charge to do well on tougher stuff like squirrels?
Thanks again. I always enjoy when you report in about one of your outings.
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Post by Black Hand on Jan 5, 2024 9:54:26 GMT -7
Mmmmmmmm - rabbit...!
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Post by bushfire on Jan 5, 2024 19:17:16 GMT -7
Congratulations on a great harvest my friend. We don’t have many rabbits anymore due to government released diseases, but plenty of hares. Shoot a few with the smoothbore, great fun.
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Post by lenapej on Jan 6, 2024 10:42:42 GMT -7
Excellent, congratulations. Thank you for sharing. I have a couple questions if you don't mind, none are criticisms (I could see certain people on other forums taking a couple to be so). 1st, have you tried some running shots in the past? You might surprise yourself. Also on this note, rabbits have a habit of running a few yards when initially startled then stopping dead still.... this can be taken advantage of. Second, something I've been wondering about for quite some time, how are you carrying your wasp nest wadding? I guess hand in hand with this is how much of it are you carrying and to what level is it "processed" before being packed into your gear? Tow is bulky enough, I can't wrap my head around carrying wasp nest around in any quantity without it being smoothed and smashed. But,,, I have "pork brains." Lastly, that's a lot of shot for a 20 gauge. How was penetration? Rabbits are pretty fragile, does that much shot get enough velocity over that powder charge to do well on tougher stuff like squirrels? Thanks again. I always enjoy when you report in about one of your outings. Lol no worries, the rabbits hear seem to run until they are out of sight, because it is so brushy sometimes that is only 30-40 yards, but if more open I've had them run up to 80 yards or so before stopping, I should try a running shot sometime, but most of the time, by the time I get the gun to my shoulder they are already 25-30 yards away and haulin' ass! not to mention having to shoot through brush. When I'm out for an afternoon hunt I rarely get more than 2 shots or so, so I don't worry about carrying a lot of bees-nest, I just had a bit in a tin along with some wads in my pocket (pic) and figure if I run out I can always use leaves or some other natural material. I was overkill on the shot, probably could go with less shot and powder, I'm still learning...this one I shot through a ton of brush, all I could see of him was his ears and a bit of his head, but a surprising amount of shot made it through, penetration was good, even broke a leg bone or two.  |
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Post by spence on Jan 6, 2024 14:55:26 GMT -7
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Post by spence on Jan 6, 2024 15:30:54 GMT -7
The photo is from "Black Powder Hunting" by Sam Fadala.
Spence
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Post by lenapej on Jan 6, 2024 17:37:33 GMT -7
Spence
If I could just catch him in the open like that...
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Post by hawkeyes on Jan 8, 2024 7:26:41 GMT -7
Good fun, squirrel season is winding down here which means the ole smoothbore comes out for rabbit till March. A fine meal right there!
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