.22 hunting for rabbits and small game

[Fox]

thank you guys for your replies, i am planning to go with my dad and i couldn't get a clear clarification (whoopee with the laws and regs) about this particular rimfire. I do know that shotty is to be plugged by 3 (2+1 chamber)

well then, i'll let you guys know the results after this weekend. my dad's and I first hunt.

Just as a side note, the 2+1 rule for shotguns is there because of the migratory bird act, the limit is due to the way the regulations are in place for migratory birds in Canada/Ontario.

Have at it with the 22, I like to put as many in the magazine as will fit so that I can bury the other ammo in a pocket that will not get filled up with snow.

Rabbits with a 22 can be a good challenge, I rarely did it, we just just jumped them and used a shottie.

[dutchhunter]

well a rim fire does work for bunnys we only us them if I am hunting alone with one hound .if we are out with a group then no rimfires aloud just risky with several dogs and people in the woods with frozen ground .if a bunny comes flying out of a brush pile and you swing to shot it with a rimfire you are just putting to much risk of someone getting hit or a dog getting hit .so shotguns only well hunting with a group. I have seen rimfire bullets do funny things when thy hit frozen ground .Dutch

[GrouseWhisperer]

well a rim fire does work for bunnys we only us them if I am hunting alone with one hound .if we are out with a group then no rimfires aloud just risky with several dogs and people in the woods with frozen ground .if a bunny comes flying out of a brush pile and you swing to shot it with a rimfire you are just putting to much risk of someone getting hit or a dog getting hit .so shotguns only well hunting with a group. I have seen rimfire bullets do funny things when thy hit frozen ground .Dutch

I've seen and HEARD them do strange things. Even hitting soft snow can make them change directions drastically.

[Snowwalker]

Get a good scope and some shooting sticks. Many times rabbits will sit tight till you're close. So if you can spot them and get a steady shot at 50 to 75 yards, you can pick them off long before they bolt. If you have a rabbit run in a slow hopping movement, just freeze and watch where it goes. You could not see it till it moved, so if you are not moving it has a hard time seeing you. Now if it's stretching out and moving....it head for the next county.

[Richie Hastings]

Why not use a .22 air rifle, one with a high fps rating - i've seen them up to 1100 fps with .22 alloy ammo - anyone recommend this?

[pmannat]

I know for me at the range high velocity is a little less consistent than the stardard velocity. And there's really no need. With small targets with small vitals its a better bet. But if you really want Remington yellow jackets are 1500 fps at muzzle.

[line052]

Take a whistle too.

[Snowwalker]

Why not use a .22 air rifle, one with a high fps rating - i've seen them up to 1100 fps with .22 alloy ammo - anyone recommend this?

The alloy pellets do not buck the wind well. You need lead of at least 10 to 11 grains.
With a springer style air rifle your range is less then 50 yards for most people. A PCP can move your range out to 60 to 70 yards....For a price equal to or hundreds of dollars more then a 22. The 22 has a range of 100+ yards, less drop and better ability to buck a cross wind..
Down range energy is also much better.
I am not saying you can't just be ready for a very differant style of hunting. Air rifle hunting is a style of hunting made for back yards/gardens and around the barns and machine sheds. Great fun and game getting.
Think of it as going from hunting with a rifle to hunting with a bow.

[jaycee]

I often shoot them around our yard with my .177 cal. air gun@ 1100fps. plus , the lead pellets I use leave more bloodshot meat on the rabbits than a . 22 cal. rifle does , just have to keep the range a little closer., but it is an instant kill.

[Waftrudnir]

well a rim fire does work for bunnys we only us them if I am hunting alone with one hound .if we are out with a group then no rimfires aloud just risky with several dogs and people in the woods with frozen ground .if a bunny comes flying out of a brush pile and you swing to shot it with a rimfire you are just putting to much risk of someone getting hit or a dog getting hit .so shotguns only well hunting with a group. I have seen rimfire bullets do funny things when thy hit frozen ground .Dutch

x2
remember you need a save backstop! if the ground is not frozen, there shouldn't be much of a problem for bunny hunting, but if you think of squirrel or grouse hunting (in the trees), the .22 might not be suitable for populated areas.