Before I even start, rest assured I am aware that a .223 is the wrong firearm for hunting cottontail rabbits (at least if you plan on eating them). That being said, is it possible to develop a load that might take the rabbit's head off, but would spare the edible parts? Body shots would likely end with a pink mist and an empty hide, but what about head shots? Would the shock wave alone turn the rabbit into mincemeat? What about bullet choice (ballistic tip, FMJ, mushrooming type, etc.)?
.223 for cottontail headshot?
- Thread starter clunker
- Start date
I don’t mean to come across as presumptuous, but I read your post as concern for the projectile’s shockwave effect. There are videos demonstrating the “shockwave” effect from a round causing damage ostensibly larger than the diameter of the projectile is patently incorrect. This link should help:
https://www.range365.com/sniper-bullets-shockwave-can-kill-fact-or-myth
If you do indeed tag it in the head and just the head, the rest of the bunny will be just fine. Use a full metal jacket if you rifle shoots them well as extra insurance so when terminal effects occur, they’re relatively limited.
jepp2
Gold $$ Contributor
Just a caution. FMJ bullets really like to kiss off the ground and head for part unknown.
I was thinking about this too, and there are several posts on other forums that highly discourage FMJ for hunting anything, but I still wanted to hear others' input. I am much more likely to miss with a head shot than a body shot, so ricochet consequences are definitely a concern. Ballistic tips will fragment on impact, but where will those fragments go (into the body?)? A Nosler Partition probably won't even start to mushroom before it blasts through the other side of a rabbit skull, but maybe it is the better choice because it is safer in the event of a miss. Lot's of factors to consider.
Thanks for the link Rstrick. I wondered if that shock wave thing was a myth.
I make the kids shoot them in the head. 22LR They learn to shoot.
jepp2
Gold $$ Contributor
If you do some searching, there is reduced loads for 223. Hodgdon used to list the data, but I'm getting the 404 error now. I found this on Predator Masters Forum. I used to shoot a slower load in a 222 with 50 gr. Sierra Spitzer. Just mushroomed nicely on deer. I would avoid the super explosive bullets (ultra thin jackets, polymer tips, etc.)
From a hodgdon rep
50 gr bullet:
16.5 gr h4895
Col-2.210"
Velocity should be around 2080 ft/sec.
P.S. Found the Hodgdon data, I have it attached.
From a hodgdon rep
50 gr bullet:
16.5 gr h4895
Col-2.210"
Velocity should be around 2080 ft/sec.
P.S. Found the Hodgdon data, I have it attached.
It should be no problem if your gun is accurate enough. I don't like the reduced load idea because when trying to hit a small target I want a flat trajectory, especially in a hunting situation where exact distance is not known. FMJ is not allowed here for hunting. I use and like a 17hmr for squirrel and have headshot them at over 100 yds.
Lone Hunter
Silver $$ Contributor
Clunker, You also might want to check your game regulations. Some states do not allow the use of FMJ for hunting. Tennessee is one, don't know about the others. Thought I'd throw that out for you. Just saw JRS posted the same thing.
I just checked the WA State regs, and there does not appear to be any mention of bullet type except in the case of shotgun requirements. However, if there's a chance that FMJ bullets would be less safe, then I'll just scratch those from the list. As far as accuracy goes, WA State finally lifted their target shooting ban, so I went to the range today with a new scope. After getting sighted in, the .223 shot .295" MOA with factory ammo, so I think I'm good to go for cottontail.
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I would say FMJ is definately less safe. It can riccochet after it pass's through your game. So can anything else, but fmj is designed not to expand/come apart.
What ever your shooting .295 groups with will do the job.
I found out when my wife accidently let a pen of meat rabbits into the garden. There is a whole lot of a rabbits head that wont kill it. i was using sub sonic 22's but i shot 1 5 times. the brain is between the ears and eyes.
I believe there is a difference between a shock wave from a near miss and the energy a bullet can shock with a hit. Matt
Yah, I was pretty thorough in explaining why I posted what I did. The OP appreciated it whether I presumed perfectly what he was asking or not.
AckleymanII
Gold $$ Contributor
Simple solution, use any bullet you want, take the top of their heads off or miss them.
when I lived in Az, we had pygmy cotton tails there, they never got tough, no matter what the age, limit was 10 per day. They loved to come out in the edges of sand washes. I laid up on a high point and got my limit with a number of 17 and 22 centerfires, all head shots.
Rabbits are very easy to blow up and even body shots with a 22 RF with HP can ruin a lot of meat, 22 mags with 40g Win HP destroy half the rabbit.
Decent luck can be had with a 22 RF, but with a bullet that does not expand, you will loose some rabbits with body shots, or you have to shoot them two or three times ruining half the rabbit or shooting it up to the extent to where the rabbit is hard to skin.
Rabbit gravy is the best there is, and the back on a rabbit is some very fine eating. No need in putting cotton tails in the pressure cooker.
We ate a lot of jack rabbits also after an old Mexican lady taught me how to cook them. You simply put them in a pressure cooker and let the pressure build for 7 Minutes, the meat will fall off the bone and the taste is superb with just a clove of garlic and an onion cut up with the rabbit. If you like to eat wild game, a Jack Rabbit when cooked this way will be tops on your list, better than any wild duck for sure.
when I lived in Az, we had pygmy cotton tails there, they never got tough, no matter what the age, limit was 10 per day. They loved to come out in the edges of sand washes. I laid up on a high point and got my limit with a number of 17 and 22 centerfires, all head shots.
Rabbits are very easy to blow up and even body shots with a 22 RF with HP can ruin a lot of meat, 22 mags with 40g Win HP destroy half the rabbit.
Decent luck can be had with a 22 RF, but with a bullet that does not expand, you will loose some rabbits with body shots, or you have to shoot them two or three times ruining half the rabbit or shooting it up to the extent to where the rabbit is hard to skin.
Rabbit gravy is the best there is, and the back on a rabbit is some very fine eating. No need in putting cotton tails in the pressure cooker.
We ate a lot of jack rabbits also after an old Mexican lady taught me how to cook them. You simply put them in a pressure cooker and let the pressure build for 7 Minutes, the meat will fall off the bone and the taste is superb with just a clove of garlic and an onion cut up with the rabbit. If you like to eat wild game, a Jack Rabbit when cooked this way will be tops on your list, better than any wild duck for sure.
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