Long Range Rabbit Rifle.

[mikeinct]

If you already have a decent 223/or 222 rifle..Finding an accurate lower velocity round w lightest bullets would be the least expensive route to success ...

 

[people]

If you already have a decent 223/or 222 rifle..Finding an accurate lower velocity round w lightest bullets would be the least expensive route to success ...

This is the best route. You might be hard pressed to get a 22hornet accurate enough for head shots especially for a 200yd head shot.

One thing to also look into is loading a FMJ bullet backwards. I have done this in several rifles that shot quite well. Personally I would just use a light bullet but there are options you have.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

What do you consider "Long range" for rabbits?? My vote would be a 17 Hornet. Accurate and much more range than a 22 hornet..

 

[searcher]

I'm another fan of the .17 Hornet. Shooting a 20 or 25 grain bullet at warp speed and they disintegrate on contact. More accurate, I think, than the .22 Hornet. Probably even less chance of ricochet. The little V-maxes are super accurate, cheap and explosive.

 

[bobinpa]

.221 Fireball?

Absolutely this....... I love mine! Brass may be difficult to find but not impossible and once you have it, you have it...

 

[Webster]

Hodgdon list reduced loads for the .223 with a 55g fmj bullet. They have 3 powders listed with each giving 1060 fps or so velocity.

I would consider the 223 with reduced loads. Look for bullets the manufacturer says are super explosive for small varmints to reduce the chance of ricochet. I won't hunt on flat land. If it's hilly you won't get ricochets.

 

[ebb]

Check out the 22TCM

 

[Drop Port]

For a "22 Hornet based round" and "200 yards" for head shots on rabbits it leaves you two cartridges. Accuracy on the 22 hornet is a crap shoot so you have either the 22 K Hornet or 17 Hornet without going exotic. If you want more without ricochet 17 Firball.

 

[nockhunter]

It would be hard to beat a 221 Fireball, or a 20 VarTarg loaded with Hogdgon lil' gun. For bullets in the Fireball, try Sierra 50g blitz, or Hornady 50g spsx. They are very economical bullets and very frangible. The Sierra is super accurate to boot.

Mike

 

[Kenneth66]

222 with most 40 gr bullets shouldn't be a ricochet problem and no problem for head shots on a good rest .
Kenneth

 

[EXTREME]

I am looking at a .22 Hornet based round to economically shoot rabbits, which are salable, not blown to bits. Obviously I am looking at the small powder charge of the Hornet case over more popular rounds such as the 223 Remington, which is cheaper to shoot in my neck of the woods, but is overkill in power, destruction, and powder cost. Has anyone got any suggestions, bearing in mind the cost of such a project. I don't fancy the .17 HMR.

Go to this site, place an order and you will be set to go with a 223-Hornet. https://www.1967spud.com/cart/

I used 223 Remington UMC, Neck Sized brass primed CCI 450, for this load in my Rem 700 SPS. The Speer 33 TNT bullet seated 0.010" off the lands, when Seated to 2.04" COL, and the 24" barrel pushed it to 3240 fps with 13.5 grains of Blue dot. I could never get a 22 Hornet to shoot like this and the 33 TNT is likely the most explosive bullet you will find so don't expect the rabbit to have a head left if shot under 50 yards.

 

[CaptainMal]

Curious about where you live. Nothing on the profile page to explain parts of your dilemma related to components and availability. That info. might be useful to those inclined to offer their opinions.

Rabbits??? What kind of rabbits? I mean there are cottontails, jackrabbits and something else somewhere else. You need to explain more.

 

[nakneker]

I was looking for a very small reloadable round a year ago or so. I have 222s, a 223 but I wanted smaller. I found the mink calibers and the squirrel calibers, shortened hornet brass calibers that are a lot of fun, cheap and accurate. I ended up with a 22 mink, it’s an Abolt that started life as a 22 hornet. Shoots 40 grainers at 3200fps. Works great. You can get dies and brass from the Woodchuck Den. If you want more info feel free to PM me.

 

[Beruisis]

My vote goes to the 25-20.

 

[Hal]

He is probably from Australia.

Hal

 

[Hal]

My vote goes to the 25-20.

That's good humor.

Hal

 

[TheOtherZilla]

He is probably from Australia.

Hal

Maybe not. Oz is so restricted right now that it isn't funny. Have an aussie friend here right now tellin me all about it.. It's insane..

 

[Hal]

The OP wants to sell dead rabbits to a game dealer.

Fur buyers around here that buy Jack rabbits in the winter want the rabbits shot in the body to say the head for Jackalopes mounts.

Hal

 

[jreedtn]

25 cal pcp airgun putting out around 50 ft pounds. Perfect for rabbits out to 150 yards or so. Quiet, safe no ricochet and cheap to shoot...

 

[WarpToad]

25 cal pcp airgun putting out around 50 ft pounds. Perfect for rabbits out to 150 yards or so. Quiet, safe no ricochet and cheap to shoot...

I have a Daystate PCP air rifle that is rated at 40 ft pounds, and I restrict it to 85 yards max.