.177 Cal?

[OwnedByTheBuns]

I have two pellet guns, one BB gun and a .177 cal pistol. I would rather not use a "real gun" because that will freak everyone out. Could I use the pistol?

 

[Cottie]

Use the broomstick.

We've had to put down 2 lops. They seem to have thicker skulls, and the firearms don't work quite so well.

 

[OwnedByTheBuns]

NO WAY I am using the broomstick.

 

[Cottie]

NO WAY I am using the broomstick.

Just sayin', it might be less traumatic than using a firearm (for both you and the rabbit).

 

[OwnedByTheBuns]

I know... but my family won't even allow me to do that. So a gun it is. I just have to know what kind.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I would use the pellet gun. Since RJ says they have thick skulls, I would aim for the spine right below the head. That should sever the spinal cord.

Good luck. :clover: I hope it goes smoothly for you.

 

[igotrabbits]

We use a pellet gun on our meat rabbits. Ours is .20 cal and we've never had an issue. We put the rabbit in a cage with a little hay in the corner. We wait for him to sit still, stick the pellet gun (ours is a rifle) through the cage point blank up against the back of the neck right between the ears. It is instant, of course expect kicking or shuddering as is with all animals.

 

[OwnedByTheBuns]

LOL... .271... that's not a such thing. I meant .177.

 

[MaggieJ]

If you have a .22 I would suggest you use that in preference to a pellet gun - provided you are accustomed to it and know the rules. It's just that much more sure. The pellet gun gets the job done just fine, but there is less chance of error with a .22 and since this is your first time and the French Lops have thick skulls, it might be best.

 

[OwnedByTheBuns]

^I agree. Talk to my rabbit killer friend and she said the .177 won't work. So I will be using my .22 Rifle.

 

[CWD]

look at you tube, there are a lot of videos showing where to shoot a rabbit for a quick clean kill.
depending on the velocity feet per second. of your pellet gun, a .177 should do he job.
there are many videos showing the .177 in use.
it is a lot quieter than a .22 and your neighbors should not be bothered by the noise it produces.

I hope this helps

 

[azbowhunter]

A .177 is a little emaciated in the power department, which translates to you'd better be dead accurate or you'll have a serious mess on your hands, with a wounded rabbit going berserk.
A .22 rim fire is much more effective and efficient, in my opinion.
If you're concerned about noise, get CB rounds or subsonic type.
Both have reduced power to mitigate the crack of the shot, but are both quite effective at their job.
A quick shot towards the brain from behind the ear(there's a thin spot in the skull there), or directly to the brain stem, are efficient methods in my experience.
If you question your ability to manage a quick kill, go practice some more at the range before you shoot an animal.
Also, understand that you will at some point have a tough kill. That's life.
The animal will move at the last nanosecond, and your aim will be off ever so slightly, leading to needing a fast follow up shot to finish the job.
Be mentally prepared.
Accept the fact that it's a necessary thing, and the circle of life continues around again.
Thank the rabbit for its sacrifice, and honor it by making the best use you're able to of the blessings it gave its life up for, for your benefit.
Taking a life is never an easy task, but it's a necessary one sometimes.
Always use the right tool for the job, and be as prepared as you can be.

 

[OwnedByTheBuns]

Thanks. I am using a .22 rifle.

Actually, the rabbit is in no way helping us out, as we aren't going to eat her. I am afriad she has Pasteurella and I won't eat a sick rabbit. But I will pray.

 

[Ramjet]

I found this video on Youtube , the quickest and most humane way to dispatch a rabbit Ive found thus far .. instant death , no twitching or flopping around.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNxo7GFEXWw[/youtube]

 

[MaggieJ]

I am moving this thread to the Meat Rabbits forum.

I know you are not using this rabbit for meat, Grace, but it is becoming too graphic for the Rabbit Care forum.

Note to Ramjet: Welcome to RabbitTalk. :hi: Please note that information about dispatching rabbits, especially when it contains graphic pictures or videos, must be posted in the Meat Rabbits forum.

 

[OwnedByTheBuns]

Oh, I'm sorry Maggie! I didn't even think about the meat rabbits forum... LOL thanks!

 

[MaggieJ]

Your original post was probably okay, OBTB... even pet owners should know a bit about dispatching a rabbit in an emergency... but a new member posted a useful but graphic link to a video about the Rabbit Wringer. That is why I moved the thread.

 

[Ramjet]

Your original post was probably okay, OBTB... even pet owners should know a bit about dispatching a rabbit in an emergency... but a new member posted a useful but graphic link to a video about the Rabbit Wringer. That is why I moved the thread.

Sorry about that , I considered making it a link with a warning instead of the video.... but thought the content appropriate for the thread. I'll know better next time.

 

[tomfc2]

we use a .177 cal break barrel pellet gun rated for 1100fps anything over 800fps will dispatch a small dog let alone a rabbit instantly and painlessly I have had to use it on a dog once who was severely injured by a car. Only use a heavy pellet called a magnum or 'hunting load' avoid target pellets as they are light and are not made to penetrate. Nice thing with a break barrel you do not have to pump it up taking extra time and effort, you will appreciate it if the rabbit does do the last sec move and you need a second try. as of right now (crosses fingers) I have never needed to use a second shot, unless hunting wild cotton tails.

 

[akane]

I've used one and a half packs of 250 bullets with my .177 pellet rifle and I've messed up 1 rabbit. It's really not hard and I wouldn't pick a gun just because you can fire repeatedly faster because it really doesn't matter. When you push the gun down between their ears they tend to flatten and hold still for you. I've only had a few who bounced around and I had to keep changing directions and sides of the pen until I got a clean shot. I use NIC panels to make a 14x14" shooting pen. I've done everything from young netherlands to several year old champagne bucks.

Now guinea pigs it didn't work on. They are too jittery and small even when I made a pen so narrow they had to stand up on their hindlegs to turn around. It was bad. I did not repeat that method.