too much gun: .223 for bunnies?

[hardlyworking]

Noob alert, I've never done this before:

Went hunting for the first time this year. Deer in D zone. Saw lots of trails, lots of poop, no deer.

Would like to try for rabbits, with all this rain and grass everywhere I was thinking cottontails come July. https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/Small-Game

It seems to me that 22LR would be ideal in an accurate rifle, except that non-lead ammo sucks. I tried the new CCI copper, and while it cooks out of the barrel fast it was printing a 2 inch group at 25 yards for me prone with a loop sling (Appleseed instructor here). I was not impressed.

So I was thinking instead of looking into .223 with hornady GMX, or barnes (T)TSX, maybe even Leheigh brass bullets. If I can find an accurate load with some of the ~45gr boolits they could have a screaming flat trajectory for up to 100 yards.

What I don't know is, is this too much gun to harvest meat? Would I be limited to head-shots, or does one still go for heart/lungs on small game?

Again, I'm new to this, I'm asking here cause I want to do it right.

[Calico1404]

Stick to 22. Or some varmint load soft tip 223. It's all about placement in order to harvest them little suckers.

[para38super]

You should go for the heavier rounds, and try to stay with rounds like Barnes. No varmint rounds. Varmint rounds will destroy all the meat. Heavier rounds should go right through and do less damage. What area are you planing on hunting? Remember, no rifles for rabbits in LA county.

[tony270]

It is only good for high up on the neck and head shots, anywhere else will ruin half the meat or more.

[Bull Elk]

What do you think?

[180ls1]

I like the idea of using it because it has real word carry over in s SHTF scenario where a 22 wouldn't. That said, yes you will ruin eat with body shots. I would make a real challenge out of it and go for head shots. That will really put your marksmanship to the test.

[MurdaJ]

Anything below the shoulder will blow the rabbit apart

[PoorRichRichard]

IMHO, 223 is overkill for cottontails because you are most likely gonna ruin the meat. However, for jack rabbits, if you can make accurate headshots, .223 can greatly increase your range over .22 or shotguns.

Happy hunting OP

[PoorRichRichard]

Oh, and don't forget about blowing up multiple ground squirrels with an AR- One of my hunting buddies tells me there is no funner type of hillbilly hunting to be had.

[RobG]

Cottontails are tiny and usually bolt for nearby cover making for fast action/shooting. I would take a shotgun with some low base steel shot.

[jmonte35]

Another for .22 unless you have access to a shotgun. .223 is just a lot of gun for them. But if that's all you got shoot head shots.

2 inch groups at 25 is really really bad....I have a really hard time believing that the ammo is causing that poor of accuracy out of a .22. I've been shooting a long time and I don't think I've ever seen a round that innacurate in any firearm ive shot. That's what 8 inches or worse at 100. My smooth bore pump shotgun can put slugs at 100 yards better than that

[Sandro]

Have you considered 17 HMR or shotgun, depending on the distance?
I hunt sometimes with 223 for cottontails and jacks, but i make head shots only, otherwise you will collect small parts of legs and ears.

[Jimmy's]

Head shots . I've done it for years, actually I prefer a 22-250. Use what you have. Nothing like smoking a rabbit at 200-300 yards.

[edgerly779]

And remember if using shotgun for bunnies or squirrels non lead mandatory anywhere in the state. Foe non game i use copperheads which are solid non expanding 55 gr .223 and are cheap to load. OK for non game mammals in Ca. costs me 15 cents a round not counting brass.

[tony270]

Yes definitely too much gun for a noob. Just like some have written, the best options are .17 hmr and shotgun.