Harvesting Rabbits with a 6.5cm Possible?

[clembo]

Because no one makes a non-lead .22 round accurate past 50yrds, I was wondering if it's possible to work up a 6.5cm load capable of taking out rabbits without completely obliterating them (as my primary concern is harvesting the meat). Generally where I'm hunting most shots are 75-100yards minimum. Anyone have any experience herein?

Thanks in advance.

[Spyder]

[not-fishing]

.17 HMR the idea is to "harvest" them not blow them up.

[clembo]

.17 HMR the idea is to "harvest" them not blow them up.

That's what I figured. Would that I had a .17hmr. I'll stick to shorter shots with the copper cci .22 I suppose.

[edgerly779]

Get a .223 and load solid copper 55 gr. bullets are cheap.

[Boarhuntor]

You can take them with 6.5, 308, 30-06, 338. and even 50 BMG but why when you have better options.

[NapalmCheese]

Seems to me nearly any of the non-lead bullets you could use would likely fail to expand on a rabbit anyway, so, basically ideal?

Or just shoot them in the head.

[taperxz]

[Boarhuntor]

Because 338 Lapua or 50 BMG are much better options.

On another note, years ago I used to shoot jacks with 223 Brown bear and DRT ammo, headshots only.
Ones I saw a cottontail at about 70 yards and made a "lungs shot", just to see what happens. Later my daughter, who was present, called it "The fasted skinning in the world", because nothing was left beside the skin and ears attached.

..

[deckhandmike]

.17 hmr is worth it. You will quickly pay for the 300$ savage you could use in the savings from shooting other, more expensive rounds. It’s a 100x better than a .22lr. Super accurate for bunnies but can still drop a yote.

[Mesa Defense]

edit

[racinjason233]

55 grain ttsx in an AR will do just fine. I wait for them to stop and aim for the eye.

[Fjold]

Headshots

[bambklr]

Another vote for the .17hmr.
Good out past 100yd and super accurate.
Low price to pay for a dependable small game round that is Coyote capable

[bigbossman]

Headshots

Yup, shoot them in the head. Body hits with a 6.5 will turn them inside out.