24g fusil vs rabbits

[Don B]

I am beginning to look forward to my next build, a fusil de chase. If it were to be only a “show” gun, I would mount it with a 24g barrel. However, it will also be my trekking/squirrel/rabbit gun. I have no experience with 24g cylinder bore guns, modern or otherwise, and so I am wondering about the effectiveness of a 24g fusil in the woods. They apparently did the job in the 18th century, but I’d appreciate your feedback. Do you think I’d wish for a 20g, or do you think 24g will do the job?
Thanks. Don

 

[poordevil]

I had a modern 28ga and used it for 2 years...went back to my 16ga. I think we will always wish for a bigger ga. when we miss or need extra range.

That being said, I am thinking of a NSW NWG in 24 ga(.58cal) I think it should be good for furry game animals.

P

 

[Black Hand]

A 24 will do the job on many critters, but as was mentioned, you may find yourself wishing for more. I've been really happy with my 20, enough power for squirrels, grouse and rabbits as well as turkey, deer, elk and bear. In the end it is your choice...

 

[thewho66]

another thing to consider is that most guns are made with a 20 gauge barrel in mind. the 2 and 24 gauge barrels will have the same outside dimentions so the 24 will have a little more wieght to it. If you can conpare the two together it might help you make up your mind.

 

[tg]

find my fusil with a 44" barrel in .58 bore to work well on squirrels and have no doubts it will work on rabbits, Grouse and other such game, it is a few oz. heavier than the .62 but I find it to not be an issue as far as getting the gun up quickly and following the game with the barrel, I cannot keepup with real fast critters but that is a shoulder thing and nothing to do with the gun,if you plan on Turkey, waterfoul and larger game the .62 bore may serve you better. with ball the .58 will handle anything you are likely to be hunting in NA.

 

[Le Grand]

When I head to the woods for small game, the gun I take is a 24 gauge. Everytime!

 

[Capt. Jas.]

If you plan mainly to aim at still game, then you will be fine. For flying, it's more for a specialist. For stirrals and wabbits, it will be great!

 

[paulvallandigham]

Before choosing a 24 ga. over a 20 ga. make sure you check your game regulations. If you want to hunt turkey, for instance, some states will not allow any gauge smaller than 20 to be used. And, I agree, its not the best choice in gauges for shooting at flying birds. Its an Expert's Gauge- not for someone who has not spent years learning how to lead flying targets. Its going to be a little better than a 28 gauge, of course, but not all that much, IMHO. And, as has been noted, outside dimensions on a 24 gauge barrel are almost always the same as the 20 gauge. That makes the 24 gauge a lot heavier gun to balance, and carry. :thumbsup:

 

[ohio ramrod]

My first ml gun was a 28 gauge. I used it for many years on rabbits with good luck shooting 3/4 ounce #6 shot ahead of two dram FFg. Back in the early 60's it cost me 2&1/2 cents a shot. Compared to ten cents a shot for a twelve gauge no brainer! I still use it for starlings but since the coyotes have moved in there just aren't enough rabbits around to hunt. In the last two years deer hunting I have seen over 100 deer , Zero rabbits!

 

[Don B]

Does anyone have an estimate of the weight difference between a 20g and 24g 44" barrel? I won't be hunting birds, so mounting speed isn't an issue. But carry weight might be.

Don

 

[rkmeyer]

I really like my 20ga for most everything except punching holes in paper, although it does make big ones. I don't know how much it weighs. I will get it out later to get ready for O"l Tom Turkey in the morning. I'll let you know.
Dusty :wink:

 

[rkmeyer]

I'm back. My fusil weighs in at 7lbs.7oz. has 42in. bbl. The stock is a very hard dense maple with a 14" trigger reach.
Dusty :wink:

 

[tg]

"
Does anyone have an estimate of the weight difference between a 20g and 24g 44" barrel"


TOW shows .38 LB difference in the two barrels so the .58 bore barrel is a little over 1/3 lb heavier than the .62, my 44' fusil made from TOW parts is just under 8 lbs, and I did not leave much of any extra wood that could have been removed,these guns balance rather well the balance point hapened to be where I naturaly put my left hand when shooting.

 

[paulvallandigham]

I think you want to concentrate more on how the gun balances than on how much it weighs. If a gun balances properly in your hands, you won't notice the extra weight. The barrel makers can give you the information you seek about the difference in weight between the gauges. Trying to determine the difference in the weight of the total gun involves how dense the wood is for the stock, and how long, wide, and thick the stock is. Then there is the choice of furniture. I have seen heavy cast brass buttplates used to balance long barreled guns, so that the balance point is shifted to the rear as much as 4 inches.

Any smoothbore that balances in the palm of your forward hand when holding it where it feels Natural to you- is going to react faster, and feel lighter than it really is.