Bunny hunting with the .72 Harpoon

[Quad82]

14* and windy this morning. But we got a new inch of snow. So I decided to do a little bunny hunting with the Harpoon. I made up a 1/2 dozen loads of 3/4oz TSS #7 and headed to the woods. Was nice to be able to just walk and hunt without having to be quit deer hunting. I got a 11 point the second week of gun season and another 9 point durning the Muzzleloading season. On with the bunny hunting. First rabbit ran out from under the row boat by the pond. 15 yard running shot. 1 for 1! The second one was sitting on the creek bank. Not as exciting sitting at 20 yards. 2 for 2. The next one was in the bottom of the creek along the RR tracks. Missed him on the run. Twice! Jumped 2 more in brush piles but didn’t get a shot. On the way back to the house I jumped one in the fence-row along the lane. Picked him off as he crossed the lane. Total was 3 for 5. Not too bad for being a nasty day out.

 

[ba49]

I have a Harpoon ordered in 72 and 50cal. Wasn't sure if it would have enough power for 12ga. shotshells but sounds like it can get the job done. Are you using 12ga. wads to make your shotshells? If so which one? The 3/4oz. sounds like a nice weight. I ordered the short barrels, I assume you have the 11in. barrels?

 

[Quad82]

I took the shot cups from the .72 air tubes to Jays and matched up the best fitting wad. I cut the wad end off and the shock end off. Put the wad half way in the shot cup and added the shot. Then I put the shock end over the wad and pressed the whole thing in the shot cup. They won’t separate accidentally. I have several of them made up with extra air tubes. The wads are CLAYBUSTER Lightning CB4100-12B 7/8 - 1oz. I also used the CB2118-12 wads. They were a tighter fit. At $12 for 500, you can afford both and test what works best for you. By the way, using 330gn/3/4 oz loads of TSS #8 gives you about 193 BBs, TSS #7 for 139 BBs And #6 lead gives you about 164BBs.

Cool you got the .50 too. You can put the Wingshot or homemade 3D capsules in the .50 shot cups and fire them out of the .72 barrels. I have had good groups at 20 yards doing this.

I have been making 3D capsules for the .50 Wingshot. They work great in the Wingshot. But have had a lot of them bust in the second barrel in the Doubleshot Upon firing the first barrel. So I assume they would do the same in the Harpoon. Maybe make them stronger?