Hare and cottontail

Hare hound.  I have heard that term my whole life, often from guys that hunt cottontails and intend the term as an insult.  Oh, I agree that hare leave more scent, but they are often hunted in poor scenting conditions.  Some think that a beagle that hunts hare lacks line control on a cottontail, but I have seen hounds accustomed to cottontails that were unable to reach out enough on a big check or keep up to a big running hare.  After all, they are all beagles--not hare hounds or cottontail beagles.  The good ones should do fine on both!  What has been your experience?