Best Caliber for Bobcats??
11-20-2011, 04:16 PM
#2
Spike
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Watha,NC
Posts: 91
Any small centerfire (.223, 243) for longer ranges, if you are lucky enough to get em close .22 would be good, .17 HMR would suffice out to 175 yds and closer in would do too much damage especially the 20gr FMJ. Good Luck
11-20-2011, 04:29 PM
#3
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 311
Anything that you use for coyotes will work for a bobcat, the only cat I have ever shot was with superformance sst 140gr out of a .270, I do not suggest this for lack of pelt damage. And the bobcat that my brother shot and we got stuffed was with a .270 130 gr corelokts and it wasn't to bad on pelt damage. I would probably use my .223 for good range, good power, but not to much pelt damage plus this is what I take dog calling anyways.
11-20-2011, 04:40 PM
#4
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location:
Posts: 5,130
yep .204, .22-250, .223 or .243 will all do the job.
All have good varmint loads available.
Now you need a cat to cooperate and give you the "right" shot for the least amount of pelt damage (frontal shot with no exit wound).
All have good varmint loads available.
Now you need a cat to cooperate and give you the "right" shot for the least amount of pelt damage (frontal shot with no exit wound).
Last edited by Sheridan; 11-20-2011 at 07:06 PM.
11-20-2011, 08:20 PM
#6
Super Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Trumbull County, Ohio
Posts: 9,520
Your .223 would work fine. Like others said, shot placement. I haven't shot one myself but I've seen a few shot. They aren't hard to kill but they seem pretty easy to damage. For a full body mount you want to find the right shot so you don't tear it up. Good luck, it'll make a great mount if you get one.
11-20-2011, 08:59 PM
#7
Fork Horn
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Granbury, TX
Posts: 481
I have taken several with shotgun, 25/06, and 22.250. The 22.250 with a 50 hollow point was the best. the shot was about 40 yards with the cat facing me. the bullet never exited the cat and only left a pin hole in his chest. Highly reccommed. i was using remington umc brand ammo.
11-21-2011, 07:06 AM
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 3,902
Gotta use the right hammer...
Personally, I'm a firm believer that controlling pelt damage has as much to do with choosing the proper BULLET as it does with choosing a given cartridge.
For most fur hunting I do, I like to have a moderate expansion bullet, more like that of a deer or elk hunting bullet, rather than an explosive expansion varminter bullet. I'm much more prone to suggest something along the lines of a Hornady Interbond or A-Max than I would be a Varmint or V-max. Using a bullet that has "explosive expansion" for coyotes or bobcats is a no-no in my book during prime season.
I have to say, the .223rem is far and away my favorite varminting cartridge. If I KNOW where a bobcat is, then I'll often take a .22lr, .17HMR, or .22WMR with a .223rem for back up. That gives me the option to minimize my damage with the rimfire weapon if I get him in close enough, but still gives me the opportunity to reach out and touch something if needed (another part of why it's very nice calling predators with a partner!).
For most fur hunting I do, I like to have a moderate expansion bullet, more like that of a deer or elk hunting bullet, rather than an explosive expansion varminter bullet. I'm much more prone to suggest something along the lines of a Hornady Interbond or A-Max than I would be a Varmint or V-max. Using a bullet that has "explosive expansion" for coyotes or bobcats is a no-no in my book during prime season.
I have to say, the .223rem is far and away my favorite varminting cartridge. If I KNOW where a bobcat is, then I'll often take a .22lr, .17HMR, or .22WMR with a .223rem for back up. That gives me the option to minimize my damage with the rimfire weapon if I get him in close enough, but still gives me the opportunity to reach out and touch something if needed (another part of why it's very nice calling predators with a partner!).
