Which bullet for bobcat

[Redman Khornet]

I had a 17HMR did a good job on fox out of a rifle but sux from a ,6" barrel pistol . Both went south don't buck the wind enough

 

[Redman Khornet]

View attachment 1117186 View attachment 1117187 Bunny control. Yup they keep packrats in control.
I shoot them with Kodak paper and a 35 mm lens. Or game camera

 

[Redman Khornet]

I my self prefer a minimum of 40 mm lens & cross hairs in it

 

[ArchAngelCD]

My varmint gun is actually a Marlin Model 25 in .22LR, that's right, a .22LR. That rifle is topped with an older straight 4X power Bushnell scope and it's good to go. So many people say, "It's only a 22" but that cartridge should get more respect.

When loaded with a high velocity ammo it is quite effective. I mostly use the CCI Velocitor ammo but sometimes the Stinger ammo.
1435 fps with a 40gr HP bullet is no joke. The Stingers are rated @1640 fps with a 32gr bullet.

 

[Redman Khornet]

Stingers are in my Browning Buckmark on my hip.also have a Buck mark target rifle . I know stingers will do the trick but I have this beautiful lil 1885 low wall that I am trying to get a critter bigger than a squirrel under its belt & I also have a Ruger 77 Hornet set up with a ATN 4K pro night vision scope

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply I would use a 22LR on Bobcats. I stand by my post #8 in the thread agreeing with using a 22 Hornet. I still think the soft point bullet will be a better choice than the HP bullet. The HP will probably leave a unacceptable exit hole.

 

[Redman Khornet]

Looking at the thin wall on that particular bullet being a Hornady Hornet sp . Bee is much heavier construction. I'm thinking the Bee will dime or nickel size .where the SP is going to explode. If it was a .224 SP for a regular rifle,not Hornet it would be of heavier construction. look at the cut outs I posted the SP I'm pretty sure is gonna explode which maybe a good thing or it could be a very bad thing on a hide .

 

[Redman Khornet]

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply I would use a 22LR on Bobcats. I stand by my post #8 in the thread agreeing with using a 22 Hornet. I still think the soft point bullet will be a better choice than the HP bullet. The HP will probably leave a unacceptable exit hole.

I wouldn't hesitate to use a stinger on a cat 75 yards & in closer. but after walking the property I can get out to 200 yards in some spots

 

[Bfh_auto]

I wouldn't hesitate to use a stinger on a cat 75 yards & in closer. but after walking the property I can get out to 200 yards in some spots

The odds of seeing a bobcat outside of 50 yards is slim. They are real life ninjas.
But seeing your rifle. I would definitely use it just for the nostalgia.

 

[Redman Khornet]

There is a 2.5 acre clear cut & I mean clear . Where he grows Chestnut trees in pots . & I'm surprised at the cat activity he has there . He had 32 from this year pics of cats in a bald scalped clear cut that borders a mess of thickets on all sides . If one showed there I would hopefully see it with my old eyes at a distance

 

[Redman Khornet]

I hate taking the gun out every time I do it gets a new scratch . Figured a cat mount then hang the low wall under it would be cool & save the rifle a lot of punishment...or just say F it & camo it cause I bought it to hunt with think I might post that ,& see what comments I get

 

[Anchorite]

I would recommend a SP or HP bullet. Tipped bullets are really for rodent control and/or vermin, not pelts. They tend to disintegrate. A SP or HP will be pelt friendly.

 

[Redman Khornet]

I would recommend a SP or HP bullet. Tipped bullets are really for rodent control and/or vermin, not pelts. They tend to disintegrate. A SP or HP will be pelt friendly.

Was hoping someone had some experience with the Bee HP & could've chimed in

 

[bdb242]

A 17 hmr 15.5 gr bullet hardly leaves a hole in ground hogs. I try to keep a couple of local pastures in NC free of the critters. From 25 to 150 yards they work very well.

 

[Redman Khornet]

A 17 hmr 15.5 gr bullet hardly leaves a hole in ground hogs. I try to keep a couple of local pastures in NC free of the critters. From 25 to 150 yards they work very well.

Got rid of my 17's didn't like the wind drift . But it's got stopping power

 

[Seedy Character]

Bobcat aren't rhinos.
.22 Hornet with 45 gr FMJ is more than adequate.

 

[Anchorite]

Bobcat aren't rhinos.
.22 Hornet with 45 gr FMJ is more than adequate.

I’d agree.
I’ve used that Sierra 45 SP in my 222 on fox, I would imagine they would be fine for a cat.

 

[Redman Khornet]

Bobcat aren't rhinos.
.22 Hornet with 45 gr FMJ is more than adequate.

FMJs are not legal for hunting in my state

 

[Redman Khornet]

I’d agree.
I’ve used that Sierra 45 SP in my 222 on fox, I would imagine they would be fine for a cat.

The 45 SP are they the Hornady Hornet SP ?

 

[Redman Khornet]

Bobcat aren't rhinos.
.22 Hornet with 45 gr FMJ is more than adequate.

I know this that is why the question I don't want to explode my first cat ... IMHO FMJs are not ethical hunting bullets . I am practically a surgeon with a rifle ...I have accounted for many running head shot coyotes . But I would love to have a cat mount . I have shot both the SP & Bee bullets now the Bee travel thru the targeta old hot water heater & a dime size hole (easy to stich up ) the SP Hornet bullet explodes & leaves a 10". Splatter of dents on the back side of the hot water heater as I assumed it would . Thanks for everyone' thoughts . But the Bee is gonna be my choice at this time

 

[Anchorite]

The 45 SP are they the Hornady Hornet SP ?

Sierra.

 

[35 Whelen]

A shame, Bobcats are cool. Coyotes are not. Whats the poor cat done? I don't even like house cats,
Bobcats and Lynx are good to have unless one is really doing a lot of livestock deaths.
Doesn't take a lot to kill one.
Flame away

The problem is that it’s strictly emotion based.

What puts a bobcat above a coyote other than your emotional construct? Why are they cooler than coyotes? Why should they be managed differently than coyotes?

I had no respect for coyotes until I hunted them. My beef with them was based in ignorance. Same with mountain lions. Coyotes just trying to make the same living as bobcats are, but they were born with spots and look cuter.

Bobcats are better eating than coyotes. Bobcats are actually excellent eating.

Bull elk are cooler than bobcats, should we not shoot those?

From yesterday (Sunday) morning-

Thirty six hours and 10, yes TEN dead chickens later....

I've never seen anything do what this one did. Tore boards off the side of both my chicken coops, gets inside and kill just kill to be killing. Seven chickens in one pen, three in the other and doesn't even eat all of them. And since they're almost 100% nocturnal, they're nearly impossible to catch in the act. NEARLY.



They're very small, thin animals so nothing more powerful than a .22 WMR with FMJ ammunition, if you want to save the hide. I shot mine at very close range with my old Stevens 16 ga. SxS and a handload of #1 buckshot. No visible damage to the hide at all.

35W

 

[Redman Khornet]

Sierra.

Bet it has a thicker jacket than the Hornet SP .

 

[Redman Khornet]

From yesterday (Sunday) morning-

Thirty six hours and 10, yes TEN dead chickens later....

I've never seen anything do what this one did. Tore boards off the side of both my chicken coops, gets inside and kill just kill to be killing. Seven chickens in one pen, three in the other and doesn't even eat all of them. And since they're almost 100% nocturnal, they're nearly impossible to catch in the act. NEARLY.

View attachment 1117608

They're very small, thin animals so nothing more powerful than a .22 WMR with FMJ ammunition, if you want to save the hide. I shot mine at very close range with my old Stevens 16 ga. SxS and a handload of #1 buckshot. No visible damage to the hide at all.

35W

Nice cat

 

[Redman Khornet]

Nice cat

no offense but I am pretty sure 16ga with buckshot is probably a little more powerful than a 22wmr