Best caliber for Lions?

ID_Hunter

New member
Im going on my fist lion hunt,and I wanted to know what you all thouht would be the best caliber of gun to shoot a lion with over hounds?
 
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We went round and round about this same topic a few months back. Search previous post, and if ya don't find a good answer, Theres lots of guys here that will help.
Welcome aboard. Duane
 
My opinion is carry a gun in the caliber you are most comfortable with at shorter ranges. A lighter weight rifle might be better because the terrain will most likely be really steep and rugged. You most likely won't need a caliber that is flat shooting and or fast. Simply put if you are comfortable with the gun you choose, you will make a good shot.

Personally if I was hunting over dogs I would be using a bow and probably my long bow.
 
Most of the guys up here on the Clearwater like the 22Mag.
I just bought this little Henry in 22Mag last spring.
Put a set of Skinner's aperture sights on it, and even with my sixty year old peepers I can consistently kill Gophers out to 75yrds.
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I use mine on my little trap line and chasing critters with my little Cur dog and although I put a set of sling studs on it, it's such a pleasure to handle I seldom use em.
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Mines the octagon barreled model for the cool factor, but the little carbines allot less money and even lighter.
Great little utilitarian rifles IMO..
Luck
 
With lion hunting the hide is the trophy, I don't know of anyone that hunts them solely for the meat. Consequently, a caliber that is capable of a quick kill yet won't blow big holes in the hide is ideal. Like RePete, I too like the .22 magnum. A double lung shot makes a pin hole where it enters and generally stops just under the hide on the other side.

I know a lot of folks like using their bows, but I always cringe when I see a hunter arrive with archery tackle. I've seen scores of lions taken with archery equipment over the years but very few were clean kills. Between the high degree angles and deflecting branches, it seems that multiple arrows shots are almost always required. More times than not, by the time the cougar finally expires, the hide looks as if it has been run through a shredder. That is not to mention the continued danger broadheads remain to the dogs and hunters even after the lion is dead.

A hunter is free to use whatever legal means they choose when hunting over my dogs, but a .22 mag or my .25-20 will always be offered.
 
Yes these guys are right as far as using a gun I would use the smallest caliber that you can legally hunt with. Just make sure you are comfortable with it.

I am mostly a bow hunter and that is why I would use my bow. It did tear pretty big holes in my last cat.

Don't put aside the idea of eating your cougar. I have enjoyed every bite of mine and am always looking forward to any opportunity to have some of someone else's. The meat is tasty.
 
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Since we are going over this again.

I have seen a "few" lions killed with guns, and a few with bows, the best advice given, is "shoot what you are comfortable with". .22mag works fine, as does any thing else. Had one lion shot over dogs with a 45/70, with a cast bullet. The lion stayed in the tree "leaking out", and hit the ground dead. Not my first choice, but it dam sure had the desired result.
Over my dogs, I want the lion dead in the tree, not "blown out". I don't chain dogs back.
Any good shot, with the right bullet(regardless of caliber) will be just fine.
With a bow, double lung the lion, and "PRAY FOR THE DOGS"
thats all I have to say.
 
question? is a cat shot through the lungs with a .22mag or anything else for that matter "deader" than than a double lunged cat with archery equiptment? is it the broadhead sticking out of the cat that worries dog owners? i never shot a cat but have taken several deer/antelope with passthroughs. i realize shot placement is critical, are most shots under 20 yds or so? thanks in advance.
 
Originally Posted By: emeraldterriers1question? is a cat shot through the lungs with a .22mag or anything else for that matter "deader" than than a double lunged cat with archery equiptment? is it the broadhead sticking out of the cat that worries dog owners? i never shot a cat but have taken several deer/antelope with passthroughs. i realize shot placement is critical, are most shots under 20 yds or so? thanks in advance.

Deader?? Of course not, it is just that double lung shots are much easier with a rifle. I think the severe uphill angle creates problems with most archers. How much practice time do bow hunters spend shooting at 60 degree or greater angles?? I suspect not much. I too am a bow hunter but I believe all the mechanics and follow throughs goes out the window when an archer is shooting at unfamiliar angles......at least that is my theory. Like I said, I have seen very few clean kills with a bow.

I always tie my dogs back when a lion is being killed regardless of if it is by a firearm or bow....I don't want a dog crushed by a falling lion. Arrows sticking out of the lion is a concern, but there is also the danger of pass through arrows falling back down on you and the dogs and lying in the snow undetected. Archers do pose a greater risk to hounds and hunters which is why my offer of a firearm is always made.
 
thanks for the reply i would hope anyone that was going to tackle taking a lion with archery equipt would practice the angles you decribed.... he/she owes that to you, your dogs and the lion.
 
I thank all of you for your opions. I my self am a bow hunter and i really wanted to take my bow, but we hunted in the Selway, Lochsa Bitterroot Mountains and that country is [beeep]. I ended up taking a 22 Hornet.
 
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thats good to keep in mind about the .22 mag...
having never lion hunted, but hunted lots with hounds i was guessing a winchester model 94 such as 30-30 or 32 special or such, but i guess those calibers would be a bit rougher on the hide as opposed to the .22 mag..
the .22 mag is such a great caliber and so easy to pack, in either rifle, carbine or revolver..
 


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