Bobcat Gun. (Strickly bobcat)

17's are where it's at for saving hides with a rifle. Especially on thin skinned game. 17 Ackley Hornet is a great round and will not tear up a fox so I would think it would fit the bill on cats. Would be a handloading only option and dies would be an added expense. 17FB for a factory round. I would agree on the 25gr Bergers or Kindler bullets.
 
I agree with the 17 calibers using 25gr. Berger bullets to be an ideal Cat round. I will have to agree that the 22 Hornet would be a good choice also. Personally, I use a 17Rem. and when the law requires it, a 22mag.
 
Since putting together new guns is always fun... and one can never have enough of them can they???

for cats either of the following would be fun...

17 fireball
20 vartarg
221 fireball

or if you want something classic maybe the ol' triple deuce
 
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The one and only cat that I shot with my .223 had a tiny entrance wound and no exit. I was using the Winchester 45g JHP that I bought from Walmart.
 
I use the 223 with winchester silver ballistic tips 50 or 55gr not much pelt damage at all and a lot of time no pass threw. Only problem i see with the rimfires If im calling for cats and a coyote happens to stroll in im dumping him. Now if your in cover then i guess your shoots would be limited in distance so the 22 mag would probally work. But i love to put fur down and i dont want to be under guned if there is a coyote 200yrds out a barkin for example or holds up i still want to know he is well within range.
 
I'm gonna step off the pier here a bit!
I have watched my uncle (years-ago) shoot everything with his old winchester 1892, 25-20. I still have one back in michigan that will be coming down here and going to a calling stand or 2...??? I have seen alot of fox he called in and shot with that thing and every hide i remember looked great. Furs were at a premium back then and it was extremely important to keep fur. its a little bigger in dia. but it's pretty darn slow. I did however shoot my first deer with it, as it was a family heirloom and it set in more patience in shot placement than anything i can ever remember. The shot HAD to be absolutely perfect and at close range.

Enough of that: The train of thought here is: it's a slow bullet and usually at real close range. I know it's probably not an option at all, but to ME: it's a perfect cat round.
(other than that: it will make for some great pictures and memories. Octagon barrel and the old "buckhorn sights)

feel free to call me nuts, but iv'e seen it work alot of times, and plenty for close range 'yotes as well.
Thanks for letting me "rant"..

lol
 
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I shot a bobcat with my .223 using 55grain Hollowpoints last year.It was facing me when I shot it in the chest and the bullet never exited.It jumped in the air and ran 10 yards or so and fell over dead.So I'd have to suggest a .223 for shootin bobcats.From the experiences I've had with bobcats is that they are really tough animals.Their all muscle.I think the 22 Hornet would probably work just fine but I've also never shot a bobcat with a 22 Hornet so take that advice for what its worth.If your in thick cover and are going to get a close shot a .22Mag would probably be alright but for close shots I'd prefer a 12 gauge over a rifle.You would be hittin the cat with alot more lead.I've never seen a shotgun ruin a pelt either so thats always a good thing too.
 
22 hornet works great for thin skinned game like the bobcat. i shoot my cats with a 45GR sierra soft piont i use 12.5 GR of lil'Gun to push my bullets.Never had an issue with plets getting thorn up from this load. The 55GR bullets with the same load work great as well. Plus you can get a new gun also Savage makes the model 40 in 22 hornet thats is one of the guns i hunt with.
 
When you get your 22-250 finished just load up some of this load from Chuck Hawks

22-250 Remington - 55 grain Speer SP bullet, 13.0 grains SR 4759 powder, CCI 200 primer, Remington case. COL 2.350". MV 2002 fps in 24" barrel. (Based on the Speer Reloading Manual No. 13.)

Use a magic marker to color code these loads so they don't get mixed in with your full power loads.

I have not played with these loads, but I have with 223 reduced loads. You will be amazed at how little difference in POI there is at 100 yds.
 


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