bobcat rifle help.

It was my intention to use my new .223 but I wanted to get some peoples opinion on my choice of rifle. And I do always carry my remington 870 super mag with 3 1/2 inch buckshot. as for our bobcat, they are around thirty pounds but i have seen some pretty impressive tracks. the size of the bobcat don't concern me, it's the size of the panther that gets to me. If need be, I want to be able to stop a panther. You don't know adrenaline untill you see one of these bad boys while on foot.
 
just because I'm paranoid dosn't mean that no ones after me! Had the bad luck of finding a panther in the brush while i was checking cameras. Needless to say, I needed a new pair of underwear.
 
Don't want to be a stickler for details but Thats not how you spell "Devil Anse Hatfield" ....And the "Panther" was it black???? I think I'll put my pants in my boots now....If you do happen to see one of the estimated 100-160 cougars left in Florida "again" you best not shoot it as they are on the endangered species list. If you do shoot one the Florida G&F and the Feds will be pissed and very interested in finding you.

jeff
 
Last edited:
I've shot several good size Coyotes with my CZ .204,it will put down a Bobcat just as well....still its better to have more power than not enough!
laugh.gif
wink.gif
 
I rather leave a dead panther in the field and come out ok with the fwc on my tail than to become a snack for some hungry predator. I don't shoot panther on sight, only in self defense. I have never had to though. Thank god for that.
 
The last Bobcat I shot weighed 28#. The shot was 225yds.+ and the caliber was a 204 using 37gr. CRT bullets. The Bobcat never moved, literally. Bigger caliber than I normally use, but on that particular day and at that particular time it worked flawlessly.
And there is a known Cougar in that area. I haven't seen yet, but others have. All I've seen are the tracks. I wouldn't have felt under gunned.
And as others have noted, Bobcats do have some pelt value making it worth pursuing.

DSCF4501.jpg
 
I have personally killed a bobcat with a 204 40gr vmax and it never moved and did not mess up the hide not to say it would not some other time. I saw a hunting video last year were they killed a wolf with a 204. Carry a big pistol for your panthers if you are worried. I say hunt with what you want because you will not be happy unless you do. You will always be second guessing yourself.
 
.17rem, .204, .223 all will get the job done. I have also done them in with a 12ga. seems like your rifle would work, but if your worried about them getting to you, go with something in a semi automatic like an AR-15 in any of the above calibers, and mount a dot or holo sight on it for up close work. My go to cat rifle is a Specialized Dynamics 18in bull barreled 17rem with a 2-7X32 scope, with a burris fast fire 2 mounted on a Predator Tactical 45 deg offset mount for the up close stuff. My rifle is sighted at 40 yards (with DOPE out to 300), my dot is sighted at 20. We got 17 cats this last season, and are up to 4 so far since August 1st, the start of our season. I just took on this weekend with my .223, and the one before that was with a 12ga. All of them have been one shot wonders. Hit'em in the chest, down they go. Only runers taht I have had is if they take it in the mid-section.
 
After shooting cats for several seasons here in California I can tell you a 17cal is what you're looking for. I have shot them with 204's, 17's, .224's and I can tell you this if you're in it for the money sewing isn't what you want to be doing. All but the 17's will destroy a cat with a misplace round. Even shooting the 22cal 40gr Vmax @ 3000fps I have had cats go to pieces. A 20cal isn't a bad choice as long as you use a non plastic tip bullet, even then it's iffy at best depending on the size of the cat and placment of the shot. The 17cal is the only caliber that I haven't ever had hide damage regardless of the shot placement. The 25gr Berger or 20gr Berger's are the go to bullet. And yes they will kill large animals, like panthers and deer, cows, ect. The 17 Hornady Hornet would be about perfect for this task with 25gr bullets. But hey maybe you throw a mean lock stich. I am not saying that you can't get away with a larger caliber but you will have more bad days than good with cailbers over 17 with cat's. Adam
 
Last edited:
First thing, your chances of getting hit by lightening are allot higher than ever being "Attacked by a Panther".

As far as Bobcats go, I like my 17FB, but just about any of the 17cal centerfires will work with good shot placement.
As stated above, "even southern Cats are fetching some pretty good money" so it's a waste to not harvest em.
On the other hand, if ya just want to kill chit and kick it in the ditch, use whatever you've got.
 
Last edited:
heck if you dont want to do anything with the hides, at least skin them and freeze them and sell them to me so I can make stuff out of them
smile.gif


Charlie,
You are making it tough to for me to save for the new baby coming when you keep posting your BFD
smile.gif


Next year, next year, next year....if i keep up the mantra maybe ill make it
lol.gif
 
Originally Posted By: bigsky_songdogsheck if you dont want to do anything with the hides, at least skin them and freeze them and sell them to me so I can make stuff out of them
smile.gif


Charlie,
You are making it tough to for me to save for the new baby coming when you keep posting your BFD
smile.gif


Next year, next year, next year....if i keep up the mantra maybe ill make it
lol.gif


Give up dude, Charlie is relentless.
grin.gif
 
Hey thanks everybody, I finally found my solution. I am just going to use my .223 and my 12 gauge. I do apreciate everyones help. god bless and good hunting.
 

Again, I hate to harp on details but it shows up in your signature line every time you post
Hatfield....."I" before "E" except after "C" as in receive

jeff
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top