Looking for Real-World Bobcat Caliber/Bullet Advice (Minimal Pelt Damage)

Most of the cats I killed were with a 17 cal either 17 MK4 or 17 Rem with 25gr Berger Match, and a 20 cal either 204 R or 20 practical using 36gr Bergers. Surprisingly my little 6x45 w/58gr VMAX did great on my biggest cat a 28 lb'r. Most of my cats are prolly 15-20 lbs guessing. I don't think I ever shot one over 200 yards though.
 
BBK said:
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Here are what the cci TNT do to a fox squirrel. I have no doubt they would kill a yote or cat very dead.
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Oh yeah they'll do the trick out to 100 yards. I shot one from about 60 yards as it was walking. I couldn't get it to stop so I just went ahead and shot it behind the shoulder. The bullet went clear through it. The only trouble I ever really had was one I shot on the bridge of the nose and the bullet skipped off its skull and knocked it out.

I have shot the XTP bullet in my .17HMR and they're devastating on prairie dogs, jackrabbits and skunks. That's about all I've killed with them so far.
 
I shot one with a federal 50 gr JHP at around 60 yds and it did a lot of damage. Exited the belly and put out a huge hole but it was frontal at close range.
 
I've shot 5 bobcats with a 22-250 using the barns TSX bullets, small entry wound and a fairly small exit wound. Shot under 100 yards, and some as close as 25 or 30yrds. The biggest exit hole size was no bigger then a golf ball size.
 
Thanks for the info on the Barnes TSX in the
22-250. I purchased some to reload for my .223 hoping they would be a good for minimal pelt damage!
 
tjonh2001 said:
Long-time predator hunter here in western ND. I primarily chase coyotes all season, but every year I make about 20 stands specifically hoping for a bobcat. I finally have a couple cats showing up on trail cameras along the river bottoms, which has kicked my motivation into overdrive.

I’m a long-time reloader and feel comfortable that can shoot my rifles accurately, but I’m looking for real-world experience from guys who have actually taken bobcats with different cartridges and bullets. My goal is a clean kill with minimal pelt damage. I will also be carrying my Benelli with buckshot. This property have clear cuts off the river that we will be calling. Assuming my shots will be outside shotgun so i will be take in a rifle incase shots are longer.

Assumed shot distance:
50–300 yards depending on where they come out along the river.

My usual “cat gun”:
17 Hornet with 25gr HPs. I love how gentle it is on fur, but I know it runs out of energy before the 250–300 yard mark. have take coyotes out to 150yds.

Coyote rifles I currently have:
  • .22 WMR
  • 17 Hornet
  • .22 Nosler
  • .223
  • .22-250
  • .22 Creedmoor
I’d consider building something else if there’s a standout option, including a larger .17 if that’s truly the sweet spot for fur and still reaches 300 yards.

Other considerations:
  • I usually carry a rifle even when calling cats because we have plenty of coyotes, and if it gets late in the set I’ll take one.
  • I’ll be doing my best to stay off the shoulders or take frontal shots to preserve fur.
My main question:
For those with first-hand experience actually killing bobcats, what bullet and cartridge setups have given you clean kills with minimal pelt damage? Any success (or disasters) with .223, .22-250, .22 Creed, or the various .17s? Have modern bullets helped with keeping exits small?

I’ve read plenty of articles, but I’m hoping to hear from hunters who’ve have success saveing bobcat pelts.

Any help or experience is much appreciated!
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.17 Hornet is great for pelts.
 
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