New rifle: what round to drop coyotes and save fur on bobcats?

geenhead93

geenhead93

Member
I'm going to purchase a new predator rifle soon and am wondering what round to use on coyotes and bobcats that can drop coyotes and not be too hard on bobcat furs. Where i hunt i have shot opportunities out to 500 yds(not that I plan on taking 500 yd shots that often). I have always wanted a 22-250 and am wondering if a fast twist would make it alright for bobcats. I am also wondering how a 223 or 204 would fit my needs.
Thanks
 
If I was targeting bobcats the largest I would build for them would be a 20 cal. 17 Cal centerfires are about the best for them IMO.

The kill zone on a bobcat isn't all that big, guessing about 2.5" circle. How far out there can you place those bullets in a 2 1/2" circle, counting the wind and perhaps unknown distance to affect ones groups.

I have killed some cats with 17 Mach 4, 17 Rem, 17-204, 204 Ruger, 223AI and the 22-250. A bobcat can be worth several c-notes, a coyote perhaps a few Hamilton's.
 
Last edited:
Do you think fur friendliness can be achieved from a 223 or a 22-250? I will most likely get more chances at coyotes than cats but I would really like go save the fur when I do get cats.
Thanks for your reply
 
Last edited:
Look at the sectional density of the 22 bore 40 grain bullets.
They are .114. Sectional density indicates the potential for penetration.
For a comparison 17 caliber 25 grain bullets have a sectional density of .121 .
Some hunters have had good success on foxes using 40 grain bullets in the 223 Rem. (no exit wounds) It is worth a try.
This is what I am using this winter The Sierra .224 40 grain hollow point driven as fast as AA2230 will push it.
 
I have used the Sierra .224 40 grain hollow points on only a few coyotes. They were very accurate and killed them well enough out of a 223. Never shot a cat or fox with one.
 
I think a good move, at least in my part of the country. Would to be completely honest with your self about the actual ranges of anything that is called in. I think you will find that it will be somewhere between 20 and 200 yards. ( Don't really think there will be a big variation in most places.) And cats are gona be much closer. Once ya get by the egotistical 500 to 1000 yard shots at the song dogs that are not the norm. You will probably handily be able to choose a efficient cal. (.17 or .20 centers
thumbup.gif
)


Not that the looong shots aren't out there. They simply just aren't the norm. And around here at least, I know where the areas that offer those shots. And I bring medicine that is more appropriate for the job.
smile.gif



Take care, Willie
 
223 for sure. It's cheap to shoot and very versatile. I've dropped whitetail does with mine at 4-500 yards using Barnes x bullets and v max for coyotes. If I'm hunting cats I use a Fmj bullet usually the cheap stuff the shelf and make sure I put a good shot on em and it will do the job and go right through them with 2 little holes.
 
Make sure that an FMJ is legal to hunt with where you live. Make sure that you also tell the rancher on the property you are hunting that you are using them. Ricochets really make them happy.. lol I would lean towards a 17 centerfire. Good luck.
 
Look at the 17 Remington or 17 fireball shooting 25gr Bergers, I've been really impressed with this set up on coyotes and fox. Haven't been lucky enough to shoot a cat yet. Small entrance hole, no exit and animal is drt.
Ty
 
Last edited:
I shot a lot of different calibers and bullet combinations, but far and away my favorite is the 223 and the 50 grain VMax bullet. I have shot a number of bobcats with this bullet and have found it to be fur friendly. It might have to do with bullet placement, I don't know about that, but so far every cat I've shot with it has not been ruined. The one cat I shot with a 55 grain soft point had a baseball sized exit hole. I don't hide hunt, as the cat's here don't bring much, but neither do I want to blow a cat in half when I shot it.
 
Willie brought you some good advice. It's hard to make good long range loads and fur friendly loads go together especially when 'cats are in the equation. I'm a fan of the .204 with 35 gr Bergers but the hotter .17's with the Bergers should do close to the same. You will probably have to handload to use these bullets.

If you get coyotes jacked up on adrenaline, they are going to take a lot of killing. It can make a good fur load look bad. Of course, it can make a big Hammer of Thor look bad also--most people just won't admit it. They just can't blame the caliber in that case.

If 'cats and coyotes are on the menu, I'd go with the .204/35 grain Bergers. A ten twist barrel will allow you to use the 40 grain bullets if you choose.


 
While I love my .22-250, I have to agree that it can rip a hellofa hole in a bobcat. If you reload this can be negated to a degree with light loads. If you don't reload I would go .204 simply based on your desires. If you want to build a custom rifle, then we are opening a whole new can of worms.
 
I think that cats are tough little critters, so are coyotes, but not like cats, so I would suggest not using FMJ bullets or you will loose a few when they run off.
I would rather miss completely, than know i hit it, and have it run off and can't find it, and would also rather sew a hole than not find it. (personal opinion)

I think that i would suggest the slower twist (1:14 or 1 :12) 22-250 of even 223. given that you want to shoot 500, then I would suggest the 22-250. I found the 40gr bullets like the 14 twist most, but every gun is different.

The idea is to use the 40gr vmax, i had very few blowouts, and that includes 50yrd fox. Slow them down a little, and go for accuracy and the tightest groups you can.

The other thing i would suggest is focuing on shooting and putting that round in the right place to avoid blowouts. I personally avoid headshots (makes skinning nasty and time consuming) I don't like upper chest shots cause I tend to get blowouts, and a bloody mess when skinning. I like the broadside mid body, behind the front leg shot, usually no blowouts, and not a bloody mess. That, and the Texas heartshot.

The thing that i found is that you don't have to shoot them like you would a deer, a heart or double lung shot is great.. But, using Vmax bullets makes it so that you don't really have to worry about that. Shooting 3 or 4 inches further back on the body, drops them on the spot since the bullets are exploding inside the body, and it's still a heart and lung shot 4 inches back from these organs. Don't worry about gut shot.. It's not like you eating it. lol
 
Originally Posted By: geenhead93I'm going to purchase a new predator rifle soon and am wondering what round to use on coyotes and bobcats that can drop coyotes and not be too hard on bobcat furs. Where i hunt i have shot opportunities out to 500 yds(not that I plan on taking 500 yd shots that often). I have always wanted a 22-250 and am wondering if a fast twist would make it alright for bobcats. I am also wondering how a 223 or 204 would fit my needs.
Thanks
If you plan on making or "trying" to make a 500yd shot... the 250 is going to be your best bet compared to the 223 or 204, depending on your twist rate will determine the the grain of projo you can use... Personally I run an 8twst 22-250 and can run whatever round I see fit, for any given condition... the twist has nothing to do with making it alright for bobcats, the round is what determines that... I run the 50 grain vmax going 3600fps and it is perfect for fur... as a matter of fact all your considerations you listed will work great on fur, just stay away from the 6's on up with the higher velocities.
 
Originally Posted By: Coyoteslayer21Just out of curiosity, what do you guys think the Hornady 45gr sp out of 204 would do to a bobcat or fox?

Probably blow all the way thru on broadside shots.
 
Back
Top