Rifle for calling lions??
- Thread starter Dr. J
- Start date
Dr. J, There's a thread started on Aug. 13, 05 titled Caliber for Calling Cougars that addresses this topic. Most of us leaned toward accuracy as most important, with wallop secondary. The reasoning is that since cougars are usually so sneaky on their approach, you may have to shoot at a small piece of cat through a hole in the brush, so need the accuracy. But once hit, cougars are generally easy to put down with most any centerfire, so it doesn't take a boomer. I favored the 6mm/243 and some like the fast 22's like the 22-250. My son shot a called one with an 06 using a 180 grain Corelokt because that's what it was sighted for at the time, right after elk season. The heavy bullet didn't make a very large exit hole, which was nice.
As to bullet, again, all but the lightest varmint bullets would do. One way to look at it is that quick fragmentation of a light frangible bullet inside the chest cavity should drop a cougar on the spot with no exit hole in the hide. I prefer an exit wound because where we hunt cougars, it is virtually impossible to track one unless we have snow or a blood trail. If I hit one, I want to find it on an endless carpet of moss.
For that reason I have carried 95 grain Nosler Partitions for cougars in my heavy 6mm, but haven't shot one with them. It is super accurate, and should shoot through yet make a fairly small exit hole in the pelt. We've shot several deer, bears, an antelope and a bull elk with the 95 grain Partition, though I don't recommend it for anything bigger than small deer or antelope. I used 75 grain Hornady hollow points for coyotes, and I'm sure they would do for cougar though I want a little stouter bullet to insure an exit hole. I recently picked up a .243 light carbine to use on cougar, and am trying to make a bullet choice myself. I'm thinking of experimenting with something other than the 95 grain Partition, likely an 85 or 90 grain bullet. I'm looking at the 90 grain Sirroco bonded but need to find out how big a hole it opens.
In any caliber larger than .24 I'd simply go with the most accurate bullet I could try that would not blow a huge hole in the critter on exit. Hornady Interbond should be good if it doesn't open too much. Any partition should do. Any of the standard bullets will kill the cat, but many will expand so much they damage the pelt badly. The Sierra Game King is often very accurate but sometimes open pretty big holes. Accuracy, accuracy, accuracy.
As to bullet, again, all but the lightest varmint bullets would do. One way to look at it is that quick fragmentation of a light frangible bullet inside the chest cavity should drop a cougar on the spot with no exit hole in the hide. I prefer an exit wound because where we hunt cougars, it is virtually impossible to track one unless we have snow or a blood trail. If I hit one, I want to find it on an endless carpet of moss.
For that reason I have carried 95 grain Nosler Partitions for cougars in my heavy 6mm, but haven't shot one with them. It is super accurate, and should shoot through yet make a fairly small exit hole in the pelt. We've shot several deer, bears, an antelope and a bull elk with the 95 grain Partition, though I don't recommend it for anything bigger than small deer or antelope. I used 75 grain Hornady hollow points for coyotes, and I'm sure they would do for cougar though I want a little stouter bullet to insure an exit hole. I recently picked up a .243 light carbine to use on cougar, and am trying to make a bullet choice myself. I'm thinking of experimenting with something other than the 95 grain Partition, likely an 85 or 90 grain bullet. I'm looking at the 90 grain Sirroco bonded but need to find out how big a hole it opens.
In any caliber larger than .24 I'd simply go with the most accurate bullet I could try that would not blow a huge hole in the critter on exit. Hornady Interbond should be good if it doesn't open too much. Any partition should do. Any of the standard bullets will kill the cat, but many will expand so much they damage the pelt badly. The Sierra Game King is often very accurate but sometimes open pretty big holes. Accuracy, accuracy, accuracy.
Thanks for the reply. I called one in last winter. The cat came to the edge of a fence line and sat there looking around. I had a .223 with 50 grain blitzkings. I do not think that I would have shot it even if I had a tag. I stood up and the cat ran off. I wondered if the .223 would have killed the lion. I suppose that I have read to many books about horror stories of wounded big cats. I have never shot a mountain lion, or know anyone that has shot on that was called. Thanks for the info.
I have not shot a lion yet.
I would consider a .223 to be adequate. Check your local game laws first.
My ideal would be a .243 or 6mm Remington or similar.
When I have my .22-250, I don't feel undergunned either.
What experts have told me is that a decently hit coug looses his faculties for a breif period of time. They get freaked out about getting hurt and that window allows more lead.
Okanagon's point about bullets is in my mind dead on. Tearing a beautiful pelt is a concern.
A 95 gr. Partition from a 6mm class rifle (well placed) would be very good deserts for one. I am sure that the same would apply for the heavier guns typically used for deer and elk.
Three 44s
I would consider a .223 to be adequate. Check your local game laws first.
My ideal would be a .243 or 6mm Remington or similar.
When I have my .22-250, I don't feel undergunned either.
What experts have told me is that a decently hit coug looses his faculties for a breif period of time. They get freaked out about getting hurt and that window allows more lead.
Okanagon's point about bullets is in my mind dead on. Tearing a beautiful pelt is a concern.
A 95 gr. Partition from a 6mm class rifle (well placed) would be very good deserts for one. I am sure that the same would apply for the heavier guns typically used for deer and elk.
Three 44s
pomoxis
New member
I think the type of bullet used may be a bigger difference caliber when you are talking about .22 centerfire rifles. The puncturing of both lungs will keep tracking to a minimum so deeper penatration is desirable. I perfer to have an exit wound to allow more of a blood trail to follow. When it comes to tracking I need all the help I can get.
desertroamer
New member
I hope 223 is sufficient because I plan to use an AR. I have some 64 gr power points.
desertroamer,
try some penetration and expansion tests yourself.
I have a high regard for Winy's Power Point bullets!
I too believe that a straight thru the lungs and out the far side should be "aces".
Cougars are notorious "softys" as to leaving tracks.
A good blood trail is a double edged sword. They are leaking out faster and easier to follow.
I have never shot the the .224" 64 PP but have always wanted to. Just been so entralled with the 55 gr. Nos. Ballistic tip to get around to it.
Sure like PP's in my .270 Win and '06's though!!
Good luck
Three 44s
try some penetration and expansion tests yourself.
I have a high regard for Winy's Power Point bullets!
I too believe that a straight thru the lungs and out the far side should be "aces".
Cougars are notorious "softys" as to leaving tracks.
A good blood trail is a double edged sword. They are leaking out faster and easier to follow.
I have never shot the the .224" 64 PP but have always wanted to. Just been so entralled with the 55 gr. Nos. Ballistic tip to get around to it.
Sure like PP's in my .270 Win and '06's though!!
Good luck
Three 44s
Curt Barrett
New member
.223 will work fine. But as with any caliber, shot placement is much more important than caliber. Lions aren't tough to kill. I bring either .223, 22-250 with 55 gr. or heavier bullets after bear season is over. Usually .243 or .270 with soft points when bear season is open at the same time.
Good hunting
Good hunting
It's good to see a thread were folks are talking shot placement .
I work with to many guys that hunt deer and elk 2 weeks out of the year and if they couldn't use 7mag or 300 win mag in a sentence , they wouldn't have anything to say .
Shot placement ,understanding were the vitals are in the animal your hunting and takeing responsable shots will put more game down than "I've got to have a bigger gun"
Later,Bruce
I work with to many guys that hunt deer and elk 2 weeks out of the year and if they couldn't use 7mag or 300 win mag in a sentence , they wouldn't have anything to say .
Shot placement ,understanding were the vitals are in the animal your hunting and takeing responsable shots will put more game down than "I've got to have a bigger gun"
Later,Bruce
Knapper
New member
"I would consider a .223 to be adequate. Check your local game laws first."
Good advice from Three 44s. In Wyoming, mountain lions are classified as trophy game animals that can only be legally taken with a .23 caliber or larger firearm (there are also regs for muzzleloaders, pistols, and archery too). Apparently they don't trust the shot placement of the average hunter...
Good advice from Three 44s. In Wyoming, mountain lions are classified as trophy game animals that can only be legally taken with a .23 caliber or larger firearm (there are also regs for muzzleloaders, pistols, and archery too). Apparently they don't trust the shot placement of the average hunter...