13 replies to this topic

[Kevin G]

Hey CPC folks!Next Monday I am going to Monterey to hunt/scout a ranch. The owner states there are many types of game on his property. There are Deer, Boar, Bobcats, 'Yotes, Ground Squirrels and various Upland Game birds.I am planning on taking the Skunk and the FrAnKeNmAg for GS units, my .223 for 'Yotes and my .30-06 for Boar. The main hunt will be for 'Yotes, I will call . . . Jack (the land owner) will shoot with my .223. It is also my plan to get Jack hooked on the .17HMR by shooting some GS units with my HMR.Since there are Bobcats on the property, I have secured a book of tags for 'em. I would like to take a Bobcat and have the hide processed.To that end: What cal would you recommend? 1. .17HMR2. .22WMR3. .223I don't want the hide all torn up from a .223 shot, but I do want to drop the Bob directly. My first thought was to use the HMR, though the 17 grain pill is somewhat light and fragile. The WMR is a 34 grain pill and may be more proper for the situation. I am really resisting using my .223 as I think it will blow a fairly large exit hole in the hide.I am OK with a head shot with the HMR, WMR or .223 for that matter. I am confident in my weapons, optics and in my skill to use them.What are your thoughts?Thanks buds,Kevin

[Cranky Farmer]

The 17 will work great if you shoot it responsibly. This bobcat was taken (not mine) with a 17 HMR inside 100 yards and dropped him in his tracks.http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/uploads/post-14-1129570754.jpg

[Kevin G]

Whoa!Thats a NICE one! How much did that one weigh? It looks like a neck shot? Taken with the HMR . . . sweet B)Man . . . I hope I get a chance at one as nice!Thanks for sharing Smallblock!Kevin

[Kevin G]

Hey Guys,I read the post and to be honest . . . there was no luck shot at all.What blows my mind about that post is he was calling 'Yotes with an HMR! NOT enough gun.Guys: I can tag a GS unit in the brain bucket at 189 yards . . . I can hit a cat in the brisket at 90. I have no intention of starting any flame wars. I want to make sure I have 'enough' gun . . . but not too much.I will not have my .223 in my lap . . . Jack will be using it. With that being said . . . I think I will take my .22 mag. That uses a 34 grain Amax. I will be vary wary of the wind and interfering shrubs . . . count on it. I have NO intention of wounding it . . . I want to drop it.It is funny . . . the two recommendations given over at GGVG are for the .223. Dang . . . BIG HOLE.I contacted a Taxidermist here in Fremont and got the low down on what to do. Kevin G.

[Cranky Farmer]

Kevin,If you're able make a head shot on a GS at 189 yards I'd be willing to bet you'd do more than fine on a bobcat if you kept the shooting distance within reason. Unfortunately many folks see they can hit targets such as your GS at 200 yards and assume they'll do just fine on larger targets at that distance. If heard from lots fo folks who've taken bobcats with their 17 HMR's and they all felt so long as they limited the shots to any where from 50 to 100 yards it would be more than adaquate. Admitedly I don't own a 17HMR so I don't have any first hand exerience to pull from. Good luck on the hunt and let us know how you do.

[Kevin G]

Hello Heath,Yes, I am able to make that shot: repeatedly. Without trying to sound like I am 'bragging' . . . I spent many years in competitive shooting long ago and far away. I have competed on and off since then over the years. The eyes are going . . . thank God for glass! First and foremost in my mind is a swift and humane kill.I do know the ?general? limitations of the round and I know my limitations as well. If it is windy . . . I will grab the WMR owing to a better BC and the heavier pill weight at 2X.The rifles in question are my Marlin 917V and my parts 'n pieces Ruger 10/22 Magnum. Both rifles are scoped with the same glass: Weaver Grand Slam in 6 x 20 x 40 AO. Both have the Duplex Reticule. I am well pleased and served with this glass on these rimfire rifles. I have several other .22LR?s that sport different glass.My Marlin is the most accurate . . . see attached photos. My Ruger will put a box-o-50 rounds under a quarter at 100 yards.The groups posted in the photos were shot with a Harris BR Bipod and a sand bag from a bench. They were shot at 100 yards, using my USBR .22 rimfire, 25 yard targets. The ?X? dot is the size of a period in your average paperback and isn't even visable in the dang photo . . .In any event . . . *IF* we get lucky with whatever we find . . . I will post photos and a story to go along with them. Even if we are not lucky . . . it is a scouting trip for later this month and I hope to get a Pheasant or two. Photo?s will be included. Not only will I bring my camera: I will actually USE it. Novel huh? :blink:As an aside . . . you ought to try out a .17HMR . . . they are a hoot to shoot! I betcha can?t shoot just one . . . (smirk) Kevin

[Wildlifedesigner]

have you considered any of the ballistic tips out of the 223. Out of the 22-250 i would not hesitate to shoot at varmints that i plan on saving for a mount or pelts. I have shot coyotes with them and had no exit out to 60 yards because of the extreme fragmentation of the round, The biggest hole was about a 1 1/2 that went trough the lungs on a coyote that was at 180 yards.

[Thumper Dunker]

I almost never get exit wonds on my coyotes and they are small when I do. but bob cats are more like a big rabbit thinner skin. I think the 22 mag is fine. you might want a shot gun with one of you.

[ShooterJohn]

Guys: I can tag a GS unit in the brain bucket at 189 yards

Yes, I am able to make that shot: repeatedly. Without trying to sound like I am 'bragging' . . . I spent many years in competitive shooting long ago and far away.

Sounds like bragging to me Kevin old boy! I'm sorry but with a .17 HMR under anything but perfect absolutely zero wind, that's like hitting a poker chip every shot at 189 yards.A TRUE 189 yards every time! Let's not get carried away here. Are you related to Daniel Boone?

[Bozsik]

I'm sorry but with a .17 HMR under anything but perfect absolutely zero wind, that's like hitting a poker chip every shot at 189 yards.A TRUE 189 yards every time! Let's not get carried away here. Are you related to Daniel Boone?Thanks John,Point Blank and I are still on jacks and sometimes squirrels@150yd with the 17hmr. Makes me feel a bit better that we can miss occasionally. Bozsik

[tawnoper]

I think a .223 is about perfect for cats. Usually one hole results with proper hits. Most of the time tore up pelts are due to poor shot placement more then anything else. Obviously a .270 might be a bit much but hit a cat or even a coyote around the edges or on the shoulder with just about any of the popular varmint calibers and you will tear them up. A bad hit with a smaller caliber usually results in a lost animal. Cats are tougher then most people think. The two cats below were shot a couple weeks ago with a 22-250 and a 220 Swift shooting 55 Bal-Tip. Both were chest shot about 40 yards, small entrance, no exit.

[Thumper Dunker]

Thems some nice kitties you have there. and welcome.

[Cranky Farmer]

That one near the bottom looks like a BIG cat.

[ShooterJohn]

I think a .223 is about perfect for cats. Usually one hole results with proper hits. Most of the time tore up pelts are due to poor shot placement more then anything else.

It's nice to see other people agree the .223 is a good choice. Those are nice cats and welcome to our forum.