Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Predators and Varmints Bobcat hunting info and caliber

Deer season has come to an end and with almost 400 acres of an East Texas deer lease to myself , I am interested in bobcat hunting. Two years ago a rather large one was taken during deer season along with the fact I saw another one last year that has me interested.

I have a six shooter call and a Bluetooth speaker for calling that includes woodpecker , rodent squeak and rabbit distress.


Here’s my main concern, caliber……… options include the following. Hand loading is not really an option.


1. Winchester 70 in .308…..way too much gun but a bobcat that was shot last year had minimal pelt damage . However as someone that has seen people shot in person over a decade I know every bullet acts differently.


2. Ar15 with a hunting scope. 5.56

3. Cz455 in .22 lr …..


Shooting distances up to 100 yards in piney timberland.


Suggestions and help is appreciated.

I'd use the AR. IMO 308 is overkill, and 22 LR is not enough. I've killed quite a few with a 223, and it works.

Of the three...223

.223

Use a hard bullet in whichever of your centerfire rifles if you’re worried about saving the hide. A normal varmint bullet in the 223 is likely to leave a sizable exit on broadside shots.

And be patient when you make a calling stand. I’ve had cats take an hour to come creeping in to the call. They don’t usually run in like coyotes or foxes will.

Of your choices, 223 for sure. A 22 hornet would really wok well.

Might try some ball ammo out of the 308. Be careful of what is beyond your target. If you’ve got a good 12ga I’d give it a whirl. 3 or 3.5” #2 or BB tungsten would knock them for a loop out to 50 yards or so. I like 3” #4 buck too.

But of the 3 you listed I’d pick the AR.

Another vote for the AR 223. Unless you are looking for a reason to buy/build another. Then I'd vote 204 Ruger on an AR platform. Probably better suited for large open spaces. If you are limited to 100 yards the 223/5.56 option is great!

I've been predator hunting for close to 50 years shot them with many calibers and BULLETS .....in the 223 use any bullet made for varmints and there's a good chance of leaving a large exit hole.....use a bullet made for hunting deer it will not leave as large exit hole.....my favorite bullet is Federal Fusion 62 gr.....
Not a easy bullet to find but when available I buy 1000's....

Of those 3 options I'd recommend the 223.

I call 'cats in heavy cover and use a Remington 597 in .22 MAG. My experience with 'cats is that they are much more wary than coyotes or foxes. They approach slowly and often just suddenly show up, one second they're not there, the next second there they are. I've only had a couple of 'cats cross open ground, which is why I set up in tight cover and have shot most of my 'cats under 100', some as close as 20'. The 'cats that I've shot farther out were killed while hunting coyotes and they hung up on the edge of cover that bordered an open short grazed pasture or cut bean or corn field.

269Remguy nailed it....I have hunted them just as described and I use a high pitched lip squeal many times to draw them in. They are very slow to come in and watch for them to show up on edge of cover. Have a CZ 22 Hornet with 40 grain handload is my go to.....shot a coyote while back 80 yds facing me, hit him in lower chest/neck and bullet went thru front to back and did not exit, but when I picked him up inside was a bowl of jelly. Very small exits on a cat, low report, almost no recoil and will reach out 200 yds with with ease. Shoot the 40 grain Sierra Hollow Point Varminter and like 3025 fps hits +1.3 high at 100yds and -2.0 out to 200yds.....perfect for cats.

Graphic!!



Don't use a 6.5 Creed and a 139 Scenar makes a hell of a mess. Rio7

So basically get a deer bullet for my .223?

Only killed one cat so not an expert
I used a 22-250. Took the guts out the other side but only about a quarter size hole. 55 gr sp. I load that same bullet in 223 and have anchored many coyotes out the combine window and over call. That load would be my choice
I read books on trapping years ago and recal they said a cat will make rounds about every week and walk in his same footprints
I have a cat on trail cam now doing just that almost an identical picture a week later
I waiting on the right conditions and day when he is likely to be there and try and call him

Looks like the mouse is saying, “You couldn’t have done this 15 minutes ago?” Or “Little help, please?”

I’ve dropped to a .17 Winchester super mag for cats. I say this only to illustrate where I think the minimum is? Many do like a .22 mag for the same distances. Working up from this point your .223 fits but is a good plenty.
My country up here is bush and I would,rarely shoot over say 130 yards.

Osky

Lots of good info here, I can only add, use a decoy,

AR-15. Vmax or similar. Doesnt take a ton but certainly more than a 22LR for a clean kill