Bullets for bobcats

tcknight · Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 7:34 pm Post subject: Bullets for bobcats

Guys

Help me out here.

I'm shooting a .243 and looking for a bullet of 80 grains or less that will not destroy the hide of a bobcat. Wife wants a coat. Got to keep the wife happy since she doesn't complain about my hobby.

I have plenty of cats on my coyote shooting circuit but have only shot one or two and that was with a Rem 80 Power-Lokt HP. It leaves a fairly large exit wound.

I've been looking at the 70 grain Rem Accutip-V, 75 grain Hornady HP, 55 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip, and 70 grain Ballistic Tip.

Any preferences or suggestions?

Vince · Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 8:50 pm Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

Gidday TC...the 70 gn bullets are pretty good, but why not step down to a 55gn bullet. You can really get them "humming" and they are quite accurate.

I don't know much about the bobcat...size etc...but I think that a 55gn bullet will be more than sufficient if your shot placement is right. Also, good thing about them is that they will not usually exit with a fist sized hole...if they exit at all.

Cheers, Vince

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:23 pm Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

I haven't tried them but what about these? >> www.barnesbullets.com/...t-grenade/

I have some for the .224s (Hornet, .223 and .220 Swift) but haven't done any testing yet.

chambered221 · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 3:39 am Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

I don’t recommend the B-Tips at .243 velocities if your pelt hunting !!!
What’s the average size of your kitty’s ???

tcknight · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 8:53 am Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

chambered221 wrote:

What’s the average size of your kitty’s ???

They are fair size cats. Just guessing I would say around 35 lbs. Not anywhere near northern cats, but no slouchs either.

tcknight · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 9:03 am Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

Vince wrote:

I don't know much about the bobcat...size etc...but I think that a 55gn bullet will be more than sufficient if your shot placement is right.
Vince

The cats range from 25 to 35 lbs. Very thin skinned but thick hair.

I have some 55 grain Ballistic Tips but I have been told these are pelt destroyers.

Not opposed to using light bullets at all. I had my gun barrel made in a 1:12" twist just for this reason.

Dawgdad · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 10:13 am Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

I have only used Hornady V-max of 58 and 75 grains and 75 grain Remington Accutips on Coyotes. I do not even get an exit would most of the time with them.

I do not run them at the max velocity 58's about 3500 and 75's at 3350 or so.

If you load the 55 B-tips down under 3500 fps you might get similar results. Most people like to run them closer to 4000 fps to get the flattest trajectory. You will still be point blank out to 250 or so.

chambered221 · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 12:39 pm Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

Dawgdad wrote:

Most people like to run them closer to 4000 fps to get the flattest trajectory.

I like them for splatter factor !!! Very Happy

Running them at lower velocity is an idea!!!
Just as a note to this my POI velocity at 300 yards is approximately 2900+ fps (55gr.) and they still decapitate groundhogs.
I think the B-Tips are just too explosive for this.

Now a 55 grainer out of a 221........... that's a different story !!! Poke

Crackshot · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 1:48 pm Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

I use 55gr Nosler Ballistic tips over Benchmark.
A COAT Shocked

? WOW you like throwing money away. I killed 4 Bobcat winter before last and we made almost $1000.00 on those 4 pelts alone! shot 12 coyote and made a measly $192.00 on ALL of them. Cant say what they are bringing now, those Bobcat pelts sure made it a profitable venture though.

tcknight · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 3:50 pm Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

Crackshot wrote:

I killed 4 Bobcat winter before last and we made almost $1000.00 on those 4 pelts alone! shot 12 coyote and made a measly $192.00 on ALL of them. .

That was 2008. Estimates for 2010 indicate Bobcat in the 20-30 dollar range this year and coyote down to $8-$10. The economy crash really killed fur buying. Most of our furs go to Russia and China and that market has dried up for the time being.

SO, time to get a coat made before prices go back up. PLUS, city bred wife being supportive of hunting is worth much more than $1000s .

tcknight · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:01 pm Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

THANKS Dawgdad. My Accutips are running at 3340 - 3350 so sounds like this may be the ticket. My Hornady 75 HP are clicking along at 3410 so may be a little fast and may have the same problem as the Rem 80 grain HP in that expansion is not as explosive so probably will exit.

I'll try the Accutip-V bullets. Eventually I'll try to slow down the 58 grain V-Max and try that. Thanks again. I'll let you know what shakes out.

Now if I just had a .221 Fireball.... Shocked

Crackshot · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 6:09 pm Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

Thats to bad about the fir prices. Might try a 22 Hornet as well. Ruger makes a nice one or two.

tcknight · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:27 am Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

Crackshot wrote:

Thats to bad about the fir prices. Might try a 22 Hornet as well. Ruger makes a nice one or two.

Decided you were right Crackshot. So, I researched it and decided on a .17 Remington Fireball in the Rem Model 7 Varmint. Really considered the Hornet but wanted a little flatter shooting round. Really wanted the plaine .17 Remington but my model options didn't allow it.

(Oh Crap. I hope Chambered221 doesn't see this.) Bang Head

chambered221 · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:20 am Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

Welcome to the family !!! Very Happy

Before you know it you'll also be wanting a 20 Vartarg !!! (it's acually better than the .17)

At this time only Cooper and Dakota Arms chamber them Sad

tcknight · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:46 am Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

chambered221 wrote:

Welcome to the family !!! Very Happy

Damn. He did. Faint