carry two guns to a stand?

[KFhunter]

In a bit of a delemma 


I'm going to be calling in an area with both Bobcat and Cougar tracks, and I don't want to blow a huge hole in the Bobcat if one shows, but I also want to put down a Cougar right quick if one shows. 

I got 4 options:

12g shot gun
.17HMR
.223 AR w/ 16 inch chrome barrel 1:7 twist
.243 remington 700    20" barrel

Shot gun would be ideal in tight cover stands and I have a lot of confidence in it's put down ability, but on those clear cut stands I'll be shooting a ways.

 


I really don't want to carry 2 guns to a stand, I'll be by myself most times too.

[demontang]

223 with a partition 

[Doublelunger]

.223 is your best bet considering all the factors you've mentioned.

[KFhunter]

.223 Hornady supermax or vmax 55gr - got some of those, will they be hard on a bobber?

[Jingles]

Any time I'm out I'm by myself and only carry one gun with me Sako Forester 22-250 w/50gr SBT. If that worried I'd take the 223 with at least a 20 shot mag fully loaded...
If ya can't shoot straight shoot lots something is gonna hit

[polyanskiyalex]

I carry my 12 ga and my 223 to most stands. If Im wetside hunting than 12 ga with a good steel load.

[Houndhunter]

.22 Will kill a lion no prob at a tree, a .223 would be fine for bob and lion if calling

[MADMAX]

.223
small hole kills quick

[grundy53]

.223

[furbearer365]

Carry two guns. 223 and shotgun.  I have not gotten quite a few shots while calling simply cause the coyote came in too close and couldnt get him in the scope that close.  Nothing more frustrating than not getting a shot because it is TOO CLOSE.  Suck it up and take two

[norsepeak]

I'd take the 17 hmr for the longer range shots, and use a pistol (45) for a poss. close shot.

[carpsniperg2]

If I am hunting alone I will carry 2 guns 99% of the time. I have shot a lot of dogs over the years with a scatter gun. That being said I would not just pack a shotgun. If I was only going to take one it would be the 223 for sure

[Skyvalhunter]

Best thing to do is go with the gun you are most comfortable shooting. If you have to do a quick instictive shot then that gun will do best for you.

[Ridgeratt]

I would drag along a 222 Remington or a 223 along with my Model 63 S&W Kitgun.

[Kola16]

Well...you can't legally shoot a cougar with the hummer so......use the hummer 

(hummer=hmr)

[aer212]

If I am hunting alone I will carry 2 guns 99% of the time. I have shot a lot of dogs over the years with a scatter gun. That being said I would not just pack a shotgun. If I was only going to take one it would be the 223 for sure

I am also starting to be a believer in taking a rifle and shotgun when calling. We tried it out a week or two ago and ended up not even using the rifles all day.

[AWS]

Or you could run a combo rig like this.  12 ga over 5.6x50 Rimmed Magnum.  The best of both worlds and it works see avatar.

[carpsniperg2]

If I am hunting alone I will carry 2 guns 99% of the time. I have shot a lot of dogs over the years with a scatter gun. That being said I would not just pack a shotgun. If I was only going to take one it would be the 223 for sure

I am also starting to be a believer in taking a rifle and shotgun when calling. We tried it out a week or two ago and ended up not even using the rifles all day.

Glad I can rub off on you guys a little As long as you don't start cussing like me

[Kola16]

That's cool AWS 

[Ridgeratt]

If I am hunting alone I will carry 2 guns 99% of the time. I have shot a lot of dogs over the years with a scatter gun. That being said I would not just pack a shotgun. If I was only going to take one it would be the 223 for sure

I am also starting to be a believer in taking a rifle and shotgun when calling. We tried it out a week or two ago and ended up not even using the rifles all day.

Glad I can rub off on you guys a little As long as you don't start cussing like me

This sounds a little Creepy!    Maybe a bit westside.

[carpsniperg2]

  LOL I can assure you we are east side

They looked at me weird when I  just packed my shotgun when I took them out the other day. If arron had not waved his gun at the runner I would have blasted the dog with my scatter gun

[KFhunter]

I'm a big fan of scatter guns under 50 yards on dogs


I was thinking out loud about multi-species calling in the mountains, cats don't typically come blasting in, and that is my focus.

Mainly, I don't want to tear one up - I'd be so pissed if I blew a huge hole in one

[Ridgeratt]

We hunt cats on the same ground. I use a 222 or a 223 with a 22 pistol.

[KFhunter]

yup

I got the AR sighted in somewhat now, so that'll go with me for sure.   
I still need to fine tune it with Hornady v-max 55gr but it'll be very close.

[Ridgeratt]

Our paths should cross sometime this winter.

[KFhunter]

Our paths should cross sometime this winter.

Do you snowmobile or atv with tracks?

Up high I already had to turn back once cause the snow was too deep. 
I'll be packing a snowmobile here pretty soon.

[Ridgeratt]

haven't had a sled for a few years. But maybe you can get "OL" campstool to show you the way! He knows where to find me.

[cowlitzkiller]

My  ......carry that shotgun and the .223

I've had too many coyotes damn near run me over when I wasn't expecting it....even in areas that I would have never thought a coyote would make it to that close of range without me seeing it.  The shotgun is essential.