rifle?

[sweetlou]

I need suggestions on types of rifles for all types of predator hunting. I'd like a .223 for the rare opportunity at a cougar. I would prefer ar style, but bolt action would be alright. any suggestions would be great, not looking to buy right this minute. But would a .223 be too much for say a bobcat in terms of exit wound being to extravagant to mount and not look dumb.
Thanks,

Louis

[sebek556]

Honestly it would depend on the round you are using out of the 223. Soft points are not bad on fur, I usually have a second mag with soft points in case I have time to switch for a cat. But good taxis can fix most holes

[rasbo]

to be honest,having a cougar come in or seeing one is slim at best,I have called and hunted for yrs and have seen two..most folks that do get one stumble on them or get damn lucky at having one get stupid and just stand there for them..I head shoot all fur used to use a 30-06 with 125 grain,then switched to 22 mag for roberts on the wetside.Now I bought a .17wsm and am thrilled with it,here are two pics a bob with a 125 in the head and a coyote with a .17 in the data bank

[boneaddict]

A lot of it depends on the bullet you are using even with a given caliber.   

[wildweeds]

.17wsm? is that the new rimfire rig?

[rasbo]

.17wsm? is that the new rimfire rig?

yes and Im stoked about it,with a 3x9 x40 on it it still weighs so little its easy on me packing,all my hunts are walking in way away from a rig

[wildweeds]

I was seriously entertaining getting one of those rigs,I even called the FFL guy here about getting one,then as luck would have it my spare cash fund took a huge hit with an unfortunate finger/hand accident that ended my hunting season on nov. 18th. The reviews I looked at weren't favorable in the overall fit/finish, the word "Chincy" came up alot. The other thing that came up alot was , "For 329 bucks the stock should "Feel" better than it does.90% of the accuracy reports were very good however.

.17wsm? is that the new rimfire rig?

yes and Im stoked about it,with a 3x9 x40 on it it still weighs so little its easy on me packing,all my hunts are walking in way away from a rig

[rasbo]

I was seriously entertaining getting one of those rigs,I even called the FFL guy here about getting one,then as luck would have it my spare cash fund took a huge hit with an unfortunate finger/hand accident that ended my hunting season on nov. 18th. The reviews I looked at weren't favorable in the overall fit/finish, the word "Chincy" came up alot. The other thing that came up alot was , "For 329 bucks the stock should "Feel" better than it does.90% of the accuracy reports were very good however.

.17wsm? is that the new rimfire rig?

yes and Im stoked about it,with a 3x9 x40 on it it still weighs so little its easy on me packing,all my hunts are walking in way away from a rig

its a cheap gun,I read all the reports on it,the gun fits me well and shoots damn good.I like the .25 grain over the 20,you have to push the bolt pretty hard at first.after a while ya get used to that..

[Bofire]

243 unless you hunt in bag game seasons, then 22 makes you legal for cougar, and is not a "big game" gun. read the rules. 22 is legal for cougar but not big game. 223 is OK for 2-300 yard coyotes if you can shoot. 22-250 kicks ass. 243 does all a 22-250 does with a bigger bullet
Carl

[actionshooter]

I think you are right on with the .223
 Ammo is EVERYWHERE with lots of options....... as far as action type, I am an AR guy for sure.

[Brownie28]

softpoints DO make big holes. I shot a coyote today and although shot placement was HORRIBE (my fault there) it left a baseball-softball sized hole on the other side. first one ive shot with my 60 gr hornady softpoint reloads out of my AR so I don't know if this was an anomaly or my shot placement (or lack there of)  but it wasn't pretty.

[sweetlou]

243 unless you hunt in bag game seasons, then 22 makes you legal for cougar, and is not a "big game" gun. read the rules. 22 is legal for cougar but not big game. 223 is OK for 2-300 yard coyotes if you can shoot. 22-250 kicks ass. 243 does all a 22-250 does with a bigger bullet
Carl

The rules say .22 caliber and larger, "Rimfire 22 caliber is illegal."

[Bofire]

Sweetlou,   Where did I say "rimfire" there are loads of "22 calibers"

I hope you are not refering to baseballs "Sweet Lou" he is one of my all time heros.
Carl

[JODakota]

Screw the 223 and get a 204 ruger.

[wildweeds]

I've got one of each  .223 is easier to find ammo for IMO.But that .204 is a hoot to shoot.

Screw the 223 and get a 204 ruger.