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.

[JODakota]

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.

Very true, that is why everybody should reload!

[CAMPMEAT]

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

'



Tell me more about the 17WSM kill. I shot at a bobcat a couple weeks ago and missed, the damn scope got whacked out of zero.....................

[sweetlou]

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

Well, Carl, its really none of your business where my profile name originates from.but no, I played a real sport.
And I never once said that you said a rim fire, you said read the rules. Which I did, hence the reason I suggested a .223, and asked for information. And you and your information have been little to no help, but thank you for your input.
As for everyone else, I appreciate your responses.

[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

'



Tell me more about the 17WSM kill. I shot at a bobcat a couple weeks ago and missed, the damn scope got whacked out of zero.....................

called in a double,one behind me busted me at 30 ft,to my left at 30 yrds drilled it just below his left eye into his data bank,dropped..25 grain love this little gun

[rynokron]

Screw the 223 and get a 204 ruger.

Not legal for cougar. I vote .243. Love mine! Never shot a bobcat with it though so can't comment on fur damage. With 58 gr vmax and proper shot placement there is a .243 size entry and no exit on coyotes. If you gut shoot one be ready for a mess.

[Bob33]

"I'd like a .223 for the rare opportunity at a cougar"

...that means you can't go smaller than .22 caliber, and no rimfires.

[bearpaw]

Even though I have a 220 swift, I think a 243, 6mm, 25/06, or 257 Wtby make the perfect predator guns, especially if you are a handloader. You can get 243 or 257 bullets in soft points, hollow points, explosive bullets, or FMJ, and you can load them fast or slow, then carry some of each when you hunt.

Nothing much flatter shooting than a 257 Wtby, hold dead on out to 300 and top of the shoulder at 400.

[CAMPMEAT]

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

'



Tell me more about the 17WSM kill. I shot at a bobcat a couple weeks ago and missed, the damn scope got whacked out of zero.....................

called in a double,one behind me busted me at 30 ft,to my left at 30 yrds drilled it just below his left eye into his data bank,dropped..25 grain love this little gun

Did it do much damage when you shot it below the eye ? Like a gaping, ugly mess ?

[Boss .300 winmag]

Rasbo tell us all about the .17 wsm, cabelas has them on sale $329.99



http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Rimfire-Rifles/Bolt-Action|/pc/104792580/c/105530580/sc/105531480/Savage174-Arms-B-Mag-17-WSM-Bolt-Action-Rimfire-Rifle/1695193.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fbolt-action%2F_%2FN-1102341%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105531480%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104792580%253Bcat105530580&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104792580%3Bcat105530580%3Bcat105531480

[CAMPMEAT]

Rasbo tell us all about the .17 wsm, cabelas has them on sale $329.99



http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Rimfire-Rifles/Bolt-Action|/pc/104792580/c/105530580/sc/105531480/Savage174-Arms-B-Mag-17-WSM-Bolt-Action-Rimfire-Rifle/1695193.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fbolt-action%2F_%2FN-1102341%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105531480%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104792580%253Bcat105530580&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104792580%3Bcat105530580%3Bcat105531480

You can get them cheaper from www.gunbroker.com  That's where I bought mine when you couldn't find them. I paid $329 shipped to my FFL dealer.

[JODakota]

Screw the 223 and get a 204 ruger.

Not legal for cougar. I vote .243. Love mine! Never shot a bobcat with it though so can't comment on fur damage. With 58 gr vmax and proper shot placement there is a .243 size entry and no exit on coyotes. If you gut shoot one be ready for a mess.

Ah good point, for some reason I was thinking bobcat. My bad

[wildweeds]

.204 does some serious damage though,it would whack a coug no problemo.Never in my life have I been rifle hunting where the warden asked the caliber of my weapon.Most modern day law school educated wardens wouldn't know the difference between a .17 remington or a .338 lapua.