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Big Game Hunting => Other Big Game => Topic started by: Oh Mah on November 23, 2016, 03:58:48 PM


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Title: Cougar caliber
Post by: Oh Mah on November 23, 2016, 03:58:48 PM
I have heard a few discussions on this.What would be a good caliber for cougar,That would do min. damage to meat and pelt but still provide a clean kill?
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: Curly on November 23, 2016, 04:00:30 PM
243 win
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: theleo on November 23, 2016, 04:01:10 PM
223
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: jay.sharkbait on November 23, 2016, 04:04:31 PM
.218 bee
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: JJB11B on November 23, 2016, 04:05:12 PM
.357 Magnum lever gun? :dunno:
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: Wolfdog2314 on November 23, 2016, 04:12:55 PM
100 grain RAD Ti Con broadhead
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: Oh Mah on November 23, 2016, 04:38:41 PM
.218 bee
Really?  :yeah: I take it with the replies so far the cougar is a pretty thin skinned animal to take.So with these replies i will use the .556 and will be fine. Thanks for the replies.
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: hunter399 on November 23, 2016, 04:54:01 PM
223/556 is a great cal. If your useing softpoints that's what in during for coyote,couger,ect.I even think it should be able to use it on deer,other states it is a proven deer cal.
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: JJB11B on November 23, 2016, 04:57:05 PM
kills the heck out of humans, seems logical
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: Oh Mah on November 23, 2016, 05:05:29 PM
I reload with Sierra Game Kings use them on coyotes so it should be fine.Thanks
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: hunter399 on November 23, 2016, 05:17:41 PM
I have had good luck with hornady softpoints ,55 gr. Go in 22 size come out about the size of a quarter.
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: jay.sharkbait on November 23, 2016, 05:45:59 PM
.218 bee
Really?  :yeah: I take it with the replies so far the cougar is a pretty thin skinned animal to take.So with these replies i will use the .556 and will be fine. Thanks for the replies.

I thought I'd throw an odd one out there.
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: JJB11B on November 23, 2016, 05:48:45 PM
.218 bee
Really?  :yeah: I take it with the replies so far the cougar is a pretty thin skinned animal to take.So with these replies i will use the .556 and will be fine. Thanks for the replies.

I thought I'd throw an odd one out there.
Fireball lol Ill leave it open to interpretation
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: Oh Mah on November 23, 2016, 05:49:25 PM
 lol. Yep odd is understatement.If you wanted to say anything from the weakest on up you have done it. lmao.
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: NOCK NOCK on November 23, 2016, 09:24:52 PM
 :dunno: Shot my cat at 80Yards broadside, .280 with factory 140g. PSP, bullseye front shoulder, dropped in tracks, found bullet on exit side between meat and n hide. Kittys can be tough critters. Same combo/distance will blow a hole right through a mulie buck. 
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: yorketransport on November 23, 2016, 09:42:23 PM
.218 bee

Look at that, you're recommending the minimalist approach to cartridge selection! :rolleyes:

The 219 zipper is a reasonable minimum. :twocents:
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: sled on November 23, 2016, 09:56:39 PM
308 worked perfect for me.
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: MADMAX on November 24, 2016, 06:11:33 AM
.223 worked for me
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: Ridgeratt on November 24, 2016, 06:37:32 AM


    Triple Deuce would be a choice as well
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: jay.sharkbait on November 24, 2016, 06:41:26 AM
.218 bee

Look at that, you're recommending the minimalist approach to cartridge selection! :rolleyes:

The 219 zipper is a reasonable minimum. :twocents:

Well if you are going to go that far then why not .219 Donaldson wasp?

Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: Ridgeratt on November 24, 2016, 06:46:27 AM
.218 bee

Look at that, you're recommending the minimalist approach to cartridge selection! :rolleyes:

The 219 zipper is a reasonable minimum. :twocents:

Well if you are going to go that far then why not .219 Donaldson wasp?

Then let's not forget the 225 Winchester also
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: jay.sharkbait on November 24, 2016, 06:56:57 AM
.218 bee

Look at that, you're recommending the minimalist approach to cartridge selection! :rolleyes:

The 219 zipper is a reasonable minimum. :twocents:

Well if you are going to go that far then why not .219 Donaldson wasp?

Then let's not forget the 225 Winchester also

It's tough on fur, but if anyone is looking for ammunition.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,203204.0.html
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: bearpaw on November 24, 2016, 07:21:45 AM
Cougar are pretty easy to kill, I've seen them shot with 22 long rifle and 22 mags. But if you are calling or stalking I would use a little more gun than if I was shooting a cat bayed up by hounds. I would figure .223 minimum if boot hunting for a cougar, any deer rifle is going to do a good job, but leave the ultramags and such home, there's simply no reason to give your taxidermist's a bigger hole to sew up! Good luck, a cougar makes a fascinating mount!
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: fly-by on November 24, 2016, 07:53:46 AM
Any of the 6 or 6.5mms would be a good choice with the added benefit of being legal for big game.  Just alter the bullet used.  Shot mine with .260 Remington and 100gr a-max.  Small entry, no exit, made a mess of the hear/lung area.
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: Jasmin on November 24, 2016, 08:09:09 PM
Don't forget if you are in Washington anything under a .22 center fire would not be legal to kill a cougar with, and they will ask you when you get it sealed. Page 85 of your regs. That would mean the .22 lr and .22 mag are not legal along with the .218 and .219.
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: jay.sharkbait on November 24, 2016, 08:15:15 PM
Don't forget if you are in Washington anything under a .22 center fire would not be legal to kill a cougar with, and they will ask you when you get it sealed. Page 85 of your regs. That would mean the .22 lr and .22 mag are not legal along with the .218 and .219.

The 218 and 219 shoot .224 diameter bullets
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: sled on November 24, 2016, 08:58:37 PM
My taxi fixed the 308 cal hole just fine..  and it was plenty fun to not second guess.bottom pick you can see the two raised hair spots where the bullet holes are.  This was before it was finished.  Over right and left ear.
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: JoeE on November 24, 2016, 09:31:27 PM
I would use whatever gun I had in my hand and not think twice. But if I was going after a cougar specifically then probably a 243 or a 223.
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: bearpaw on November 25, 2016, 01:53:30 AM
Don't forget if you are in Washington anything under a .22 center fire would not be legal to kill a cougar with, and they will ask you when you get it sealed. Page 85 of your regs. That would mean the .22 lr and .22 mag are not legal along with the .218 and .219.

True today, but there was a time in WA when there were no caliber restrictions, nor hunting hour restrictions, nor hound restrictions. Essentially I was pointing out how easy a cougar can be killed to support my comment about not needing big magnum power. I do appreciate you wanting to keep the OP legal in case he didn't realize the history and current laws! :twocents:  :tup:
Title: Re: Cougar caliber
Post by: mountainman on November 25, 2016, 08:52:57 AM
Cougar are pretty easy to kill, I've seen them shot with 22 long rifle and 22 mags. But if you are calling or stalking I would use a little more gun than if I was shooting a cat bayed up by hounds. I would figure .223 minimum if boot hunting for a cougar, any deer rifle is going to do a good job, but leave the ultramags and such home, there's simply no reason to give your taxidermist's a bigger hole to sew up! Good luck, a cougar makes a fascinating mount!
when in a tree, a .22lr in the lungs dispatched very quickly. Seen it several times in the past.
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