Author Topic: Would You Shoot A Cougar With A .223 Handi? (Read 2925 times)

rex6666 · « **Reply #30 on:** March 19, 2008, 03:24:56 AM »

I would
I think that if the load would kill a coyote at 2-300 yards it would kill a mt. lion at 100.
the mt. lion wears no armor, is thin skinned, killed with 22mag at 20-25ft, the 223 should do fine.
jmho

petemi · « **Reply #31 on:** March 19, 2008, 05:08:30 AM »

We have the big cats here now, and I would, under two possible conditions: One, I had to or two, I had a death wish.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #32 on:** March 19, 2008, 05:28:44 AM »

Quote from: petemi on March 19, 2008, 05:08:30 AM

We have the big cats here now, and I would, under two possible conditions: One, I had to or two, I had a death wish.

LOL...ha ha ha ha....kind of like "death by cop" .... but this would be "death by cat"......ROFLMAO

Dave

McLernon · « **Reply #33 on:** March 19, 2008, 11:26:21 AM »

I watched them harvest full grown buffalo on the Triple U ranch in South Dakota using a 233 with FMJ bullets. They drive up to within 30 feet of the herd in a pick-up, roll down the window, pick a buffalo and bang-flop....... right behind the ear. Would I hunt buffalo with a 223 with FMJ........................NO. Give me a Buffalo cartridge like the 45-70 loaded with 500 gr. bullets.

The question isn't whether or not a particular bullet will kill a certain game animal or not it's what ought you employ in a certain situation. Range, fur or meat damage, danger from wounded animal, ability to place the shot(skill), experience, wind................ on and on, they all play a part to a greater or lesser extent. That's the challenge of hunting.

Oh ya, i forgot....... common sense.

JMO

Mc

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #34 on:** March 19, 2008, 01:43:06 PM »

I just read in the newest American Rifleman where a women's dog was going to be attacked by a Mountain Lion and shot it with a .22 rifle. I am sure it was close range, but it was what she had. She was raised on a farm and knew where to place the bullet (heart shot). Don't think I would try that. I would at least have used a 22 Magnum.

rex6666 · « **Reply #35 on:** March 20, 2008, 06:22:54 AM »

LaOtto22
Maybe you could have told the cat kings X, while i go get my 22mag.

I have seen the great and dangerous mt. cats west of Jacksborro, Tx several times while hunting Quail
i just don't see the problem with a 223 in the boiler room.

Enios · « **Reply #36 on:** March 20, 2008, 08:54:56 AM »

It better be careful I might shoot it's eye out. If it left me along I would leave it along. If it even looked like it wanted to come at me I wouldn't hesitate. Would it bring it down? With a well placed shot it would. You also would be surprised how fast you can reload if you have to. I use to practice speed loading with a old H&R muzzle loader and you really would be surprised how fast you can do that if you are prepared.

McLernon · « **Reply #37 on:** March 20, 2008, 01:46:56 PM »

But can you reload fast while running?

Mc

Siskiyou · « **Reply #38 on:** March 20, 2008, 05:47:48 PM »

A Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer shot the lion that killed the southern California bicyclist. The lion was shot at close range as it was preparing to spring on a deputy. The lion was killed with one shot from an AR.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/01/10/ATTACK.TMP

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/01/09/national/main592433.shtml

For those who are playing guessing games the AR used by the LEO to kill the Southern California lion is a .223(5.56 NATO).

Agency Policy for those playing guessing games and blowing smoke:

5381.14 - Rifles

Semi-automatic rifles, chambered for .223 Remington (5.56 NATO), may be issued to law enforcement personnel. The standard rifle is the Colt (or equivalent) AR-15. A .223 equivalent to the Colt AR-15 such as the Ruger Mini-14 may be used as a substitute rifle until a CAR-15 is available for replacement.

jdwolf · « **Reply #39 on:** March 20, 2008, 10:16:45 PM »

Here's an interesting item about a cougar killed with a .223. http://www.predatormastersforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=52706794&an=0&page=0

Davemuzz · « **Reply #40 on:** March 21, 2008, 02:30:45 AM »

Well.....the article's didn't say if the A\R was a .223 or a .308. I'm not sayin what it was.....I'm just point'in out that fact.

Dave

billy_56081 · « **Reply #41 on:** March 21, 2008, 07:11:26 AM »

It appears from the picture that it is an AR15. Now as to caliber that is an unknown. As anyone with experience will tell you though, a 223 Rem is plenty for the largest and toughest mountain lion out there. We are not talking about a stopping rifle as used by professional hunter to stop a charging animal, we are talking about hunting a thin skinned small cat. From my experience when I guided out in Colorado most mountain lions were killed with calibers with less energy than a 223. Many of our hunters used the .22 mag that the guide handed them.

McLernon · « **Reply #42 on:** March 21, 2008, 09:54:01 AM »

Little cats?

??. You must be thinking of bob-cats. Cougars in B.C. go to 220 pounds. No one in their right mind would risk annoying one of these BIG cats with a 223 unless they where well concealed and down-wind.

Mc

billy_56081 · « **Reply #43 on:** March 21, 2008, 10:38:47 AM »

No these were mountain lions, aka cougars. They are relatively soft and die easily. I and a few others here are talking from experience not supposition. Heck use what u wants, nothing wrong with being over gunned, but the 223 is definitely not too small for a mountain lion. We used a lever actioned 22 mag for most of the lions we killed.

McLernon · « **Reply #44 on:** March 21, 2008, 12:00:05 PM »

These cats you are killing, how much do they weigh on average?

Mc

billy_56081 · « **Reply #45 on:** March 21, 2008, 03:05:18 PM »

between 80 and 180 lbs

Davemuzz · « **Reply #46 on:** March 21, 2008, 03:15:51 PM »

Well, I guess it's like shootin deer here. I've shoot 'em with my 44 mag, 308, 243, and my 45-70 and the trusty 180 grain black powder M\L. They all end up just as dead. A few guys shoot 'em with the .222 and the .223 and they die as well.

However, it's not likely the deer is going to eat you. Could attack....has happen in the past....but not often. I'll still would go big cat huntin with ample firepower. 30 caliber bullets at 2700 fps or better or a nice big 'ol 400 grain or better bullet comin from the 45-70.

To each his own. You guys can take your pea shooters, I can't run so I gotta stand there and shoot.

Dave

John4me05 · « **Reply #47 on:** March 22, 2008, 04:08:20 AM »

Yep... And i wouldnt think twice about it... .223 is plenty of gun for anything up to a bear.... If i had a good shot at an eye i would take the shot on a bear as well... I have taken everything available to me in VA except a bear with my .223.... Deer, hogs, turkey, squirrels, bobcats, yotes... From ranges of 40 out to 400yds.. My Handi with 25.5gr Varget under 50gr Vmax or 26.5gr Varget under 40grVmax, or 18.7gr RL7 under 45gr Hornet SP tip... .223 is a very capable gun... LEOs and militaries use it for a man stopper...

Clambo · « **Reply #48 on:** March 23, 2008, 02:30:58 AM »

I've killed 4 lions. One with a .22 magnum, one with a 7-30 Waters TC Contender and two with a Mini-14 .223. All died quickly and quietly.

After you kill one, be sure and eat it. It's quite tasty.

" Cougar.....the OTHER white meat ! "

Clambo

kevthebassman · « **Reply #49 on:** March 23, 2008, 05:51:29 AM »

I've heard that lion was a delicacy to the mountain men. Haven't kilt one to try it yet.