I'm looking to kill a bobcat to get a nice mount, what is the best type of rifle to use to kill but not ruin the body?

Thanks

Personally I like the .22-250 or the .223 im sure some others will have a diff choice.

I would say no larger than 223. I wouldnt want anything super fast because that will cuase explosive results. I would go fo small and a little slower becuase they are thin skinned.

223 for med. to long range. shotgun if within 30 - 50 yards. had a taxidermist tell me shotgun holes are easier to repair and less noticeable to see when finished. i am sure if you blasted one too close,it would not turn out too good though.

22-250

Hit one at 15 yds with a 270 and it made a three inch hole on the exit. Taxidermist did a good job fixing it so you can't tell. I usually use a .22mag but a 22-250 would probably be a good choice.

.22-250, .223 or I also like 17HMR

.17 is a great round but your screwed if its windy

22mag, 204, 17rem

last one I shot with a 257wby wasn't pretty, so I wouldn't recommend going that big.

243 with 58 grain vmax??? im not a big varmint hunter but it may be a good choice...

.22 hornet perhaps

.22 Hornet or a .22 Magnum, anything larger and it ruins the pelt. I know some think that these are a little small, but there are hundreds of yotes and almost a 100 bobcats that would diagree if they were alive today to talk to ya. I have nailed them waaaaaay out past where they thought they were safe, but that is just me I guess. They work great on axis deer too at 250 yards, and I have witnesses to testify to that.

Also recommend 22-250. Works for me...

gun really doesn't matter as much as what load you shoot.

17 hmr or 22mag would be a good bet , as well as shotgun.
You take a large risk of ruining the cape with 22 centerfire.

i use a 22-250 shooting remington premier accutip boatails. Very small entrance wounds, and no exit.

A trap and a 22 work best lol.... But a 22 hornet,17 rem,17 fireball,222 rem,221 fireball,any of these are idea but it depends on wear you hit them on rather or not its going to blow the hide up I have shot lots of cats with a 22-250 and 4 out 10 might be good the rest are in bad shape my 243 has taken quite a few too and had about the same results. just my 2 cents good luck on finding that magic bullet. God bless skinner

In my opinion, fast and explosive is totally the wrong way to go for something you are wanting to mount. I have only killed two bobcats in 30+ years of hunting, and one was with a 270 Win at about 15 yards and the other with a 308 at about 100 yards. The exit hole on the one killed with the 270 was large enough to put your fist in, but the cat killed with the 308 left an exit hole about the size of a quarter. I was using a factory loaded Remington 150 gr Corelokt in the 270 and a hand loaded 165 gr Corelokt in the 308, and that being said, I would think a solid or bonded bullet would be best.

.17HMR best bet IMO. That's what I'm taking on my next varmint hunt.

MAYBE THE QOUTE OF THE DAY

i shot a cat with my 6.8spc and exit hole was only nickel sized at 125 yards or so....

I like the .17HMR, great little bullet.

.17hmr up to a .22 hornet if you want to mount it with minimal damage. When we take one to mount we try to get a shot with the chest facing us so it is highly unlikely that there will be an exit hole.

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