Bullets for bobcats

Crackshot · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:10 pm Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

I hope you like the 17 caliber rifles. I never did like them. Had a 17 rem for awhile and lost to much game from bad bullet performance. I think if the Hornady VMax's, and Nosler BTips were here then I would have had no issues. But for know my 22 KHornet, and 223 rem's do all I need doing with no pelt damage and have all the range I need to take any Varmint......... at any range I feel comfortable shooting them. Smile

My favorite is still my Ruger 77/22Hornet I reamed to KHornet. It don't give me any great "warp" speeds as do the hotter centerfire 22's, but it hits hard inside 200 yards with the 40gr Sierra HP's zipping along at 2870FPS average muzzle velocity, has a petite appetite for powder, and brass is available.

tcknight · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:37 pm Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

Crackshot wrote:

it hits hard inside 200 yards

Being a caller rather than a stalker, I rarely take shots over 100 yds. It was a real toss up between the 22 hornet and 17 furball but I liked the idea of flatter trajectory so that I can precisely lay that bullet where it needs to be without compensation. I've talked to alot of predator hunters who swear by the .17 but caution that you can not shoot at the shoulder or you will just cripple the animal. Only two places to hit them, in the chest coming straight on or behind the shoulder when broadside, avoiding that hard shoulder and leg bone.

I'll keep you guys posted once I have it set up and shoot a few animals with it.

To be continued.

chambered221 · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:06 pm Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

Can't get a bite or even a nibble on the Vartarg !!! Poke

I think you'll be happy with the .17 Fireball Very Happy

broadside/lungs only way to go...........regardless what your shooting!!!

tcknight · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:42 pm Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

chambered221 wrote:

Can't get a bite or even a nibble on the Vartarg !!!

I'm ignoring it. Fencing

tcknight · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 3:59 pm Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

Well guys, I got the Model 7 in .17 Fireball. Mounted a 6x Simmons scope on it that I had laying around. Went out to the range yesterday to break it in. Shot once, cleaned, shot once, cleaned.....

After about the 10th shot I started shooting to put my scope in the vicinity. Still shooting once and cleaning, I got two 0.8" groups at 100. All three shots on both groups came from a clean barrel wtf

So, I ran out of daylight without sighting in the gun for effect. Planned to do that today at lunch but had a 5 -8 mph variable wind so decided to wait. The range near work is on TOP of a mountain Confused

. Any wind anywhere will be right there.

I don't work tomorrow so will go down to the range near my house (which is protected in a small valley and by woods) and will get er sighted in. I'll let you guys know how she does.

One thing I noticed yesterday however is that the cheap scope crosshairs are pretty dog gone thick Embarassed

so I am sure the gun will be more capable than the scope.

Look Chambered, I'm already making excuses Very Happy

Thick crosshairs....number 103 in Tim's List of Shooting Excuses. Wave

chambered221 · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 5:58 pm Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

I prefer a sight-in style target with thick cross hairs and/or low power scopes!!!
Make your own by sizing it at the actual range so that you have a little daylight between your cross hairs and the target lines. Use a bold color to easily see the relationship to the target. I also use a level when tacking my target up to aid in keeping the gun level when shooting. It’s easy to tilt the gun and not know it with low-power scopes. If you size your target correctly you’ll add some consistency to the process.

wtf

Personally though........I'd put a 6-18 Loopy w/fine crosshair on it !!! Poke

tcknight · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 6:09 pm Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

chambered221 wrote:

Personally though........I'd put a 6-18 Loopy w/fine crosshair on it !!!

I would too! That's the reason I was wondering if you had one laying around you weren't using. I'll return it just as SOOON as I get my gun sighted in. Toothless

chambered221 · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 6:18 pm Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

As long as you return it with gun still attached !!! Very Happy

(and a couple boxes of ammo)

tcknight · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 9:45 am Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

As promised I got out to the range this morning. Very nice day here in west Arkansas. The range had a 2-3 mph breeze coming straight in behind the bullet so all was good.

I started out trying to dial in my scope. The first group was low and left so I adjusted and fired for groups. I have to say...I am IMPRESSED with the little Model 7. With Remington UMC ammo, loaded with 25 gr Hornady Hollow Points, I consistently got .5"-.7" groups with an overall average of .6". Here's a photo of the typical group:

The UMC ammo is about 1/2 the cost of regular ammo for the .17 Fireball so you would think they would save the money in quality control. Looking at the above group, I think not.

However, I did get flyers every once in a while.

tcknight · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 9:47 am Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

The flyers, which were not included in the above average, were anywhere from 1.2" to 1.7" and showed up about every 1 in 12 shots. Needless to say, I am satisfied. Very Happy

Now off to see what it will do with some of the local coyotes.

Thanks Chambered for steering me in this direction. Smile

Crackshot · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 10:40 am Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

Good shooting TCKnight! Now get the goodies to reload that little bugger and let us know what you got then. Smile

chambered221 · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 1:58 pm Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

tcknight wrote:

Thanks Chambered for steering me in this direction. Smile

I like spending other peoples money !!! Very Happy

Your welcome !!!

More scope and some hand loads will probably shrink that avg.!!! Poke

tcknight · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:26 pm Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

[/quote]More scope and some hand loads will probably shrink that avg.!!! [/quote]

No doubt.

But handloading is not in the cards.

I will be shopping for a scope sometime next year. Smile

chambered221 · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:56 pm Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats

tcknight wrote:

But handloading is not in the cards.

that sucks !!! Sad

Me got

.......you send me gun........ I work up load.......... get it shooting real good and sighted in.
Then try out on some varmints..........send gun back to ya with ammo..........all at your expense of course !!! Very Happy

(2,000 rounds should do it!!!)

tcknight · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 8:24 pm Post subject: Re: Bullets for bobcats