Favorite caliber for bobcat (Pennsylvania)

[Ranger Roberts]

Hello all! I am heading up to northern PA for a bobcat hunt this year. I can't do my annual black bear hunt because of an injury, so I figured I'd do a bobcat hunt instead. What is your favorite caliber for bobcat? My first thought was 22 mag, 223 or 243 but as I thought more about it, my 17 hmr might be the way to go. Any thoughts?

 

[Patocazador]

Any small caliber will kill a bobcat. A big one weighs ~25 lbs.

If you want to save the hide in good shape, check with your game department to see if FMJ bullets are legal. They won't blow a big hole through it like a soft-point.

I see a .222/.223 with a FMJ as being ideal.

 

[Ranger Roberts]

Thanks Patocazador!

 

[wankerjake]

17 will do, most consider it light. 223 with a soft point is what I'd probably recommend, especially of you can hand load it down to hornet or fireball speeds. Varmint style bullets are also popular but can leave bigger than desired holes. 12 guage with #4 buck is what I prefer.

Seems like a 17hmr would work, they aren't big as patocazador points out and they are thin skinned, but I know they are not popular with bobcat enthusiasts. The faster 17's and 20's are what most go with for fur. Do they make a non-explosive soft point for the 17hmr?