17 HMR or 22 MAG for bobcat

[nate-lab]

I am thinking about get a 17 HMR or a 22 Mag in a browning t bolt for hunting bobcats and coyote which one is the better caliber

 

[Broz]

We kill mountain lions with both close up. I used the 17 on a 140 lb male. and it did wel with a good shot placement behind the front shoulder. If you are getting close the 17 will do fine, but if you feel the need the 22 mag will go a little farther. Both are light for the job and shot placement is key.

Jeff

 

[dogbuster0006]

I know a couple ppl that use a 17hmr but keep shots close with either caliber. Head shots will drop them in most any caliber. I've seen a few shot with a 22mag that died rather quick but shot placement is key, if your shooting for behind the shoulder keep them close I'd say inside 100yd you should be ok. Is there any particular reason you want to go with such a light caliber? On foxes either would work just fine but on big fat yotes like are in my area i want a lil more gun, 223 with 55gn hp work great.

 

[gp816]

I've lost 3 coyotes with my 17 from 60-140 yards (all chest shots through) and I'm gonna say that bobcats are at least as tough so I'd stay away from it. Unless you shoot the 20 gr FMJ's, which actually act more like a big game bullet. The yotes I've seen shot with the 22 mag died on the spot.

 

[Centxshooter]

17HMR has taken care of several pests out in the country from squirrles to coyotes at 139yds. Cant go wrong witht he 20 grainers.

 

[nate-lab]

i will mostly be hunting with this rifle a night and a .223 is to loud for where i will be hunting

 

[bigngreen]

Bobcats are worth some good money, I would hit them with the 17 I think. I've shot a couple in traps with a 17 HMR with zero pelt damage and quick kills, cats kill easy IMO as long as you have a bullet that will open up on them.

 

[Cold Trigger Finger]

Sounds like it would be a great place for a 17 Hornet. Or Blue Dot loads in a 223 .

 

[dogbuster0006]

I'm not super familiar with either round but I'd say 22mag. They aren't very loud and with the heavier bullets I'd say 40gr or so you should be able to kill the heck out of them inside 100yd. I've shot the 17hmr a few times and it's loud. It's also moving much faster, I'm a hornady fan and they've got a couple new loads for the 22mag which look promising, 45hr ftx and the 35gr vmax. "I may or may not" have seen a couple deer killed with the 22wmr that dropped like a sack of taters...lol
I still feel the 17 is a lil light for anything over ground hog size but that's just my .02 The 22mag has been around for a long time and has earned a pretty good rep for killing yotes, foxes and cats up close. I'll just about guarantee any hardware store you go in will have them on the shelf too. I've got several pradator hunting dvds and a few of the guys are using a 22mag, up close looks to kill the just as dead as anything else and I doubt the animals could tell the diff. I would still try to make head shots on them but that's me like I said not too familiar with either round but if a 22lr that killed the fox snatching chickens from the neighbors coop a 22mag will be all the better. Good luck and happy hunting let us know what you decide and post some pics, we all love gun porn...lol

 

[Jayhawk]

I have used both to about 130 yards effectively, but shot placement is crucial when using these small calibers. What kind of night set-up are you planning on using?

 

[rosborohunter]

Are you stuck on the T bolt? I have been in a similar predicament. In Arkansas, you must use rimfire cartridges on WMAs and other public land. I have studied rimfire rifles quite a bit and finally settled on a CZ 455 varmint. Look them up. They are switch barrel capable and are a couple of hundred less than the T bolt. For the price of the T bolt, you can get the 455 with both 17 hmr and 22 wmr. Also good to note is that I have not found a review yet that places the T bolt as good as the CZ. I am saying all this and I am a big Browning fan.
I purchased my 455 on Gunbroker a couple of days ago and look forward to getting it in. I hope all of my studying pays off.

 

[Cold Trigger Finger]

What are WMA 's .
As far as CZs in general, they are my 2nd favorite rifles. Ruger being my favorite. Savage being 3rd fave. .
I had a load worked up for my 223s using 52gr Speer H P and a light load of Unique that gave just under 2000 fps and was 1" low at 100 yards. It was 2 1/2" lower than the full velocity loads. I made it up for fox at close range. It held the same windage as the rest of my 223 ammo so all I had to do was roughly know my range and I was good to go.

 

[rosborohunter]

What are WMA 's .
As far as CZs in general, they are my 2nd favorite rifles. Ruger being my favorite. Savage being 3rd fave. .
I had a load worked up for my 223s using 52gr Speer H P and a light load of Unique that gave just under 2000 fps and was 1" low at 100 yards. It was 2 1/2" lower than the full velocity loads. I made it up for fox at close range. It held the same windage as the rest of my 223 ammo so all I had to do was roughly know my range and I was good to go.

Wildlife Management Areas

 

[snox801]

I own both. If I was to buy only one 22 mag would be it. I have had much better luck on yotes with the 22 mag than with the 17.