Cougar hunting caliber conundrum

richcory · #51 11-18-2020, 06:31 PM

Winchester & a handgun. Preferably a S&W!

Cory

BigBill · #52 11-19-2020, 03:46 PM

Handgun 44 mg Redhawk loaded hot.

7shooter · #53 11-19-2020, 04:50 PM

There was an article in the Bismarck Tribune a few years ago about a pheasant hunter north of there who was stalked by a cougar. He killed it with one 12 gauge bird shot at close range.

22shtur · #54 11-29-2020, 01:47 PM

When I was a teenager in SW Texas near the Mexico border. We had lots of lion kills on domestic sheep there. That was back when sheep ranchers were getting paid for their wool and mohair from the Govt.
My Dad's cousin had tracking dogs and was called every time a rancher reported a lion kill on his livestock. When I went with him, he would take a Win 92 in 44-40, because that was the only rifle he owned, plus it was easy to pack on horseback.
When I moved to the Northwest, I bought a Win 94 with 16" bbl in 44 mag for trekking over rough terrain while hound hunting black bears and lions. If I didn't hunt black bears I would use a 30-30.
If you've had your Win 94 very long, 2022 will be the time to attach a hunting story to it, and any scratch will just be character on it. Lots of people think "military intelligence" is funny, well I think "safe queen" is worse.

Kurusu · #55 11-29-2020, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 38splfan

Hey,

I am going on a cougar hunt with dogs in 2022 in northern Idaho. Guide says shot distances should be between 10-30 yards as cougars will be treed. Here’s my conundrum... I have two rifle choices to come along with me... one is my kimber Montana in 280ai... leupold 4.5-12x40 on it. I’ve hunted alaska twice with it, killed rams, deer, and bears. She’s my go to critter getter from mice to moose. It’s been used hard, ain’t pretty, but very effective and able to take a beating. My second choice is a darn close to unfired and almost flawless Winchester 94 30-30 from 1955. Seriously, barely a scratch on it no sling studs and completely virgin. For a <50 yard shot, is it worth bringing the 280, or should I make a great memory with the Winchester? Groups in the Winchester are tennis ball sized and poa at 50 yards with opensights. Let me know your thoughts and opinions.

38splfan

You are going in 2022? Wow! That is planning ahead.

For cougars 10 - 30 yards. No scope whatsoever. My weapon of choice would be a Winchester 92 carbine, or one of thir clones. Caliber of choice .44-40 or .44 Magnum. As a bonus you can carry a six gun in ghe same caliber.

If you don't have one. I just offered you the perfect excuse to fill ghat gap.

Drm50 · #56 11-29-2020, 02:32 PM

I could be wrong but the Govt hunter that had biggest cougar score shot them with a 7.63 Mauser Pistol he might have sneaked the clip on stock. I would say for most hunters the 94, 30/30 would be the best choice. From coon hunting I have seen many guys who thought they were pistoleros do mighty poor shooting out coon.

F224 · #57 12-04-2020, 10:41 PM

You could just buy a 2x Leupold Compact scope for your 280ai for this hunt. Cheaper than another gun, and load some Raptor bullets for it, they won't tear up the hide.