Bullet for Mt. Lion wanted
#184273
09/30/2017 2:36 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10
onehandgunner
OP
stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10 |
Here soon I am hoping to go on a Mt. Lion hunt here in New Mexico. I shoot a SBH 44 in 5.5" and my comfort velocity is about 1050 to 1150 fps. with a 240 gr. lead bullet. Lion should be treed but 25 to 50 yards should be max distance. What would be a good bullet ? Thanks.
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Re: Bullet for Mt. Lion wanted
[Re: onehandgunner]
#184275
09/30/2017 3:14 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 89
cessna
journeyman
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journeyman
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 89 |
Any of your normal hunting 44 bullets should be just fine. Here in the northern part of the state we use a variety of handguns. Most smaller than your 44. All centerfires. Lion not hard to kill, it's all about shot placement. They are exciting hunts, you will have a great time. Nothing like following hounds through canyon country. Unlike a bear they have small lungs, and are good for short sprints usually. But, you never know. I wish you the best. I assume you have your NMGF lion test passed so you can purchase your tags.
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Re: Bullet for Mt. Lion wanted
[Re: cessna]
#184277
09/30/2017 3:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836
Whitworth
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836 |
On my one and only mountain lion I used Barnes XPBs. Worked like a charm.
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Re: Bullet for Mt. Lion wanted
[Re: Whitworth]
#184282
09/30/2017 4:55 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 818
sixshot
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 818 |
As mentioned Lion's aren"t hard to kill, just about any good 44 bullet will get the job done. Bullet placement is more important than bullet selection. Many use smaller calibers on treed cats & they are almost always treed. Used a 357 Magnum with a Keith cast on mine. Good luck on your hunt, take lots of photo's!
Dick
Last edited by sixshot; 09/30/2017 10:37 PM.
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Re: Bullet for Mt. Lion wanted
[Re: sixshot]
#184283
09/30/2017 5:09 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,512
Ernie
Distinguished Master
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Distinguished Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,512 |
No counsel from me-never hunted them before. Just wanted to say, "Have fun and good luck!"
Ernie the Un-Tactical
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Re: Bullet for Mt. Lion wanted
[Re: Ernie]
#184293
09/30/2017 9:46 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,020
tradmark
Shooting Expert
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Shooting Expert
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,020 |
Whos your guide there? I would second the barnes but shot placement is imperative like dick said. Shot mine with barnes and died without a step
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Re: Bullet for Mt. Lion wanted
[Re: tradmark]
#184296
09/30/2017 11:41 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10
onehandgunner
OP
stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10 |
Thanks for the replies. Here goes, my first thing is get a few more chores done before winter. Cessna, all I have are lead bullets, round nose and some Keiths. Have not done the quiz yet but here soon; winter, early spring hunt. Whitworth looked at the Barnes, nasty suckers. Sixshot, h'mm the Keith strikes again. Ernie, thank you. Tradmark, no guide. I want to hunt the Mountainair area, you know the relatives of friends that have ranches and graze cattle etc, and have dogs. I live 50 miles from the area. If all that fails, my son knows some people, and if that goes south there are outfitters that will do a 5 day hunt for $5500.00, man that is just pocket change for a guy on Social Security. I will look into the Barnes. Thanks again.
Last edited by onehandgunner; 09/30/2017 11:43 PM.
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Re: Bullet for Mt. Lion wanted
[Re: Ernie]
#184301
10/01/2017 1:28 AM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,669
Chance Weldon
Distinguished Expert
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Distinguished Expert
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,669 |
No counsel from me-never hunted them before. Just wanted to say, "Have fun and good luck!" X2
Formerly TN Lone Wolf
"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided." - J.K. Rowling
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Re: Bullet for Mt. Lion wanted
[Re: Chance Weldon]
#184387
10/02/2017 12:50 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836
Whitworth
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836 |
This is what the .454 XPBs delivered to the chest cavity of my cat.
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Re: Bullet for Mt. Lion wanted
[Re: Whitworth]
#184402
10/02/2017 7:36 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10
onehandgunner
OP
stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10 |
What was the muzzle velocity of that bullet, also what was the distance of your shot ?
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Re: Bullet for Mt. Lion wanted
[Re: onehandgunner]
#184412
10/02/2017 9:44 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 207
TM
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 207 |
Maybe it's just me but I would think a good .44 special loaded with a good Keith style hard cast bullet or a Hornady XTP, either in 240 gr. would get the job done on a lion. Good luck on your hunt, I'm also considering one. Looking at Colorado. Only based on what I've heard, I may try the Grand Mesa area.
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Re: Bullet for Mt. Lion wanted
[Re: TM]
#184420
10/03/2017 1:39 AM
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 11
Chaser
stranger
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stranger
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 11 |
Ive shot Mt Lion with 32 H and R with 85 grain XTP. Lions don't take a bunch of killing...
Billy
Last edited by Chaser; 10/03/2017 1:41 AM.
Turn em loose !!
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Re: Bullet for Mt. Lion wanted
[Re: Chaser]
#184424
10/03/2017 3:24 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,020
tradmark
Shooting Expert
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Shooting Expert
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,020 |
Theyre not hard to kill but its important for them to die quick. They can kill a dog quick and in short order. My guide for my lion hunt carries a 356 gnr or 357 but was glad when i said i was gonna use a 454 with barnes. He said he likes the hunter to kill it fast. The lion will jump outta the tree and destroy a dog on the way out so to speak. He uses what he uses so he has less chance of hurting a dog since if he shoots theres a squirmish a 357 will kill a lion well.
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Re: Bullet for Mt. Lion wanted
[Re: tradmark]
#184438
10/03/2017 12:55 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836
Whitworth
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836 |
Theyre not hard to kill but its important for them to die quick. They can kill a dog quick and in short order. My guide for my lion hunt carries a 356 gnr or 357 but was glad when i said i was gonna use a 454 with barnes. He said he likes the hunter to kill it fast. The lion will jump outta the tree and destroy a dog on the way out so to speak. He uses what he uses so he has less chance of hurting a dog since if he shoots theres a squirmish a 357 will kill a lion well. Exactly. If you don't put 'em down quickly they can exact a toll on no time.
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Re: Bullet for Mt. Lion wanted
[Re: Whitworth]
#184439
10/03/2017 1:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 11
Chaser
stranger
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stranger
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 11 |
I have owned hounds for over 30 years and am very protective of them. As a hound man we love our dogs more than most anything else. There are many stories about hound guys falling over cliffs and dying trying to save there dogs. Im all about enough gun but lions don't take much killing.. Most hound men tie there dogs back out of harms way when it comes time to shoot a lion. That being said, Ive seen at least 3 lions taken with the 32 and Ive carried one to many trees. That said, I usually did pack a Smith 657 in a 4 inch gun for years. I hardly ever take a gun to the tree anymore...
Billy
Last edited by Chaser; 10/03/2017 1:10 PM.
Turn em loose !!
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