Curious as to what you would choose for Mt. Lion.

[A Guy Out West]

If you guys were going Mt. Lion (Lion) hunting, what would you choose between a 7.62 x 39 123 gr. SP or a .243 100 SP? These are your only two choices. You will be hunting over an electronic call, range should be under 75 yards. We call Mt. Lions Cougars or just plain Lions. The hide will be made into a rug. FYI, the price of a tag is $16.00, and the season runs all year long.

 

[johngryphon]

Walkers,Plotts or Blue ticks and a .22 magnum...oops over a call? The 243 Guy.

 

[shakey jake]

how big are lions? i dont know enough to choose but the 7.62 has killed plenty of big stuff in africa so i guess thats a safe bet
shakey

 

[Klenchblaize]

.25 Copperhead:

No need to burden yourself with either a large calibre or heavy rifle:

K

 

[Woodsmoke]

I'd take the .243 if it's to be a rug. I have it in my head that the 7.62 might pass through and make a mess of the exit?

 

[Turkish]

From the press recently. A half nelson and choke it out seemed to be quit effective, for close quarter work. I'll get my coat

 

[Buckaroo8]

If you guys were going Mt. Lion (Lion) hunting, what would you choose between a 7.62 x 39 123 gr. SP or a .243 100 SP? These are your only two choices. You will be hunting over an electronic call, range should be under 75 yards. We call Mt. Lions Cougars or just plain Lions. The hide will be made into a rug. FYI, the price of a tag is $16.00, and the season runs all year long.

I’d use the rifle/set up that I was most familiar with and most confident in.

 

[Woodsmoke]

I’d use the rifle/set up that I was most familiar with and most confident in

7.62 x 39 123 gr. SP or a .243 100 SP?

 

[Swedish]

I've seen mountain lions in the wild in Colorado, magnificent animals. I'm not sure I'd hunt one unless it was problematic or there was a population control issue. However If I was going to **** off a 200lb apex predator I'd want it to die about 1 millisecond after I'd ****ed it off!

 

[Buckaroo8]

Alright, it would be a.243 for me, since I have one of those and I’m familiar with it.

 

[Home Loader]

7.62x39 for me I use both calibres, that said if your more comfortable using your .243 go with it.

 

[sh1kar]

Can you use solids?

S

 

[LeftHandGuy]

Neither would be my first choice, but between the two I'd take the 7.62 for the heavier bullet and greater wound channel. Especially noting the short expected range.

What are the hypothetical rifles?

 

[devon deer stalker]

.243 will work for sure, but aren't most hunted with hounds and shot out of tree's?
My friend called a Lion in by accident when hunting Elk, he had a tag but wasn't certain about the regs so let it walk, only to find later he could have shot it!
Cheers
Richard

 

[A Guy Out West]

Walkers,Plotts or Blue ticks and a .22 magnum...oops over a call? The 243 Guy.

Ahhh yes, the .22 mag. That was once popular with dog hunters. Since lions have been given "game" status in most states, .22 mag is a no no. I read once that a government hunter who had killed a ton of lions in California used a Lugar in 9mm as his tree dispatch gun.

 

[A Guy Out West]

Can you use solids?

S

No.

 

[A Guy Out West]

how big are lions? i dont know enough to choose but the 7.62 has killed plenty of big stuff in africa so i guess thats a safe bet
shakey

I believe our state record is 180 pounds, I'm thinking about 120 pounds is about the average size in my area.

 

[A Guy Out West]

I'd take the .243 if it's to be a rug. I have it in my head that the 7.62 might pass through and make a mess of the exit?

I was thinking that the 100 gr. would go through and through a lion. You, don't think it will?

 

[A Guy Out West]

I've seen mountain lions in the wild in Colorado, magnificent animals. I'm not sure I'd hunt one unless it was problematic or there was a population control issue. However If I was going to ** off a 200lb apex predator I'd want it to die about 1 millisecond after I'd **ed it off!

All animals are magnificent.

 

[A Guy Out West]

Neither would be my first choice, but between the two I'd take the 7.62 for the heavier bullet and greater wound channel. Especially noting the short expected range.

What are the hypothetical rifles?

Tikka .243 and a Ruger American in 7.62 both are scoped.