20 Cal. bullet choice for bobcats

[fp4]

I'm looking for advice for my 20 vartarg or 204 ruger. In the past I was shooting a 17 fireball and 25gr. hornady's.

I changed it to a 20 vartarg for a better selection of bullets. I'm interested in bullet, speed, and what kind of performance it gave .

Any advice and firsthand knowledge would be greatly appreciated. I haven't been able to find much on bobcats as most everything deals with coyotes.

Thanks in advance.

 

[COhunter]

We use the 35gr Berger almost exclusively for coyote, bobcat, and fox. That's out of a 204R, but we don't load them hot. Bought a couple thousand back when you could find them, that's the only issue

 

[nakneker]

I use the 35gr Berger also if I’m saving pelts, that and the 32gr ballistic tip. Moderate loads out of 204 and 20-222. Links below. I use the 39gr Blitzking a lot when I’m not saving pelts, it rarely exits but definitely does a bit more damage.

Berger 20cal 35gr FB Varmint

Product Information Caliber: 20cal Bullet Diameter: 0.204" Bullet Weight: 35 Grains OAL: 0.596" Bullet Style: Flat Base Varmint Recommended Twist Rate: 1 in 14" or faster G1 BC: 0.179 Part Number: 20303 Quantity: 100 or 500* *500ct will be 5-100ct boxes of the same lot number

www.bluecollarreloading.com

Nosler 20cal 32gr Ballistic Tip

Product Information Caliber: 20cal (204cal) Bullet Diameter: 0.204” Bullet Weight: 32 Grains OAL: 0.640” Bullet Style: Boat Tail Spitzer G1 BC: 0.206 Part Number: 35216 or 39573 Quantity: 100 or 250

www.bluecollarreloading.com

 

[fp4]

Thanks nakneker, I shoot both of those bullets on coyotes now. How slow have you went on the bergers and did you get exit wounds with them.

 

[Jrjones]

I too wld stick to the hp’s. I shot a bobcat in the head once at night w a light. All I cld see was its eyes. I hit it in an eye ball. Bought 130yards. I was using 34gr dogtown bullet at that time. I skinned that cat and there was not a single hole in it. That bullet never made it out. On the cheap that’s a good short range calling bullet and has not exited the few coyotes I’ve shot w it either. I’d stick to the hp’s on fur and save the plastic tips for crows

 

[Jrjones]

In my 20-222 im currently on my last box of old Berger 30gr hp’s. I’ve shot a few chucks short range with it and you could get the woodchuck mounted if you wanted to, if you didn’t shoot it in the head. Can hardly find the hole. 20grs h4198.

 

[nakneker]

Thanks nakneker, I shoot both of those bullets on coyotes now. How slow have you went on the bergers and did you get exit wounds with them.

In the 204 I’m using H4895 and I’m shooting a lower node, I’m just over 3750 fps, you can get quite a bit more speed but that rifle likes that load and it does just what we’re talking about, it rarely exits with a good center mass shot.

I can’t recall the 20-222 speed of the top of my head but I’m not shooting it near max either, pretty mild load of H4198 which is my favorite power in the 20-222 and the 222. I’ve always had a 222 and that powder works just about every time.

In both of those chambering a guy can get over 4000 fps if he wants, I like that kind of speed if I’m not saving pelts. I don’t process pelts myself, I have a good friend who I’ve given my varmints for nearly 35 years including my bobcats. I kept 10 early on and had them tanned but after that I just give them to my buddy, that’s his favorite hobby, trapping and pelts.

Good luck, let’s us know what you do.

 

[fp4]

I really appreciate all the replies given on this, thanks!

I just picked up a couple more bottles of H4198 last week. I can run 35bergers 3300 to 3400 in the Vartarg with it. So I think I will start with that load and see how it works.

Thanks again!

 

[L.Sherm]

I would use the Bergers to, ive shot a mega ton of the 34 v- nightmares on sage rats not the most explosive but they do some damage.